If your house is already overflowing with toys and just…stuff, you might be looking for ways to reduce the gift clutter at the holidays this year. Sure, it’s fun for kids to get new things for the holidays, but when those things end up sitting around, unused, on the living room floor for months, that can add stress and guilt instead of joy for families.
Besides, with the soaring costs of toys, clothing, and other goods this year due to tariffs and inflation, some people are looking for alternative ways to make the holidays special for their families. Many families are leaning into the idea of “experience gifts” — non-material gifts that will be memorable and meaningful for the recipient, without adding to the clutter.
Here are 30+ ideas for experience-based gifts that will delight kids, teens, or families. To make the gift reveal more fun, you can add a cute card or wrapped box, or even a small related item that goes with the experience (think: a bag of trail mix + a state parks pass; or a hat for their favorite sports team + tickets to a game).
Arts and entertainment experience gift ideas for kids and families
Going out for shows, movies, food, and other cultural experiences can be expensive, so gifting access to a family — or an older kid who can go with their friends — is quite the treat! Here are some experience gifts to consider:
- Arcade cards
- Movie theater gift cards
- Passes or a family membership to a children’s museum, sports hall of fame, science museum, or other interactive museum
- Tickets to a concert or play
- Paint or pottery studio sessions
- Gift cards to a local café, restaurant, boba shop, or other popular hangout spot
- Escape room tickets or gift cards
- Zoo or aquarium passes or a family membership
- Tickets for sporting events
Action and adventure experience gift ideas for kids and families
When families spend time together doing something adventurous or active, it’s a wonderful bonding experience and can create positive memories better than any toy can. What you choose will of course depend on what’s available in your area — just make sure to check age/size requirements for all activities first.
- Trampoline park passes
- Climbing gym or ropes course passes
- Ice skating or roller rink gift card or lessons
- Sleeping bag + plans for a family camping weekend
- Passes to local batting cages, archery, mini golf or a golf range
- Bowling alley gift cards
- Go-kart or laser tag gift cards
- National/state parks passes or gift cards, or membership to a local nature center
- Unlimited public transportation pass + a lanyard to hold it
Home-based experience gift ideas for kids and families
Not everyone wants to add more outings to the calendar, and many locations don’t have the entertainment options mentioned above anyway. Check out these ideas for those who are more into DIY gift giving or who want more affordable options. Some of the following gifts do involve material items, but they’ll inspire kids to create or learn something new, or can be recycled or eaten!
- Magazine subscriptions — great kids’ magazines exist for almost any age or interest!
- Cassette tape or vinyl record club subscription (or a collection of old tapes/records with a player)
- Kid-friendly cooking/baking kits or subscription boxes
- A musical instrument + online lessons (affordable ones could include ukulele, harmonica, or simply voice)
- Online dance lessons
- Online magic lessons
- Gardening kit
- Hot chocolate or ice cream party with all the toppings
- Board game + a game night party
- Streaming movie night party with popcorn, treats, and DIY “tickets”
- “Coupon” for an at-home spa day
- “Coupon” for a Yes Day
You can use your creativity and family members’ unique skills and talents to come up with other DIY experience gifts, or to make the presentation of the gift super special!
