The ultimate Seattle Mother’s Day guide for families

This year, Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11, 2025. What do moms really want? Sometimes they’re not great at telling us. But in many cases, they don’t want a lot: maybe a chance to sleep in, a heartfelt show of appreciation, or something handmade. (Lavender sachet, anyone? Here’s a how-to.)

A couple of general tips: if you’re going somewhere, plan ahead. If you’re cooking, read the recipe and know your chefs’ abilities. Whatever you do, put your heart into it. Happy Mother’s Day!

Activities

• An outing is always fun. Go to the zoo or aquarium — or maybe a museum or some other attraction you haven’t enjoyed in a while.
• If mom is into plants and gardening, head over to the annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale at the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden. It’s a fundraiser for the garden and a place where you will find some special plants. There are activities for the kids too! Have them play while you browse.
• Sometimes, a walk in the garden around town and enjoying a few moments among the spring blooms is the perfect way to spend the day — with family or without. Check out our list of gardens and choose a few to explore.

There’s so much more to do! Check out the Seattle’s Child calendar for more Mother’s Day events and family outings.

Hiking and animal visits

• Go on a hike! Enjoy some time in nature — alone or with the family. Fresh air and a little exercise can put a lot into perspective and are good ways to bond with one another. Try one of these easy spring hikes for all ages and abilities.
• Try something new, like observing a variety of exotic reptiles and amphibians. The Reptile Zoo in Monroe offers unique experiences, including close encounters. You can observe, touch, and hold a Burmese python outside its enclosure and more! Or go to the Wallaby Ranch and have a cuddly encounter with a kangaroo.

Out of town trip

How about treating Mom to a weekend away? Sometimes, a little time to yourself or a weekend to celebrate motherhood with friends is needed. Check out these local destinations that aren’t too far from Seattle. These are great family destinations, too! Or have a staycation at a hotel with an amazing pool. Take a look at these hotels that offer a variety of amenities.

See a spring performance

Want to stay in town and see a musical or dance performance? here is a list of great spring performances happening in May in the Seattle area.

What to eat

• One popular option is the Mother’s Day brunch. Let someone else cook for you and dine inside or out around Seattle. If you’re going to take Mom out, call ahead. Like right now! Check out our list of brunch spots around the Seattle area.
• Of course, it can be pretty adorable when the kids cook. A few years ago, we talked to some kids with some ambitious plans for Mom.
• And some recipes that can help fill the basket.

Family-Friendly Events

Friday, May 9

• Mother’s Day Plant Sale  | May 9-11 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Kruckeberg Garden, Shoreline | Free | Join their annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale. Enjoy their selection of native trees and shrubs, woodland ephemerals, ferns, houseplants, and much more.
• Kaleidoscope Spring Concert | May 9-11 | Hours vary | Broadway Performance Hall, Seattle | $15-$28 | Tickets here | Kaleidoscope in Concert showcases the collaborative work between Kaleidoscope dancers and professional choreographers. Enjoy these new pieces that feature choreography by Alejandro Fedrickson, Ari Lazer, and more.

Saturday, May 10

• Edmonds in Bloom Kids Plant | Saturday, May 10 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Edmonds Museum Summer Market | $10 donation requested | All ages | Edmonds in Bloom volunteers help kids pick a colorful pail and fill it with flowering plants so they can create a Mother’s Day gift.

• Theatre in the Garden | Saturday, May 10 | 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Seattle PlayGarden | Free | Come celebrate ‘The Pa’akai We Bring’ with arts and crafts, theatre activities, story time, a special appearance from the cast and show, and even a rabbit or two.
• Storytime at Kubota Garden | Saturday, May 10 | 10 to 11 a.m. | Kubota Garden | Free | Ages 5-12 | The garden is hosting a storytelling series of children’s books and art activities following the theme of Japanese American immigrant stories.
• Magnuson Children’s Garden Free Classes | Saturday, May 10 | 10 to 11 a.m. | Magnuson Children’s Garden | Free | Register here | All ages | The garden hosts FREE, family-friendly garden classes every 2nd Saturday from April to October. Include hands-on learning activities in the garden.
• Block Printing Mother’s Day Card | Saturday, May 10 | 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. | The Works Seattle | Free | Sign up here | All ages | Using a selection of hand-carved stamps, explore the art of block printing with ink and a brayer to create custom-patterned cards.
• Mother’s Day Crafts | Saturday, May 10 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | JC Penny 5+ locations | Free | All ages | Join JC Penny in-store for a free craft activity + extra-savings coupon. Make a special bracelet and card for Mothers Day
• Picnic with Alpacas | May 10-11 | 10 a.m. & 1 p.m. time slot | Enchanted Farms Duvall | $40 | Tickets here | In addition to petting and feeding Alpacas, you also have the option to visit with their mini donkeys, goats and sheet, and feed, pet and learn about them.

