Looking for non-toy gift ideas this year?

 

This list of thirty plus non-toy experience gifts will have your child smiling from joy over and over again!

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Experiences over toys

If you are anything like me, then you are guilty of nearly killing yourself to make sure your child has the most wanted toys!  More and more, parents are starting to shift their focus from getting their child the newest, trendy toy for holidays and celebrations to providing them with memorable, fun experiences!

 

 

Experiences can come in a variety of ways; many times they are family or service based, and focus on more than just getting the new, must have item that is trending.

 

The rise in experience gifts

There has been a rise in experience gifts after not being able to go and do much. I think that going through that experience showed parents that going, doing, and experiencing things has a much greater value than physical items.  Many experiences can be used over and over again, which provide children with a “gift that keeps on giving”!

 

Experiences

Experience gifts are a great way to not only spend time together, and allow for special memories to be made and remembered.

Go to a concert/live event

Examples include; Disney on Ice, Paw Patrol Live, Sesame Street Live

Go to a sporting event

Play miniature golf

Go to an arcade

Go rock climbing

 

 

Go to an indoor trampoline park

Play paint ball

Play laser tag

Movie Pack (tickets, candy, popcorn)

Gift certificate to Build-A-Bear

This is a fun experience in that your child can create a custom plush, and put in their heart of love!

 

Related post: Montessori gift ideas perfect for kids of all ages

 

Memberships/Passes

Monthly or yearly memberships and passes are not only great for your child, but for the entire family! In most cases, if you plan to visit any of these places regularly, getting monthly or yearly passes may be a better option. Here are a few memberships and passes ideas!

Theme Parks

Examples include; Disneyland, Disney World, Universal Studios, Legoland

Zoo

Aquarium

National Parks

Examples include; Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Sequoia, Crater Lake, Yellowstone

 

 

Museums

Water Parks

 

Subscriptions

There are subscriptions out there for everyone, including children! With a vast variety of options, you will surely find a subscription that will engage your child’s interests! Check out this extensive list of subscriptions for children!

Magazines

Hello (0-2 year olds)

Each Hello magazine follows a theme such as Sounds, Food or Farm Animals, that helps young children make sense of their world. Every issue is filled with colorful images, whimsical read-aloud stories, poems and simple activities that make babies giggle, laugh and learn. You’ll also find word play, games and lots of silly fun.

Babies love to look at other babies, so Hello also features plenty of photos of happy faces and little ones laughing and playing. Plus, our read-aloud stories are just the right length for even the youngest ones’ attention spans.

High Five (3-5 year olds)

High Five preschool magazines help you encourage your child’s curiosity, and they give you an ideal opportunity for one-on-one fun together.

That’s why High Five has stories, puzzles and activities that are expertly designed to nurture your preschooler or kindergartner’s development. Every 36-page issue reinforces skills that prepare them for reading, math and other areas of learning –  but the kids only know that it’s fun!

Highlights Magazine (6-8 year olds)

Kids explore new topics, investigate fascinating subjects and find out about the world. A Highlights magazine subscription for kids will bring them 12 months filled with stories, games, puzzles, riddles, science experiments, craft projects and activities that are as entertaining as they are educational.

Plus, Highlights never includes third-party advertising, so you can rely on it to be a commercial-free zone where your young reader can play, learn and just be a kid.

 

Cooking

JuniorChef Box

JuniorChef Box is a cooking education for kids ages 4-14. It’s a monthly subscription box. It educates kids on how to cook with its picturized step-by-step recipes that will be sent to your home. Kids friendly animated cartoon character Chefy will teach the kids how to cook through video and ingredients shopping made easy through whisk shopping.

Kidstir Cooking Kit

Kids cooking kits that bring families together. Whether you want to share a love of cooking with your kids, or build confidence in the kitchen together, our kits have what you’re looking for. The Kidstir experience is truly for all ages; 4-104. Each month is a new theme.

Kids Baking Kits

Bakery tested, kid approved baking kits sent to your door.! The kits come with all of the pre-measured dry ingredients, and step-by-step guides (including pro-tips from our pastry chef) to recreate some of our most-popular treats that have been pleasing kiddos for years!

