Weekend picks and Mother’s Day ideas

So this year Mother’s Day looks like none other but the day still holds the same meaning– love on the Mama’s! We have found a few virtual events and then supplemented with some ideas to make the day special– this year you may have to be more creative to make the day as special as she deserves. Here’s a cute tribute to Mom’s from CBS News.

Saturday
10:15am: Strathmore Family Jam Session: Discover the Blues with Mark G. Meadows
Join jazz pianist, singer/songwriter, and music director, Mark G. Meadows, as he breaks down the blues and its influence on all of American Music. Through storytelling, call and response, and performance, Mark will make blues artists out of everyone by the end of the jam session!

11:00am-11:30am: Dino Drawing
Parents, take a breather and allow your kids to hang out dinosaurs for a bit. The National Museum of Natural History and some of the world’s top paleoartists—no, that’s not a diet—will help guide your little ones through their very own sketch of a dinosaur. As participants draw, they’ll get to ask these experts questions about how they use science to create realistic artwork on the dinosaurs. The weekly series, which begins Saturday, will feature a new dinosaur each week and is FREE.

11:00am-11:45am: Stories on the Horizon: Blossoming Together from Arts on the Horizon
Parents/Caregivers join their little ones for this virtual class where we will grow and blossom together through the use of songs and movement. Stretch out your leaves and reach towards the springtime sun! Best for children ages 9 months to 2.5 years old.

May 8-11 Hillwood Estate, Museum & Garden will be sharing the best of the New York International Children’s Film Festival’s short films with you. (View the trailer here.) With these hour-long screenings, you can bring artful, inspired storytelling and hilarity to your home screen. Two short film programs are available, Kid Flicks One recommended for ages 3+, and Kid Flicks Two for ages 8+. Enjoy high-quality films as a family, and continue the fun with coloring pages, art projects, games, and more when you Explore Hillwood from Home.  Be sure to try out the following activities, inspired by Marjorie Post’s use of her pavilion to screen first-run films.

Maryland has now expanded opportunities for outdoor exercise and recreation which include beaches, boating, camping, fishing, horseback riding, hunting/trapping, off-road vehicles and shooting ranges all with specific conditions.

The Yards has just the thing for every mom – and everyone. Explore special menus and gifts. Plus, what better way to celebrate mom than with sundae fun? Join Ice Cream Jubilee founder and super-mom Victoria Lai, as she shakes things up with a spiked ice cream recipe guaranteed to make the day that much sweeter.

The Lane Social Club has put together an all-inclusive kit, so you can have Mother’s Day in the Bag.

The Creative Kitchen in NYC has many virtual offerings! They have a special “Mother’s Day Weekend Breakfast for Dinner” class or you can sign up for a private family cooking class! Freshmade NYC also has virtual cooking classes!

Ideas to make Mama feel the love:
-Make breakfast in bed or even just deliver a coffee and newspaper. Treat her to homemade pop tarts because we are all over banana bread.
–Support your local community and order dinner in and/or pick-up curbside or contactless delivery
-Turn off electronics for the day
-Homemade cards are the best
-Give an Audible subscription or send her a Kindle book
-Take the kids out of the house and leave Mom in a quiet home
-Clean up the kitchen or do laundry– even better teach your kids to do both!
-Have a “spa day” and make DIY masks and bath bombs and do her nails
-Plant flowers or weed the yard
-Have a social distance happy hour if you have the space– invite Mom friends over and bring your own drinks, snacks and chair
-Picnic in your backyard and create a fun playlist

Ways to celebrate your Mom:
-Organize a drive-by if you live close to your Mom and decorate her driveway with chalk and leave gifts
-Schedule a Zoom call with family members and/or friends and share something special with the Moms like a story, recommend a podcast or show a special photo. You could even enjoy a meal together over a Zoom call.
-Invite your Mom to come park in front of your house and wash her car while she keeps her distance

Enjoy this coloring sheet from District Dabble Lab! Click on the image to print it out.