Yoga, art exhibits and brunch: 8 things to do with your favorite gal on Mother’s Day

Sunday is the official day to celebrate the mamas in your life.

But really, why not celebrate all of your favorite moms all weekend long.

Ask any mom, and some of the best gifts involve spending precious time with loved ones. Here are some ideas for things to do with your favorite parental figure/spiritual guide/babysitter/best friend/partner to celebrate everything awesome about her.

1. TAKE IN SOME IMPRESSIONIST PAINTINGS

“Monet and Impressionism,” opening May 11, is the newest exhibition to open at the Dayton Art Institute.

The exhibit, the latest in the DAI’s Centennial Focus Exhibition, provides a spotlight of 13 paintings highlighting Impressionism in France, including works by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, Frederick Frieseke and Henri Matisse.

The centerpiece of the Focus Exhibition will be three works by Monet: the DAI's own Waterlilies (1903), the 1903 oil painting Waterloo Bridge, Sunlight Effect (effect de soleil), on loan from the Denver Art Museum, and the pastel Sainte-Adresse, View Across the Estuary (about 1865–1870), on loan from a private collection. Monet and Impressionism will also offer a rare opportunity to see the DAI's delicate Degas pastel, After the Bath.

The show will be on view through Aug. 25.

While there don’t miss a chance to see “For America: Paintings from the National Academy of Design” and “Dorothy Height’s Hats.”

WANT TO GO?

What: Monet and Impressionism

Where: Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton

When: May 11 - Aug. 25. Museum hours are 11.a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Cost:   This exhibition  is free for members and included with the museum's suggested general admission for non-members. Adults: $8; Seniors (60+), Students (18+ w/ID), Active Military, Groups (10 or more): $11; Youth (ages 7-17): $6. Children (6 & under): Free

More info: www.daytoninstitute.org

>> Your guide to Mother’s Day brunch around Dayton

2. HIGH FLYING FUN

Credit: Cirque Du Soleil

Credit: Cirque Du Soleil

Cirque Du Soleil’s “Corteo” tells the story of a dreamlike parade imagined by a clown. It’s been seen by 8 million people in 19 countries. Now’s your chance to see it with your mom.

There’s also a discount for Mother’s Day.

>> Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Corteo’ to end its Dayton run with a deal for Mother’s Day

The cast includes 51 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from around the world who will perform at Wright State University’s Nutter Center from May 8 -12.

The program features acts such as Artist Marionette, Bouncing Beds, Helium Dance and Acrobatic Ladder.

WANT TO GO?

What: "Corteo"

Where: Nutter Center, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy, Dayton

When: May 8-12; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday

Cost: Tickets start at $42

Tickets: Visit ticketmaster.com or cirquedusoleil.com/corteo

3. GO FOR A RUN

Credit: HANDOUT

Credit: HANDOUT

Why not start Mother’s Day off with some exercise? The 2nd annual Dayton Run Like A Mother 5K and one-mile kid’s fun run will be held at Island Metro Park May 12.

Everyone’s invited, according to the event’s Facebook page.“We are every woman, from every walk or run of life, gathering together for one day to celebrate who we are and what we do. Women. Whether you are a mother or not, we celebrate together on Mother's Day.”

WANT TO GO?

What: Run Like a Mother 5K

Where: Island Metro Park, 101 E. Helena St., Dayton

When: Sunday, May 12, 9 a.m.

Cost: $40. Registration is open until May 9.

More infoWebsite

4. AROMATHERAPY REST & RESTORE YOGA

Join Day Yoga Studio instructors Chris Roark Sutherland and Elizabeth Roark Hulsman on Mother’s Day as they honor Ma (sanskrit word for mother) and celebrate the divine feminine within all of us.

This all-inclusive restorative yoga class, held Sunday May 12 at 10 a.m., is suitable for beginners as well as those with more experience.

WANT TO GO?

What: Mother's Day Aromatherapy Rest & Restore Yoga

Where: Day Yoga, 1100 Brown St., Dayton

When: Sunday, May 12, 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Cost: $30. Register 

More info: Website

5. GO TO THE ZOO

What could be cuter than animal moms with their precious babies? The Columbus and Cincinnati zoos are offering free admission to moms on Mother’s Day. Awwww!

WANT TO GO?

What: Mother's Day at the Columbus Zoo

Where: 4850 Powell Road, Powell

When: Sunday, May 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: $9 for children 3-9, $14 for children 10 and up. Free for moms and grandmothers on Mother's Day with a paid child admission.

More info: Website | (614) 724-3785

What: Mother's Day at the Cincinnati Zoo

Where: 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati

When: Sunday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: Adult tickets are $17 for adults ages 13-61 and child/senior tickets are $11 for ages 2-12 or 62+. Moms get in for free for Mother's Day. Parking is $10. Ticket prices increase at the gate.

More info: Website | (513) 281-4700

>> Meet the Cincinnati Zoo’s adorable Zoo Babies

6.GO ON A HIKE

Credit: Five Rivers MetroParks

Credit: Five Rivers MetroParks

Take a hike or a bike! If your madre is more of the outdoors type — you're in luck, as Dayton has an abundance of beautiful nature (the biggest Mother of them all) that you should experience. Check out our guide to trails in the Dayton area to map out your hike.

>> Your guide to the best places for a spring hike in Dayton

7. BRUNCH!

The mother of all celebratory meals, you cannot go wrong with brunch for Mother's Day. While breakfast in bed may sound more cozy ... you're going to have to clean up the kitchen afterwards. Skip the mess and head to one of the area's mother's day brunches.

8. MAKE A CRAFT TOGETHER 

Calling all kids! Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark is hosting a Mother’s Day crafting opportunity Friday night and you can take your Mom. Create a seed bomb that can be planted and brighten up the world. Each family will make at least three seed bombs to take home.

WANT TO GO?

What: Mother's Day Seed Bomb craft event

Where: Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton

When: Friday, May 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Cost: $5 per participant

Tickets/more info: Register

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