For kids who have way too many toys, here are the best experience gift ideas for kids that will give your children wonderful memories for a lifetime.
When it comes to finding the best experience gifts for kids, parents likely have quite a lot of questions. The first thing I’m sure many people are thinking is what is an experience gift? So, before we go looking at experience gifts in more detail let’s first go over what exactly they are.
What is an Experience Gift?
An experience gift is a very open term and it can apply to a number of different things. They’re gifts designed to give people an experience, unlike a toy or LEGO set.
An experience gift like a ride on a hot air balloon for example may not last as long as a regular toy but children will likely remember the experience for quite some time. However, some experience gifts are quite similar to the more commonly bought toys and gifts.
Things like STEM toys and subscription boxes for example are experience gifts. One common misconception people have with experience gifts is that they are more expensive. While there is definitely a scale to these gifts and plenty of different options, you don’t always have to spend a lot on an experience gift.
Experience Gifts – All Your Options
To help you get the best experience gift for your child let’s take a more in-depth look at the many options you have. From day trips out, family getaways, vouchers, STEM gifts, and more there are experience gifts to suit all tastes.
Shopping around for the best experience gifts for kids can be a little overwhelming because there are so many different avenues to explore. But with this list of ideas you’ll be able to find the best experience gift in no time.
Vouchers/ Gift Cards
Now I know what you might be thinking, how are vouchers or gift cards an experience gift? Well, it all depends on what the gift card is actually for. Instead of getting a generic voucher that can be spent on toys, you need to look for more specific ones like the examples listed below.
You should also be sure to check local attractions and shops as well to see if they offer vouchers. Sometimes you can find some amazing experiences right on your doorstep that would make a great gift for kids.
- Spa gift cards
- Bookstore vouchers
- Restaurant gift cards
- Museum gift cards
Family Getaways
Who doesn’t remember their first family getaway? When it comes to finding the best experience gifts for kids a family getaway or vacation can be just the thing. Plus, in a way, it’s a gift the whole family can enjoy.
To really make it a proper experience gift though you should think outside the box a little. A trip to the beach is nice and certainly a good experience but there is a lot more you could do. For example, why not try a camping trip or visit a National Park instead? Check out the list below for some ideas.
- Weekend vacations
- Camping trips
- Buying a National Park Pass
- An Airbnb gift card
Outdoor Gifts
They say you really need to experience nature up close, don’t they? The good news is outdoor-themed gifts make wondrous experience gifts and there are a lot of options when it comes to choosing something.
For example, you could pay a visit to a local park or even a National Park but sometimes sticking closer to home can provide an even greater experience. For example, you could get a child’s gardening set so kids can set up their own gardening patch. Or even get them a subscription to a gardening box. Check out the list below for some ideas.
- Gardening set for children/ teenagers
- A gardening box subscription
- Seed packets
- Gardening seed starter kits
Educational Classes
Educational classes don’t have to be boring; they can be a great way for kids to learn new skills and even uncover new passions. If your child wants to try something new like a sport or artistic endeavour then letting them take part in classes would make a great experience gift.
From learning a musical instrument to taking part in ballet or trying pottery there are plenty of different classes kids can undertake. You also have numerous different options for how children can learn including classes at schools, gyms, and leisure centers, and even private lessons with professional tutors. Check out the list below for some ideas for great educational experience gifts.
- Ballet/ dancing lessons
- Musical instrument lessons
- Art lessons
- Swimming/ sport classes
- Pottery class
- Foriegn language classes/ lessons
- Horseback riding lessons
STEM Gifts/ Subscription Boxes
Every parent knows the importance of STEM learning and there are a number of great gifts for kids. STEM gifts take numerous different forms from building robots to science kits and much more. You could also utilize STEM subscription boxes as well to help your child try something new every month. Check out the list below for some ideas.
- Educational subscription boxes
- Children’s science boxes
- Science kits
- Arts and crafts subscription boxes
- Children’s books boxes
Free Experience Gift Ideas For Kids
So, let’s talk about some free experience gift ideas for children to enjoy. You don’t always have to spend money for a good experience after all. From taking a trip to a museum to hosting a scavenger hunt at home there are plenty of experience gifts you can do for free.
- Visit a museum
- Take a hiking trip
- Hold a family movie night
- Start a board game night
- Scavenger/ treasure hunt
Experience Gift Product Ideas
So, now you know some ideas for experience gifts for kids let’s look at some products you can buy. Now of course many of the ideas we’ve looked at will vary depending on where you live but there are also things you can buy that would make great experience gifts as well.
