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The Best Mother's Day Gifts, According to an Active Mom of Four

Take it from me: Here’s what she really wants.

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VerifiedReviewed by Style and Reviews Director
Collection of gift items including clothing, wellness products, and gadgets.

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Ask any mom what she wants for Mother’s Day and you’ll usually get the standard “time with my family” or “just have the kids make me a card” response. I would know: I’m a mom of four young kids who whips those answers out every year.

I’m not blowing smoke. I genuinely don’t expect to get anything special on Mother’s Day. But if we’re being totally honest here … I’m exhausted. I work full-time and spend the rest of my days running around after my little ones. Working out is pretty much the only thing I do for myself, and even then I have to get up at 5 a.m. to make it happen because my toddler is inevitably up before the sun.

Here’s my point: The active mom in your life may say she doesn’t want anything for Mother’s Day, and she genuinely probably feels that way. But she’s working harder than most people realize to keep everything together, which is why surprising her with a really great gift for mom will blow her away.

If you’re shopping for an active mother, she’ll really appreciate something that leans into her own interests. That means cute high-waisted leggings she can wear to the gym, a new massage gun to work out sore muscles, an LED face mask for self-care, and more should all be on the table.

Of course, I’m not trying to stress you out here. As a daughter, I know how tough it can be to find that perfect Mother’s Day gift. With that in mind, I pulled together a list of Mother’s Day gifts for her, based on editor testing and my own experience. These gifts target a range of needs for busy, workout-loving moms and come in a variety of price points to suit every budget. Snap up one or a few of these, and toss in a bonus nap to really make her day complete.

Active moms deserve an easy way to unwind, and this backrest massager does just that. She can prop it up on the couch while watching TV or catching up on her latest book club pick, while the two vibration settings and soothing heat feature help ease tension in her back. Bonus: It also comes with a built-in LED reading lamp and side pockets for keeping her favorite things close by.

This handy bag is roomy enough to hold the essentials, like a phone, keys, and credit card, but not so bulky that it’ll weigh you down. The belt bag has an adjustable strap for a snug fit, preventing it from flopping around during long runs. It’s also versatile enough to use for everyday errands.

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Best for moms who aren’t into baths

JoJowell Shower Steamers

Shower Steamers
Best for moms who aren’t into baths

JoJowell Shower Steamers

Now 17% Off

As hard as I’ve tried, I’m just not a “bath person.” But I love these shower steamers, which allow you to get the same aromatherapy-style experience you’d get during a luxurious bath while taking a shower. Just place the tablet on the shower floor and enjoy. This 18-pack delivers a mix of scents, so you can pick and choose depending on your mood.

Pictures on your phone hit a little different from ones you can actually hold. This portable instant Kodak printer churns out 2- x 3-inch sticky-back photos, allowing you to create custom stickers you can hang anywhere. The printer doesn’t use those annoying ink cartridges, so there’s no need to remember to get refills.

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Best for fitness-minded moms short on space

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells
Best for fitness-minded moms short on space

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells

Clutter is one thing moms could use less of. These adjustable dumbbells from Bowflex are compact and easy to organize, making them perfect for moms with a tight home gym setup. The set, which contains weights from 5 to 52.5 pounds, is also ranked as the best adjustable dumbbells in our shopping guide.

Best high-impact sports bra

On Performance Flex Bra

Performance Flex Bra
Best high-impact sports bra

On Performance Flex Bra

Now 53% Off

This is the holy grail of sports bras for high-intensity workouts. The straps are adjustable for a truly customizable fit. Plus, the light padding is built in—so you never have to deal with shifting, scrunching, or fishing pads out of the laundry. It even supported one of our editors through chest size changes during pregnancy and postpartum.

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Best for at-home workout moms

WeGym SafeGrip Dumbbells

SafeGrip Dumbbells
Best for at-home workout moms

WeGym SafeGrip Dumbbells

These WH Fitness Award winning grippy weights set the standard for dumbbells with a high-performance plastic material. Available in 2- to 20-lb pairs, the square heads add control, so her wrists won’t wobble during floor exercises such as renegade rows.

Moms are a proud crowd, and this delicate Tiny Tags necklace allows you to put your parental status on full display. The limited edition “mama” necklace is made from gold vermeil and hangs on an adjustable chain for that just-right fit. The jewelry is subtle, but it’ll make a big impact on your favorite mom.

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Best for sore moms

321 Strong Foam Roller

Foam Roller

Like many distance runners, I struggle with tight IT bands. The 321 Strong Foam Roller has specialized massage zones to really get in there to work out my sore, stiff muscles. It’s also light and petite enough to toss in a gym bag. This foam roller comes in six colorways to suit every mom’s tastes.

