Things She Really Wants to Do for Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12, and there are lots of ways to celebrate the special women in your life! Whether your kids plan to make you breakfast in bed or if you’re going out to brunch, you can still plan a fun weekend activity.

Kid-oriented activities are fine the other 364 days of the year, so make sure that on Mother’s Day you get to do something that you want to do! While children may prefer a day at the arcade over time spent at a garden, this is your day mama, so get everyone dressed up in their colorful spring clothes and go frolic outside (if that’s your thing). One of my favorite Mother’s Days was one we spent at Wave Hill in the Bronx, but there are plenty of other beautiful local gardens, from NJ Botanical Garden to Rutgers Gardens to Grounds for Sculpture to choose from.

My other favorite thing to do on Mother’s Day when it’s feasible is a spa day (okay, spa hour). At Alchemy Mind & Body they have outdoor hydrotherapy tubs that you can soak in before or after your treatment (now that is a Mother’s Day dream come true!). Or you can put on your fascinator and sip some afternoon tea at a lovely tea room.

If you’re the athletic type, there are many Minor League baseball stadiums that have games the whole family will love or take the drive down to Cape May and experience railbiking around a set course.

Here are some other great ways you can spend the day dedicated to you – even though we think every day should be Mother’s Day!

May 2

Mother’s Day Pottery Painting Party
ACACNJ, Boonton
Kids and parents will work together on a pottery project.

May 3

Mom’s Day Out
Menlo Park Mall, Edison
Start at Center Court, where you will get a Menlo Park Mall tote bag, retailer and dining offers, giveaways, a chance to win a $250 VISA gift card, and listings to visit shops that have special in-store activations to celebrate Mother’s Day early.

May 4

Downtown Loves Moms
Peterson Park, Metuchen
It’s time to make some memories with Mom, and capture them in front of a gorgeous floral wall or at the selfie station. And, because May 4 is “Star Wars” Day, you’ll also have the chance to make your own lightsaber.

May 5

Motherhood Brunch
Inner City Cafe, Orange
Learn about the wellness center, connect with community members, and enjoy some food as you celebrate the joys of motherhood. This is a fundraiser for Isinmi Village and aims to decrease the rate of maternal mortalities during birth and post-mortem.

Main Street Pops Artisan Market
Main Street Pops, Hoboken
Start your shopping for Mother’s Day with a unique gift from one of the handcrafted shops, including fashion, accessories, jewelry, home goods, pet products, kids’ stuff, foods, photography, art and more. There will be live music and outdoor games.

May 6

Mommy and Me
Chick-Fil-A, Brick Twp.
There will be food and activities so you can spend time bonding with your little one.

May 7

The Manifestation Mother’s Day Experience
Loopwell, Montclair
Bring Mom for an evening of intention setting, chakra alignment, breathwork, relaxation and Reiki.

May 8

Mommy Makeover Evening
Another Sunday Boutique, Red Bank
Another Sunday and Avanti Day Resort will offer wine, small bites, lash strip applications, henna art and eyebrow lamination. Reps from Industry Magazine, The House of Poke, Another Sunday, DG Weight Loss and Rowe Plastic Surgery will be on hand with specials.

Mommy & Me Tea
The Mathis House, Toms River
Dress in your prettiest outfits and bonnets and have a royal tea party in this gorgeous Victorian mansion. You and your kids will have tea, scones, finger sandwiches and mini desserts.

May 8-12

LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup
Upper Montclair Country Club, Clifton
Wednesday – Sunday
See some of the top LPGA athletes including Rose Zhang, Nelly Korda and more compete on the course.

May 9

All About the Peonies Mother’s Day Event
Albariño Tapas and Wine Bar, Shrewsbury
Create your own bouquet with peonies and garden roses provided by Flower Spot NJ while you sip wine. Get ready for photo ops with the balloon and floral display.

Mannino’s Mother’s Day Pop-Up Market
Downtown Hammonton
There will be vendors selling flowers, candles, homemade jams, scrubs, apparel, permanent jewelry.

May 10

Sweets & Sparkles Mother’s Day Pop-Up
MarketFair, Princeton
Visit Sinfully Sweets by Amanda for cookies and Eternal Permanent Jewelry for customizable jewelry, and then shop at the other retailers in the mall.

May 10-12

Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend
Throughout New Jersey
There are more than 60 wineries and vineyards across the state, and many will have specials this weekend including brunch and lunch, tasting flights, food trucks and flower bars.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, New Brunswick
Treat Mom to a ballet performance by American Repertory Ballet of Shakespeare’s classic story with fairies, elves, mischief, romance, joy and love.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre
NJPAC, Newark
This Mother’s Day Weekend tradition is a mixed repertory program that will include “Revelations,” showcasing African-American cultural heritage through spirituals, song-sermons, gospel and holy blues.

