Things to Do and Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day in Toronto

Moms, your special day is almost here; have you decided how you want to spend Mother’s Day in Toronto yet? And what about a gift; do you have anything special picked out yet? After all, we have no doubt that you deserve something special!

Below we’ve rounded up a collection of Toronto and area events happening on or near Mother’s Day that we think you and your family will enjoy. And because finding the right gift — even for oneself —can be tricky, we’ve also included a few suggestions on presents that you might want to drop hints about.

We hope everyone has a wonderful Mother’s Day!

Best Bets for Mother’s Day in Toronto

All Ages Mother’s Day Bath Bomb, Soap, Bath Tea &  Room Spray Workshop

Rainhard Brewing, 100 Symes Rd, Toronto  
Saturday May 13

Bond with your families while making all kinds of fun and useful products including soap, bath bombs, and a room spray. Since this event takes place at a brewery, you’ll have the option to include beer as an ingredient in your creations. You’ll also have the option to sip on a 12oz mug of beer, or if you prefer a soft drink (which will also be available for your kids). This event runs for two hours and each seat costs around $55.

Family Storytelling Day

Theatre Pass Muraille, 16 Ryerson Ave., Toronto
Saturday May 13

This event isn’t specific to Mother’s Day in Toronto but we’re including it because it’s happening on Mother’s Day weekend, it’s family-friendly, and it’s free! Running from 10am until 3pm, this multi-session experience starts off with a teddy bear picnic (be sure to bring a stuffie) and finishes a story being told with the help of some puppets. Your family can dip in and out of the day as needed, and enjoy stories being brought to life in captivating ways. Registration is encouraged, so that organizers can have try and have enough seats and snacks for all, but not that registration doesn’t guarantee you a spot. All children who participate will receive a free book.

High Tea & Vintage Teacup Garden Workshop

Studio Mooi, 926 Kingston Rd, Toronto
Saturday May 13

Kids ages five and up are welcome to join their moms (and mom figures) at this event where you’ll get to create a fairy teacup garden using vintage teacups. As you create, you can sip on decaffeinated fruit tea and nimble on those cute mini tea sandwiches. This two-hour long experience costs $95 a seat and note that those seats are quite limited in number.

Casa Loma High Tea

1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
Saturday May 13 & Sunday May 14

Enjoy high tea at Toronto’s only castle on either the Saturday or the Sunday of the Mother’s Day weekend. This tasty experience includes, “…a selection of premium teas, scones, gourmet pastries and tea sandwiches.” Given the menu and the elegant atmosphere, high tea is best enjoyed by school-aged kids. Three seatings, at 10:30am, 1pm, and 3pm, are available and each seat costs $75. Tickets also include admission to the castle, which you are welcome to explore before and after your tea.

Miniaturize Yourself at Little Canada

Basement, 10 Dundas St. E, Toronto
Saturday May 13 & Sunday May 14

Here’s a truly different (and memorable) way to celebrate Mother’s Day in Toronto: Create a tiny version of yourself that will then be included in one of Little Canada’s many displays. Little Canada consists of a series of Canadian-themed dioramas and with this Mother’s Day weekend special, you choose exactly where your tiny self is placed (for example, on the Maid of the Mist). The special also features a 15% discount off its Double 3/4” Little Me package, which uses attraction’s Littlization Station to create to create that tiny but precise version of yourself. The package, before the discount, costs $59 while entrance to Little Canada starts at $22 for kids.

Vaughan Mills’ Garden Boutique

1 Bass Pro Mills Dr., Vaughan
Saturday May 13 & Sunday May 14

Mother’s Day weekend will see Vaughan Mills’ Event Court transformed into “a captivating flower garden.” Pose for Instagram-worthy photos with the kids and then browse the event’s unique shopping opportunities. Expect to find fresh and preserved flowers, delicious butter tarts, permanent bracelets, and more. The garden is free to enter and proceeds from its sales will go towards the Yellow Brick House, a York region charity that offers a range of supports, including operating two emergency shelters, to families struggling with domestic violence.

Brunch Out

Various Locations
Sunday May 14

Nothing says Mother’s Day in Toronto like brunch! Make it extra special this year at the Eglinton Grand. This historic movie theatre is hosting your classic buffet brunch experience, complete with an omelette station, a prime rib carving station, and a massive sweets table. Pricing for kids (ages three to 12) starts at around $50 while adults are around $85.

