If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff your kids collect over the holidays, you're not alone. Non-toy gifts might be exactly what you're looking for. Instead of bringing more things into your home, experience gifts for kids focus on an activity, an outing, or a shared memory instead.
And here's something interesting: while it's fun to watch kids tear through a pile of presents, that initial excitement rarely lasts. Studies have actually shown that people have stronger emotional responses to experience gifts than material ones, and they tend to feel, and show, more gratitude too.
Now, this doesn't mean you should skip toys altogether! But if you like the idea of leaning into experience gifts this year, or you just want a few non-toy ideas in your back pocket, I've got a big list of suggestions below. (And if you want even more inspiration, my full collection of gift guides is right here too.)
Why I Love Experience Gifts
I’ll be the first to admit that I love practical products and fun, engaging gifts. But I also love giving my girls experiences they can look forward to — and look back on as a really great memory.
Here are a few more reasons why I appreciate gifting experiences for kids.
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Clutter-free gifts = less stress. Even though I declutter and organize regularly, we still end up with so much stuff! Focusing on experience gifts for kids means less clutter in your home, which means less time spent sorting, cleaning, and donating.
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Fewer toys leads to more engaged kids. It’s so easy for the toy collection to build up. But research shows that giving kids fewer options helps them focus, play for longer, and be more creative in their play.
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They’re more meaningful. While some toys can be memorable, an experience usually has a deeper impact. Research shows that experiences make us feel happier. They also create lasting memories that continue to bring us joy every time we re-live them.
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Their worth is unmatched. The thrill of a new toy can fade over time, but the value of an experience can last a lifetime. Experience gifts can help kids to develop life-long skills, encourage new interests or hobbies, and build stronger social connections. This can also make you feel like your money was well spent.
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You’ll feel closer as a family. Kids will always remember the time you spent with them — and so will you! Family experiences will help you value this time, give you a chance to connect, and strengthen family bonds. They can also encourage yearly traditions and create new memories you’ll be able to share together forever.
How to Shift to Experience Gifts for Kids
Transitioning from toys to experiences for kids can be tricky, especially if that’s what they’re used to. And as someone who loves giving physical gifts to my girls, I’m in no way saying to only give experiences! But if you’re interested in switching to experience gift ideas, or you want to have more of a balance between both types of gifts, here are some things that might help.
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Talk about it as a family (and not just at the holidays). Depending on your kids’ ages, it may be difficult to grasp the value of an experience over the excitement of a toy. Talking about it as a family will help everyone understand the meaning behind an experience gift and why it can be just as exciting.
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Think about what your kids like to do and what’s available around you. What activities are your kids drawn to? Are there things they’ve wanted to try or a new skill they’d like to learn? Is there a fun event or place they’d enjoy going to? You can also provide a list of experience gift ideas and ask them what they’re most interested in.
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Start slowly or strike a balance. If you want to re-shift the focus of gift-giving, you can ease into it by giving your kids one experience gift or doing a shared family experience. You can also do a combination of non-material and material gifts so it feels more balanced.
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Choose one experience to gift every year. Figuring out which gifts to get your kids every Christmas can feel taxing. Instead, simplify your decision-making with one or two experiences you can gift every year. For example, we always give our girls a zoo membership. We also plan a family day and one-on-one time with each kid, the kind of thing that can turn into one of your own family Christmas traditions.
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Focus on family experiences. I love planning family days, but it can be hard to set aside an afternoon for something fun when our schedules get busy and we get caught up in our day-to-day routines. Gifting a family experience forces us to plan a family outing we’ll all enjoy — and stick to it.
Experience Gift Ideas for Kids
You may already have some ideas brewing for the types of experiences your kids (or family) will enjoy. Personally I like to have a list I can refer to, just in case I’m feeling stuck when I'm trying to think of fun birthday gifts or unique Christmas gifs for kids. I know it can be just as tricky to shop for adults, so this list includes both experiences for kids as well as family experiences to help inspire you.
Class-Based Experiences
- Art classes (pottery painting, watercolor, clay sculpting, or a mixed-media workshop)
- Cooking or baking classes (cupcake decorating, a pasta-making workshop, or a hands-on baking series)
- Music lessons (piano, guitar, drums, or a parent & me music class for littles)
- Gymnastics classes (beginner tumbling or a full session at your local gym)
- Dance classes (ballet, hip hop, tap, or a parent & me class for toddlers)
- Martial arts classes (karate, taekwondo, or a beginner self-defense series)
- Horseback riding lessons (a single trail ride or a multi-week riding series at a local stable)
- Singing or vocal lessons (private lessons or a kids' choir program)
Memberships and Passes
- Zoo membership (unlimited visits all year, plus discounts on food & gift shop purchases)
- Science museum membership (hands-on exhibits your kids will beg to revisit)
- Local play place membership (indoor play gyms or trampoline parks with unlimited visits)
- Rock climbing gym membership (beginner-friendly walls, plus kids' climbing classes)
- State park pass (family hiking, camping, & nature days all season long)
- Water park pass (an easy yes for Houston families chasing any excuse to cool off)
Fun Events & Outings
- Concert tickets (a kid-friendly show, a favorite band's tour stop, or a local outdoor concert series)
- Play or musical tickets (a touring show, a children's theater production, or the school's community theater)
- Sporting event tickets (a minor league game, a college game day, or seats to their favorite team)