 

Books

Momo’s Board Book Club

Board books for the 0-3 crowd. Every month you’ll receive 2 books from our carefully curated book topics. Our topics include books featuring strong intelligent female characters, diverse families, different family structures, books that celebrate uniqueness, and books that delve into languages and cultures.

Owl Post Books

Owl Post Books was created to provide amazing quality books in a convenient and fun way that is affordable for everyone. Subscribers will receive 3 brand new, age-appropriate books, a seasonal craft, and an interactive box each month. Each month’s books are hand-selected and curated by an educator.

Early Chapter Books for Early Readers

Age appropriate early chapter books and lifestyle items for ages 6+! This monthly themed box is perfect for ages 6+. Every month explore a new theme with 2-3 early chapter and activity books, along with 6-8 lifestyle items such as stationery, hair accessories, jewelry and more. Or try our Gender Neutral box with 3-5 items.

 

Art

Monthly Little Creators Box

Each Little Creators box comes with a unique, high-quality art-making activity as well as a darling, inspirational children’s book to treasure for years to come! We specialize in Process Art, where the emphasis is on the making experience, with less pressure on the outcome. This provides an enjoyable art making experience with personality!

Kids Arts Box 

You’ll get four projects, tutorials, and a set of supplies to start creating! Each month you will get a box full of art supplies, instructions, and reference photos so you have everything you need to create four projects that month. Our lessons range in subject matter and materials and use a unique “leveled approach” we invented to allow for a wide range of skill levels to enjoy the same projects.

 

Related post: 8 Montessori inspired subscription boxes to peak any child’s interests

 

Sewing

Sew What Box

A monthly box of sewing projects, fabrics, tutorials, and goodies! The Sew What Box is an online sewing club where members can connect, sew, and share their creations! Each month’s shipment will showcase a pre-cut sewing project, pattern, tutorial videos, sewing tips, extra fabrics, and sewing tools/goodies. Discover new tools, learn new skills, and sew beautiful projects like aprons and car organizers.

 

Crafting

Curiosity Box Kids

Curiosity Box helps busy parents connect with their kids and learn along the way. Each month, our boxes bring families together with fun hands-on activities including art, science, crafts reading and more! They’ll learn about the world around them through stimulating craft projects and hands-on activities designed to ignite their curiosity!

Green Kids Crafts STEAM Box

Hands-On Science & Craft Learning for Kids Ages 3-10+. Each box is thoughtful and has 4-6 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) Activities and a 12-page magazine! Each box a new theme designed to explore their environment, inspire a love of nature, and get away from screens!

 

Sensory

Sensory Kit 

The Kids Night In Sensory kits allow children to play with a purpose. With endless educational benefits, adults can rest easy know their child in learning. Each kit comes with all natural play-dough, a themed book, engaging items & play mat with interactive questions. The theme will change each month providing your little one with a fun surprise!

Sensory TheraPLAY Box

A monthly sensory toy box to engage your child in fun, therapeutic play! Sensory TheraPLAY Box offers monthly deliveries of fun and therapeutic sensory items. Boxes are thoughtfully curated with children on the autism spectrum and those with sensory processing needs in mind. Great gift for children ages 5-9!

 

Adventure/Mystery

Finders Seekers Junior Explorers

A fun escape room game for kids. Explore the world while solving puzzles, discovering natural wonders, and making works of art! Adventures provide hours of fun where kids explore different world cultures while solving mysteries, examining natural wonders and creating art. Each box contain activities that explore the 5 disciplines in S.T.E.A.M. – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math PLUS Mystery Critical Thinking!

 

Classes

Many classes are offered by your local city. Check with your city’s recreation department for a list of available classes. You can also check your area for privately owned classes that are offered as well.

Dance

Cooking

Swimming

Sports

 

 

Art

Yoga

Coding

Sewing

Martial Arts

 

Related post: The BEST kids subscriptions your children will love

 

What to take from this

The most important take away from this is to think outside of the box when it comes to coming up with gift ideas for your child. Also, have fun picking some cool activities for them, and help them create long-lasting memories that they will carry with them into adulthood!

 

Tell me, what types of experience gifts are your faves?

 

Until next time,

Anitra J.