Event Ideas For Things to Do on Mother’s Day (Even During the Pandemic)

Mother’s Day will be a bit non-traditional for the second year in a row as most cities continue to face COVID-19 restrictions. For event planners, this has been an opportunity to plan virtual events for Mother’s Day weekend that celebrate connection or offer creative twists on classic events.

Here are some great ideas that let eventgoers celebrate the important women in their lives, whether they’re able to gather in person or prefer to connect online.

Virtual events

In areas where COVID-19 restrictions are still in place — or for families living far apart — virtual Mother’s Day ideas were the way to go. Many creators are hosting events on Zoom, allowing people to celebrate with their family or gather from afar. Some creators will even send materials, food, or event swag right to attendees’ doors. Take a look at these great virtual events from creative event planners around the world.

1. Offer Mother’s Day treats

A cooking class is a great opportunity to learn new techniques, even for folks who are already wizards in the kitchen. Vegan Lifestyle Coach Christina Gdisis‘s vegan Mother’s Day brunch event teaches attendees how to prepare a delicious plant-based menu. Participants get the ingredient list several days prior to the class so they can find all the ingredients. Then, on the day of, they’ll log into the Zoom class and get cooking.

Some creators are offering cooking classes focused on making treats to give as a gift. The free virtual cooking class hosted by Homemade Events teaches guests how to make decadent cream puffs as a special treat.

Not all foodies are cooks though — that’s why Made in the USVI is offering a curated picnic box for mothers in the Virgin Islands. This pop-up event offers Meat and Cheese Charcuterie or Atlantic Smoked Salmon boxes that will be available for pick up on Mother’s Day. The boxes are stuffed with lots of other goodies too, like prosecco, a homemade brownie, and guava jam.

2. Focus on self-care

Most people are in need of some extra relaxation these days. Creators like Britt & Ray Wellness Retreats are responding to that need with online Mother’s Day retreats. They send out supplies prior to the event, then facilitate graceful strength training and flexibility movements, aromatherapy, meditation, and a burn ceremony.

Some creators are also offering attendees a chance to practice self-care at home, through free classes like the one hosted by the nail care brand Sundays. Their class teaches participants how to do a long-lasting manicure right at home, which makes for a great hands-on group activity or gift.

3. Get the whole family involved

Mother’s Day is a chance to celebrate family connections, so it makes sense to get the kids involved too. Creators like Kelly Sansone are doing just that with a virtual crafting event, where kids can make gifts for the important women in their lives. The class is geared toward children ages three and up, and the instructor will teach children how to make a card and a gift for Mother’s Day using materials shipped out before the event.

4. Provide fun and games

Themed events are a great way to celebrate holidays. Competitive mothers can join a special Mother’s Day session of virtual bingo hosted by Christ the King Church. Other organizations are hosting Mother’s Day games from Scrabble tournaments to poker specials.

During the pandemic, many music venues embraced hybrid and virtual concert formats, and some are putting on mom-centric concerts this Mother’s Day. Guests can listen together or from a distance, all in the comfort of their own homes. Entertainers are hosting online concerts, benefits, and more, like this virtual concert from RidealongLIVE.

In-person events

This year, Mother’s Day coincides with the gradual reopening of public spaces in many regions. Check out how creators have taken advantage of spring weather and loosening restrictions to give guests a chance to celebrate together.

1. Food, drinks, and shopping

Elite Events Group Cultural Organization is hosting a brunch event in Dallas, Texas that includes food, drinks, and shopping. Guests get to choose between a regular admission ticket or the VIP experience. The brunch is paired up with a craft fair that features vendors from all over Texas.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, Crowned Goddesses has organized a Pop Up Shop event that puts the spotlight on small, Black-owned businesses. The event includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a chance to win a Mother’s Day basket. Perks like these create more of a draw for folks who want to support local businesses.

Moms get in free to the Mother’s Day event at Green Meadows Farm Brooklyn. Families can pack a picnic and set up in the farm’s beautiful open area. Parents get to lounge while the kids enjoy a candy hunt, tractor rides, and a visit with the farm’s variety of baby animals.

2. New hobbies

Creative event planners are offering fun new takes on movement and fitness, too. Fit & Fancy Dance Studio’s Mother’s Day event, Moms & Mimosas gives attendees a chance to learn pole dancing basics with a glass of bubbly. Tickets to the Mother’s Day Flow hosted by Kim Howard at Burke’s Aleworks include a yoga class and a complimentary craft beer.

Crafty events never go out of style. Work the Metal is giving moms and loved ones a chance to bond over cocktails as they create a masterpiece at the Mother’s Day Paint Workshop in Louisville, Kentucky.