Looking for meaningful gift ideas that goes beyond "stuff"? Experience gifts are the perfect way to give your family something they'll never forget, whether it's for a holiday, birthday, or just because. Whether it's a fun outing, an adventure, or a special activity, giving the gift of memories creates moments that last far longer than anything wrapped in a box. Here are some ideas to get you started!
And if you have family nearby, consider making these experiences a shared adventure. It’s the perfect way to create quality one-on-one time with your kids—or the entire family—making it the greatest gift of all.
Need ideas for great experience gifts? Here's 30+ ideas to help get you started!
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Lessons / Classes
Lessons and classes make great gifts for kids! Just make sure you have an idea of their interest level, and worked out any important details - like location and extra costs not included. As a bonus it's a great way to support local Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas businesses.
Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
- Art
- Painting Ceramics - like Color Me Mine
- Sports
- Park & Rec. Classes
- Swimming
- Music
- Photography
- Kids Cooking
- Martial Arts
- Dance
- Gymnastics
- Coding
- Sewing
Local around Town
Gift cards or homemade gift certificates can mean the world to parents and kids.
Consider offering:
- Babysitting or childcare for daytime or a night out
- Gift certificates to a favorite frozen treat shop, movie theater, or bookstore
- Tickets to see their favorite sports team
- Movie tickets
- Tickets for an upcoming concert or theater performance
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Memberships
Memberships are the gifts that keep on giving! Typically memberships come with free daily entry or tickets, along with other perks. Here are some ideas for places that may offer annual memberships, season passes or tickets are great fun for the whole family:
- Indoor Playground
- Zoo
- Theater
- Museums: Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park
- Amusement Park
- Fitness or Recreation Center
- Planetarium
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Family-Time
Experience gifts are a great way to encourage quality family time that everyone looks forward to. Here are some ideas for gifts that are priceless in terms of memorable family time. If you don't find something read-made get creative.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Monthly subscription boxes: Family-friendly subscription boxes for specialty foods, crafting, cooking, reading etc
- A family movie night in a box: All you need is a DVD or Redbox rental. Add popcorn, hot chocolate, candy, and a cozy new blanket
- Picnic time: A picnic basket filled with all the supplies and a blanket, all they need is the food, unless you want to give a gift certificate for that too
- Day at the Beach: Beach towels, chairs, cooler and sand toys or something to play with like a frisbee
- Plant a garden: Wrap seeds and offer the gift of helping them create a backyard garden
- Send them on a scavenger hunt: Create a scavenger hunt in your home or community and have a fun prize at the end. It won't matter what the prize is - the gift is in the fun of the hunt!
- Charter a boat: Most local marinas have boat rental options that come with a captain or guide. Give the gift of a day on the water relaxing, swimming, fishing, and having fun with your family
- DIY crafts: Get an assortment of supplies or give a gift certificate for a local craft shop
- Create gratitude journals: Give one to each member of your family and encourage daily entries with prompts and ideas
Jourdan Card is the publisher of Macaroni KID Centreville-South Riding, Va.
This previously published article was updated by Brenna Gutell, publisher for Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas
