Mother's Day Adventures and Deals for Six Kinds of Moms

What's that crowd-pleasing Mother's Day 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! (And if you're looking for brunches, see our awesome brunch list!)

1. Garden/Artsy 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 $9. Donations go to Edmonds in Bloom. Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m.–2 p .m.

Combine plant-buying and a lovely walk by heading to Shoreline’s Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, which has its annual plant sale Mother’s Day weekend. Pick out some easy-to-grow plants or seeds (try these edible flowers) nd then have a family gardening hour, with everyone creating a living remembrance together. You could even make garden markers together.

Take artsy moms to the final weekend of Seattle Art Museum's amazing Early Masters exhibit (Rembrandt and more); you can also get $10 off a new membership during Mother’s Day weekend and enjoy a three-course breakfast for $25 at Taste (including a glass of bubbly)!

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 12, 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 jazz music by Tom Brooks Trio, which will be performed inside the conservatory, but audible outside.  Wright Park, Tacoma. Free. Sunday, May 12, 1–2:30 p.m. 

2. Foodie Mom

There is, of course, brunch. (Here's your list on that.)

If your sitter is available during the day, take off to Woodinville for a Mother’s Day Special at Matthews Cellars. All mothers will receive a complimentary tasting on their special day.

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

Have a blast exploring the low tides at Seattle's awesome Carkeek Park with your kids and the help of a beach naturalist. Sunday, May 12, noon-1:30 p.m.

International Migratory Bird Day (May 11) brings many opportunities to celebrate birding; an especially intriguing one: an early-morning bird walk at Woodland Park Zoo on Saturday, May 11 ($10-$20, 6:45 a.m.).Or enroll your whole family in Audubon's annual birdathon.

Revel in spring flowers at Pike Place Market's annual Flower Festival.

If a family hike and kite fly is your Mother's Day dream come true — no complaining on your day — here's are nine secret urban hikes we love, and eight best parks to fly a kite.

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 new Bamboo Forest Reserve exhibit, or the zoo’s 4-month-old twin sloth bear cubs. Saturday, May 11, 9:30 a.m.–3 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 with the new Sumatran tiger cub or explore the new Stingray Cove. Saturday, May 11.

 

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 Run Like a Mother race at Magnuson Park in Seattle. Kids can also do a  one-mile race. $15/kids under 12; $25/moms. Sunday, May 12, 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, depending on registration date. Kids dash free. Sunday, May 12; 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 12, 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. Make Mother’s Day paper lilies, listen to Mother’s Day story time, and more. Sunday, May 12, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Take a scenic 65-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 $10–$15, younger than 2 free; depot admission free. Saturday and Sunday, May 11–12.

The Tacoma Museum District offers free admission to all moms at the Museum of Glass, Tacoma Art Museum, and Washington State History Museum. Enjoy more special discounts and Mother’s Day events at each location. Sunday, May 12.

Finally, moms (and their peeps!) can park for free at various locations in downtown Seattle all day on Sunday, May 12.

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 at the Moore. Price: $20. Saturday, May 11, 8 p.m.; Sunday, May 12, 2 p.m.

Put your money toward pediatric cancer research at the Rock for a Cure Benefit show. Saturday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Crocodile, $25.

Mix it all up at Cirque Zuma Zuma, a variety show with African roots. Comedy, magic acts, acrobatics and Zulu dancing will entertain the whole family. Sunday, May 12 at 7 p.m. $19-$39. Comcast Arena, Everett. For Mother’s Day packages, call 425-322-2629.

 

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

This article was originally written in May 2012 and updated in May 2013.