Giving is a great feeling. There’s nothing quite like watching the pure delight on a little one’s face when they open the latest video game or a pretty new doll that they circled in the toy catalog months ago.
But after a while, all the levels of the video game are completed and the doll starts losing shoes and other accessories. Those gifts get tossed in the toy bins among the other things that were once shiny and new.
If you feel like the toys are piling up and are looking for other unique gift ideas this year, you may want to consider an experience gift.
What is an experience gift?
An experience gift offers the recipient an experience or activity rather than a physical item. You provide them with an opportunity to create memories and enjoy a specific experience after the holiday excitement wears off. It could be tickets to an event, a pass to their favorite place, lessons, subscriptions or other activities. An experience gift offers more than just temporary excitement; it creates a chance to spend quality time together and make lasting memories.
Educational Experiences
Have fun and learn something too with an outing to a local museum or area attraction. If it’s a place you think they’ll want to visit more than once, a pass or annual membership will allow them to enjoy the experience throughout the year.

Play & Adventure Experiences
Have a lot of energy to burn? Consider spending a day at a hands-on play place or adventure park. Some of these places also offer passes or multi-visit packages.
Make Something Special

From mixing and measuring ingredients in the kitchen to experimenting with colors in an art studio, making something encourages creativity, learning and of course fun! There are many local places that offer kid-friendly art and culinary experiences.
When considering experience gifts for creativity and learning, why not encourage kids to design their own apparel? With an online custom hat maker, you can inspire children to explore their own style by creating unique hats and caps tailored for any occasion.
Special Events
From sports, to music, to theater and other special events, Northeast Ohio is home to many teams as well as entertainment venues. Take in a game or a special show together.

Getaways
If you’re looking for something to do as a family or group, consider a day trip or an overnight stay at a hotel or resort. A “staycation” at a local hotel with an indoor pool is a fun way to beat the winter blues. There are also many options within a few hours’ drive of Northeast Ohio.
Other Experiences
Subscriptions – Subscriptions offer recipients the excitement of receiving a monthly or quarterly package and cater to a wide range of interests. From books and magazines to STEM building kits, to makeup and beauty products, there’s something for everyone on your list. You may also want to consider a digital subscription to an app or a music or streaming service.
Pay for a Class or Lesson. Is your child showing interest in a new hobby or sport? Consider giving a few lessons, a mini session or camp/clinic, which will give them a chance to try it out before committing to a full season.
Winter Fun. Northeast Ohioans get to enjoy a long season of winter fun activities including skiing, snow tubing, and ice skating to name a few. Make memories together in the snow and ice and then warm up afterward with some hot chocolate.
Experiences on a Budget. The gift of quality time together is priceless. There are plenty of ways to provide an experience that is free or budget-friendly. Create “coupons” that your kids can turn in for some fun family time.
-Drive around and look at holiday lights
-Family game night
-Dance party
-Cook a meal or bake together at home or create a cooking or baking challenge
-Go on a hike, visit a park or free nature center
-Volunteer together
-Create art together
-Have a picnic in the park
-Campout in your backyard or living room
-At home spa day
-Look for free or discounted days museums, zoos and other local attractions
Here are more than 50 local and regional places to enjoy an experience gift.
Akron Zoo – akronzoo.org
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo – clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo
Lake Farm Park – lakemetroparks.com/parks-trails/farmpark
Greater Cleveland Aquarium – greaterclevelandaquarium.com
Akron Fossils and Science Center – akronfossils.org
Great Lake Science Center – greatscience.com
The Children’s Museum of Cleveland – cmcleveland.org
Akron Children’s Museum – akronkids.org
Cleveland History Center – wrhs.org/plan-your-visit/history-center
Cleveland Museum of Natural History – cmnh.org
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland: Education and Learning Center – clevelandfed.org/education/visit-money-museum
Cleveland Museum of Art – clevelandart.org
Akron Art Museum – akronartmuseum.org
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – rockhall.com
Baseball Heritage Museum – baseballheritagemuseum.org
Pro Football Hall of Fame – profootballhof.com
Cleveland Botanical Gardens – holdenfg.org
Holden Arboretum – holdenfg.org
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad – cvsr.org
SkyZone – skyzone.com
Adrenaline Monkey – adrenalinemonkeyfun.com
US Ninja Challenge – ninjatwinsburg.com
Urban Air – urbanair.com
Kiddie Jungle – kiddiejungle.com
Chuck E Cheese – chuckecheese.com
Play Day Café – playdaycafe.com
Get Air – getairsports.com
We Rock the Spectrum – werockthespectrumcleveland.com
Jurassic Mountain Family Fun Park – jurassicmountain.com
Scene 75 – scene75.com
Swings N Things – sntfun.com
Treehouse Toys – treehousefun.com
Fun N Stuff – fun-n-stuff.com
Roll House – therollhouse.com/solon
Make Believe Family Fun Center – makebelieveparma.com
Pump It Up – pumpitupparty.com
K1 Speed Go Cart Racing – k1speed.com
Cedar Point – cedarpoint.com
Chagrin Valley Roller Rink – skate.cvrr.com
Color Me Mine – colormemine.com
The Kiln Pottery Studio – thekilnbrecksville.com
Trashed Studio – trashedstudio.net
Akron Glass Works – akronglassworks.com
Bayarts – bayarts.net
Spirit of Clay – spiritofclay.net
Pinspiration – pinspiration.com
Young Chef’s Academy – youngchefsacademy.com
The Loretta Paganini School of Cooking – lpscinc.com
Sur La Table – surlatable.com/cooking-classes
Cleveland Browns – clevelandbrowns.com
Cleveland Cavilers – nba.com/cavaliers
Cleveland Guardians – mlb.com/guardians
Monsters Hockey – clevelandmonsters.com
Cleveland Charge – cleveland.gleague.nba.com
Lake County Captains – milb.com/lake-county
Akron Rubber Ducks – milb.com/akron
Cleveland State Athletics – csuvikings.com
Kent State University Athletics – kentstatesports.com
University of Akron Athletics – gozips.com
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse (hosts concerts and special events throughout the year such as Disney on Ice and Monster Jam) –
Magical Theatre Company – magicaltheatre.org
Playhouse Square – playhousesquare.org
Akron Civic Theater – akroncivic.com
Weathervane Playhouse – weathervaneplayhouse.com
Canton Palace Theatre – cantonpalacetheatre.org
Talespinner Children’s Theatre – talespinnercle.org
IX Center – ixcenter.com
LEGOLAND Discovery Center – legolanddiscoverycenter.com/columbus
Maltz Museum – maltzmuseum.org
COSI – cosi.org
Kalahari – kalahariresorts.com
Hocking Hills State Park – thehockinghills.org
Castaway Bay – castawaybay.com
Kings Island – visitkingsisland.com
Great Wolf Lodge – greatwolf.com