Ah, Mother's Day. It's easy to plan in one sense: the combo of the opportunity to sleep in, a latte in bed, a little family time and a little "me" time is hard to beat. But what's that crowd-pleasing activity that will make you happy and give you some new family memories? We've compiled a "cheat sheet" for six different types of Puget Sound mamas, with emphasis on taking advantage of some of the great Mom's Day deals out there.

And yes, we encourage you to truly use this as a checklist for your loved ones. Print it off and circle what you want in red! 

1. Garden Mom

On the day before Mother’s Day, take your kids to the Kids Plant for Mother's Day event at the lovely Edmonds farmers market. They can pick out their own plant for you, decorate it and it will only set you back $8. Donations go to Edmonds in Bloom. Saturday, May 12, 9 a.m.–2 p .m.

At Bellevue Botanical Garden’s annual Mother’s Day Social, families are treated to entertainment and refreshments, and to a chance to stroll the garden’s spectacular grounds in full spring bloom. Free, but donations are encouraged. Sunday, May 13, 1–4 p.m.

Head to the Washington Park Arboretum's Mother's Day event to get an eyeful of rhodies, azaleas and dogwoods in bloom (they don’t call it “Azalea Way” for nothing). Walk a bit farther to the Graham Visitors Center for plant-themed fun for the kiddos. Seattle. Free. Sunday, May 13, 1–4 p.m. 

W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory in Tacoma holds a second-Sunday concert series that falls on Mother’s Day. Wander the grounds and listen to live music, which will be performed inside the conservatory, but audible outside.  Wright Park, Tacoma. Free. Sunday, May 13, 1–2:30 p.m. 

The Buds and Blooms Tour in Federal Way — which tours through five gardens and includes crafts, storytelling and other kids’ activities — is on Mother’s Day weekend. You can start your tour from several locations, including the Federal Way Farmers Market or the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden. Tickets $15 in advance; $20 day of. Kids 12 and under are free. Saturday–Sunday, May 12–13.

And it’s hard to beat this classic Mother’s Day adventure: Head to a nursery or a plant sale — Shoreline’s Kruckerberg Botanic Garden has its annual plant sale on Mother’s Day weekend — and pick out some easy-to-grow plants or seeds and then have a family gardening hour, with everyone creating a living remembrance together. You could even make garden markers together. 

2. Foodie Mom

There is, of course, brunch. (Here's your list on that — check out the four-course tasting menu at Copperleaf.)

Another idea is the nifty-sounding Cookbook Swap and Recipe Exchange at the Burke Museum. Bring in your castoff cookbooks and cherished recipes and swap and chat with other gastronomes and foodies. While you’re talking food, kids can learn about different types of food and where they grow in the Burke’s Edu-Kitchen, and do crafts in the gallery. Free with admission. Sunday, May 13, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

For a real splurge, tell your honey to book a sitter and reservations for dinner at Sky City, the rotating restaurant atop the Space Needle, which serves a special 50th anniversary tasting menu in May, featuring the greatest hits of iconic Seattle chefs such as Tom Douglas and Shiro Kashiba. $62. 206-905-2100 or 800-937-9582. Tasting menu through May 31.

Head to a Sunday farmers market for gourmet quick eats and a chance to buy all the quirky produce you like (kohlrabi and rhubarb, anyone?). Ballard has a huge and wonderful Sunday market (11 a.m.–3 p.m.). Stop by Café Besalu for a croissant first, or better yet, have someone else stand in the line. West Seattle (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) and South Tacoma (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) also have excellent Sunday markets.

For a taste of foodie heaven that will please everyone, sample our region's burgeoning gourmet ice cream scene. At Full Tilt (four locations in Seattle), you can get artisanal ice cream, as well as beer, pinball, and vintage video games.

3. Nature Mom

Birding moms will know that Mother’s Day weekend coincides with International Migratory Bird Day (May 12), which means opportunities to celebrate the spring return of many bird species. An especially intriguing one: an early-morning bird walk at Woodland Park Zoo on Saturday, May 12 ($10-$20, 6:45 a.m.). Or plan to go to the Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest the next weekend (May 17-20).

