5 Things To Do Outside On Mother’s Day
Mothering Sunday is a day all about celebrating the wonderful mums, grandmas, step-mums and special mother figures in our lives. Whoever “mum” is to you, we think they deserve to feel extra special!
And while breakfast in bed, a box of chocolates and a beautifully wrapped present are all very lovely (and hopefully there will be plenty of those!), there’s something rather special about spending time together too. After all, the best Mother’s Day memories don’t have to cost a penny.
So once the presents have been unwrapped and the last crumbs of breakfast in bed have disappeared, why not pull on your wellies, wrap up warm and head outside for some family fun? Spring is just around the corner, bringing longer days, fresh air and plenty of opportunities for little adventures.
Here are 5 lovely ways to spend Mother’s Day outside as a family.
1) A walk in nature
Kit up the children and head out for a little family adventure close to home. You don’t need a grand plan or a far-flung destination – sometimes the best adventures are waiting just around the corner. If you’re lucky enough to live in the countryside, explore a muddy footpath or set off across the fields with your little explorers in tow. Let them lead the way, climb over fallen logs, squelch through puddles and see what they can discover along the way. City dwellers needn’t miss out - head to your nearest park, discover a new green space or seek out one of those hidden pockets of nature you might usually hurry past. You could even turn your walk into a mini nature hunt and see how many different birds, bugs, leaves and flowers you can spot.
Mothering Sunday is the perfect time to look out for those wonderful first signs that Spring is on its way. Keep your eyes peeled for cheerful daffodils, delicate snowdrops and colourful crocuses popping up along the way. Listen for birdsong, notice the buds appearing on the trees and see how many signs of Spring you can find. A little fresh air, a bit of mud and lots of exploring – now that sounds like a lovely way to start Mother’s Day!
2) Pack a picnic
What could be better than a family adventure followed by a delicious picnic in the great outdoors? Mother’s Day is the perfect excuse to fill a basket with all your family’s favourite goodies, grab a cosy blanket and head off in search of the perfect picnic spot. Keep things simple with sandwiches, juicy fruit, crunchy veggies and a few tasty treats, or make it feel extra special with some of Mum’s favourite things. Let the children get involved too – little hands are brilliant at choosing snacks, filling lunchboxes and, of course, taste-testing along the way!
If your children are old enough, why not let them make a special Mother’s Day treat for everyone to enjoy? A homemade bake is sure to put a smile on Mum’s face, and this delicious passionfruit tart from ByRuby makes a wonderfully zingy addition to your picnic basket.
Remember, a Mother’s Day picnic isn’t about making everything perfect – it’s about good food, fresh air, muddy knees and making happy memories together.
3) Take a family bike ride
Get the whole family up, out and moving with a fun-filled bike ride close to home. Whether you’re following a quiet cycle path, exploring country lanes or cruising around your local park, it’s a brilliant way to enjoy some fresh air and family time together. Why not make the children part of the adventure from the very beginning? Sit down together before you set off and let them help plan the route. They could choose a few interesting places to stop along the way, look out for landmarks or even draw their very own map. It’s a great way to get them excited about the journey and gives them a little ownership of the adventure.
There may be a few tired legs by the time you get home, but that’s all part of the fun. Reaching the end of your route together brings a wonderful sense of achievement, and everyone can head home with rosy cheeks, happy memories and perhaps just enough energy left for another adventure!
4) Set up a scavenger hunt
Ready for a little family challenge? A scavenger hunt is a wonderfully simple way to turn an ordinary garden or local walk into an exciting adventure. Get the little ones involved from the start and ask them to help create a list of things to find. You could keep it simple for younger children with a list of easy-to-spot treasures, such as a yellow flower, a feather, a smooth pebble or something shaped like a heart. For older children, make it a little trickier with clues and riddles to solve along the way. You could even add a few Mother’s Day-themed challenges, such as finding a beautiful flower to give to Mum or spotting something in her favourite colour. There’s plenty of opportunity for running, exploring and a little bit of friendly family competition along the way.
If you’re heading out for a walk, make your hunt about discovering rather than collecting. Encourage children to spot interesting things without picking them, leaving nature exactly where they found it. And don’t forget to look up, down and all around – you never know where the next treasure might be hiding! It’s a brilliant way to keep little explorers entertained, encourage them to notice the world around them and create a collection of happy memories to look back on. Just remember, there’s no need to take the winning too seriously – the real prize is enjoying a day of outdoor fun together!
5) Start a garden of your own
Why not start a new Mother’s Day tradition that you can enjoy together year after year? Get the whole family outside, grab your gardening gloves and plant a little patch of happiness in the garden. Whether you have a big garden, a tiny courtyard or just a few pots on a balcony, there’s always room for a little growing adventure.
Spring is the perfect time to get busy planting summer-flowering bulbs, ready to bring a splash of colour to your garden when the warmer months arrive. Let each of your children choose their own favourite flower and give them the very important job of planting it. There’ll be digging, watering and quite possibly a fair bit of mud – exactly what makes gardening with little ones so much fun! Help the children make little name labels for their bulbs, so you can remember who planted what. Then, as the weeks go by, keep an eye out for the first tiny shoots poking through the soil. There’s something rather magical about watching something grow that you planted together.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful Mums!
