Material gifts are fun to unwrap, but the gift of an experience not only brings joy but makes lasting memories, too. Whether you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift or a birthday surprise, this year, give the little ones in your life something they’ll never forget. From toddlers to teens, here are the best experience gifts for kids.
Think about your favorite memories as a kid. What comes to mind? You probably remember a favorite toy or two (Teddy Ruxpin was mine!), but the majority of your favorite memories are probably rooted in experiences — treasured family traditions, time spent together, and adventures you shared.
Years from now, when your little ones are all grown up, those are the things they will remember most, too. Instead of trying to guess the perfect gift or buying a bunch of plastic toys that will sooner or later end up in landfills, why not give little ones an experience gift and make memories they can hold onto forever?
What are experience gifts?
An experience gift (also known as a gift of experience, experiential gifts, or gift experiences) enables the recipient to have an experience of some sort. Experiences can include activities, outings, lessons, tickets, and trips, but some material items, like art supplies or camping gear, also create experiences.
Benefits of giving kids experiences for gifts
Experience gifts can alleviate stress and improve relationships, as well as provide hours of entertainment, education, fun, and pleasant memories to last a lifetime. Here’s more on the benefits of activity-based gifts for children.
Less clutter, less stress. Toys are a major source of clutter in homes — maybe even the biggest source for families. Research shows physical clutter creates stress and reduces our ability to focus. Experience gifts can actually reduce stress, whether that be through physical activity, laughter, or an opportunity for rest and relaxation.
Entertainment and fun. Experiential gifts can be a great source of entertainment and fun, not just for the child but for the entire family and the person giving the gift, too!
Growth and learning. Activity gifts like museum passes, music lessons, art supplies, and camps can make learning fun, help kids develop and master new skills, and even spark interest in new subjects and hobbies.
Opportunities for bonding and togetherness. Experience gifts are better for improving relationships and bringing people closer together. If you want to give a child something that will make them feel closer to you, give them an experience.
Lasting memories. Experiences create more lasting memories than material gifts because they elicit deeper emotional responses that make the memories more vivid and meaningful. These kinds of gifts create emotional connections that can last a lifetime.
How to ask for kids experience gifts
My free experience gift email template makes requesting these less traditional gifts simple and stress-free. It’s the exact format I’ve used to request experience gifts from our loved ones in years past. To get it, just add your name and email below!
50+ best experience gift ideas for kids (by category)
Give your little ones experiences rather than material gifts to create happy memories and connections. Here are some of our favorites!
Active Adventures
Rock climbing session
Let them scale new heights indoors or outdoors with a rock-climbing adventure perfect for little daredevils and big kids alike.
Trampoline park passes
Bounce the day away with passes to a trampoline park that’s guaranteed to be all giggles and flips.
Water park admission
Splash into fun with a water park visit filled with lazy rivers, thrilling slides, and endless waves.
Amusement park passes
Give the gift of wonder and excitement with tickets to their favorite amusement park.
Bowling alley outing
Book the bumpers and glow-in-the-dark lanes for extra fun.
Ice skating or roller skating session
Glide into good times with passes for ice skating or roller skating at a local rink.
A day of skiing, sledding, or snow tubing
Hit the slopes for a snowy adventure, whether they’re skiing pros, sledding enthusiasts, or love the thrill of tubing.
Laser tag with a few friends
Give them an action-packed afternoon of teamwork, strategy, and built-in exercise!
A bucket of balls at the driving range
Perfect for budding golfers wanting to improve their swing and have fun.
Batting cage tokens
Let them practice their swing while having a blast.
A round or two of mini-golf
Tee off for an afternoon of laughs and friendly competition on a mini-golf course.
Outdoor Exploration
Zoo or aquarium passes (day pass or family membership)
Spend the day exploring new and interesting animals with tickets to the zoo, petting zoo, or aquarium.
State or national park passes (single visit or season pass)
Give the gift of nature with passes to explore nearby parks and trails.
Farm stay
Create lasting memories with an overnight farm adventure, complete with hands-on animal time and fresh air.
Camping trip
Combine the magic of the great outdoors with a cozy glamping or camping getaway. Wrap up and give your little one a new piece of camping gear for a little something extra.
Book a camper or RV
Hit the road for a mini adventure in a camper or RV.
A fishing excursion
Let them experience the thrill of reeling in a catch with a fishing trip. Wrap up a new lure with a printed voucher for something fun to unwrap.
A week of summer camp
Let them dive into new experiences and friendships with a week-long camp experience and activities they enjoy.
Arts & Creativity
Art classes & supplies
Nurture their inner Picasso with art lessons paired with high-quality supplies.
Paint-your-own pottery or pottery-making class
Hands-on creativity comes alive with a pottery session where they can create their own masterpiece.
Crochet or knitting classes
Introduce them to the joy of crafting with cozy yarn and beginner-friendly crochet or knitting classes.