If a family hike is your Mother's Day dream come true — no complaining on your day — here's a list of seven great spring hikes. Each includes a back-up rain plan: a nearby nature center for indoor exploration.

At the venerable Mom & Me at Woodland Park Zoo festival, admission for moms is half off, and everyone will enjoy the live entertainment, keeper talks about maternal care, bounce houses, crafts and face painting. Don’t miss the warthogs and warty pigs exhibit. Saturday, May 12, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Moms also get half-price admission to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium the day before Mother's Day. You can get your baby animal fix (meerkats and snow leopard cubs!), and see the new show at the Wild Wonders theater, which debuts this weekend. Saturday, May 12.

The “Mom, Me and the Big Blue Sea” event at Seattle Aquarium includes a free espresso for member moms (but you’ve got to arrive between between 9–9:30am), and a chance to gander at some of the aquarium’s seafaring moms and babies, such as otters Aniak and Sekiu. Sunday, May 13.

4. Active Mom

If your idea of a magnificent Mother’s Day is to whip out a 5K race before most moms have had their latte in bed, sign up for the inaugural Run Like a Mother race at Magnuson Park in Seattle. Kids can also do a  one-mile race. $15/kids under 12; $30/moms; all proceeds to benefit Outdoors for All. Sunday, May 13, kids race starts at 8:30 a.m.; moms race 9 a.m.

The Kirkland Half-Marathon and 5K is also held on Mother’s Day, starting and ending at Juanita Beach park. $30/5k; $65/half-marathon. Kids dash free. Sunday, May 13; races start at 7:30 a.m.

For two-wheeling fun, take advantage of Bicycle Sunday on Lake Washington Boulevard in Seattle — a four-mile stretch closed off to cars. Check out our article on bike-riding basics for tips on getting bike-ready and other trails to explore. Free. Sunday, May 13, 10 a.m.–6 p.m

Or have your partner plan a downtown Seattle walk, with help from these self-guided walking tours: add in some food stops and you're set!

5. Play Mom

If your idea of a good time is to do what thrills the kids, then you’re in luck: almost every kids’ institution in the Sound offers some type of Mother’s Day discount to sweeten the deal for you.

The Children’s Museum Seattle offers free admission for any mom who accompanies a child of 10 or younger. May is creativity month, so you can mold, paint and get messy to your heart’s content. Sunday, May 13, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Take a scenic 75-minute ride on a vintage train from Snoqualmie to North Bend this weekend — mothers ride free with a paying child of any age (grandmas, we’re looking at you). Train ride $8–$12, younger than 2 free; depot admission free. Saturday and Sunday, May 12–13.

Moms and grandmas are free at Kids Discovery Museum on Bainbridge Island, which will also host pretend “Tea Time.” Combine it with another crowd-pleaser, a ferry ride from Seattle — remember, you can walk to KiDiMu from the ferry. Sunday, May 13, 12:30–3 p.m.

Moms and grandmas are free at Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia.

Moms skate for free at Comcast Community Ice Rink in Everett, with a special “Enchanted Mother’s Day Skate” during public skating hours. Sunday, May 13, noon–2 p.m.; 6–7:15 p.m.

Moms jump for free at Sky High Sports in Bellevue. $11/hour. Sunday, May 13, 10 am.–10 p.m.

Finally, moms (and their peeps!) can park for free at various locations in downtown Seattle all day on Sunday, May 13.

6. Rocker Mom

Use your day as an excuse to have a true night out: Seattle Rock Orchestra performs the Beatles at two shows on Mother’s Day weekend. Price: $18. Saturday, May 12, 8 p.m.; Sunday, May 13, 2 p.m.

Or bring the whole family to EMP’s new massive AC/DC exhibit — "AC/DC: Australia's Family Jewels” — the only U.S stop on the tour. The exhibition features more than 400 artifacts, including photos, instruments, 35 years of gig posters, even an Angus Young schoolboy outfit!

(Find way more ideas to rock Mother's Day on our Mom's Day adventure page. )