Janis P.
This Mother’s Day, you won’t even have to leave home to find fun things for the entire family to do. These activity ideas have appeal to both mum and the kids, and what’s even better is that they are light on your budget. Get out of the typical candy- and-flowers slump when it comes to celebrating the mum that means the most to you with these creative and original Mother’s Day celebrations.
In the kitchen
Cooking up some sweet treats on Mother’s Day is always a good idea. This is an activity that the kids can easily get involved with as well because cookies and cakes always need decorations. Look up a recipe for sugar cookies or cupcakes that you can bake easily. Then leave the icing and sprinkles to the little ones. It will give them a chance to get messy, lick their fingers, and create something for mum all at once. If you would rather make a meal of it, pancakes, waffles and French toast are all excellent “canvasses” for children’s decorations, such as fresh fruit, whipped cream, chocolate chips, powdered sugar, or shredded coconut.
Of course, if you’re good in the kitchen, sweet treats aren’t the only thing you should make. Find out what your partner’s ideal Mother’s Day meal would consist of, and then make her dreams come true. The kids can still take over the dessert while you prepare the main course, and they can also use the time to gather construction paper and crayons to make personalised cards for their mum.
In the family room
Mother’s Day surprises don’t always have to be edible, however. If your children are aged five and up, work with them to create a special “show” for mum that could include singing, dancing, and a little skit. To get them into the spirit of things, you could also help them make paper decorations in secret to hang around the family room on the big day. This idea is great for mum because she gets to sit back and watch the show. It’s also perfect for the kids because it gives them a chance to express themselves artistically in several different ways. Of course, you’ll be heavily involved in the production of the show to make sure that everyone is having a blast, and when the time comes for the grand finale, have the kids make mum a part of the show by giving her a Mother’s Day card.
In the garden
If you enjoy taking in sun, there’s no need to go all the way to the beach to do it. Turn your home’s exterior into a proper garden by getting seeds, gardening tools, and soil to plant. This Mother’s Day gift will give mum what she really wants, which is quality time with the family. Plus, it finally gives the kids an excuse to squish dirt between their fingers, which they’ll love. Be careful to keep the gardening tools away from the really young ones, and everyone will be able to have a safe and good time.
Many thanks to Hallmark for their fantastic ideas on celebrating Mother’s Day. Do take a peek at their range of Mother’s Day cards before the big day!
And Dads, in case you haven’t been given enough hints in the lead up to Mother’s Day, Mothering Sunday 2012 falls on March 18th.
