So yeah, Christmas is almost here and how did that happen? Every year we give and receive toys and books and clothes and more toys, but we simply don’t have the room to add much more to our cluttered house. I know that plenty of other families are also looking for gifts that won’t take up any more space in that already overstuffed toy box. I’m not suggesting that kids shouldn’t have anything to open on Christmas Day, but having fewer things isn’t a bad thing.
This list will give you some ideas for non-toy, experience gifts for kids that will give them the opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends, learn new skills, have new experiences, and explore the world around them. When it comes to experience gifts, some places will provide you with a printed gift certificate or voucher, but if not, you can always create your own certificate so your child has something to open and they’ll know what special experience you’ve chosen to give them.
- Art lessons
- Music or singing lessons
- Pottery classes
- Gymnastics lessons
- Swimming lessons
- Ice skating lessons
- Dance lessons
- Martial arts classes
- Archery lessons
- Cooking classes
- Yoga classes
- Circus classes
- Kid’s coding workshop
- Gift cards to your local indoor play park
- Passes to a trampoline park
- Passes to a climbing gym
- Movie passes
- Ski lift passes
- Aquarium passes or family membership
- Local children’s museum passes or family membership
- Science centre passes or family membership
- Guides/Scouts annual membership
- Plan ahead with the gift of summer camp tuition
- National parks annual family pass (Canada and USA)
- Mini golf
- Go-karting
- Laser tag
- Paintball
- Bowling
- Horseback riding
- Tubing or sledding
- Escape room outing
- Ropes course
- Batting cages
- Go roller skating at a local rink for some retro fun
- Art studio activity – e.g., painting or ceramics
- Studio time so you can record a favourite song together
- Tickets to a child-friendly play or musical (Disney adaptations are usually a safe bet, like Beauty and the Beast or Mary Poppins)
- Tickets to a Disney On Ice show
- Concert tickets
- Tickets to a sports game
- Children’s magazine subscription
- Mail Order Mystery – a mystery for kids told through a series of personalized envelopes and secret codes that come in the mail.
- A e-book subscription service like Kindle or Epic
- Let your child be Prince or Princess For a Day – they’ll love the chance to be in charge!
- Dinner date out at their favourite restaurant
- Get dressed up and go out (or make!) a fancy high tea
- Personalized coupon book – sample coupons could let your child pick anything they want for dinner, eat dessert before dinner, pick the movie for movie night, or stay up 30 minutes past bedtime, etc.
- Mani/pedi appointment – this is like a gift for both of you!
- Plan a road trip to see grandparents or favourite auntie
I love this idea. I remember the experience with my family from my childhood more than the toys. I want my children to remember fun experiences too.
Fantastic ideas ! I really love the idea of a non toy experience! I’m going to figure out s cool experience for each of my grandchildren!
Such great ideas for going to attractions or movie passes or lessons. Love it
such a perfect list. i was actually quite impressed with my brother this year. instead of buying toys he bought my family and my other brothers family tickets to go to Ripleys Aquarium in toronto. i was surprised but in such a good way. my kids are getting enough toys and we never do things as a faamily enough. such a great idea
Love these ideas! I live experiences with my family! We all really enjoyed going to GLOW! THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT IDEAS!!
Great ideas, the only problem I see with these ideas is that my grandkids are so taken up with soccer and other activities that there really is very little free time though I’m sure they’d love a lot of these ideas.
Great ideas thanks!
We love gifting like this is as well. We bought family passes for our local amusement park, canadas wonderland for our Christmas gift so we can enjoy it through out the year. Making memories is more important than stuff in our house.
Great gift ideas! The gift of new and fun experiences creates lasting memories.