22 Memorable Mother's Day Activities That Fit A Tight Budget

A tight budget shouldn’t stop you from creating wonderful memories this Mother’s Day. Here are 22 memorable Mother’s Day activities that are low-cost or free.

Pick one or several items off this list and make them yearly Mother’s Day traditions that can be enjoyed year after year.

22 Memorable Mother’s Day Activities That Fit A Tight Budget

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1. Let Mom Sleep In

Moms could always use a bit more rest, so this Mother’s Day let mom sleep in.

2. Wash And Detail Her Car

With a to-do list longer than she is tall, mom often never gets around to cleaning her vehicle inside and out–let alone detailing it. Give her the gift of a sparkling clean car this Mother’s Day. If you have a bit of money to spend, consider purchasing this essential oil diffuser that she can fill with whatever scent she likes to make the car smell as good as it now looks.

3. Complete A Task You Know She Has Wanted Finished For A Long Time

Do you know that mom has all the supplies to finish the tile backsplash in the kitchen, but she hasn’t seemed to find the time to do it? Do it for her as a Mother’s Day gift.

4. Go For A Scenic Drive

When our children were toddlers, they were all pretty bad nappers except if we took them out for a long drive. Then they would drift off to sleep and my husband and I could finally have an uninterrupted conversation. So this idea is a good one if you are a dad with young children wanting to give your children’s mom a little quiet time.

5. Make Her Breakfast In Bed

Make this an annual tradition by serving the same foods year after year or serving it on the same breakfast tray. You could even make that breakfast tray a unique gift by taking the time to paint it.

6. Give Her Spa Treatments You Can Afford

Mom doesn’t have to get pampered at the high-end spa in town to feel loved. Purchase a simple foot soak tub, some scented Epsom salts, and a new shade of nail polish and give her an at-home pedicure. She will be just as touched, if not more so, by your willing heart to serve her in such a way.

7. Pack A Picnic And Take It To The Park

Surprise mom with a picnic basket of her favorite foods and a trip to the park or another scenic spot to eat it at. Make sure to pack a blanket to sit on too–we find that moving blankets work great for picnics.

8. Take A Trip To The Local Plant Nursery

When my children were younger, our family visited a local plant nursery on Mother’s Day weekend several years in a row. The family pushed the cart for me while I filled it with annuals for our front step planters.

9. Make Her Favorite Dessert

My daughter bakes a killer chocolate cake with crushed oreo icing. I have already placed my order for Mother’s Day.

10. Go On A Mother’s Day Hike, Walk, Or Bike Ride

Whatever physical activity mom likes doing, have the whole family participate with her this Mother’s Day weekend.

11. Start Her Day With Flowers

After mom goes to bed, clear off the dining room table and place a beautiful vase full of flowers in the middle.

Flowers can be super expensive Mother’s day weekend. However, if you have an ALDI or a Trader Joe’s near you, they tend to keep their bouquets reasonably priced no matter what the holiday. If you happen to grow your source of blooms, then this treat for mom could be free.

12. Take The Kids Out And Leave Mom At Home

Introvert moms will love the gift of time to recharge at home in peace and quiet. So go ahead and leave mom behind this Mother’s Day with the instructions not to touch the housework while you are out–instead, she is to relax.

13. Take A Family Day Trip

If planned right, a day trip doesn’t have to cost anything but the cost of a tank of gas. Pack food from home and find a free destination to explore together (here is a list of my favorite ways to find cool places to explore).

14. Make Handmade Cards And A Special Box For Her To Collect Them In

White cardstock paper is better for card making, but colorful construction paper or just ordinary white printer paper also works.

Help mom organize these handmade treasures so she can enjoy them for years to come by decorating a plain card box she can use to keep homemade Mother’s Day cards in year after year.

15. Hold A Family Canvas And Cookies Event

Does mom love to paint? Plan a DIY canvas painting night that is kid-friendly by serving cookies instead of alcohol. If you stick to a smaller size of canvas, you can purchase them in bulk pretty cheap.

Another inexpensive twist to this idea is to collect rocks to paint instead of canvases and then purchase a set of acrylic paint pens to paint the stones together. When you are done, you can place the rocks around mom’s flower garden for her to enjoy for years to come.

16. Host A DIY Sundae Bar Before Dinner

If you need a last minute gift idea, all a DIY sundae bar requires is a trip to the grocery store for ice cream and toppings. Don’t forget to upload your receipt to these apps to earn money back on your purchases.

17. Play Her Favorite Board Game

Does mom have a board game she loves, but the family rarely plays? Dig that board game out and spend Mother’s Day afternoon playing a few rounds.

18. Build A Puzzle Together

Grab a good quality 1000 piece puzzle like this one and then head over to mom’s and spend the afternoon chatting with her as you put that puzzle together.

19. Make Her Favorite Dinner And Clean Up the Kitchen Afterwards

If mom always makes your favorite dish on your birthday, why not make hers on Mother’s Day? Just be sure to leave the kitchen as clean as you found it–preferably even cleaner.

20. Watch A Movie Together That Mom Picks

Newsflash–mom probably doesn’t enjoy the movies you pick as much as you might think. She watches them with you because she loves spending time with you. This Mother’s Day, insist that mom pick the movie–and don’t make a peep if she picks something you have no interest in watching. Instead sit and watch it with her. You might even find out that you enjoy a movie you never thought you would.

21. Create Together

Does your mom love to take everyday household items like glass jars and turn them into beautiful home decor? This Mother’s Day weekend, surprise her by finding a craft you can make together on Pinterest and gathering all the supplies to make it with her.

22. Go On A Thrifty Ninja Shopping Spree

If your mom is a thrifty ninja like I am, she will love it if you pick her up on Saturday on Mother’s Day weekend bright and early to yard sale shop the morning away. No yard sales? How about hitting all the thrift stores in your home town or nearby?

I hope there is one Mother’s Day activity on this list that will suit your mom perfectly. And don’t forget to give mom lots of hugs on her big day too! Nothing is better than a child’s cuddles–no matter how old.

Posts That Will Help You Find The Perfect Gift For Mom

Thrifty And Thriving: More Life For Less Money is available in both paperback and Kindle format.

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