All my kids want for the holidays is LOLs. I can’t even. While I do think those little dolls are adorable, and yes many of them will be under our tree, I am trying to broaden our holiday horizons with a few other types of gifts this year. And thankfully, experiences gifts can typically be purchased last minute for the holidays. So pull out your calendar and get ready to think outside the giftbox this season! Here are a few last-minute experience gifts we think you and your kids will love!
WINTER SPORTS CAMPS
Why not sign your kiddos up for sports camps over break?! This is actually a win-win for you and your nuggets! This experience gift will get them out and give them exercise while also giving you a minute because we all know we want to lose our minds over school breaks! Think soccer, gymnastics, basketball! Many recreation centers offer all types of sports classes. If you are in Indy, you might consider Beasley National Soccer School through Indy Premier, or a day at Dana Mannix or Deveau’s for gymnastics.
ACTIVITY CLASSES
Dance, art, or theater classes are a great gift that keeps on giving! Maybe pick something that isn’t exactly what YOU wanted, but something your child wanted. This year we are offering my daughter hip-hop classes which I’ve said no to up to this point and it’s coming from the big guy! Our suggestions in Indy would be Caravan Classes (art), Brightly (art), Civic Theater, 31svn (dance), School of Rock Fishers (music), Sprouts (cooking) or Code Ninjas (coding/STEM). And most of these can be found anywhere! Just google Kids ____(insert activity) _____ (location) and you are on your way! Plus you can just create your own certificate and add maybe a fun related ornament for gifting these great experience gifts!
MUSEUM MEMBERSHIPS
We are so lucky here in Indy to have the BEST museums! But Museum Memberships are a phenomenal gift! Usually, memberships pay for themselves within 3 to 4 visits and are a better value if you (or whoever is receiving) anticipate visiting more than 1 or 2 times! Think of children’s museums, living history museums, art museums… Most museums are child-friendly and offer something for everyone! They make an awesome family gift! Our Indy favorites are Conner Prairie, The Children’s Museum, and the Indiana State Museum. And don’t forget about the Eiteljorg and Indy Zoo who both have holiday events!
TICKETS TO AN EVENT
This year, we asked for tickets to one of our favorite holiday events to go to after Christmas and it got me thinking that we should consider this more often! There are so many great shows and events that come to town and we typically don’t go because we don’t think about it until it’s too late. Look for Broadway in your city or Holiday events that go into January! Even tickets to upcoming ice shows or kids live shows are great ideas too! Here in Indy we might consider events at Newfields (which is what we asked for), shows at Clowes (Butler University), or the Murat. Experience gifts can create some awesome memories.
YES DAYS
I think this is a really great experience gift idea if you ask me. One, it costs nothing initially so you can prepare, and two, it makes your kid feel like they are in charge for a day! I created a printable for anyone to use. You can allow them to pick however many from each side, but one side shows free things and the other things that cost so they know that some things are more “involved” than others. You could use the printable and grab some gift cards from local places you think your child might choose… just empty gift cards and it will light up their eyes!
Those are just a few last-minute experience gifts! I think family, friends, and kids will love them all! These will all also save you from having to run around like a crazy person… put in a few phone calls or hop online and you are good!
Need more gift Ideas?! Check out these posts!
Happy Holidays!
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