OK, let's be honest. How many of us are looking at our homes right now and thinking "Where on Earth are we going to put more stuff??" while nursing a slight sense of dread about the upcoming holiday gift season? Yeah, we figured it wasn't just us. The truth is that it can be easy for kid gifts to cause joy in December and to become clutter the rest of the year, which is why we are a big fan of experiential gifts this year (along with some toys too, we aren't a total Grinch)!
Experiential gifts are all about ways to spend time together as a family without creating clutter or having to worry about getting things in the right size or color. They are perfect to give other families or to request from grandparents too! Ultimately, what is better than fun family time?
And hey, CafeMoms. We’ve got the scoop (and the exclusive) on major savings before Black Friday/Cyber Monday. If you want to save on items for everyone on your list, check out this weeklong sales event. We secured amazing deals from some of our favorite brands across categories such as toys, beauty, clothes, home, and more. Expect to see markdowns of up to 30%. Shop the exclusive deals now until midnight November 25. Happy holidays!
AMC Stubs Membership
From
$72.99
to $284.99
from
AMC Theatres
Families who like going to the movies (or who just really enjoy popcorn) will love memberships to the AMC Stubs program. Each membership allows for up to three movies per week plus upgrades on snacks and drinks. Memberships can be used at more than 600 theatres around the country, so this is a great option for giving to those far away!
National Park Membership
Families who love to hike or explore the outdoors are a wonderful fit for the America the Beautiful National Park Pass. Each pass works at parks all over the country, and kids younger than are free, so a family may only need one or two passes to get everyone into the park and out enjoying nature.
Explore the Local Theater Scene
Many communities have options for local theater performances that feature everything from traveling Broadway shows to dance to children's theater! Most local theatre have annual pass options, which is an effective way to experience some culture as a family.
Get a Jump on Trampoline Parks
An annual pass to a trampoline park is a not only a fun gift, but it is a total sanity saver when the weather isn't cooperating for playing outside and kids need to get some wiggles out. Jumping around is actually super fun for adults too and is a surprisingly great workout to boot. Everyone needs to bounce!
Hit the Zoo
An annual family membership to the zoo is not only a fun present, but it can also be a legit money saver! For many zoos, an annual family membership pays off after just two or three visits, making it a good investment for families with animal-loving kiddos.
Gear Up for Camping
Putting a tent under the tree, such as this six-person tent from REI, offers a fun way to have something to open that promises a whole spring and summer of fun camping experiences. This can also pair well with an annual pass for state or national parks, which are awesome places to camp.
Learn a New Skill as a Family
Many parks and recreation departments offer lessons or introductory activities that can be an entertaining way to learn a new skill, whether it's a cooking class or athletic endeavor. In snowy areas, look for group classes to learn how to cross-country ski or snowshoe — activities that the whole family can do together!
Get Trapped
An escape room is a super-fun afternoon activity for everyone in the family (though check first to see if there are age limits, as some rooms won't be fun for kids who are too little to read). They encourage a family to work together and communicate, all while trying to beat the clock!
Give a Getaway
From
$10
to $2000
from
Hotels.com
There are few experiences more memorable than traveling together as a family. Encourage a generous grandparent to consider giving a gift certificate for Hotels.com and then spending the rest of the holidays day dreaming about where the next family vacation or staycation might be.
Become True Fans
Season tickets for most professional sports are painfully expensive, but there might be alternative (and more affordable) local options for things such as minor leaque baseball, soccer, or even college sports. Sports-loving families can look forward to a whole season of cheering on their new favorite team with a set of season tickets!
Become Art Lovers
Learning can be fun for the whole family with an annual pass to a local children's museum, science center, or art museum! An annual pass is both an effective way to support a nonprofit center and to make sure there is always something for the family to do on a rainy afternoon.
Everyday Photo Book
$62
from
Artifact Uprising
One of the best things about family experience gifts is having memories of them to last forever. The Everyday Photo Book from Artificat Uprising, which comes in six beautiful colors, is the perfect place to store treasured family pictures. Save 10% during Black Friday week sales by using code CAFEMOM10.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
