5 Experience Gifts for Kids
The holiday season is upon us! Instead of material gifts that will take up space in your home, inevitably getting broken or forgotten, we love to ask for experience gifts for our kids. Here are our top 5 picks for toddlers and preschoolers.
Zoo membership
There is nothing that our kids (and most kids!) love more than animals, so why not give them unlimited access to their favorite creatures? All zoo memberships typically include free yearlong access, and many also include free parking and discounts on food, merchandise, birthday parties, and special events. We make a point of taking advantage of fun, special days for the kids like Boo at the Zoo trick or treating, holiday events like Cookies with Santa, and monthly animal spotlights. It’s also a great treat for out of town family visitors with or without kids – everyone loves animals!
Airline gift cards to visit with their non-local family members
We live far away from our family and friends, so we love giving and receiving airline gift cards to help facilitate visits. Even if your family mostly lives locally, your kids can still benefit from airline gift cards that boost the family travel budget and help them see the world.
Local restaurant gift cards for “dates”
About once a month, we go to a restaurant, ideally with new foods for our kids to try. Learning about new cultures through shared food is so fun and helps picky eaters branch out. Our kids look forward to these date nights, and they’ve loved getting little gift cards that they can use towards a yummy treat at the end of the meal. Ask Mom and Dad if there’s a favorite local spot, or look online to see a new place for them to try in their area.
Local state park annual pass
Being in nature is so valuable for kids! Being outside helps young children develop essential motor skills like coordination, agility, balance, and dexterity. Nature walks and hikes in state parks are perfect for nature exploration, and state parks are the best place to do it. Our kids love hiking with us in their carriers or going out to explore on their own on some easier trails.
Tickets to see their favorite characters
There are so many fun shows for kids like Disney on Ice and Sesame Street, Daniel Tiger, or Peppa Pig Live. You can even extend this to theme parks like Walt Disney World or Disneyland if the family has upcoming plans, or smaller ones like Sesame Place or Peppa Pig Theme Park, which we visited earlier this year. Bonus if you go with them!
The holidays are all about spending time together, so use these gifts as opportunities to bond with the little loves in your life.
