Mom’s Weekend Survival Guide

Finding your own forms of entertainment on campus is never really that hard, but finding things to entertain your mom? Now that can be tricky. Everyone’s mom is different so even the things friends are doing with their moms can be out of your reach. Here’s some fun ways to spend mom’s weekend no matter what kind of mom you have.

1. Shop ‘til you drop
A foolproof way to spend time with mom is to hit up the mall. The best part is that she’ll most likely whip out the plastic and pay for your stuff because she misses you, can’t believe how grown up you are and loves this time you spend together. Don’t just hit up Market Place Mall, either. Take a short drive to the Tanger Outlet Center in Tuscola, Ill. and ring up some tabs there, too.

2. Be one with nature
Weather permitting, a field trip to Curtis Apple Orchard is a great activity for a sober moms weekend. There are a lot of kid things to do but going with some friends and their moms can make it more fun. Pick some apples, take funny pictures, feed goats or buy some apple butter; whatever moves you. The orchard is best around Halloween but it can definitely work for moms weekend, too, especially if younger siblings are along for the ride. 

3. Release your inner athlete
Friday through Sunday moms can use the campus recreation centers for free. In addition, there is a baseball game each day of the weekend, a Wii Bowling tournament at 1:00 on Saturday, and free skating for moms at the ice arena 7:30pm on Friday and 1:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. There’s nothing wrong with a little friendly competition!

4. Dive into the arts
Practically everyone is performing on mom’s weekend from the Illini Union Board’s presentation of Chicago The Musical to the UI Women’s Glee Club. Check out a dance show or a concert with mom and the family.

5. Take a Tour
The Parent Programs Office holds tours the majority of the day Friday though Sunday. If taking the Altgeld Bell Tower tour is on your bucket list, why not cross it off with mom? Introduce her to a part of campus she might have never seen, or if she’s an alum let her reminisce on her time spent at Illinois when she was your age.

6. Party, Party, Party
The bars definitely don’t close down on mom’s weekends so if your mom likes to drink and dance, or even just dance, take her out! The bars do often get raided on parents’ weekends though; drinking tickets are no less expensive in the presence of an adult so be prepared.
 
There’s a lot more things to do on moms weekend but those should keep you covered. For more events, check out the mom’s weekend 2012 calendar here.