42 Experience Gifts for Kids That Are Way Better Than Another Toy

Kids ages 13 and up will be dazzled by elite magician Ming Da, and even more delighted when they learn how to wow their own friends with those very same tricks.

This innovative activity book is packed with engaging and adventurous (but safe) challenges that will keep kids entertained with minimal supervision and supplies required. Best of all, the interactive scratch-off design keeps the surprises coming well after the gift has been unwrapped and the activities are all repeatable so your kid will enjoy hour upon hour of screen-free fun.

Junior cooks stand to gain quite a lot from YesChef—a subscription service that grants access to a huge number of cooking lessons led by the world’s best culinary experts including Jamie Oliver, Nancy Silverton and Asma Khan. That said, it’s worth noting that YesChef is not intended specifically for kids, so this one is best gifted to an older teen.

Masterclass is all the rage right now—and although there’s no specific filter when it comes to finding classes for kids, there’s plenty of content that will appeal to tweens and teens. (Skateboarding lessons with Tony Hawk, anyone?)

If you’re looking to avoid the further accumulation of toys without disappointing your kid this holiday season, a big ticket trip fits the bill. Decide whether you want to go near or far, and then follow the link for a thoughtfully curated list of vacation rentals around the country and beyond. (How cool is this boat house in Springfield, Tennessee?) Once you find the location that suits your family, you can start planning your kid’s dream itinerary—though it’s worth noting that the change of scenery alone promises a memorable experience.

Young actors are sure to be dazzled by a live stage performance delivered by a cast of pros. That said, you might not know which particular play they find most appealing, so your best bet is a gift card that allows them the freedom to browse the programs of local playhouses and score some tickets that are truly exciting.

Didn’t get tickets to the Taylor Swift Eras tour (or chose not to because, wow, that price tag)? Fear not: Young Swifties will be more than happy to settle for this special viewing opportunity, which provides a nearly three hour-long, immersive cinematic experience of the history-making live tour and a (likely relatable) glimpse into the whole Taylor Swift craze.

Speaking of art, why not give the kid in your life a season pass to a favorite museum, so they can visit and soak up some culture whenever the mood strikes?

Hands-on activities, pretend play props, and crafting materials are among the goods young kids will receive from this monthly STEAM subscription. It’s an invitation to play in a box. Previous activities have included learning all about rainbows (with a stained glass craft and rainbow tote bag dyeing project) and taking a trip to the farm (think: making a beaded vegetable garden and playing a matching game with a friend, plus creating four adorable animal finger puppets to live inside your barn).

Give your kid the star treatment for the night by renting a limo to take her and a few friends to a favorite restaurant or to the movies (ahem, Taylor Swift Eras Tour Movie Tickets anyone?). Needless to say, the novelty factor is high, so the Insta-worthy experience is sure to be a memorable one.

For a teen who’s always tuned into Spotify, there’s no better gift than being able to check out a live performance of their favorite band with a friend. (Psst: Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour will be stateside as early as February 2024.)

A portrait of a pet is a thoughtful present for any child who has a special bond with a furry friend, but the gift of having a pro help them paint their own is even more precious.

This subscription box from Little Passports takes grade school kids on an action-packed, simulated globe-trotting adventure, complete with souvenirs and plenty of hands-on activities like building your own 3D puzzle of the Rialto Bridge and making your very own sea turtles out of play sand. Designed for kids ages 6 to 10, the experience is sure to satisfy their wanderlust, while teaching them a thing or two, to boot.

Flights are expensive and family road trips in a sedan can be, well, less than magical. Why not rent a camper van or RV instead and let your kid map out the route (within reason)? The end result is sure to be an adventure they’ll rave to their friends about when winter break is over.

A vast expanse of bouncy surfaces, things to swing on and crash into without injury…Yep, trampoline parks are like a kid's dream come true, especially for those under ten with energy to burn. Score some passes for your child and a couple friends, so they can make the wild memories while you sit back and watch.

Encourage your kid to turn off the tube and hit the rink with friends for a much-needed breath of fresh air and an undeniably fun winter boredom buster.

From aerodynamics to forensics, this STEM subscription box covers a new area of scientific inquiry every month with fascinating experiments that guarantee hands-on fun.

Activities, lessons, step-by-step recipes, cook-along instructional videos and all the necessary dry ingredients are included in this monthly baking subscription box for kids. The subscription also includes extras like monthly live, virtual baking lessons and homeschool activities so kids can really hone their culinary skills. Let’s just say, the end result is pretty sweet.

If your kid isn’t quite sophisticated enough to appreciate fine art and historical artifacts don’t hold his attention either, you might consider trying a different kind of museum entirely. Children’s museums, in general, are designed specifically to address this reality—but there are some other, particularly novel options. If you live in NYC, a visit to the Museum of Ice Cream promises unlimited frozen treats, a sprinkle pit the size of a swimming pool and a giant tube slide that delivers a serious thrill. Another fine choice for folks outside of the Big Apple is the Museum of Illusions—a privately-held museum that serves up mind-bending fun at all of its 24 locations across the country.