Mother-Child Weekend
YMCA of The Pines, Medford
This weekend of mom and child bonding includes outdoor activities like kayaking, archery, nature programs and arts and crafts.

May 11

Azalea Festival
Sayen Gardens, Hamilton Twp.
Sayen Gardens features a magnificent display of over 250,000 flowering bulbs, including dogwoods, azaleas and rhododendrons. Throughout the festival, you can tour the Sayen House, visit crafters and vendors, grab a bite to eat from food trucks and listen to music.

CinnaMama’s Day
Mav’s Top Buns, Middletown
There will be pop-ups from local vendors to celebrate Mother’s Day, including Divine Coffee, Potent Potables, bijoux x spice, and Flower Spot – along with incredibly massive and sweet cinnamon buns. There will be bouquet making, a mobile coffee cart, permanent jewelry and mixed drinks – plus giveaways.

Mommy and Me Flower Crowns and Tea Party
Sutherland Arts Studio and Gallery, Voorhees Twp.
Make your own matching flower crowns and enjoy a nice tea party together with free hot and iced tea and snacks. All family members are welcome.

Mother and Daughter Duo Class
Bounce Studio NJ, Manalapan
Moms and their daughters (age 14 and up) can get in on the new fitness craze that leaves you suspended in the air while bouncing around the studio.

May Blooms Sip & Shop Spectacular Vendor Fair
Garden State Distillery, Toms River
While you taste some beer, choose your last-minute Mother’s Day gift from vendors selling crystal jewelry, clothing, shoes, body butter, candles, wax melts, acrylic paintings, faux flowers and journals.

May 11-12

Spring Bazaar
Grand Arcade and Convention Hall, Asbury Park
Plan a day of shopping with Mom. Stroll along the boardwalk area to shop locally-made goodies.

Lilac Garden Splendor Weekend
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
See the beautiful, sweet-scented flowers that are in peak bloom this time of year, and ask members of NJBG’s Lilac Team about the garden.

Mother’s Day Jewelry Making Party
Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
Kids and moms can work on two projects, either a necklace, bracelet, earrings or a keychain.

Mother’s Day Open House
The Watson House, Hamilton
Learn about American history at this house-turned-museum, The Isaac & Joanna Watson House, part of New Jersey Daughters of the American Revolution. It will be open for tours.

Kids Flower Potting Days
Von Thuns, South Brunswick
Kids can pot a free 3-inch Mother’s Day gift flower made with different colors and varieties of marigolds, begonias, petunias, celosia and dianthus. Or, sign them up for a planter making workshop (which required a fee) to make their own springtime flowering planter.

May 12

Mother’s Day at The Pier
Pier Village, Long Branch
Treat mom, or yourself, to a relaxing mini-vacay. There will be brunch options at the beachside restaurants, yin yoga and yoga nidra, a Mother & Child Sunset Soiree, bracelet making, family bowling and arcade games.

Mother’s Day Market + Brunch
Whitechapel Projects, Long Branch
Bring mom and the grandkids for brunch and drinks, a flower bouquet bar, a spring photo wall, a candlemaking workshop, a glitter hair bar, music and kids’ activities.

Mother’s Day at Casino Pier
Casino Pier, Seaside Heights
Moms ride free at the Ride Pier with a paying child.

Spring Artisan Exhibition: A Mother’s Day Special
Princeton Marriott at Forrestal Village, Princeton
Ansa Butt and Ranna Matteen will celebrate craftmanship, showcase local talent and small businesses, offer free entertainment and workshops, and present raffles. Guest speaker is Marie Renee Thadal of Itiah Angels.

Mother’s Day at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, Pt. Pleasant
Moms receive free admission to the fun house, aquarium, mini golf, rides and adventure lookout as long as they’re with one child who has a paid ticket.

Second Sunday Concert Series
Van Vleck House & Garden, Montclair
New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players will perform classical music on the lawn.

Mother’s Day Open Swim
Five Star Swim School: Edison, Princeton, Cherry Hill, Galloway, Deptford, East Hanover, Eatontown
Moms swim free with their paying children age 3 and older.

Sunday Morning Fitness Hike
Schiff Nature Preserve, Mendham
Kick off Mother’s Day with a brisk 5-mile hike over varied terrain travels across Schiff Nature Preserve. Hikers should be adults, unless you have a small child that you carry in a backpack. Leashed dogs are welcome.

Bracelet Making
Little Words Project, Pier Village, Long Branch
Find the right words to say “I love you” or “Thank you” to Mom and put it on a bracelet.

Family Bowling
Pier Pins, Pier Village, Long Branch
Challenge your momma to some friendly competition as you roll the ball down the lanes.

May 19