Girls night in for mums: 12 low-effort ideas that feel like a treat

9th April 2026hollie.earlam Share:

Whether you’re after a bit of healthy escapism, or just an excuse to switch your brain off for an hour, here are 12 budget-friendly, low-stress girls’ night in ideas for mums.

1. Mum’s mocktail bar

Drinking might be off limits with the kids tucked up in bed, but that doesn’t mean a bit of a party has to be. Whether you make your own mocktails - do a blind taste test if you’re feeling brave - or set up a DIY ‘bar’ in advance, it’s an easy way to make the night feel a little more special.

3 glasses of cocktails over a table with hands

Vintage etched coupe glasses (set of 2), £18.95

Green retro roemer glasses (set of 2), £19.95

Aperitivo Spritz round metal serving tray, £9.95

2. ‘Book & bakes’ night

It’s a classic, but it’s a great way to switch off for a night. Everyone brings a short book, poem or article they loved, along with a sweet treat (brownies and cookies can be made in 12 minutes for the mums short on time!). Swap your reads at the end or use the group favourite as inspo for your next book club.

Blue and green daisy storage tin, £12.95

Wild Flowers double oven gloves, £14.95

3. ‘No talk about the kids’ night

We’re all guilty of it - five minutes in and somehow we’re swapping updates on the kids like it’s the six o’clock news. Why not set a one-hour ‘kid-free’ timer (with a coin in the jar every time someone slips up) and see where the conversation goes when the little ones are out of the picture.

4. Meal prep party

From one end of the spectrum to the other: this mums’ night is shamelessly about the kids. If you’re going to meal prep, you may as well have some fun with it. Make it a team effort and divvy up the jobs - then treat yourselves to a glass of wine afterwards!

Pasta, tomatoes and bread in white tableware

Blue enamel pie dishes (set of 3), £39.95

5. ‘Favourite things exchange’ night

This one’s perfect if you’re still getting to know your mum friends a bit. It’s as simple as it sounds: everyone brings one of their favourite things, whether that’s nail polish, a candle or even a bottle of wine. Pull names out of a hat and take home a ‘favourite’ of someone else!

6. Crafts that don’t make a mess

Bear with us on this one! The thought of more arts & crafts - in your precious downtime - might seem ludicrous, but without any messy kids it can actually be therapeutic. Who knew! Grab a crochet kit, embroidery kit or even just a sketch book and let yourself unwind.

women sat around a table making crafts and drawing

Stitch your own daisy keyring, £2.95

Crochet fruit earrings kit, £6.95

7. ‘Guilty pleasure jukebox’ night

All this one requires is three songs: one that sums up your week, one throwback, and one guilty pleasure. Play them without saying whose is whose and guess the owner - then build a shared playlist for future nights. It’s slightly unhinged, and more fun (and revealing) than it sounds - we promise!

8. ‘Share your skills’ night

It might not be the most glamorous idea, but it’s a good one. Everyone shares one ‘skill’ with the group - anything you can demonstrate in a few minutes, from yoga moves to basic sewing skills. Keep it chilled so no one feels intimidated - and if all else fails find a TikTok dance!

Wooden weaving loom set, £16.95

9. ‘Nostalgia’ night

There’s always that one childhood TV show everyone remembers (or at least recognises). Stick it on and enjoy a trip down memory lane…who watched it when, who had the biggest crush, and how it’s different watching as a mum. Don’t forget to bring nostalgic snacks too!

10. ‘DIY Spa’ night

Forget about a fancy spa retreat - that dream vanished with the kids. Instead, set up a ‘reset station’ for all the tired mums out there. All it takes is a face mask, some hand cream, a cosy pair of socks and a calming drink to transform your home into a spa for the night…because gossiping is always better with a face mask on!

Women sat around a table painting nails with face masks

Kalyani wash bag, £14.95

Gold tone scented candle, £12.95

11. ‘Treat Trolley’ night

This mum's meet-up doesn’t cost a dime. Ask everyone to turn up with one ‘treat’ item they’ve already got in the cupboard - you can allocate sweet and savoury, or embrace the chaos and get everyone to bring the weirdest thing they can find! Lay it all out like a tapas spread and do a quick taste test to crown the winner on the night.

12. ‘The kids are away’ night

If you’re lucky enough to have a night or two completely kid-free, you owe it to yourself and your fellow mums to go all out. Grab the disco balls, set up Karaoke on the TV and dance the night away. Then enjoy every minute of the silence the next morning!