Sign up for this woodworking craft subscription and every month your kid will receive everything needed—including high quality, kid-sized tools, and easy-to-follow instructions—to complete a construction project that will inspire pride.

The Skillshare music offerings are comprehensive, and kids who are passionate about music will definitely benefit from the numerous voice lessons available to kids of any skill level. It’s also an excellent way to encourage their interest and help them hone their talent without investing in an expensive instrument before having assessed their commitment. (Just saying.)

This flexible eight-week virtual course is sure to inspire creativity and feed the imagination of any tween or teen with an eye for design and a love of fashion. Taught by an award-winning fashion and costume designer, your kid will get a step-by-step guide to how to draw their very own fashion designs and create original figures.

Artists between the ages of 4 and 9 will learn a wide range of new techniques from this 12-week session of thoughtful art lessons, in which every major academic subject (science, history, math and literature!) is incorporated into the creative process. (Bonus: There's even the possibility of a sibling discount.)

If Instagram isn’t already in your tween’s life, it will be soon enough. Help them up their photography game with a flexible four-week course that covers all the basics of composition and lighting, while encouraging creativity.

Give your kid a well-rounded STEAM experience with this Green Kids box, which boasts four to six separate activities that spark the imagination, encourage exploration and provide hours of hands-on, screen-free fun. From science experiments to art and engineering projects, this one checks all the boxes, and chances are you’ll both be grateful to have it around on a rainy day.

Gift your young thrill-seeker tickets to a theme park—the adrenaline rush of the roller coaster rides won’t last forever, but the memories surely will.

A badass mama with a black belt in mixed martial arts and a background in fitness instruction teaches this flexible four-week class for littles ages 3 to 7. If you’ve got a kid who’s bouncing off the walls, this gift will pay dividends for both parties.

Whether you’re seeking an RV park surrounded by natural beauty, a traditional campsite with easy access to hiking trails or a camp-style resort complete with a water park, there are tons of affordable options that ensure an amazing weekend in the Great Outdoors—and if that’s up your kid’s alley, this experience gift idea is kind of a no-brainer.

If you’ve got a budding astrologer at home, they’ll love having their astrological chart analyzed by the American College of Vedic Astrologers. In the 30- or 60-minute reading, their strengths, weaknesses and dynamics of their romantic, personal and professional relationships will be addressed (which means mom or dad’s name is likely to come up!) Note: Participants must be at least 18 years old so this is an experience gift that’s only available for the oldest kids.

Here a crafty subscription box that will keep teens busy making Pinterest-worthy decorative objects that look so impressive, you’ll want to sign yourself up, too. (The punch-needle pillow and terrazzo clay organizers are simply too cute.)

Book a hot air balloon ride and your kid will be on cloud nine. Plus, when they come back down to the earth, they’ll be raving about the unforgettable experience for quite some time to come.

Bowling is a blast for all but the youngest kids and an excellent opportunity for teens and tweens to socialize with friends. Give the gift of an all-expenses paid trip (or several) at the bowling alley, and your kid will have Friday night plans worth looking forward to.

Treat the young diva in your life to a day at the salon for a blow-out, eyebrow shaping, what have you. Then, follow it up with a special dinner out with friends. There will be gratitude (and likely a whole lot of selfies).

The young film buff under your roof will be pleased as punch to see what the local cinema has on offer without having to dip too much into his allowance.

Kids of all ages can reap the rewards of some time spent in the garden (i.e., a hands-on activity that connects them to nature). This gardening subscription box features indoor and outdoor plants, along with the supplies and step-by-step instructions needed to ensure success for new plant parents.

Here, a painfully adorable gift idea for the little one in your life. This subscription box promises younger kids (think: ages three to eight) personalized letters every week from a pen pal, Sunny the Mail Snail. The content of each note is imaginative and educational, and the correspondence even includes interactive activities like puzzles and codes to crack. That said, we think the highlight of this experience is simply the joy and excitement that comes from getting a special piece of mail.

Sports fans of all ages will be wild about seeing their favorite athletes show off their stuff in real time. You can compliment the gift with a piece of sports memorabilia from their team, and don’t skimp on the snacks when you’re at the big game.

After completing this four-week flexible Roblox course, your enthusiastic gamers will have learned the skills to build a whole new world, translating their creativity into a playable game of their own making.

Once young fashion designers have mastered the artistic skill required for sketching their designs (see above), they can start learning the basics of how to turn their visions into wearable art with this beginner-friendly sewing class.

Aspiring musicians of all ages can learn guitar on their own schedule with a Fender Play subscription—an innovative teaching app that relies on engaging, bite-sized lessons to produce big results.

Your high schooler wants to take a gap year after graduation and see the world. Well, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Just kidding—you aren’t invited. Instead, lend them a hand with a monetary contribution that supports their travel plans and ensures they start freshman year of college with some amazing bucket list experiences under their belt.

Check out options for kid-friendly farm stays near you and reserve a weekend spot. This unique gift idea guarantees a truly memorable experience—complete with hands-on tasks, face-time with animals and all the farm fresh food they can eat—in a beautiful rural setting.