Best for moms who don’t have time to bake

Wildgrain

Trial Custom Box

Trial Custom Box
Best for moms who don’t have time to bake

Wildgrain

Trial Custom Box

Having time to cook is one thing, but having the time to bake? Wildgrain is a great box service that offers pastries, breads, pastas, and more that come frozen and just need to be popped in the oven when you’re ready to eat them. The brand even has some stellar gluten-free and vegan boxes.

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Best for moms who love to picnic

Yeti Rambler Low Bowls

Rambler Low Bowls
Best for moms who love to picnic

Yeti Rambler Low Bowls

Yeti just released a set of insulated bowls modeled after its popular Rambler line. The bowls, which come in three sizes, have the same high level of insulation as cult-favorite Yeti mugs, with heavy-duty lids for easy storage. That means hot dishes will stay that way for hours. It’s perfect for taking food on the go, whether it’s for a picnic or lunch at work.

Best for moms who love protein

Hoshi Health Protein Powder Funnel Set

Protein Powder Funnel Set

Moms are pretty much always on the go, and that means their favorite protein shake is, too. This genius funnel set from Hoshi Health fits into water bottles to create a shake on the road, with a cap on the bottom and top so she can pack her protein powder for later. The included carabiner can be clipped on a gym bag for easy transportation.

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Best Walking Shoes to Gift

Kizik Athens 2 Slip On Shoes

Athens 2 Slip On Shoes
Best Walking Shoes to Gift

Kizik Athens 2 Slip On Shoes

Lifestyle Director Lindsay Geller says one of the biggest life hacks for new moms are sneakers you can just slip into. Enter Kizik’s easy-to-throw-on shoes, which Geller swears by for stroller walks and running errands.

Help your favorite mom make good use of her downtime with this powerhouse wrinkle cream from Estée Lauder. It uses special peptides to boost moisture and the skin’s barrier, creating a more energized look in the morning. It even works for people with sensitive skin.

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Best for moms with tired eyes

RENPHO Eyeris 1 Eye Massager

Eyeris 1 Eye Massager
Best for moms with tired eyes

RENPHO Eyeris 1 Eye Massager

This eye massager is such a hit in my house that I’m constantly having to take it back from my husband. It can cycle through five built-in massage modes and even pipes music through the massager, creating a full-blown experience. While it’s a sturdy machine, the massager feels surprisingly lightweight when it’s on.

Origins’ Youthtopia Refining Peel delivers a lot from a simple serum, smoothing your skin’s texture, while hydrating and brightening. The peel uses apple stem cells and apple peel extract to target signs of aging, and it comes in a gorgeous blush-colored bottle that looks nice sitting on a countertop. It’s gentle enough to be used daily, too.

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Best for moms with dry hands

Ankooy Hand Cream, 12 Pack

Hand Cream, 12 Pack
Best for moms with dry hands

Ankooy Hand Cream, 12 Pack

Dry hands happen, but they can be a beast to deal with when it comes time for the next workout. This 12-pack of hand cream from Ankooy comes in a wide range of scents, so you can choose your own fragrance adventure each time. They’re also travel-sized and easy enough to slip in a bag for on-the-go skin hydration.

Best for massage-loving moms

Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro

Hypervolt 2 Pro
Best for massage-loving moms

Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro

This versatile massage gun is currently sitting next to my desk, ready to go whenever I need a quick workup for my tense shoulders. It can hold a charge for three hours and is relatively lightweight, making it easy to hold over a range of body parts without wearing out your arm. The five massage heads come in handy, too.

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Best for HIIT moms

Loocio Jump Rope

Jump Rope
Best for HIIT moms

Loocio Jump Rope

This jump rope is a far cry from the one you used as a kid. It has foam handles for a comfortable, secure grip, for starters. The rope itself is made from a durable and tangle-free material, so there’s no need to pause workouts to unwind. It’s also under $10.

Best for tired moms

Mellanni Queen Sheets Set

Queen Sheets Set
Best for tired moms

Mellanni Queen Sheets Set

$40AmazonAlso Consider

Pretty much all moms fall into the “tired” category, so this is a safe choice. These Mellanni bed sheets are made with a silky microfiber material, and they’re pre-shrunk, so you don’t have to stress about them changing shape on you. The bestselling Amazon bedding is also available in 40 colors and patterns, making them easy to match with nearly every bedroom. Another perk: They ship with Prime, so you can get them fast.

Headshot of Korin Miller

Korin Miller is a seasoned freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Everyday Health, Food & Wine, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University and lives by the beach.

Headshot of Christian Gollayan
Reviewed byChristian Gollayan
Style and Reviews Director

Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.

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