• Spring Preview Farmers Market | Saturday, May 10 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Queen Anne Farmers Market | Free | All ages | The market hosts the Spring Preview Market to share a glimpse of the season to come! Welcome the bounty of spring in the PNW by shopping with your favorite farmers and food artisans.
• Mother’s Day Weekend at Rhody Garden | May 10-11 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden | $7-$10 | Explore 13 unique garden features, enjoy a musical performance as you shop from vendors, dine on cuisine from a food truck, or browse rare and beautiful botanicals for purchase from the onsite nursery.
• Beacon Arts Street Fair | Saturday, May 10 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Roberto Maestas Festival St | Free | Join this active street fair on the Second Saturday of the month, with vendors, live music, family activities, community dancing and more.
• Pacific Bonsai Museum: BonsaiFest | May 10-11 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Pacific Bonsai Museum, Federal Way | Free | See hundreds of beautiful bonsai in an enchanting, woodsy setting. Live bonsai-making demonstrations, Docent-led tours of the collection, pop-up shopping, kids activities, and food trucks.
• Baby Animals and Bloom Days | May 10-11 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Maris Farm, Buckley | $18-$20 | Tickets here | All ages | There will be lots of cute farm animals, fun activities, and the Farmers Market. There is also a tulip field and fun activities for the kids.

• Edmonds Spring Fest | Saturday, May 10 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Frances Anderson Playfield | Free | Enjoy this spring family-friendly festival, with lots of vendors, great food trucks, and, as always, a GREAT place to shop for Mother’s Day.
• Mother’s Day Crafts | Saturday, May 10 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | JC Penny 5+ locations | Free | All ages | Join JC Penny in-store for a free craft activity + extra-savings coupon. Make a special bracelet and card for Mothers Day.
• Wonderland Tea | Saturday, May 10 | 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. | Lake Wilderness Arboretum | $75 | Tickets here | Tickets include tea, painting roses, facepainting, lemonade and treats, professional photos with the Hatter and Alice, croquet and a whimsical scavenger hunt.

• Family Saturday Koi Day | Saturday, May 10 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Seattle Japanese Garden | $6-$10; free for 12 and under | They will have free koi food, a koi presentation and Q & A by the Washington Koi & Water Garden Society, and a Taiko Drum Performance by Kaze Taiko at 12:30 pm.
• Mother’s Day Train Ride | Saturday, May 10 | 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. | Chehalis Railroad & Museum | $59-$84 | Tickets here | Celebrate Mother’s Day on a 1920s coach train for a river-view excursion and or a tea and dessert train ride. Guests have the option to choose the dessert or catered brunch option for this serene and relaxing excursion.
• Annual Flower Festival  | May 10-11 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Pike Place Market | Free | Find seasonal bouquets from over 30+ local flower farmers, exclusive shopping deals, and lively music performances from Market buskers! This is event is for all ages.

• Second Saturday Playdate | Saturday, May 10 | 3 to 5 p.m. | Drum Roll Wine | Free | Inspired by a wine club member who liked the idea of bringing her son to the tasting room but also felt self-conscious having the only child in the place, they have decided to open early once a month and invite parents to come in with their children in tow.

Sunday, May 11

• Ballard Farmers Market | Sunday, May 11  | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Every Sunday, year round | Ballard | Free | The market is open rain or shine year round, in the heart of Ballard. Features live buskers, local vendors, and shopping! Some vendors offer free samples that is perfect for the little ones to try something new.
• Lake Forest Park Farmers Market | Sunday, May 11 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Every Sunday | 17171 Bothell Way NE | Free | The Lake Forest Park Farmers Market is a fresh market with locally grown and produced food (including many organic options), flowers, and a very limited number of crafts vendors.
• Nature’s Nurturers: A Celebration of Mothers | Sunday, May 11 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | IslandWood, Bainbridge Island | $0-$52 | Tickets here | Join for trail-side ‘drop-in’ activities for your family that you can visit and a special Mother’s Day Brunch for the family.
• Kite Day | Sunday, May 11 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Point Robinson Lighthouse | Free | All ages | Spend the day flying kites at the Point Robinson Lighthouse, touring the light house and shopping at the ship store! There will 150 FREE kites for kids.
• Blooms, Bubbles & Bees | Sunday, May 11 | 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island | $9-$26 | Register here | Join this family friendly Mother’s Day celebration with live music, lawn games, bubbles, a card making station and much more.
• Coppelia | Sunday, May 11 | Hours vary | Edmonds Center for the Arts | $29-$52 | Tickets here | Ages 3+ | This ballet follows the humorous adventures of Franz and Swanilda as they uncover the secrets of the mysterious Dr. Coppélius and his life-like doll.