Brunch may be a Mother’s Day tradition, but it’s also just a bit — well — predictable. And it can set you back quite a few bucks. We’ve come up with a few alternatives, many of them free, for a day with the mama in your life: Visit a local garden or festival, take a cruise to a nearby island, or visit zoo critters in Seattle and Tacoma. (And pssst . . . this year, Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9. All events are on Sunday except where otherwise noted.)

1. Gardens
At Bellevue Botanical Garden’s 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. 1–4 p.m. 12001 Main St., Bellevue.

Head to the Washington Park Arboretum to get an eyeful of rhodies, azaleas and dogwoods in bloom (they don’t call it “Azalea Way” for nothing), and get a free photo taken amongst the flowers. Walk a bit farther to the Graham Visitors Center for plant-themed fun for the kiddos. Free. 1–4 p.m. 2300 Arboretum Drive E., Seattle.

W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory’s second-Sunday concert series falls on Mother’s Day this month. Wander the grounds and listen to music by the Tom Brooks Trio, which will be performed inside the conservatory, but audible outside. Free. 1–2:30 p.m. 316 S. G St. (in Wright Park), Tacoma.

2. Festivals
Check out wooden boats of all shapes and sizes at the Olympia Wooden Boat Fair, held annually on Mother’s Day weekend. Lots of arts and crafts for sale (hint, hint), and kids can build their own wooden boat on Saturday for free. Free. Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Percival Landing, 222 Columbia St. N.W., Olympia.

3. Cruises
Yes, there’s brunch (well, lunch, actually), but this Argosy cruise offers a little something extra. Sail from Pier 55 on Seattle’s waterfront to Tillicum Village on Blake Island, eight miles away. You’ll be treated to lunch, a Native American show in the longhouse and an opportunity to explore the island before cruising back to town. $79, ages 5–12 $29, ages 4 and younger free. 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

4. Trains
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). Make sure to leave time to explore the grand 1890 Snoqualmie Depot, which has been restored and now contains exhibits about railroad history. Train ride $8–$12, younger than 2 free; depot admission free. Saturday and Sunday, May 8–9, departures 11:01 a.m.–4:41 p.m. Northwest Railway Museum, 38625 S.E. King St., Snoqualmie.

5. Critters
Woodland Park Zoo’s annual Mom & Me at the Zoo festival is turning 20 this year. To celebrate, the zoo is offering a great deal: Pull one of your old Mom & Me T-shirts out of storage, put it on (or just bring it with you if it no longer fits, ahem), and you’ll get free admission to the zoo. In a break with the past, T-shirts will not be sold at retail locations this year. If you don’t have an old tee, just pay admission at the gate. There’s a lot going on, as usual: live entertainment, crafts, bouncies, animal meet-and-greets and more. Free with vintage Mom & Me T-shirt or zoo admission ($11–$16.50, ages 2 and younger free). Saturday, May 8, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. 750 N. 50th St., Seattle.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Zoo Mother of the Year event is the culmination of a cross-species mothering contest. Amelia the meerkat is the mama of eight, Baby Bean the anoa has a 2-year-old calf, and Denali the Asian small-clawed otter has six kids who still live with her in the Asian Forest Sanctuary. Which of the three deserves the title? Vote by May 5, then show up at the zoo on Mother’s Day to see the winner receive enrichment treats. Save a few bucks by visiting the zoo on Saturday, May 8 — mothers and grandmothers get half-price admission all day. The zoo is open 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., and regular admission is $5.50–$11.50 for Pierce County residents ($7.50–$13.50 for nonresidents). 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma.

Northwest Trek’s Mother’s Day breakfast is a great deal. For $15–$35, enjoy brekkie in the Fir Bough Cafe at 9 a.m., followed by a day of exploring the grounds. Take a heated tram ride through the free-roaming area to check out the bison, watch the badgers and wolverines, and take part in kids’ activities in the Cheney Discovery Cen­ter. Make reservations (required) by calling 360-832-7166.

6. Playtime
Look for chickens along the paths at Bothell’s Country Village, take a train ride through the grounds ($3.50), play in the pirate ship, have a snack in the kid-friendly coffee shop The Village Bean, and pop into shops along the way for paraffin hand dips, massages and other goodies for the moms. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. 23718 Bothell-Everett Highway, Bothell.

KidsQuest Children’s Museum offers free admission to mothers and grandmothers on Mother’s Day from noon to 5 p.m. Little ones can hang out in the colorful Backyard, while kids of all ages will love the water play, tree house and gaming exhibits. $7.50, younger than 1 free. Located in Factoria Mall, 4091 Factoria Mall S.E., Bellevue.

Kris Collingridge is ParentMap’s Out & About editor.