Whether you are a founder of a local moms’ group or just a member, this article will give you valuable suggestions that you can utilize to help make your group more fun and grow closer together. I believe providing activities not only for the moms but for the children and family as well is important. A successful moms’ group will take into account all the various interests of it’s members and provide many opportunities at varying times so that all members can participate. A successful moms group will also involve members in planning and organizing events. This gives members a sense of ownership for their group. Finally, make sure to provide a way for members to connect, share ideas, and know what is going on. This can be done by starting an online forum (Proboards, for example), utilizing an online email chat system, such as Yahoo, or by email or snail mail (monthly calendar).
Activities for Moms and Kids – Playdates:
*Visit various parks around town . . . don’t always go to the same one
*Go to a park and have a scavenger hunt, play group games, do an art project, or just have a picnic
*Go to your local zoo and or petting zoo/farm (many offer special programs for groups and Halloween time is a great time to go!)
*Visit a nature center or botanical garden (make it a learning experience by preparing a follow up activity or sign up for a class to participate in)
*Go on a nature walk on a path at a park or forest area (have the children collect items such as leaves, pine cones, rocks, feathers, etc.)
*Go to a local lake (paddle boating, fishing, nature walk are just a few ideas)
*Visit local areas of interest such as museums, historical exhibits, etc. (learn more about where you live)
*If you have a Children’s Museum or Science Center, join it – – this is a great place to take the kids on those rainy or cold days!
*Visit your local fire station for a tour
*Visit a grocery store, pretzel making place, bakery, or pizza place for a tour (a lot of times they will allow the children to make something)
*Visit an art studio or pottery place such as Paint a Piece and create a piece of art with your child
*It’s always fun to go to indoor playcenters that provide large inflatables, mats, ball areas, etc. (Pump It Up, Bounz, Discovery Zone, etc.)
*Go to your local McDonald’s, Burger King, or Chick Fil-A – eat and play
*Hold themed playgroups at member’s homes (i.e., bug hunt, ice cream social, bubbles and more, water play, etc.)
*Have a bike/trike playdate at a park, somewhere where there is plenty of sidewalk area for all the kids
*Make a lemonade stand/bake sale and have the kids participate . . . funds can help support your group’s budget
*Check out your local paper for free concerts in the area . . . have a picnic while listening to music
*Take in a play, puppet show, or dance recital as a group
*See if your area provides movies just for kids and moms at a low cost
*Go bowling (glow in the dark is lots of fun!)
*Rollerskating or Ice Skating (many skating centers have a time for tots)
*Holiday Events (usually around Christmas, there are many local events such as visiting Santa, special exhibits and programs, etc.)
*Visit a local nursing home and spread some cheer!
*Library or bookstore for storytime
*If your town has a trolley or horse drawn carriage, take the kids for a ride
*Riverboat ride
*Chuck E. Cheese or other kid-friendly restaurants
Activities for the Moms:
*Wine Tasting
*Pottery class or Painting Class
*Movies
*Bowling
*Art Gallery
*Dinner (do a Taste of the Town, a different restaurant every month)
*Book Club
*Bunco or Game Night
*Scrapbooking
*Create a Craft Night (different every month)
*Sewing Circle
*Themed Parties (80’s Night, Disco, Luau, fiesta, Red Hat, Spa, etc.)
*Tea Time (visit a local tea room)
*Antique Shopping
*Consignment Shopping
*Garage Sale Shopping
*Home Parties (i.e., Taste of Home Entertaining, Beauticontrol, Close to My Heart, etc.)
*Swap Til You Drop (everyone brings clothing and/or accessories they are willing to part with and everyone gets to go home with something new!)
*Community Service (the list is endless, but some ideas are visit a Women’s Shelter, Habitat for Humanity, Making blankets for Children’s Hospital)
*Volunteer together at a Soup Kitchen, Dressed for Success, or other non-profit organization
*Bible Study (there are many great studies you can purchase at Lifeway or other Christian stores)
*Get to know you event (play various ice breaker games such as “I Never”, “People Bingo”, “Chat in the Hat” – questions on slips of paper, pass around, etc.
You can find all kinds of ideas online by doing a search on Google.
*Start a walking buddies club
*Bike Riding
*Thrill Seekers – making periodically go with other moms to try something new such as white water rafting, bungee jumping, or sky diving
*Share a hobby – one member a month shares a hobby with the group (maybe how to plant a garden or how to make your own greeting cards)
*Take a CPR or First Aid Class (most certified trainers will do a session for your group, contact your local Red Cross)
*Gift Wrapping Party (this is a fun event to do around the holidays to get all those presents wrapped at the last moment)
*Have various speakers come to talk to your group (local libraries will usually let you use a room). Examples include someone to come and teach the moms
about make up and hair, someone to come and talk about child safety, someone to teach a new skill, a financial planner, etc.
*Secret Sister (gift exchange throughout the year)
*Attend a Jazzercise or other aerobics class
*Coffee Time
*Small groups (meet with moms that have kids same age to discuss issues with each other)
*Recipe exchange or supper club
Fun for the Whole Family:
*Pumpkin Patch (hayride, pick pumpkins, etc.)
*Easter/Spring Egg Hunt Event
*Pool Party
*Christmas Party (Santa visit)
*Corn Maize (if your town has one)
*Visit a farm or petting zoo
*Zoo
*Picnic at the park
*Disco Ball (dance party)
*Go to a fair or carnival
*Participate in a local fishing rodeo
*Charity Walks
*Miniature Golf outing
*Bowling
*Airshow
*Sporting Events
*Town Celebration Events
*Couples or Family getaway to a town nearby
*Camping trip
*Have the kids put on a talent show for the families
*Cookout or Ice Cream Social
*Concert
*Pizza party!
*Yard Sale Fundraiser
*Farm – fruit picking
*Indoor playground such as Pump It Up
There are so many things you can do with your group. The sky is the limit . . . ask your members for their ideas, try new things, mix it up, and be creative!