- Escape room experience (a family-friendly room built for mixed ages, or one themed around their current obsession)
- Amusement park tickets (a full day pass or a single-ride bundle for younger kids)
- Arcade gift card (unlimited games or a set token bundle, whichever fits your budget)
- Mini golf outing (a themed course, a glow-in-the-dark round, or a simple neighborhood course)
- Rock climbing session (an intro class at an indoor gym, no membership required)
- Laser tag session (a birthday-party-style outing or a casual family match)
- Magic show tickets (a local performer or a touring family magic act)
Outdoor Activities
- Camping trip (a state park campsite, a backyard tent night, or a full weekend getaway)
- Family hike (a local nature trail, a state park loop, or a scenic overlook drive-and-hike)
- Fishing trip (a lake day with rented gear or a guided family charter)
- Skiing or snowboarding trip (a day trip to the slopes or a full resort weekend)
- Ice skating session (an indoor rink, which doubles as a nice break from Houston heat)
- Tennis or pickleball lessons (a beginner clinic or a few private lessons at a local court)
- Beach day (a day trip to the coast, sandcastle-building gear included)
Exploration & Learning
- Science kits (a chemistry set, a volcano kit, or a crystal-growing experiment)
- Craft kits (friendship bracelet kits, an embroidery set, or a DIY jewelry-making kit)
- Kids' magazine subscription (National Geographic Kids, Highlights, or a hobby-specific title)
- KiwiCo subscription (a monthly crate matched to their age & interests)
- Clothing subscription box (Stitch Fix Kids or a similar styled monthly box)
Travel
- Local day trip (a museum, a nearby town, or a new-to-them local attraction)
- Weekend road trip (a nearby city, a state park, or a favorite family drive)
- Flight to somewhere new (a first plane ride can be the whole gift)
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Popular destination trips (Legoland, Disney, Universal, or Costa Rica, for the family ready to go big)
Self-Care
- Spa day (a kid-friendly spa package or an at-home spa day with the works)
- Manicure or pedicure (a mother-daughter outing or a first big-kid salon visit)
- A cozy do-nothing day (pajamas, movies, & zero plans, on purpose)
- Yoga or mindfulness session (a family class, puppy yoga, or a kids' yoga studio nearby)
Family & Friend Time
- Movie marathon night (a themed lineup with all the snacks & blanket forts)
- Slumber party (a sleepover with friends or a special one-on-one night with a parent)
- One-on-one quality time (a parent-and-kid date, no siblings allowed)
- A yes day (within reason, but let them run the schedule for once)
For Parents
- Date night (dinner reservations, a babysitter booked, & zero kid talk allowed)
- Family photo session (a professional shoot to capture where everyone is right now)
- Wine tasting (a local vineyard visit or a tasting flight at a favorite spot)
- Fitness class (a boutique studio class or a new workout they've been wanting to try)
- Massage (a solo hour that's just for them)
Q&A: Experience Gifts
What is an experience gift?
This type of gift encourages a fun and rewarding experience. This could mean supporting someone’s hobby, empowering them to try something new, helping them improve a skill, or giving them a fun memory they’ll always remember.
Do these experience gift ideas work for any age?
Yes! Younger kids might have a harder time grasping the concept of an experience gift, especially if they have to wait for it. To build appreciation for non-toy gifts, you can give them a choice of what they’d like to do and then continue talking about it after they’ve unwrapped the gift. Parents (and older kids) can also model the behavior you want to see by showing excitement and gratitude. After the experience, you can reminisce together and talk about how fun it was.
What are the best non-toy gifts for kids who have everything?
When my girls already have plenty, these are the ones that still land every time:
- One-on-one time. A "date night" with just one kid, they pick the restaurant, we bring the fun.
- A membership they'll actually use (zoo, science museum, or their favorite local play place)
- A class in something they've been wanting to try (art, cooking, horseback riding, you name it)
- A ticket to something specific (a concert, a game, a show) instead of a generic gift card
Can I give experience gifts to multiple kids at once?
Of course! You can choose an experience for each kid, like a particular class or one-on-one time, or do one shared experience, like a family outing. A family outing could be something simple, like going bowling, or it could be something more adventurous, like zip lining. Most of the experiences I listed above are great family gift ideas.
Are memberships really worth it as gifts?
If you'll use them! I always gift my kids a zoo membership as it pays for itself after 2-3 visits. Calculate: Does the membership cost less than what you'd pay for multiple single-day visits? Will you actually go regularly? Memberships are especially valuable for local attractions you can visit year-round with minimal planning.
How do you wrap an experience?
Part of the fun of gift-giving is seeing your kids open presents, so I get it! The good news is that you can still give them something to unwrap, like a membership pass, ticket, or gift card. Some experiences for kids can also be supported with a material gift. For example, you can gift a drawing class with new art supplies, my gifts under $25 guide has plenty of budget-friendly options for pairings like this.
What are the upsides to an experience gift?
There are so many benefits to gifting experiences! Because they help kids grow and develop skills while also fostering a stronger sense of gratitude and long-lasting happiness, this type of gift has a more meaningful impact compared to getting a bunch of toys. Experiences can also help your family focus on quality time together and make you feel closer.
More Ways to Make This Season Feel Lighter
If you’ve been here a while, you know that I love sharing tips, products, and resources that make parenting feel easier and more enjoyable. This time of year is always so fun, but there are some parts that can feel stressful too. There’s so much planning that goes into making the holidays feel magical for your kids. So I’m here to save you some time and lighten your mental load with gift guides, shopping tips, and more.
If you have any experience gift ideas you’d like to share, I’d love to hear them! Just comment below and tell me what worked best for your family.
Looking for more age-specific ideas? Check out my guides for toddlers, preschoolers, kids ages 6-8, tweens, and teenage girls.
And if you're loving the clutter-free gift philosophy, my declutter before Christmas guide will help you make room for what's coming, and my family Christmas traditions post has even more ideas for making memories together this season. Pairing an experience with something small to unwrap? My gifts under $25 guide has plenty of options that fit right alongside any experience.
