There’s a new trend going around where parents ask kids what gifts the got for Christmas last year, and the kids have zero memory of the toy that was a favorite. Now, in my house my son commits every single toy to memory, but the memories that last the longest are experiences. Trips, special outings, any “experience gifts” tend to stick out the most with him.
We can all agree that we still want to see things wrapped under the tree, but adding an experience gift to the mix is so special for a young child. Experience gifts—activities, adventures, lessons, memberships, and family outings—are one of the most meaningful ways to give kids something truly special. Instead of toys that end up in the toy box, experiences create memories, inspire curiosity, and bring families closer together.
These gifts can come from parents but are also a great idea when you get the “what do they want?” question from grandparents or other family members. Below are our recommendations for experience gifts for kids that don’t fit into a box.
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Key Takeaways on Experience Gifts
Experience gifts rank highly with families because they:
- Build memories, not clutter. Experiences are often treasured long after toys wear out.
- Encourage growth and confidence. New activities help kids develop interests and new skills.
- Include family bonding time. Whether it’s a zoo membership or a cooking class together, these gifts create shared moments.
What is an Experience Gift?
Before diving into some of my favorite experience gift options, let’s look into what this exactly means. Experience gifts are exactly like they sound: instead of classics like toys and clothes, they’re things to do or learn from. Though many of them are not physical gifts in nature, they can sometimes be accompanied by a physical gift. Think gifting a fishing pole with the experience gift being a fishing trip. Experience gifts can be for kids to do on their own, like lessons to take, or experiences for the whole family, like an extra-special outing. The best part is that the experience can be tailored to the interests of the child receiving it. Other times, they’ll take the form of a subscription and be the type of gift that keeps on giving.
Do Kids Appreciate Experience Gifts?
The short answer? Absolutely! However, studies suggest that kids ages 13-17 tend to appreciate extravagant experiential presents more than their younger counterparts simply because they can remember them. This includes things like trips, Broadway shows, museum visits, etc. For younger kiddos, learning tools, lessons, and other fun experiences are great for gifting. Overall, the age of the recipient is a great thing to keep in mind when considering the best experience gifts for kids.
Experience Gift Ideas for Kids
Magazine Subscriptions
In the era of Kindles and other e-readers, going old school with a real-life magazine subscription gives your sweethearts something tangible to look forward to with every delivery. Kids magazine subscriptions are a relatively budget-friendly investment with a high-yield outcome. Not only do they encourage your child to read, they also provide diverse learning opportunities on a variety of topics. Plus, they get your little readers excited to run to the mailbox and receive something that has their name on it! In our family, we save a handful of our favorite editions and recycle the rest.
Both National Geographic and Highlights are classic magazines that have withstood the test of time for several generations. They also both have several different subscription models based on the developmental stage of your child. For children 8 and older, The Week Junior magazine provides engaging content every week about news, ideas, activities, puzzles, and live debates.
Museum Memberships
Whether you live in a bustling urban center or a quaint suburban town, giving your child (or a friend’s child) the gift of a local museum membership can be the gift that keeps on giving all year long! Museums are the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon indoors (and sometimes outdoors). They provide a wealth of educational opportunities for your little ones, and they give you a space outside your home that your children can explore at their own pace.
If you live in a colder climate, museums are also a great option for an excursion when it’s raining or snowing and you just need to get out of the house and keep your child entertained. When giving a child the gift of a museum membership, you may want to get him or her excited about the museum in question by going to their website to see pictures and videos of the space prior to attending. Once at the museum, you and your kids can walk hand-in-hand learning about history, science, art, and more!
Movie Passes
Going to the movie theater is a cherished American pastime. Finding a seat in those reclining chairs, ordering the butteriest popcorn imaginable, and watching the trailers for the next big blockbuster are experiences your kids can enjoy, too. Give your child a movie gift certificate so they can experience watching movies on the big screen just like you did when you were a child.
Kid’s Gym Memberships
Instead of your children constantly jumping on your living room sofa, give them the gift of a kid’s gym membership so they can boomerang freely off the walls—without destroying your living room! There are many different kinds of kid’s gym memberships, so I recommend you do your research prior to giving this gift. You know best the temperament of your child and what type of gym membership would ignite them into putting on their shoes and racing out the door.
What I love most about this gift is that gyms are usually enclosed, so you can sit down and watch your little one safely have fun while you listen to a podcast and sip on that Starbucks you picked up along the way. It’s a win-win for all parties involved!
Art Lessons or Creative Workshops
An art lesson is the kind of experience gift that meets kids right where they are — curious, expressive, and eager to create something that’s entirely their own. Whether it’s a weekly painting class, a one-day pottery workshop, or a seasonal kids’ art camp, creative lessons give children the space to explore new materials, build confidence, and proudly show off what they’ve made.
Art classes are especially great for kids who love to draw, paint, craft, or get their hands messy — and they work for a wide range of ages, from preschoolers to tweens. Many studios also offer parent-and-child sessions, making this an experience that doubles as meaningful one-on-one time.
