The Joy of Experience Gifts for Kids

The Joy of Experience Gifts for Kids

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.

Adrenaline Monkey

 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 

Young Chefs Academy

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. 

Cedar Point

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 Centergreatscience.com

The Children’s Museum of Clevelandcmcleveland.org

Akron Children’s Museumakronkids.org

Cleveland History Center  wrhs.org/plan-your-visit/history-center

Cleveland Museum of Natural Historycmnh.org

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland: Education and Learning Center – clevelandfed.org/education/visit-money-museum

Cleveland Museum of Art clevelandart.org

Akron Art Museumakronartmuseum.org

Rock and Roll Hall of Famerockhall.com

Baseball Heritage Museum baseballheritagemuseum.org

Pro Football Hall of Fameprofootballhof.com

Cleveland Botanical Gardensholdenfg.org

Holden Arboretum  holdenfg.org

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad cvsr.org

SkyZoneskyzone.com

Adrenaline Monkeyadrenalinemonkeyfun.com

US Ninja Challengeninjatwinsburg.com

Urban Air urbanair.com

Kiddie Junglekiddiejungle.com

Chuck E Cheesechuckecheese.com

Play Day Café  playdaycafe.com

Get Airgetairsports.com

We Rock the Spectrum werockthespectrumcleveland.com

Jurassic Mountain Family Fun Park jurassicmountain.com

Scene 75 scene75.com

Swings N Things  sntfun.com

Treehouse Toystreehousefun.com

Fun N Stufffun-n-stuff.com

Roll Housetherollhouse.com/solon

Make Believe Family Fun Center makebelieveparma.com

Pump It Uppumpitupparty.com

K1 Speed Go Cart Racingk1speed.com

Cedar Pointcedarpoint.com

Chagrin Valley Roller Rinkskate.cvrr.com

Color Me Mine colormemine.com

The Kiln Pottery Studiothekilnbrecksville.com

Trashed Studiotrashedstudio.net

Akron Glass Worksakronglassworks.com

Bayartsbayarts.net

Spirit of Clayspiritofclay.net

Pinspirationpinspiration.com

Young Chef’s Academyyoungchefsacademy.com

The Loretta Paganini School of Cooking lpscinc.com

Sur La Tablesurlatable.com/cooking-classes

Cleveland Brownsclevelandbrowns.com

Cleveland Cavilersnba.com/cavaliers

Cleveland Guardiansmlb.com/guardians

Monsters Hockeyclevelandmonsters.com

Cleveland Chargecleveland.gleague.nba.com

Lake County Captainsmilb.com/lake-county

Akron Rubber Ducksmilb.com/akron

Cleveland State Athleticscsuvikings.com

Kent State University Athleticskentstatesports.com

University of Akron Athleticsgozips.com

Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse (hosts concerts and special events throughout the year such as Disney on Ice and Monster Jam)  

rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com

Magical Theatre Companymagicaltheatre.org

Playhouse Square playhousesquare.org

Akron Civic Theaterakroncivic.com

Weathervane Playhouseweathervaneplayhouse.com

Canton Palace Theatrecantonpalacetheatre.org

Talespinner Children’s Theatretalespinnercle.org

IX Centerixcenter.com

LEGOLAND Discovery Center legolanddiscoverycenter.com/columbus

Maltz Museum maltzmuseum.org

COSIcosi.org

Kalahari kalahariresorts.com

Hocking Hills State Parkthehockinghills.org

Castaway Baycastawaybay.com

Kings Islandvisitkingsisland.com

Great Wolf Lodgegreatwolf.com

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