Moms are usually the planners, thinking up creative, fun and family-friendly activities for the whole gang year-round. So how about giving her a little break this Mother's Day? Round up the troops, get everyone in the car and enjoy a day out at one of these awesome NJ venues. Sure, you could spring for a fancy brunch, but if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, check out one of these special ways to celebrate mom on Mother’s Day:

Mothers love Sundays. They sleep late, caressed by lavender eye masks that subtly fragrance the air. When they arise, an immaculate house greets them, and they can spend the day lounging with an inspirational book. Cooking, cleaning, changing diapers, and vacuuming shattered cheese crackers off car seats can wait for another day. Oh—it’s not like that for you? Happy to hear I'm not alone in my weekend mad dash.

At least one Sunday, however, should be different. For more than 100 years, Mother’s Day has been set aside as a special time to celebrate moms, their dedication to family, and their efforts in raising children. Some moms look forward to the traditional bouquets of flowers, boxes of chocolates, and sentimental cards. Others want to be taken out to dinner or a spa. Still others prefer a family day at a park, zoo, or aquarium. Whatever you wish for, we hope it comes true. Here are a few family events (many of them free) to help you have a beautiful day.

Choosing a school: it's that big parenting decision that just keeps coming back every few years. As my daughter Juliet wraps up her final year of elementary school, I find myself thinking about her first school, her preschool, and I feel grateful that we got that one right. The five years we spent at First Step Nursery School have left an indelible mark on her life, and on mine as a parent.

Unwrap a piece of chocolate and you'll probably see a smile form across your child's face. Whether they're savoring a Hershey's Kiss, a bar, a lollipop or a hollow egg, kids may be curious about how these chocolate treats are created. There are several places on Long Island where kids can learn about the chocolate-making process, and even whip up their own delicious and creative concoctions. From melting and mixing, to molding and decorating, these sweet spots offer classes, workshops, parties and more chocolate-themed fun.

Looking for more culinary classes and activities for kids? Check out our roundup of children's cooking classes on Long Island.

This week, we give a bid farewell to a busy April and say hooray for May! Seasonal outdoor adventures continue this week with the Cape May Spring Festival, Lunch & Learn with a Naturalist and Splish, Splash! If you’re looking for some free fun for little ones, check out storytimes at Pottery Barn Kids and Barnes & Noble, plus Happy Tree Planting Day at the Allentown Library. Don’t forget to check out our Event Calendar for even more weekday and weekend events.

This is a week filled with all those things that send a child’s imagination soaring: castles, trains, and stories. Kids can craft cardboard castles (say that ten times fast) at the Arroyo Seco Library, and celebrate 75 years of trains at the Pasadena Model Railroad Club’s spring open house. Then throw the family in the car and head north for the 16th annual Ojai Storytelling Festival, where yarns get spun, and orators celebrate journeys around the globe from Africa to Ireland. Wherever you find yourself at the end of the week, there's a half-price frappucino waiting with your name on it.

Say goodbye to the last days of April with some fun events happening this week on Long Island. From celebrating national poetry month at LICM to sampling some yummy snacks in Central Islip, mom and dad can keep the kids engaged until the warm weather finally arrives. There are also plenty of ideas on how to have a great time, even when it's chilly or rainy, in our Indoor Play Spaces, Sports Centers & Fun Zones Guide.

Of course, this list is just our top picks, so be sure to check our jam-packed Event Calendar for more options. To receive posts like this in your inbox, sign up for our free newsletters.