Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14, and this special day — really, any day — is a good time to show appreciation for the special moms in your life! And to bask in the special attention of those who appreciate YOU, hard-working mama!
We’ve rounded up a grande-sized list of activities that moms can enjoy with (or without) the family. Think gardens, flowers, train rides and magic, to name a few options on our list. So fill your bellies with breakfast — try this easy and amazingly delicious recipe — then show your love with some mom-centered fun.
Read on for ideas and then, you know, forward this article to the one who’s going to “plan” the day.
Seattle-area Mother’s Day events for 2023
MayFest at Lakewold Gardens
Celebrate moms and the arrival of spring at MayFest! Enjoy garden tours, live music, croquet, the May pole, vendor wares and more. Kids will love special activities planned just for them. Book your tickets ahead of time to enjoy one day, a weekend or all three days of MayFest.
Date: Friday–Sunday, May 12–14, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: Lakewold Gardens
Cost: $20 adults; $10 ages 6–17; ages 5 and younger free
flora&faunavisions ‘Utopian Garden’
Bring mom to experience a different type of garden during opening weekend of this interactive, immersive exhibition by design studio flora&faunavisions, where creativity and science come together in the natural world.
Date: May 12–June 30
Location: Tacoma Armory
Cost: $49 adults; $19 students; $12 ages 3–6; age 1 and younger are free
Kruckeberg Mother’s Day Plant Sale
If plants and flowers are her thing, don’t miss this annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale with specially sourced offerings of native shrubs and ferns, spring bulbs, houseplants and more!
Date: Friday–Sunday, May 12–14, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, Shoreline
Cost: Free entry; items for purchase
Kids Plant for Mom’s Day
With the help of volunteers, little gardeners can pick a colorful pail and flowering plant, and then get their hands dirty creating a living bouquet for the special moms in their lives.
Date: Saturday, May 13, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Edmonds Farmers Market
Cost: $10 donation for materials
Mother’s Day Garden Craft at WET Science Center
Learn about the science of water and protecting Puget Sound while kids make crafty flowers and a card for mom at this always free science center.
Date: Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: WET Science Center, Olympia
Cost: Free
Edmonds Spring Fest
Celebrate your favorite moms at Edmonds Spring Fest with vendors, food trucks and plenty of Mother’s Day gift ideas.
Date: Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Francis Anderson Center, Edmonds
Cost: Free; items for purchase
VIP & Me Tea Party
Preregister to celebrate Mom or any Very Important Person in your life at a tea party with snacks and crafts.
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2–4 p.m.
Location: STAR Center, Tacoma
Cost: $40 per pair
15th Annual Pike Place Market Flower Festival
This year’s Flower Festival will include more than 35 tents featuring local farmers selling bouquets of their best blooms. Enjoy live music as you make your selections.
Date: Saturday–Sunday, May 13–14, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Pike Place Market, Seattle
Cost: Free to browse; flowers for purchase
May Plant Sale
Plant lovers will rejoice at the selection of cacti, succulents, and indoor plants of all varieties at the Friends of the Conservatory May Plant Sale.
Date: Saturday–Sunday, May 13–14, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: Volunteer Park Conservatory, Seattle
Cost: Free entry; items for purchase
Cascadia Reptile Expo
Looking for something a little bit different to do this Mother’s Day? Turn up at this new reptile expo in Bremerton where the whole fam can view and learn about thousands of reptiles, amphibians and exotic animals. Best of all, moms get free admission all weekend.
Date: Saturday–Sunday, May 13–14
Location: Kitsap Sun Pavilion (Kitsap County Fairgrounds), Bremerton
Cost: Free entry for moms; admission ($15 adults; $7 ages 6–10; 5 and under are free) for others
Mother’s Day Weekend at the Rhody Garden
Take a beautiful outing to the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden and experience the blooms at their peak. Food trucks will be on hand so you can enjoy a delicious picnic lunch on the patio.
Date: Saturday–Sunday, May 13–14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, Federal Way
Cost: $8 adults; $5 senior and students; ages 12 and younger free
Peony Festival
Visit the Seattle Chinese Garden to take in the sight of peonies in full bloom and the sounds of live music. You will also find crafts for kids, tea demos and Chinese dance performances.
Date: Saturday–Sunday, May 13–14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Seattle Chinese Garden
Cost: $6 suggested donation
Olympia Wooden Boat Fair
Head toward the water and check out wooden boats of all vintages and sizes displayed throughout Percival Landing. There will also be arts and crafts booths and a boat-building activity for kids (Saturday only).
Date: Saturday–Sunday, May 13–14
Location: Percival Landing, Olympia
Cost: Free
Baby Animals and Blooms Days at Maris Farms
Book tickets to enjoy a day on the farm during Maris Farms’ final weekend of its spring celebration. There is something for the whole family to enjoy, including a tulip field, big and baby critters, fun activities for kids and tasty treats for all.
