Mom is worth every penny you spend on her, but your Mother’s Day plans do not have to break the bank—in fact, there are tons of wonderful, fun, free or inexpensive things to do with mom on Mother’s Day. 

Inexpensive Is Not Insulting

You might feel bad not spending money on your mom, but odds are, your mom wants time. She wants to spend time with you, see you, hug you, and talk to you. Our consumerist culture has caused us to constantly undervalue our time. Instead of simply being together for something like Christmas, we feel the need to overstuff stockings and pile the presents high in a home decked out in thousands of lights and random, cheap decor from Target. Let’s change that narrative!

Inexpensive, or even free, is not an insult. Homemade gifts, time, and simple, few, thoughtful presents actually tell the person you’re gifting to that you took the time to really think of them and pour yourself into what you give.

Your mom, who gave endless hours of her life to you, will not be insulted if that is all you’re able to give her in return.

Free Things To Do with Mom

Museum

Most museums have an admission price or operate off of donations, but there are also free museums! If your mom is an art or history lover, a museum is a fantastic way to spend Mother’s Day. Find a local museum or a National museum and make a day of it.

Game Night

Grab some snacks and have mom over for a game night! Just the two of you (though I guess you can invite your siblings, too…if you have to lol) can enjoy a night of playing games, sipping some of your favorite beverages and indulging in your mom’s favorite snacks.

Picnic

Public parks are free and a few munchy foods are inexpensive. Pack an enchanting collection of delicious snack foods and maybe some champagne to toast mom in the beauty of nature. 

Beach or Lake Day Trip

Just the two of you and a restful day by the water! If you live near the ocean or a lake, it’s easy to plan a free or inexpensive day on the water. Kayak or just lounge on the beach soaking up the sun and taking the time to rest and relax together.

Hike in a State Park

Find an easy local hike and get outdoors with your mom for some exercise and conversation. Our states have some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes and our park rangers are incredibly dedicated to protecting nature for your enjoyment—and entry is free! Beautiful trees, lovely wildlife, waterfalls, mountain ranges, rivers, and more are all waiting for you!

Go Antiquing

Take a walk down memory lane and explore the history of your area by spending the day browsing antique stores. There’s no pressure to buy anything, but there are lots of fun curiosities to explore. When you’ve taken in as many antiques as possible, grab some lunch!

Explore a Makers Market

One of our favorite new trends spreading across America is makers markets! These events have vendors who craft and make beautiful items. Everything from macrame, to woodworking, knitting, art, and so much more is on display and for sale. There’s no pressure to buy, though, and it’s a fantastic way to support small makers and creative businesses in America.

Free Gardens

There are a number of beautiful gardens throughout the United States that offer free admission. This is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon with your mom, wandering through magical garden-scapes and taking a moment to stop and smell the roses and appreciate God’s creation. 

Inexpensive Things to do with Mom

Museums

While some museums are free, others do cost a little something to get in. But they typically aren’t super expensive, so they’re still a great option! There’s a huge variety of museums in America that cover almost every topic and area of interest, so find somewhere new and go exploring for the afternoon and learn something.

Historic Sites

America has a rich history and every state has amazing historical sites to explore and enjoy with your mom. Find a place she’d love to go and make a day of it! Once you’ve learned everything you can at the historic site, take a walk around the surrounding area or town and find something a little unique.

Gardens

There are a number of grand, old estates, huge conservation areas, and carefully curated gardens across America. Most are fairly inexpensive, and you know your dollars are going to a great cause! Do a quick search of your area for gardens you can visit and enjoy a day amongst the flowers.

Zoo or Aquarium

It might have been a while since you’ve visited a zoo or aquarium, and now is your chance to go and explore some wildlife. This is especially a great Mother’s Day activity for entire families—grandkids and all—to spend a day learning and showing some love to God’s amazing creatures.

Attend a Tea

A number of hotels, local tea houses, historic houses, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants host afternoon teas. Celebrate mom with a girl’s afternoon tea! This is another great activity for grand-daughters to join in on and enjoy the finer things and a good cuppa.

Spa Night

Your  mom (and you) work hard, so treat yourselves to a spa night! This can be a DIY experience at home, or a getaway to a local spa for a massage, facial, and manicure. Enjoy a spa day or night with just you and your mom, or invite all the ladies in your family for a fun day together.

Go for a Coffee

Take the morning or afternoon and grab a coffee with your mom. This is an inexpensive way to spend a few hours with the woman who loves you most. Chat, relax, and treat yourself to a fancy coffee drink in a cute local coffee shop. 

Explore a New City

Day trips are some of the best vacations—and they’re inexpensive! Pick a city or town that is only an hour or two away, and take the day to explore the area with your mom. Browse the shops, tour historic sites, find a good local restaurant, and go for a walk in the downtown area.

No matter how you spend your time with your mom, she will love that you took the day and dedicated it to celebrating her and everything she’s done for you and your family.