Hey, Dads! Kids! and other Caregivers! Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10, 2026
In this guide, we’ve included restaurants to enjoy, special mother’s day activities, and DIY gifts. You can check out our list of 10 ideas for free ways to celebrate the special women in your life that don’t prefer an event.
Find a Mother’s Day gift idea to make at home or around town
Open Studios: Find our full list of studios where you can make art and leave the mess behind: Arts and Crafts for Kids around Town.
Projects to Do At Home: Gianna has some ideas for projects kids can do at home. Many of these ideas make excellent Mother’s Day gifts:
25 Easy Arts & Crafts for Kids throughout the Year

Mother’s Day Brunch or Dinner Ideas
When asked what they want for Mother’s Day, a meal out is one of the top choices of moms and grandmothers around the country. We know going out to eat with kids poses its own challenges, so we have some ideas to help with this:
- We have some great local restaurants on our Kids Eat Free or Cheap on Sunday List. Whether you are looking for a buffet, Sunday brunch, pizza, steak or pancakes, this list has a little bit of everything. We DO recommend calling ahead because some restaurants will limit deals on Holidays.
- For mother’s among the vast majority who just want to do something as a family at home. Pre-order a Family Meal for Takeout or Delivery from a Local Restaurant.
- First year moms may appreciate these 10 Baby Friendly Restaurants in the Twin Cities.
- If the weather cooperates, a picnic at a local park could be just the thing.
10 Free Last-Minute Gifts That Moms Love on Mother’s Day

Although we list several spontaneous options, many require pre-planning and reservations. Don’t worry. Even if you wait until the last minute to plan, these 10 ideas are sure to show mom your love and appreciation for her!
- Her favorite breakfast with her favorite people (with cleanup included, please). Whether that is Eggs Benedicts, a premade quiche, French toast, ice cream or just coffee and cream with some sweets, I don’t know any Mom who will turn down breakfast in bed.
- A picnic in a park, where she can stretch out in a sunny place while everyone else runs out their energy. Need some ideas: 10 Places for the Perfect Picnic in Minneapolis.
- Her favorite meal for dinner (takeout is just fine!). If the weather cooperates, an outdoor BBQ is always welcome in May. Don’t forget dessert. (Chocolate dipped strawberries, maybe?)
- A dandelion bouquet.
- Help in her own garden or a stroll in a garden maintained by someone else. We have some ideas: Public Flower Gardens: 5 Local Parks with Beautiful Gardens to Explore.
- Homemade cards from the kids (and Dad, too, if he wants).
- Homemade brownies or cookies.
- A nap and/or a long hot bath – both without interruption.
- Someone else to do laundry. This would seriously be my dream present.
- Family movie night when Mom gets to pick the movie.
Coming up
Memorial Day Weekend

Father’s Day

Juneteenth



🚊Moms I know do not want to go out anywhere
They want themselves
and no one home
Last yr we got on amtrack and went down the Mississippi River fr St. Paul mn to Winona mn and back home
Spontaneous trips are great
Definitely, I chose to stay home this year. Other years I have really loved the Bonsai show or a quiet walk at Eloise Butler. The really important thing is to communicate. Surprises can be nice, but not always necessary. It never hurts to ask Mom what she wants.
Where would be a nice dinner place to take my my mom on Mother’s Day in 2023? They all seem to be brunch offerings. Thank you!
I hope one of our readers can answer this. Anne, Gianna and I just aren’t in a dinner out phase of our lives and are pretty out-of-touch with good restaurants — unless they have an indoor playground or Kids Eat Free menu, but I don’t think that is what you are going for here.
What type of cuisine does she like? What area of the cities?
Those are both good questions, Lauren. If you were choosing for yourself, where would you go?
Paragraph writing is also a fun, if you know after that you can write if not it is complicated to write.
Genius! I could have my kids write paragraphs while I take a long tub soak on Mother’s Day. But how do I keep them on task while I’m locked in another room?
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