15 Budget-Friendly Things to Do for Mother's Day with Boston Kids

5/3/16 - By Tara D

Sure, going all out for Mother's Day with an extravagant brunch can be nice, but if a decadent feast doesn't fit your style or budget, there are plenty of other festive ways to celebrate. From taking a stroll on the Greenway to seeing other species of moms at the zoo (and getting in for free!), here are 15 ideas for how to enjoy a fun-filled and budget-friendly Mother's Day with the kids.

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1. Celebrate Mother's Day with a pancake breakfast complete with fruit, juices, and hot beverages. Mother’s Day Brunch and Stroll at the Blue Hills Trailside Museum is accompanied by a guided nature hike to look for wildflowers and spring birds on the way to the top of Chickatabut Hill.

2. Walk the Freedom Trail, making stops at the coolest spots for families. Most stops free

3. Families can get outside this Mother’s Day and celebrate mom with a picnic at the Stevens-Coolidge Place. Enjoy live music, play lawn games, and explore the garden with your little ones. Tea, coffee, and pastries are provided.

4. Picnic in Arnold Arboretum. It’s Lilac Sunday, the only day of the year when picnicking is allowed at the Arboretum. It’s a good thing there are food trucks on site for those of us who want someone else to do the cooking. Tours, family arts and crafts projects and music are all part of the day, too. Free

5. While everyone else is at Arnold Arboretum, take your toddler exploring in Franklin Park. Free

6. Enjoy tea, pastry, and soft music at Winslow Farm's Mother's Day Tea

7. Let someone else do the cooking (without breaking the bank) at a favorite local breakfast spot in Somerville or Cambridge

8. Spend the day on the Greenway. Take a spin on Boston’s newest carousel, pick up lunch at a food truck, check out the public art, and then enjoy the Harbor views as you chase your kids around Christopher Columbus Park. Free

9. Celebrate motherhood with other animal mothers and monkey around with your kids at Stone Zoo and Franklin Park Zoo, where moms get in free today. 

10. Get your heart pumping and feel the wind in your hair as you bike one of the area’s excellent biking trails. Free

11. Play at the beach – right here in the city. It may not be warm enough to swim, but there is still plenty of fun to be had at Castle Island. Free

12. Celebrate Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings at the annual Duckling Day Parade. There are crafts, face painters, a magician and a puppet show before the parade. Moms are invited to enjoy a free mini-massage thanks to local volunteer massage therapists. 

13. Enjoy a peaceful day hiking at Walden Pond, The Fells, Habitat, or another kid-friendly hiking spot near Boston. If you have preschoolers, try one of the top hikes for little ones recommended by the Appalachian Mountain Club. 

14. Play with your kids or grandkids at the Providence Children’s Museum. From 11am to 2pm, kids can craft a variety of flowers, and moms get in free all day.

15. Take a mini-vacation, a.k.a. a day trip