135 Best Experience Gifts for Kids: Unwrap Memories in 2024

6. A Free Local Event

Go to a concert in the park, high school sporting event, or another community outing.

• Wrap: a t-shirt with the local team or band on it

7. A Trip to a Faraway Playground

• Wrap: snacks and drinks

8. A Trip to a New Cool Library

• Wrap: their own library card

9. Gift Certificates For Monthly Family Hikes

• Wrap: trail map, hiking shoes, backpack, trail mix

Cheap Fun Kids Experience Gifts

These kids experience gifts cost a little bit of money but have incredible value for the price.

1. A Cooking Day With Kids

• Wrap: A kids cooking set

2. Starting a Garden

• Wrap: herbs, flowers, shovels, garden gloves, pots

3. Craft/Art Day With Friends

• Wrap: paints, glue, craft materials, unqiue kids craft books, coloring utensils, craft set, etc.

4. Trip to Chuck E. Cheese

• Wrap: the tokens

5. Petting Zoo Passes

• Wrap: snacks and money to feed the animals (a wagon is fun if you’re willing to splurge on a bigger item)

6. Exploration Experience Day For Children

• Wrap: microscope, binoculars, telescope, and/or scavenger hunts

7. Karaoke Night

• Wrap: a karaoke machine and a list of your favorite songs

8. Dance Party

• Wrap: a disco ball and a list of songs

9. Science Experiment Day

One year, I gifted a box of homemade science experiments to my son. I had all the ingredients and notecards with what to do. It was a HUGE hit.

• Wrap: Find cool science experiments for kids >>

10. A Monthly Card in the Mail

Kids LOVE real mail. If you can spare the cost of 12 cards and a stamp, you’ll make the day of a child by sending them regular cards. Add a crossword puzzle or pictures for extra fun.

• Wrap: A note describing the gift and telling them to go look in their mailbox for the first card.

Good Subscriptions For Kids

Subscriptions are kids experience gifts that keep on giving.

Pro Tip: Use the wrapping ideas, or make your life simple and wrap the first box that comes in the subscription.

1. Cooking Box

Raddishkids.com >>

• Wrap: a chef hat

2. Little Passports

• Wrap: an interactive globe

3. Lovevery

• Wrap: wooden blocks

4. STEM Box

We’ve enjoyed KiwiCrate

• Wrap: legos

5. Baking Box: Experience Kids Gifts

baketivity.com >>

• Wrap: baking dishes

6. Highlights Subscription

• Wrap: the first magazine

Note: Subscriptions can overwhelm you with stuff. Start with a shorter period and designating a “leftover box” for supplies you can play with again later.

Fun Family Experience Gift Ideas

The next ideas make for great things the family enjoys together.

Memberships Everyone Will Love

These experience gifts for kids give everyone something to look forward to. And they help you get out when you’d otherwise be stuck inside.

1. Aquarium

• Wrap: a shark book & goldfish snacks

2. Zoo

• Wrap: a stuffed animal, animal book, and animal crackers

3. Science Center

• Wrap: new shoes for lots of walking, a science book

4. Trampoline Park

• Wrap: new non-stick socks & water bottle

5. Amusement Park

• Wrap: a fanny pack with treats

6. Botanical Garden/Arboretum

• Wrap: a gardening set

7. Outdoor Waterpark

• Wrap: a swimsuit, money to spend at the park

8. YMCA or Community Center Membership

• Wrap: activewear clothes and accessories

9. City Pool Membership

• Wrap: swim towel, goggles, swimsuit

10. Indoor Playground

These playgrounds are helpful in the hot and cold months, and usually come at a discounted membership price.

• Wrap: tennis shoes, snacks

Tickets and Gift Cards Ideas

1. Baseball Game

Or choose another sporting event like football, soccer, or tennis.

• Wrap: a baseball hat or team shirt, ballgame snacks like sunflower seeds

2. Circus

• Wrap: Greatest Showman Movie/Soundtrack, Dumbo movie or stuffed animal

3. Live Shows

(Disney on Ice, Sesame Street Live, Monster Jam)

• Wrap: glow wands for show & theme shirt

4. Musical

• Wrap: soundtrack or iTunes gift card

5. Concert

• Wrap: an outfit to wear the night of the event

6. Comic Con

• Wrap: a fun lanyard & pins for passes

7. A Museum

We have several kids museums in the area that are hands-on and sensory-based. If they’re older, take them to a cool art exhibit.

• Wrap: extra tickets for your child to invite a friend, a themed item similar to the museum (blank painting canvas, marble run, etc.)

8. Ballet Tickets

• Wrap: A tutu, ballet dress, tights, and/or ballet shoes

9. Planetarium

• Wrap: A book about the solar system, telescope

10. Factory Tour

• Wrap: the item the factory highlights (marbles, chocolate, etc.)