Taylor Toy Children Gardening Tool Set
Gardening is a great idea when it comes to choosing an experience gift for your child. This Taylor Toy Children Gardening Tool Set is the perfect way to introduce children to the basics of gardening. When armed with this gardening set your child will be cultivating their own mini-garden in no time.
The toolset includes a high-quality tote bag, rake, gardening fork, trowel, thick gloves, and of course a watering can. Everything in the set is made from non-hazardous materials and the tools have smoother edges. So, they will be safe for younger children to use.
Pros
- Smooth design makes the tools extra-safe
- Made from non-hazardous materials
- A great way for children to learn the gardening basics
Cons
- A bit limited compared to some alternative gifts
Herb Garden Starter Kit
Sticking with the gardening theme this Herb Garden Starter Kit would make a great experience gift for older children and teenagers. With this set, your child will be able to get to grips with everything they need to know to grow their own herbs indoors.
The set includes a 12 cell seed tray, humidity dome, label sticks, soil pucks, 6 herb seed packs, and an in-depth guide. Growing herbs might seem tough but children will be sure to treasure the experience of learning and growing their own plants.
Pros
- Will help develop science skills
- Ideal for older children and teenagers
- Comes with all the tools you need
Cons
- Could be a little too complex for some children
Kids Science Experiment Kit
Designed for ages 3 to 8 this Kids Science Experiment Kit is a great STEM-themed gift sure to provide children with some great experiences. The kit includes 46 different pieces and children can undertake 8 different experiments.
Many different areas of science are covered by the kit including chemistry and physics making this kit a great gift to help children learn more about science. The kit uses simple, easy to read, guide cards to help children learn how to safely carry out the experiments as well.
Pros
- Suitable for a wide range of ages
- A valuable way for children to learn more about science
Cons
- Pieces will need to be kept safe
Kids Play Tent
Camping can make a great experience gift for kids but you can’t camp without a tent, can you? Now like I said earlier a camping holiday/ trip would make a fantastic experience but with this play tent, your child or children can enjoy camping closer to home.
With high-quality polyester material that prevents rips and tears, this tent offers plenty of space at 47″x47″x43″ high to ensure your child is always comfortable. The tent is easy to assemble and the space-themed design plus mesh top is perfect for camping under the stars.
Pros
- A great way to introduce children to camping
- Suitable for family camping trips
- Can be used for indoor and outdoor fun
Cons
- Might be too small for older children
Learn & Climb Kids Science Kit
Science is all about creating unique experiences which is why science-based gifts make such great choices when it comes to finding the best experience gifts for kids. The Learn & Climb Kids Science Kit offers a great package for children and it offers over 60 different experiments.
From building a volcano, making your own slime, and creating crystals with this kit children will be sure to build many great experiences they’ll remember for years to come. With over 50 pieces and its own instructional DVD, this kit is not only a great STEM-themed gift but also a valuable way to give your children new experiences.
Pros
- A valuable tool for developing a child’s science skills
- Features over 60 different experiments
- Instructional DVD will help children learn
Cons
- Pieces could easily go missing if not stored correctly
Choosing The Right Experience Gift
When it comes to finding the best experience gifts for kids there is a lot to consider. As you can see there are plenty of options but because there is so much variety choosing the right gift can be difficult. To help ensure you get the best gift you can follow my handy FAQ below.
What’s Your Budget?
Like I said earlier, many people think experience gifts can be overly expensive. Things like spa days or mini-vacations can undoubtedly be quite costly, but there are plenty of experience gifts for kids available on a smaller budget, and even some things you can do for free.Â
One of the most important things to think about when choosing an experience gift for your child is to consider how much you can spend. Don’t think you have to spend more for a better experience though you can still give your children a memorable and valuable experience on a smaller budget.
What Kind of Experience Are You After?
This is probably the most difficult part when it comes to finding the best experience gifts for kids. After all, you want to ensure your child or children will enjoy the experience, but part of the joy of an experience gift is trying new things out.
Sometimes children might try something new as an experience gift thinking they won’t enjoy it only for it to end up becoming a passion of theirs in the future.
But you can also let your children play a part when it comes to choosing. For example, if your child has always wanted to play an instrument or asked about learning how to dance or trying martial arts, then you should already have some great ideas for an experience gift.
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