How to gift it:
Wrap up a small set of art supplies (sketchbook, paints, or markers) with a printed note or certificate for their class. It gives kids something fun to open while still keeping the focus on the experience.
Swim Lessons
Swim lessons are fun for littles, but they’re also incredibly important for your kid’s safety. Wintertime is actually an ideal time to allow your kids to learn important survival skills and get more comfortable in the water. Weekly lessons are a great way to ensure your kids will be prepared for pool and beach time this summer.
While swim lessons are important, they tend to be a bit pricey, which is why it makes for the perfect gift either for you to give to your kids or for a loved one to contribute toward. You can make it more “gift-like” by having them open a cool new pair of goggles to go along with their lessons.
Zoo Memberships
For your animal-loving littles, a zoo membership is a fantastic gift. The zoo makes for an all-around great activity, plus it gets your kids outside in the fresh air. If there’s a zoo relatively near your home, a membership is one way to encourage you and your family to visit more frequently. On the other hand, if getting to the zoo is a bit of a hike, a single day at the zoo can be an equally great gift.
Cooking or Baking Lessons
For a one-off activity where the gifter and giftee can bond, a cooking or baking lesson is an excellent choice. Attend the class with your child and spend an extra-special day together learning something new. Little kids can view cooking and baking as science experiments as they learn measurements, cause and effect, and creativity. Plus, you’ll get to eat tasty treats and bring the skills back home with you. Perhaps your kids will even start helping you prep dinner afterward.
A One-on-One Special Date
While this isn’t a big-ticket activity, simply going on a lunch date to your child’s favorite spot can be a special experience. Make it seem more like a “gift” by DIY-ing a special invitation to lunch or downloading a cute gift coupon from Etsy. If a family member is trying to figure out a fun gift, this is a super easy way for them to spend one-on-one quality time with your kids. It also may mean an afternoon off of parenting for you. Sounds pretty nice, right?
Trampoline Park Visit
Trampoline parks are a super fun activity but are actually pretty pricey in some places. But let’s face it, kids love them and eventually they’re going to convince you to take a trip, so you might as well add this to your child’s wishlist. Not only will your kid love it, they’ll wear themselves out and guarantee a good night’s sleep after a day of (literally) bouncing off the walls.
Dance Lessons
We all love to attend our little’s dance recitals. Could anything be cuter? The not-cute part is the price tag these lessons often come with. Cost aside, dance lessons are a great way to allow your child to learn new things, keep them active, and offer them a new social opportunity outside their daycare or school. Consider dance lessons or a dance camp as a gift for your littles this year.
A Day Skiing, Snowboarding or Tubing
For adventurous kids, a day on the slopes is an amazing gift. Give the gift of ski or snowboard lessons or a few hours tubing down a mountain. Because skiing is easier to pick up when you’re younger, it’s an ideal time to get your child on a set of skis and try out this new hobby. If they love it, you can consider all the equipment and accessories for future holidays and birthdays.
Sporting Event
Kids often look up to athletes, so you’ll score big points by taking them to see their favorite player live. While the gift is truly the experience of the sporting event, I wouldn’t blame you if you tucked a little jersey under the tree for them to wear too. Even if they don’t yet have a favorite player, taking them to see an exciting sport in action may create memories that last a lifetime. It could even become a yearly tradition you do together.
Broadway Show
Take this opportunity to get fancy and head to see a family-friendly theater show. With so many Disney movies adaptations now on Broadway (like The Lion King, Aladdin or Frozen) there are plenty of kid-friendly options to choose from. Consider a weekend matinee, so they don’t have to stay up too late. Or for budget-friendly options, keep an eye out for local community theater or high school musical productions. If you have to go out of town for the experience, make a trip for the whole family.
A “Yes” Day (Planned Just for Them)
Let your child plan a special day with a few parent-approved choices — where to eat, what activity to do, and how to spend time together. It’s low-cost, deeply personal, and often becomes one of those memories kids talk about for years.
How to Choose the Right Experience Gift
When picking an experience gift, consider:
Age & Interest
Younger kids may prefer interactive classes or zoo visits while older kids might enjoy concerts, sports events, or skill-based lessons.
Budget & Seasonality
Some experiences (like museum memberships) are year-round, while others (like skiing) are seasonal. Tailor gifts to what works best where you live.
Presentation Matters
Wrap tickets in a fun way—pair them with a small tangible item (like goggles for swim lessons or team shirts for sports tickets) so kids feel the excitement of opening a gift too.
Carmen Garcia-Shushtari, Former Branded Content Editor
Carmen has over 20 years of experience working as a teacher, university administrator, and manager. Her true love has always been writing, and her editorial work explores the joys and challenges of being a working mother while pursuing her own dreams. She is a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants, a mom of two precious boys, and an LA native.
Roberta Correia, Editor-in-Chief
Roberta is an editor with 10+ years experience in content strategy and brand building. Before joining The Everymom she was Editorial Director at Brides and previously served as Digital Editor at Women’s Wear Daily. She grew up in Brazil and currently calls Brooklyn home with her son, Lucas.
