If you're looking for fun and, in most cases, inexpensive ideas to get out of the house and celebrate the moms in your life on Mother's Day (May 13 this year), here's what's happening!

Moms and others can run like one during the Run Like a Mother 5K on May 13. The women-only race for ages 12 and up also includes a kids' 1-mile run (boys and girls are allowed for that one). At the finish line, there's a party with refreshments and fun for the kids. Registration for the race at the Kerr Family YMCA, 2500 Wakefield Pines Dr., Raleigh, is open now.

The Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD, Nature Preserve in north Raleigh will host a May Day Open House from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., May 13. Registration is not required for this free event. The preserve is named after the property's former owner, who was a well-known obstetrician and gynecologist. Her family spent many Mother's Days celebrating on the property. The preserve will offer some special activities. It's also a great place to explore.

The N.C. Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill will host local celebrations of National Public Gardens Day during Mother's Day weekend. Events are from May 10 to May 13. Among them is a Mother's Day Walk from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., May 13 at the Mason Farm Biological Reserve. The Mason Farm's "old farm trail" winds through 260 years of cultural and natural history. A naturalist will point out wildflowers and talk about the garden's diversity and conservation efforts. Advanced registration is required. Spaces are expected to fill up quickly. So act fast. There is a $10 fee for for the walk.

Noah's Landing, the zoo in Coats, will host its annual Mother's Day weekend events. Families can tour the zoo on their own (instead of joining the usual guided tours here) and learn all about the animals with the help of the zoo's guides and volunteers. A zoo crew will have special kid-friendly activity stations with crafts and games. And, on May 13, the Wildlife Rescue Center in Sanford will have a special display of raptors. The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 12, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., May 13. It's $8 per person. Moms get in for half price with a kid's paid admission. Coats is about 45 minutes to an hour from Raleigh.

The Raleigh Rose Garden, which is next to the Raleigh Little Theatre near Cameron Village, will host a Mother's Day Brunch on May 13, which happens to be the perfect time to visit this beautiful garden. The event includes an al fresco buffet brunch, souvenir professional portrait photo, live guitar music, a special gift for moms and a special appearance from Raleigh Little Theatre's Cinderella. The first seating is 10:30 a.m.; a second is at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $12 for kids ages 5 to 13. Kids under 5 are free. You could even pair the brunch with tickets to Dear Edwina Junior, a performance that's part of RLT's youth series. The show runs May 4 to May 20, including two showtimes on May 13.

Marbles Kids Museum will have a weekend of mom-related fun. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 12 and May 13, Marbles will offer special activities throughout the downtown Raleigh museum. Kids can make paper flowers and homemade potpourri gift sachets for mom. There's an ADF Project Dance workshop. And kids can treat their moms to a day at the movies. Moms can see "To the Arctic 3D" for free with a paying son or daughter at Marbles' IMAX theater on Mother's Day weekend.

Just for moms ... SweetBottoms Baby Boutique will have a special after hours event for moms from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., May 12. They'll have an acoustic singer, manicures, pedicures, massages, wine and, of course, lots of cute stuff for babies and young kids. The store is at 2855 Jones Franklin Rd., Raleigh (near the Cary border). Sounds like a fun moms' night out opportunity.

The N.C. Museum of History will have a free make it, take it drop-in activity from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., May 12. Visitors can learn about North Carolina's rhododendrons and make a paper version to take home to mom or grandma. Not specifically geared toward Mother's Day, but the museum will also have a free concert from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., May 13, featuring Sheila Kay Adams. Adams performs English, Scottish, and Irish ballads passed down since the mid-1700s.

Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., will host a Mother's May Day Hike from 11 a.m. to noon, May 13. See the park's wildlife and learn about the baby animals and their mothers. The cost is $5 per family. Call 919-856-6672 to register.

And for sports-loving moms, the Carolina Mudcats will have a 2 p.m. game on May 13. Kids run the bases after every Sunday home game (field conditions permitting). Bugs Bunny will make an appearance. Tickets start around $5. Sounds like lots of family fun!