11. An outing to their favorite restaurant

• Wrap: a gift card to a restaurant

12. An outing to find their favorite books

• Wrap: a gift card to a bookstore, bookmarks (here are fun free bookmarks to color) , a booklight

Related: Great Interactive Kids Books

13. Children’s Theater Tickets

• Wrap: tickets, information about the play/musical, themed item from the specific play

14. Tickets to a Magic Show

• Wrap: a magic learning kit, trick cards, trick handcuffs

Adventure & Active Kids Experience Gifts

1. Camping

• Wrap: sleeping bag, a headlight, camping packing checklist (See more at the best camping kids gear post)

2. Indoor Water Park

• Wrap: swimsuit, flip flops, swim towel

3. Night in a Hotel

• Wrap: pajamas, swimsuit (if there’s a pool), kids bathrobe

4. Spa Day

• Wrap: slippers, robe, nail polish, face masks

5. Arcade Day

• Wrap: tokens/tickets to use, snacks

6. Shopping & Lunch

• Wrap: a new purse and lunch money

7. Ice Cream & Movie

• Wrap: movie snacks and the movie listings

8. Fishing Tournament

• Wrap: a fishing pole, bait, and a box

9. Water Adventures

Try kayaking and paddle boating. Or learn to sail together.

• Wrap: water shoes, outdoor outfit, hat

10. Hiking Adventure

• Wrap: hiking boots, walking stick, a backpack full of snacks/trail mix

Active Kids Experience Gifts

1. Horseback Riding

• Wrap: a cowboy hat, riding jeans

2. Indoor Rock Climbing

• Wrap: chalk for your hands, activewear clothing

3. Go Kart

• Wrap: racing gloves

4. Mini Golf: Experience Gift Ideas For Kids

• Wrap: golf shorts & hat

5. Daddy/Daughter Night or Mommy Son Day

• Wrap: a fancy outfit for dinner out, bowtie, corsage, etc

6. Build a Treehouse

This is a great active gift if your child helps build it. But even if you do it yourself, it’s a fun way to build anticipation.

• Wrap: wood, tools, building materials, snacks for a work break

7. Build a Toolbench

• Wrap: wood, hooks to hang tools, and tools for your child

8. Skiing

• Wrap: ski passes, ski attire

9. Ice Skating

• Wrap: hot chocolate packs, gloves

10. Roller Skating

• Wrap: roller skates

11. Bowling

• Wrap: money for snacks, custom bowling shoes, bowling ball

12. Batting cages

• Wrap: a baseball bat and helmet

13. Surfing lessons

• Wrap: a surfboard, a wet suit

Active Gifts to Wrap For Experiences

These are active gifts you wrap and double as meaningful kids experiences. They are also great for getting your kids outside!

1. Outdoor Obstacle Course Set

See an obstacle course here >>

2. Kites

See kites here >>

3. Bikes

See bikes here >>

4. Rope Climbing (or Jump Rope)

See rope here >>

5. Basketball Hoop

See a basketball hoop here >>

6. Trampoline

See trampolines here >>

7. Hammock

See a freestanding hammock here >>

8. Outdoor Play Equipment

This includes swings, slides, water tables, etc.

9. Pogo Stick

See a pogo stick here >>

*Related Post: Best Gifts For Outdoorsy Kids

Unique Family Ideas & Adventures

Next, these family experience gifts get creative.

1. Paying to Stream Disney or Netflix

• Wrap: A list of movies/shows they’d love to watch, snacks, and drinks

2. Game Night Gift Basket

• Wrap: new games (find great game night ideas by age), snacks, drinks, an invitation to when your game night will be, and a pad of paper and pencil

3. Helicopter Ride

• Wrap: Binoculars and a camera

4. Boat Ride

• Wrap: A boating hat, sunscreen

5. Train Ride

• Wrap: his/her own piece of luggage to bring

6. Fruit Picking

• Wrap: insect repellent, gloves, wet wipes

7. Movie Night Kit

• Wrap: favorite classic movies or a list of movies to stream, snacks, drinks, a blanket

8. Outdoor Movie Night

• Wrap: outdoor projector and big screen

More Great Family Fun:

• Best Family Bonding Activities
• Conversation Games Families Love

Best Experience Gifts Teens & Tweens

1. Drawing Class

• Wrap: pencils and a drawing pad

2. Painting Class

• Wrap: paints and brushes

3. Gymnastics

• Wrap: a leotard and matching hair scrunchie

4. Martial Arts

• Wrap: hand and feet wrap

5. Cooking Class

• Wrap: an apron and kitchen utensils

6. Swimming

• Wrap: goggles, swimsuit, swim towel

7. Jewelry Making

• Wrap: a jewelry display and supplies

8. Rosetta Stone Classes

• Wrap: Spanish crosswords, Italian dictionary, Rick Steves Germany book, etc. 

9. Music Lessons

• Wrap: a guitar pick, music sheets, instrument case

10. Dance Classes

Try ballet, hip-hop, etc.