Monthly craft subscription
Keep the creativity flowing with monthly craft kits tailored to their interests. Annie’s Kit Club has some great kid-friendly craft kits!
Jewelry-making class or kit
Help them design their own accessories with a jewelry-making class or DIY kit.
Friendship bracelet-making class + supplies
Celebrate friendship with a bracelet-making session that’s equal parts fun and meaningful.
Sewing classes
Teach them creative and handy life skills through sewing lessons.
Baking class or subscription
Bake up some fun with a baking class or monthly baking kits from companies like Baketivity that teach skills and end with a sweet treat!
Learning & Skill Development
Music lessons
Whether they want to bang on drums or tap on a piano, music lessons are a gift that will last a lifetime.
Gymnastics, dance, or martial arts classes
Get them moving and grooving with classes that build strength, discipline, and confidence.
Horseback riding lessons
Saddle up for a unique and enriching experience with horseback riding lessons.
A day or week of ski school
Help them master the slopes with ski lessons tailored to their skill level.
Ice skating lessons
Turn wobbly strides into graceful glides with professional ice skating lessons.
A private tennis or golf lesson
Build lifelong skills and confidence with personalized lessons in their favorite sport.
Museum pass
Spark curiosity with a pass to a museum filled with hands-on exhibits and engaging displays. Children’s museums and natural history museums are always a hit with littles.
Magic show or magic lesson
Add a little wonder to their world with a magic performance or a private lesson to learn some new tricks.
Archery lesson
Take aim for fun and focus with an archery class tailored to their age and skill level.
Voice lessons
Teach them how to hit the high notes with in-person or virtual singing lessons with a professional voice coach.
Friend & Family Togetherness
An afternoon at the arcade
Relive classic gaming fun with a trip to the local arcade.
Ice skating and hot chocolate
Skate some laps and cozy up with a warm drink at a favorite café afterward.
One-on-one outing with you
Whether it’s a lunch date or a day at the park, this special time is all about them.
Movie marathon
Make popcorn and settle in for a fun-filled movie night to watch all your favorite flicks.
Sleepover with friends
Treat your kid to a night of staying up late with friends and a big pancake breakfast the next morning.
An outing or weekend with a special family member
Create meaningful memories with a grandparent, aunt, or cousins for the weekend.
An afternoon of crafting or baking
Whip up sweet treats or fun crafts together for an unforgettable afternoon.
Admission to an adventure park
Create unforgettable memories with a day at one of their dream destinations, like Disney or Legoland
Special vacation experiences
Think sleigh rides, snorkeling, or jet skiing for an unforgettable family experience.
A family trip or destination vacation
The ultimate memory-making experience.
Mani-pedi or spa treatment
Pamper them with a relaxing mani-pedi with mom or a special treatment at the spa.
Entertainment Gift Ideas
Movie tickets
Netflix is nice, but a trip to the movie theater to see the latest Blockbuster is always a hit.
Theatre tickets
Spark their imagination with live performances of their favorite stories.
Concert tickets
Let them dance and sing along with tickets to a favorite band or artist.
A new book
Make it an outing to let them pick out a new paperback or give them a gift card to download a digital or audiobook.
Music subscription
Keep their playlist fresh with a subscription to a favorite music streaming service.
Children’s magazine
Encourage curiosity and learning with a subscription tailored to their interests.
Sporting event tickets
Let them experience the thrill of live sports, from minor leagues to major matchups.
Contribution Gifts
Tuition for a course, class, or workshop
Help them dive into something they love with tuition for a course or class.
College fund contribution
A thoughtful way to support their future education.
Gap year fund donation
Support their dreams of exploring the world and gaining new experiences
Common questions about gifting experiences to kids
Yes, kids do appreciate experience gifts, often more than new toys, but it’s important to understand that their joy and appreciation might not be immediate. Younger children might look forward to unwrapping a physical gift, so pairing an experience with a small, related item—like art supplies for a painting class or a fishing lure for a fishing trip—can give them the thrill of opening something tangible alongside a meaningful experience they’ll enjoy.
Give kids something to open by including an item related to the experience, like printed tickets wrapped in a box or a small accessory that complements the gift (e.g., pottery tools for a pottery class). Include a handwritten note explaining why you chose this particular experience for a personal touch.
Be clear and kind. Let your friends and family know you’re focusing on creating lasting memories rather than accumulating more stuff, and invite them to join you in this effort. Provide a list of experience ideas to help make their gift-giving decision easier.
More gift ideas you might like
- 75+ minimalist gift ideas for people who have everything
- The 10 best simple toys for kids —aka, the only ones you really need
I loved this post! As a parent, it’s so hard to find the perfect gift for my kids that they’ll actually enjoy and use. These experience-based gift ideas are exactly what I need. Thanks for sharing! 🎁👍
I’m so glad you found it helpful! 🤗