Valinda
Making Memories: Experience Gift Ideas for Kids - The Ultimate List of Fun & Affordable Activities
Updated: Jan 20
Kids love spending time with us so why not make the most out of it by giving them a great experience gift they can enjoy together with you. Next to it is a fun activity for both you and your kids there are lots of benefits for experience gifts over physical gifts.
What are the benefits of experience gifts
80% of all toys end up in landfills once kids have outgrown them. While many of these toys are still good enough to use by other kids. Parents often either don’t know what to do with those toys or simply don’t bother donating them. Next to this, research has shown that an experience is perceived as more valuable compared to a physical gift. Therefore an experience gift is a much better choice.
Experience gifts don’t clutter
Let's be honest, most kids have too many toys already and often they just lay around the house cluttering up your home. As experience gifts are not physical items, they will not clutter your home.
Bonding experience
When giving an experience gift to someone, they often don’t do this alone. They either go with friends or parents making it a great experience for everyone involved. Because you experience something fun together, you create a stronger bond that will last a lifetime.
Prevents competition or envy
Because an experience gift can be enjoyed by multiple people, there is less envy and competition as everyone received the same gift making it a much more enjoyable experience altogether.
It lasts longer
My daughter still remembers the day we took her out to have pancakes on a boat. To her it was such a special occasion, she will never forget it (even though she was only 4 at the time). The memory of an experience gift lasts much longer as it often leaves a much deeper impression in our minds.
How to ask for experience gifts
If you rather not receive physical gifts either for yourself or your kids, just be honest about it. This not only prevents disappointment but also makes sure you and your kids receive the gifts they want. If you send out (digital) invitations, you can simply put it on the invitation that you would like experience gifts and add a few examples for those who have no idea what these are.
How can I give an experience instead of physical gifts?
When I gave a day at a climbing park to the son of a friend I designed a specific card for this activity to give to him while I (secretly) gave the money for that activity to mom.
Birthday cards in general are a great way to bring the message of the experience gift. If possible, also include the activity and the date for this activity so they have something to look forward to and know when to expect to go.
100+ Experience Gifts
Animal related
1 Zoo visit
2 Animal sanctuary visit
3 Sponsor an animal
4 Visit the local wildlife preserve
5 Horseback riding lesson
6 Go to a petting zoo
7 Visit the local aquarium
Food related
8 Cook a meal (Childs choice)
9 Picnic at a park
10 Bake cookies/pie with mom or dad
11 Go out for ice cream
12 High tea (or other drink) date
13 Chocolate tasting
Active
14 Indoor playground visit
15 Visit a rock climbing park
16 Visit an outdoor tree climbing park
17 Passes for an indoor trampoline park
18 Pool/indoor waterpark visit
19 Visit an indoor ski park
20 Go ice skating
21 Go roller skating
22 Go for a hike
23 Go for a bike ride
24 Visit a National park
25 (Backyard) camping trip
26 Ticket to an amusement park
27 Tickets to a water park
28 Volunteer at a local event
29 Go to the beach
30 A train ride somewhere
31 A boat ride
32 Martial art classes
33 Gymnastic classes
34 Tennis lessons
35 Go fishing
36 Book a summer camp
37 Surfing lessons
38 Diving lessons
39 Snorkeling lessons
40 Go geocaching
41 Laser tag
42 Go karting
43 Skateboarding lessons
44 Factory tour
45 Visit a flight simulation centre
46 Build a bird house together
47 Build an insect house together
With others
48 Date with mom or dad (without siblings)
49 Go to the movies
50 Mini Golf
51 Visit a festival
52 Visit a magic show
53 Invite friends for a sleepover
54 Movie night with kids movies/snacks of choice
55 Visit a sport event
56 Visit a circus (like Cirque du Soleil)
57 Visit a concert
58 Visit a musical
59 Visit the theater
60 Visit a comedy show
61 Visit an ice show (like Disney on ice)
62 Escape room
63 Visit an arcade
64 Plan a treasure hunt around the house
65 Build a tree house
66 Build a fort
67 Make a movie
68 Bowling date
69 Karaoke night
70 Game night (board or video games)
71 Dress up
72 Photo shoot (when dressed up)
73 (At home) mani/pedi session
74 A weekend with grandparents
75 Overnight hotel stay
76 Visit a farm
77 Visit a greenhouse
78 Visit a vineyard
Art
79 Painting lessons
80 Sewing lessons
81 Knitting lessons
82 Jewelry making class
83 Pottery classes
84 Dance classes
85 Circus classes
86 Acting lessons
Education
87 Science classes
88 Cooking class
89 Baking class
90 Music lessons
91 Swimming lessons
92 Visit a museum
93 Plant a garden
94 Library membership
95 Language lessons
Miscellaneous
96 Donation to a charity of Childs choice
97 Kids picks the meal
98 Kids picks their own/your clothing
99 Cupcake decorating class
100 Yoga classes
101 Meditation classes
