May is a beautiful, chaotic lie. The school year is limping to the finish line like a marathon runner who ate a bad burrito at mile 20. The weather can’t decide if it wants to be a lovely spring day or a humid preview of summer. And to top it off, you’re supposed to find the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day without losing your cool.
I’ve been there. Staring at my kids, the calendar, and a Pinterest board that makes me feel like a craft failure. So, I put together a list. This isn’t just a list of “fun ideas.” This is a survival guide. I’ve split it into three easy sections: Outdoor Adventures (for when you need them to run), Indoor Creativity (for rainy days), and Mother’s Day Specifics (for the main event). Ready to tackle May without losing your mind? Let’s do this.
Outdoor Adventures (Finally!)
The sun is out, the bees are buzzing, and your living room walls are starting to look like a Jackson Pollock painting thanks to your toddler and a rogue juice box. It’s time to go outside. Here are my favorite ways to get the wiggles out.
1. The Ultimate Nature Scavenger Hunt
This is my go-to when I hear “I’m booooored” five minutes after breakfast. I grab a brown paper bag (recycling win!), write down a list of things to find, and send them out. Think: a smooth rock, a feather, something yellow, a cool-looking stick, a clover.
Pro Tip: I make it a competition. First one to find everything gets to pick the movie for family night. The level of focus this creates is honestly scary… and amazing. 🙂
2. Go on a “Flower Walk”
May flowers are popping up everywhere. Take a walk around the neighborhood and play “I Spy” with the blooms. Point out the colors, the shapes, and the smells. It’s free, it’s easy, and it gets everyone moving.
3. Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course
Forget drawing simple suns. Hit the driveway with a bucket of chalk. Draw a course: “Do 5 jumping jacks here,” “Walk the line,” “Spin around 3 times,” “Hop like a frog to the mailbox.” I do this, and then I sit on the porch with my coffee and watch the show. It buys me at least 20 minutes of peace.
4. Plant a “Magical” Garden
You don’t need a huge yard for this. Grab a cheap pot, some soil, and fast-growing seeds like sunflowers or zinnias. Let the kids get their hands dirty and plant the seeds. I tell my kids it’s magical because they have to water it and “whisper” to it to help it grow. They totally buy it.
5. Wash the (Toy) Cars
On a warm day, fill a bucket with soapy water, grab some old sponges, and let them go to town on their tricycles, scooters, and plastic dump trucks. They get wet, the toys get clean, and I don’t have to do it. Total win-win.
6. Fly a Kite
May can be super windy. Grab a cheap kite from the dollar store and hit a local field. Even if it crashes repeatedly (which it will), the running and laughing are worth it.
7. Blow GIANT Bubbles
DIY bubble solution is cheap, but the real fun is making a giant bubble wand. Take two straws and thread a long piece of yarn through them, tying the ends to make a loop. Dip it in the solution (1 cup water, 2 tbsp corn syrup, 4 tbsp dish soap) and run. The bubbles are massive.
8. Picnic at the Park
Pack some sandwiches, fruit, and a blanket. Go to a park with a good playground. Let them play, you sit on the blanket and zone out for a bit. I usually bring a book I never get to read at home. It’s amazing.
9. Sidewalk Paint
Mix cornstarch, water, and a few drops of food coloring. Give them paintbrushes and let them “paint” the driveway, fence, or old cardboard boxes. It washes off easily with rain or a hose. It’s artsy without the mess inside the house.
10. Go on a Bug Hunt
Arm them with a magnifying glass and an empty jar (with air holes). See how many different kinds of bugs you can find. We always release them after 10 minutes, FYI. It teaches a little respect for nature, and it’s fascinating to watch them actually observe the world.
11. Visit a Farmer’s Market
Saturdays in May are perfect for this. Let them pick out a new fruit to try or some flowers for their room. It gets them involved in choosing food, and honestly, the free samples are a huge hit.
12. Outdoor Storytime
Grab a stack of books and a blanket. Read to them under a tree. It changes up the routine, and the fresh air might actually tire them out enough for a good nap. A mom can dream, right?
13. Make Mud Pies
This one hurts my soul a little because, well, MUD. But find a patch of dirt, add water, and let them go nuts with old spoons, bowls, and cupcake tins. It’s sensory play at its finest, and they can be bathed after.
Indoor & Creative Fun (For the “Not-So-Nice” Days)
May can be a tease. It’ll be 75 and sunny one day and then 55 and pouring rain the next. For those “blah” days, you need a backup plan that doesn’t involve an iPad.
14. DIY Flower Press
Since it’s May and flowers are everywhere, pick a few and press them. Place them between two pieces of wax paper inside a heavy book (like a phone book, if you still have one) and stack more books on top. In a week, you’ll have pressed flowers for crafts. It’s a fun lesson in patience for the little ones.
15. Handprint Flower Bouquet
For a classic craft, trace their hands on colored paper, cut them out, and glue them onto straws or paper stems. Put them in a vase. It’s simple, but it makes a great gift for grandmas (or for you on Mother’s Day).