• Wrap: clothing and shoes that fit the dance style

Unique Experience Gift Ideas For Teens

These ideas work best for older kids. They make for unique gifts they’ll adore.

1. Subscription to a Meditation App

Help them deal with stress and anxiety. Headspace and Calm are both popular.

2. Subscription to a Workout App

Make taking care of their bodies easier.

3. A Language Learning App

4. A Ride in a Hot Air Balloon

• Wrap: a jacket, sunglasses, camera

5. Indoor Skydiving Experience Gift For Kids

• Wrap: pictures of skydiving, clothes for the event

6. Donation to their College Fund

Or a vacation with friends, a car fund, etc.

• Wrap: a picture and a few accessories for what they’re saving for

7. Gift card to a Nail Salon

• Wrap: the gift card, and a new nail polish

8. Historical Tour at a Local Place (Haunted house, etc.)

• Wrap: information about the history of that place, a themed movie (haunted house movie, documentary, etc.)

9. Broadway Tickets (or Off-Broadway Tickets)

• Wrap: the tickets, a nice outfit to wear, related movie

10. Experience Coupon Gifts for Teens

• Wrap: Give them coupons to use for special privileges: staying out later with friends, filling up the gas tank to their car, a pass on chores, etc. See a blank coupon template to make your own.

11. Escape Room Gift Card (or Tickets)

• Wrap: a riddle they have to figure out to know what the gift is

Related: What Am I Riddles With Answers

12. Pottery, Ceramic, or Wood Making class

• Wrap: A canvas or piece of wood to bring

13. Audible Gift Card

14. Kindle Gift Card

15. Spotify or Music Gift Card

16. Tea or Dessert at a Fancy Restaurant

• Wrap: a tea time hat, tea pot with tea, or fancy outfit

17. Chocolate Tasting

• Wrap: fancy chocolates

18. Tickets to Paintball

• Wrap: paintball gear

19. Tickets to the Symphony

• Wrap: a fancy outfit

20. Tickets to a Comedy Show

• Wrap: a joke book

21. A Room Makeover

• Wrap: a gift card to a home store for them to pick out, paint samples, or the actual items (lamp, bedspread, pillows, etc.)

22. A Cozy Reading Nook

Like the room makeover idea, give your tween or teen a corner to re-decorate for reading.

• Wrap: twinkle lights, bookmarks, inspiring books, a bookstore or home goods gift card, paint color samples, lamp, etc.

Travel Experience Gifts for Family

Next, these experiences are family vacations that your kids will remember for a lifetime.

1. Disneyworld

• Wrap: Mickey ears

2. Universal Studios

• Wrap: a Harry Potter Wand and Hogwarts sorting house quiz

3. Beach Vacation

• Wrap: water toys, best beach scavenger hunt printable for kids (it’s free!)

4. Roadtrip

• Wrap: car activities, map, road trip trivia questions

5. Flying on an Airplane

• Wrap: luggage or luggage tags

6. National Parks Annual Pass

• Wrap: maps and Become a Park Ranger Activities online 

7. Legoland

• Wrap: a small lego set

8. Seaworld: Experience Day For Children

• Wrap: sea animal bath toys or stuffed animals

9. An International Trip

• Wrap: Food from the country you will be visiting, the country marked on a map, culture or language book

10. Whale Watching

• Wrap: Binoculars, book about whales in the area

11. Tickets to a Novel Event

Try something new and get tickets to the Kentucky Derby, a major Nascar race, etc.

• Wrap: A hat or earmuffs that fit with the event, themed shirt

Great Gifts to Charity

And finally, these gifts help kids think outside of themselves too. Let them be the ones who give the money and fill out the paperwork so that they feel amazing doing something good for the world.

1. Save the Children

2. World Wildlife

3. Kiva

Free Printable Gift Certificate

Grab the free pdf to give too!

Why Kids Need Experience Gifts

Unlike junky plastic toys, experience gifts give kids…

Novel Experiences

They help kids branch out and try new things. It’s possible they’ll find a new passion through one of these gifts.

Strengthen Family Relationships

Many experience gifts for kids are done as a family. This builds connection and love within your tribe.

Give Kids A Boost

By learning a new skill or subject, their confidence and self-esteem increase.

Make Your Family Happier

In a recent study done by the University of Texas, researchers found that consumers are happier when they spend money are experiences versus material goods (Science Daily).

To Consider With Family & Kids Gifts of Experience

Don’t forget to document these beautiful experiences with custom photo albums and calendars. This allows you to live your moments with the kids again and again. (It also helps pass the cabin fever winters!)

And if you’re looking for more gift-giving ideas that are not junk, head over to this big list of kids gifts that are not toys for practical and meaningful ideas.

What have been your favorite experience gifts for kids? Leave a comment below!

“If you want to be happier, shift some of your consumption away from material goods and a bit more toward experiences. That would likely lead to greater well-being.” – Amit Kumar

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