Looking for something a little more casual for Mother’s Day in Toronto? Then stop by the Drake Hotel. It’s offering a prix fixe menu at $55 for adults, $20 for kids, and that includes a gift for mom from Indigenous woman-owned small business Roots + Raven. The Drake is also offering a special high tea at $65 per person, that includes a mix of savoury and sweet items. Both meals give the option of adding a bouquet onto your reservation. Another elegant but unfussy option is Hart House’s Gallery Grill. It’s offering a three-course prix fixe menu at $60 per person that includes a glass of prosecco (or a non-alcoholic option) and finishes with your choice of five delicious desserts.

Brunch (or High Tea) at Home for Mother’s Day in Toronto

Your House
You Pick the Date

Rather do brunch in the comfort of your own home? We’ve got you covered! High-end grocery shop Pusateri’s popular brunch package is back for another year, ready to treat your family to quiche, freshly squeezed orange juice, and even chocolate hazelnut beignets for $165. Expecting a few guests over on Mother’s Day? The catering arm of family-favourite restaurant The Pickle Barrel has you covered with packages that feed 12 or more. Choose from everything from an egg-y casserole dish to bread baskets to smoked salmon bagels.

Or maybe you would prefer to do a high tea at home? Then pick up the Royal York’s Mother’s Day Tea kit. For $49, you’ll get enough tea, homemade scones, and pastries and more to nourish two people. Just be sure to pre-order your tea by Thursday May 11.

Mother’s Day in Toronto Gift Ideas

Bag of Toronto
Shop Online

This fantastic way of supporting local businesses is back with a Mother’s Day-focused bag of surprises. Bag of Toronto now covers eight Toronto neighbourhoods: Bloorcourt, Bloordale, College Promenade, Midtown Yonge, Oakville Village, Ossington, Queen West, and Riverdale. Each $65 bag contains five-to-six different items worth at least $55 from neighbourhood businesses—think products such as coffee, baked goods, and gift cards—and includes a donation to a neighbourhood charity. Bags will be delivered on Saturday May 13 so if you’d like a Bag of Toronto for Mother’s Day, be sure to start dropping some strong hints now.

ChocoSol Traders
1131 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto

If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll adore the delicious offerings from this bean-to-bar chocolate maker. To make shopping easier, ChocoSol has rounded up a few items it thinks are particularly ideal for moms. Suggestions include heart shaped-cherry chocolates, a bar that includes coffee and chocolate, and even gift packs. Besides its retail shop, ChocoSol also regularly sells at several farmers’ markets including the Brick Works. Want to take your chocolate experience up to the next level? Then check out ChocoSol’s Mother’s Day Brunch and Chocolate Tasting Experience on Sunday May 14. For $60, you’ll get to try at least five of the chocolatier’s “…most interesting chocolates and cacao beans,” as well as tamales and chocolate-based hot and cold drinks.

Crying Out Loud Care Packages
2005 Danforth Ave., Toronto

Women-run shop Crying Out Loud others several beautifully prepared “care packages” that we think many moms such as yourself will appreciate. The $75 spa box comes with essential oils, a hair wrap, and more while the $40 Simple Pleasures box features tea, vegan chocolate, and a vegan milk bath. Crying Out Loud is also filled with other amazing gift ideas including journals, puzzles, and all kinds of bath and personal care products.

Plants from Toronto Botanical Garden’s Annual Spring Plant Sale
777 Lawrence Ave. E., Toronto

Treat yourself to an early Mother’s Day gift at the Toronto Botanical Garden’s annual spring plant sale, this year open to the public on Saturday May 6 and Sunday May 7. This annual event features, “a thoughtful selection of top-performing and ethically sourced plants from reliable Canadian growers.” The selection includes flowering annuals, herbaceous perennials, various pollinator plants and even small trees and shrubs. The Garden’s experts will be on hand to help you make the perfect selection. The sale is free to attend, and all proceeds go towards supporting the Garden. Also, if you’re a member, you’re eligible to start your shopping on Friday, May 5.

Vaughan Mills Gift Bag
1 Bass Pro Mills Dr., Vaughan

Support the services provided by Yellow Brick House while also scoring an amazing gift for yourself. Each of these special gift bags organized by Vaughn Mills features a real Coach wallet and a $25 gift card to the mall. The bags are valued at $265 but are retailing for only $75. If you want one, get your loved ones over (or just go yourself) to Vaughan Mills’ customer service desk ASAP as the bags are limited in quantity.

Wildcraft
Shop Online

Looking for a new skincare line that’s locally made, cruelty free and feels amazing on your face? Then check out Indigenous-owned Wildcraft; it meets all those requirements and more. Wildcraft’s extensive inventory includes everything from face oils to candles to skincare sets designed to address specific concerns. It also offers gift cards, in case you’d rather just pick out your own items.