Looking for the perfect gift? Explore experience gifts for kids!
In this post:
- What are experience gifts?
- Types of Experience Gifts
- 61 Experience Gifts for Kids
- How to Pick Experience Gifts
- FAQs
What are experience gifts?
Experience gifts are exactly what they sound like: instead of a physical gift, experience gifts are non-material presents that offer children unique activities or events to enjoy. This is an excellent way to reduce clutter and build unforgettable memories.
Experience gifts can be anything from a bird-watching date to a trip to Disneyland.
The key to selecting the perfect experience gift is to consider the child’s personality, what they might find fun or interesting, and what new experiences could broaden their horizons.
Types of Experience Gifts
There are 4 main types of experience gifts:
- Memberships: annual passes and subscriptions to places like the zoo that allow the child to visit again and again.
- Tickets: one-time passes to events and places like concerts or a theme park. This can be a less expensive option than an annual membership.
- Classes: one-time or multisession lessons that relate to the child’s interests.
- Dates: experiences the child and giver can share, like an ice cream date with Grandma or mini golf with Uncle Joe.
61 Experiences Gifts for Kids
Memberships
- Zoo membership
- Aquarium membership
- Children’s Museum membership
- Science museum membership
- Art museum membership
- Planetarium membership
- Yoto Club audiobook subscription for the Yoto player
- MasterClass subscription
- Disney+ subscription
Tickets
- Theatre tickets
- Theme park tickets
- Escape room tickets
- Day pass to the rock climbing gym
- Concert tickets
- Tickets to a sports game
- Passes to a high ropes course
- Indoor skydiving tickets
- Tickets to a magic show
- Petting zoo passes
Classes
- Cooking class
- Art class
- Dance class
- Music lesson
- Gymnastics class
- Pottery class
- Ice skating lesson
- Lego robotics class
- Sewing class
- 3D printing class
- Coding class
- Photography class
- Archery lesson
Dates
- Icecream
- Ceramic painting
- Mini Golf
- Movie night
- Hiking
- Day at the water park
- Camping
- Bird watching
- Train ride
- Horseback riding
- Zip-lining
- Manicure
- Farm visit
- Trip to a new park
- Build a model airplane
- Visit the arcade
- Night of stargazing
- Indoor trampoline park day
- Paintball
- Kayaking
- Visit to a wildlife sanctuary
- Cookie baking
- Fun dinner date (at home or a restaurant)
- Trip to Dave and Busters
- Hot air balloon ride
- Bowling
- Skiing
- Sleepover
- Board game night
How to Pick Experience Gifts for Kids
When picking experience gifts, it’s essential to pick a gift that feels specific to the child.
Things to consider:
Age
Choose a safe and suitable experience for the child’s age and developmental stage. Younger children might enjoy more controlled environments like a puppet show, while older kids might appreciate more adventurous activities like rock climbing.
Interests
Tailor the experience to the child’s hobbies or interests. A child interested in science might enjoy visiting a science museum, while a sports enthusiast might appreciate tickets to a sporting event.
You can also consider experiences that can introduce the child to new hobbies or activities, potentially sparking a new interest.
Where the child lives
Look for easily accessible experiences based on the child’s location. For instance, children in urban areas might have access to museums and theaters, while those in rural areas might enjoy outdoor adventures.
If the experience involves travel, ensure it’s feasible for the family regarding distance and any necessary accommodations (i.e., don’t gift passes to Disneyland to a family that lives far away without considering how they will pay for travel and hotels).
If you live nearby or will be visiting, consider gifting experiences you and the child can have together. Children feel extra special when they spend one-on-one time with their favorite adults. Something as simple as mini golf with Aunt Jane can make lasting memories.
Budget
Many affordable experiences, such as local workshops, community events, or nature hikes, can be just as memorable as more expensive options.
If budget allows, you might consider more lavish experiences like theme park visits or specialized camps, but remember that the value of the experience doesn’t always correlate with its cost.
FAQS
1. What age range is suitable for experience gifts?
Experience gifts can be tailored to any age group, from toddlers to teenagers. The key is choosing an age-appropriate experience that aligns with the child’s interests and maturity level.
2. How do I choose the right experience gift?
Consider the child’s interests, hobbies, and any activities they’ve wanted to try. It’s also important to consider any relevant age restrictions or safety considerations.
3. Are experience gifts expensive?
They can range from free/very affordable to quite expensive, depending on the activity. Options like museum visits, local workshops, or nature trips can be budget-friendly, while more extravagant experiences like theme park tickets or specialized classes may cost more.
4. How can I wrap an experience gift?
Since there’s no physical item to unwrap, you can present the experience gift in the form of a certificate, a themed card, or even a small gift that is part of the experience (like a cake mix for a baking date with Grandma).
5. What if the child doesn’t enjoy the experience?
As with any gift, there is the possibility that the child won’t like it.
While you can’t always predict a child’s response, choosing an experience based on their known interests reduces this risk. Always have a positive and flexible approach, and be open to switching to a different activity if the first choice isn’t a hit.
6. Can experience gifts be shared with others?
Many experience gifts, like trips to theme parks or workshops, can be shared with family members or friends, making the experience even more enjoyable.
7. How long do experience gifts last?
This varies widely. Some experiences are one-time events, like a concert, while others, like class series, occur over several weeks or months.
8. How do I ensure the timing of the experience gift is convenient?
If the experience requires scheduling, consider giving a gift card or voucher that allows the recipient to choose a convenient date. Always check expiration dates or booking conditions.
Experience gifts for kids offer a unique and meaningful alternative to traditional presents, providing opportunities for personal growth, adventure, and family bonding.
These gifts cater to a child’s interests and developmental stage, making them feel valued and special. From educational trips to creative workshops, the options are vast and adaptable to any budget.
Experience gifts minimize physical clutter and promote a more sustainable and experiential way of celebrating special occasions. Ultimately, the lasting memories and skills gained from these experiences are invaluable, making them an excellent choice for thoughtful, impactful gift-giving.
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