IMO, these are the crafts you actually keep. I still have one from my oldest when he was two. It’s crumpled and faded, and I love it.
16. Make “Bugs” from Egg Cartons
Cut up an old egg carton. Paint it green or brown. Add googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennae. Instant caterpillars and beetles.
17. Create a Spring Sensory Bin
Fill a plastic bin with dried beans or rice. Throw in some plastic flowers, little pots, and spoons. This keeps toddlers occupied for an eternity. It’s a little messy, but a vacuum cleaner fixes everything.
18. Rainy Day Fort
When it rains, you build a fort. Blankets, pillows, chairs. The bigger, the better. Bring in snacks and a tablet to watch a movie. It’s the ultimate indoor adventure.
19. Write a Letter to a Grandparent
Mother’s Day is coming up, but so is the end of school. Have them draw a picture or write a letter to Grandma or Grandpa just because. It teaches gratitude, and it makes an older relative’s entire week. It’s a win for everyone.
20. Make Lemonade
It’s getting warmer! Squeeze some lemons (great for fine motor skills), add water and sugar, and enjoy a cold glass together. It tastes like summer, even if it’s cloudy outside.
21. Coffee Filter Flowers
This is a classic for a reason. Color on a coffee filter with washable markers, then spray it lightly with water. Watch the colors bleed and blend. Let it dry, then scrunch the bottom to make a flower shape. Wrap the bottom with green floral tape or a pipe cleaner.
22. Have a “Spring Cleaning” Dance Party
Put on some high-energy music. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Challenge them to pick up as many toys as they can before the music stops. It’s not really cleaning. It’s a game. I trick them every time. 🙂
23. Make Your Own Playdough
Store-bought playdough is fine, but homemade is softer and lasts longer if stored right. Mix 2 cups flour, ¾ cup salt, 4 tsp cream of tartar, 2 cups warm water, 2 Tbsp oil, and food coloring. Cook over medium heat until it forms a ball. Knead and let cool. Add some spring-themed cookie cutters (butterflies, flowers) for extra fun.
24. Rock Painting
Gather some of those smooth rocks from the nature walk. Wash and dry them. Paint them with acrylic paint to look like ladybugs, bees, or just funny faces. You can hide them around the neighborhood for others to find.
Mother’s Day Specific Fun (Make It About YOU)
Alright, this is the section I care about most. Mother’s Day is great, but let’s be honest, we usually end up making the breakfast, cleaning up the crumbs, and reminding everyone to actually give us the card they made. This year, use these activities to actually enjoy the day.
25. Breakfast in Bed (That THEY “Make”)
For little kids, this can be cereal and a banana. For older kids, maybe toast with jam. The key isn’t the food quality; it’s the delivery. Let them carry it in (expect spills, just laugh it off) and snuggle in bed with you while you eat it. It’s the chaos that makes it memorable.
26. The “Interview” Video
Have your partner or an older kid interview the little ones about you. Ask questions like: “What does Mommy do all day?” “What is Mommy’s favorite food?” “Why do you love Mommy?” Record it. I watch mine from years ago when I’m having a bad day. Pure gold.
27. Make Her a Crown
Grab some cardstock, markers, stickers, and maybe some fake jewels. Construct a paper crown and decorate it. She wears it at breakfast. She feels like a queen. It’s that simple.
28. Plant a “Mom” Pot
Instead of cut flowers that will die, go to the garden center together and let them pick out a perennial plant for you. Plant it together in a special pot. Every time it blooms, they’ll remember they gave it to you.
29. Spa Mom (For About 10 Minutes)
Get a washcloth, run it under warm water, add a drop of lavender oil if you have it. Lie on the couch and let them place it on your forehead. Ask them to give you a foot rub (it will be weird and ticklish, but hilarious). Close your eyes and soak in the attention for a few minutes.
30. Coupon Book for Mom
This is the gift that keeps on giving. Have them create a little booklet of coupons. Think: “Good for one load of laundry folded,” “One back rub,” “30 minutes of quiet play,” “Make my own snack.” It teaches them to serve others, and you get to cash in later.
A word of warning: My son once gave me a coupon for “One hour of not hitting my brother.” We had to talk about the fine print on that one. :/
31. Do NOTHING for 30 Minutes
This is my personal favorite activity for Mother’s Day. At some point in the afternoon, declare “Quiet Time.” You sit on the couch (or outside in a chair) with a drink and a book or just your thoughts. The kids are instructed to play independently. No requests for snacks, no breaking up fights, no “Mom, watch this!” for exactly 30 minutes. Set a timer. This is the real gift.
So there you have it—31 ways to survive (and actually enjoy) May with your kids. Whether you’re building forts in the rain, chasing bubbles in the sun, or trying to look regal in a paper crown on Mother’s Day, remember to soak in the little moments. Even the muddy ones.
Now, get out there and make some May memories. And maybe hide some chocolate for yourself, too. You’ve earned it. ❤️