Date: Saturday–Sunday, May 13–14, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Maris Farms, Buckley
Cost: $16–$18; ages 2 and younger free; book timed-entry tickets online
Bonsai Fest!
Treat your special mom to the company of hundreds of beautiful bonsai at the height of spring bloom. Watch demonstrations, talk to artists, tour the collection and have a special poem written just for you.
Date: Saturday–Sunday, May 13–14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Pacific Bonsai Museum, Federal Way
Cost: Free; donations welcome
Mother’s Day Weekend Train Rides
The whole family will enjoy a scenic train ride through the upper Snoqualmie Valley to view beautiful Snoqualmie Falls. Book tickets in advance to depart from either the Snoqualmie or North Bend depot.
Date: Saturday–Sunday, May 13–14, departures at 10:30 a.m., 12:30, and 2:30 p.m.
Location: Snoqualmie or North Bend
Cost: $36 adult; $18 children 2–12 years; age 1 and younger free
Mother’s Day Half & 5K
Run, jog or walk along the scenic course surrounding Juanita Beach Park on a half-marathon or 5K course. Kids even have a race of their own, so bring the whole family to this fun, energy-burning event.
Date: Sunday, May 14; half marathon starts at 7:30 a.m.; 5K at 8 a.m.; kids’ race at 10:30 a.m.
Location: Juanita Beach Park, Kirkland
Cost: $12–$95
Free Admission for Moms at KidiMu
Moms enjoy free admission to Kids Discovery Museum (KidiMu) while kids create a meaningful craft for her. All can have fun spending time together doing hands-on activities.
Date: Sunday, May 14, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: KidiMu, Kids Discovery Museum, Bainbridge Island
Cost: Free for moms; regular admission ($9; ages 11 months and younger free) for others
Mother’s Day Family Kayak Trip
Book your spots now and treat mom to some quality time with the fam out on the waters of Commencement Bay. Launch your kayaks from the south end of Foss Waterway and experience the Tacoma skyline from a different perspective while you take in all the sights and sounds of this working waterway. Ages 10 and older.
Date: Sunday, May 14, 9–11 a.m.
Location: Foss Waterway, Tacoma
Cost: $45
Mother’s Day Flower Giveaway
Preregister now and then bring mom to your local Lowe’s store on Mother’s Day to pick up her free 1-pint flower. While you’re there, take part in all the fun activities and giveaways planned in honor of moms everywhere.
Date: Sunday, May 14, 10 a.m.–noon
Location: Lowe’s has locations in North Seattle, Rainier Valley, Tukwila and Renton.
Cost: Free
Moms Free at Museum of Flight
The Museum of Flight acknowledges moms for all they do by offering free museum admission when accompanied by their children on Mother’s Day. While you’re there, check out all the exhibits, galleries and fun hands-on activities with the family.
Date: Sunday, May 14, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Museum of Flight, Tukwila
Cost: Free for moms; regular admission ($18–$26; ages 4 and younger free) for others
Free Admission for Mother’s Day at Foss Waterway Seaport
Admission at Foss Waterway Seaport is free, not only for moms, but for everyone this Mother’s Day. Bring the family to check out this fascinating maritime heritage museum.
Date: Sunday, May 14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Foss Waterway Seaport, Tacoma
Cost: Free
Opening Day of USL Soccer in Olympia
Catch an action-packed season opener for Oly Town FC’s men’s or women’s soccer teams. Don’t miss the Mother’s Day photo booth, flowers, halftime special and kids’ zone.
Date: Sunday, May 14, men’s game starts at 1 p.m.; women’s game starts at 3:30 p.m.
Location: South Sound Stadium, Lacey
Cost: $12 adults; kids ages 14 and under are free
Bigelow House Museum Tours
Get a glimpse of Pacific Northwest history by touring Bigelow House, an old family home-turned-museum. The museum reopens just in time for Mother's Day visits on May 14 with new displays and decor. Moms in attendance will be treated to a special gift!
Date: Sunday, May 14; tours start at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.
Location: Bigelow House Museum, Olympia
Cost: $5 adults; $2 kids ages 17 and under
Mother’s Day Magic Show With Jeff Evans
Treat your No. 1 mama to a magical time on her special day with a captivating magic show by a popular local magician. Choose from two start times.
Date: Sunday, May 14, 1–2:30 p.m. or 4–5:30 p.m.
Location: Oceans5, Gig Harbor
Cost: $40 adults; $20 kids
Mother’s Day Improv Comedy Show
Celebrate with a good laugh this Mother’s Day! Gather your mom squad for a night of off-the-cuff comedy about the joys (and horrors) of parenthood. Plus, all moms get half-price tickets.
Date: Sunday, May 14, 7–8:15 p.m.
Location: Unexpected Productions, Seattle
Cost: $20; moms are half price with discount code IMAMOM
More ways to honor moms on Mother’s Day |
Editor’s note: Tiffany Doerr Guerzon and Devon Hammer contributed to this article.
