Celebrating Mother’s Day in style has come with some challenges over the last 15 months.
But Chicago families are lucky enough to have lots of options available in the city, suburbs and even virtually. Enjoy cooking classes, crafts or even tea with Mom, Grandma, your favorite aunt or the other mother figures in your life. (We also recommend printing out this list and circling your favorite ideas as a hint to enjoy with your kids!)
Note that some of these great events have capacity requirements, timed tickets and early registration deadlines.
Chicago
A Mother’s Day Affair
May 1-2, 2021
- Address: Workshop 4200, 4200 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free, reservations required
Paint a prepared flowerpot to take home courtesy of AponteART and es Seniya of Studio 30. This event was created with the healing nature of working with the earth in mind and the significance of Mother Nature tied to our appreciation of mothers everywhere.
Mother’s Day Make It Take It: Serving Tray
May 8, 2021
- Address: ReBuilding Exchange, 1740 W. Webster Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $70 per person, $100 one item for two people
Teens can create a handmade wood serving tray for Mother’s Day. For those who think mom would want to learn right along with them, a couples ticket allows two to take the class and create one item. Masks and advanced ticketing required.
Suburbs
Mother’s Day Cooking Class
May 3, 2021
- Address: Park Place Family Recreation Center, 550 S. Park Blvd., Streamwood
- Cost: $36, $30 residents in-person; $12, $10 residents virtual
Kids ages 4 and older can join in with moms, grandmas and mother figures to make tasty treats, read stories and celebrate Mom. The menu will include a heart-shaped pizza with assorted toppings. There are two options: in-person participants will be provided an ingredient kit and recipe card; virtual participants will receive an ingredient list or purchase an ingredient kit for $12.Â
Mother’s Day Tea Party
May 8-9, 2021
- Address: Taste Buds Kitchen, 2521 Waukegan Road, Bannockburn
- Cost: $35 per child with one caregiver included, $30 additional children; preregistration required
Moms and their budding chefs ages 2-8 will celebrate with a tea party made entirely from scratch. From strawberry shortcakes with hand-whipped cream to freshly brewed sun tea, this fun Mother’s Day tradition is a way of saying thank you for all that moms do. Festive tea party attire welcome. This class is designed for kids and parents to cook together. Chef tables are spaced six feet apart and the use of masks is enforced.Â
Mother’s Day High Tea
May 9, 2021
- Address: The Rose Hotel, 5200 Pearl St., Rosemont
- Cost: $60, $30 12 & under, free parking; advanced reservations required
For the moms who missed tea in 2020 can bring it back big with Mother’s Day High Tea in Thorn with Blooming Flower Green Tea (the tea actually blossoms into a flower as it flavors your tea!), finger sandwiches, delicious dessert bites and more! MOMosas and other specialty cocktails will be available for purchase, and live music from Dina Bach will set the scene for an elevated high tea.
Mother’s Day House Walk
May 9, 2021
- Address: Downtown Evanston
- Cost: $35 per person, $50 household of four
In lieu of a group walk, all houses featured in this yearly tradition will be available to “walk-by.” Homes will be visible from the exterior only and all house walk-by patrons will receive an electronic version of the House Walk-By book (hardcover book to follow). The book will contain maps and extensive information on the homes, the architecture and architects and the families. House Walk-By, sponsored by the Evanston History Center, begins on Mother’s Day and continues throughout the year.
The Science of Cuteness
May 9, 2021
- Location: Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs
- Cost: Free, registration required
Families are encouraged to bring in their baby pictures (even moms!) to learn about the scientific significance of being so adorable when we (animals) are young. All participants are required to wear masks and practice physical distancing.
Mother’s Day Celebration at Spring Valley
May 9, 2021
- Address: Spring Valley Nature Center & Heritage Farm, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg
- Cost: $8, $6 residents, free under 3; timed tickets required
Bring the kids to Heritage Farm to create a simple handmade gift for mom under the picnic shelter, and then spend some time enjoying the grounds and nature trails. Register as one family and park at St. Matthew’s Church, following signs to the Heritage Farm entrance.
Mother’s Day Family Bike Ride
May 9, 2021
- Address: M & M Cyclery, 734 S. Butterfield Road, Mundelein
- Cost: Free, registration required; fees for food
Riders of all sizes and abilities will meet for a short trail ride to Dairy Dream for a Mother’s Day treat. Bring helmets, masks and ice cream money.
Mother’s Day with Birds of Prey
May 9, 2021
- Address: Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington
- Cost: Free, $10 donation requested
Moms, grandmas, aunts and all mother figures can meet the Birds of Prey from the comfort of their cars. Families can meet the great horned, barred, barn and screech owl plus red-shouldered and broad winged hawks. Of course, there’s no missing the sweet vulture and star of the show Snowy owl. All birds will be brought to the car so that families can see them up close.
Virtual
Mother’s Day Cooking Class
May 3, 2021
- Cost: $36, $30 residents in-person; $12, $10 residents virtual
Kids ages 4 and older can join in with moms, grandmas and mother figures to make tasty treats, read stories and celebrate Mom. The menu will include a heart-shaped pizza with assorted toppings. There are two options: in-person participants will be provided an ingredient kit and recipe card; virtual participants will receive an ingredient list or purchase an ingredient kit for $12.
Mother’s Day Virtual Crafts & Celebration
May 8, 2021
- Cost: Free, registration required
Kids ages 3-8 can celebrate Mom with songs, stories and a craft to give as a gift. Kits can be picked up beginning May 1. The live interactive presentation will be given over Zoom, so participants may be seen during the video.
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