Outside-the-Box Ways to Celebrate Mom
Sure, breakfast in bed is sweet (until the syrup spills), and those hand-traced cards with smiley suns never go out of style — but what if this Mother’s Day featured a little less refrigerator art and a lot more memory-making magic? From comic books to gratitude puzzles, backyard stargazing to surprise museums, there’s no shortage of creative, heartfelt ways for kids to make memories together with their families this Mother’s Day. Here are some outside-the-box ways kids can celebrate the amazing human behind the title “Mom.”
Write “A Day in the Life of Mom (From Our Eyes)”
Each child writes a page about what he or she thinks Mom’s day is like—and it’s usually hilarious: “7am—She wakes up and instantly makes everything perfect. 9am—Becomes a ninja chef.”
Build a Gratitude Puzzle
Write things you love about Mom on the back of a blank puzzle (you can get printable puzzles or make your own with cardboard). She’ll piece it together and discover the message as she goes.
Host a “Mom & Me Olympics”
Set up silly sports in the backyard or living room: synchronized sock sliding, partner yoga poses, or who-can-peel-an-orange fastest. Kids and Mom team up or go head-to-head for the gold (aka homemade medals).
Host a Backyard Stargazing Party
Stay up past bedtime and set up blankets, flashlights, and a mini “planetarium” outdoors. Kids can make up their own constellations based on Mom – like “The Coffee Mug” or “The Big Hug.” Bonus points for a thermos of hot cocoa and galaxy-themed snacks.
Plant a “Thank You” Garden
Instead of just planting flowers, plant meaning. Each flower, herb, or painted rock represents something they love about Mom – Kindness, Patience, Funny Voices, etc. As the garden grows, so does the message.
Bake-Off…With a Twist
Instead of making something for Mom, make something with her—only the recipes are invented by the kids! Whether its “Mystery Muffins” or “Mom’s Favorite Flavors Cupcakes,” the rule is to try something new and have fun failing or nailing it together.
Plan a “Surprise Museum” at Home
Let kids turn the living room into a pop-up museum of “Mom Artifacts.” Each child can display something that reminds them of Mom—a favorite book she read to them, a drawing of her cooking, or a sock puppet version of her. Include handmade labels and “tour guides” explaining each exhibit.
Start a New Tradition: Mother’s Day MaD Libs®
Create a custom Mad Libs story about your family with blank spaces like “[Mom’s favorite saying]” or “[Something she does when she’s happy].” Fill it in together and read it aloud for guaranteed giggles.
Make a “Mom’s Greatest Hits” Comic Book
Turn favorite stories about Mom into comic strips. Include things like “That Time She Saved the Birthday Cake” or “The Great Road Trip of Doom (and Snacks).” Staple the pages into a comic book and gift it with flair.
Write a “Dear Future Mom” Letter
Have kids write a letter to Mom from the future — say, 10 years from now. It can thank her for all the things she’s done and imagine where you all might be. Will she have a llama farm? Be president of the world? Still be the undefeated family Uno® champion?