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The Best Experience Gifts For Babies + Toddlers to Create Lifelong Memories
The Best Experience Gifts For Babies + Toddlers to Create Lifelong Memories
Photo by Melissa Gayle Photography

The Best Experience Gifts For Babies + Toddlers to Create Lifelong Memories

Don't want the clutter from more toys? Gift your child a memorable experience this holiday instead.

By Babylist Team
Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
Updated On
Updated On
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Photo by Melissa Gayle Photography

In This Article

🎟️ Season Passes and Memberships
🥳 Special Outings
🖌️ Classes
📭 Subscriptions

Want to change things up and gift the toddler or baby in your life with something other than a toy? Well, you’re in the right place. Experience gifts, like cool classes, fun outings or useful year-long memberships, can open them up to unique activities and give them something to do. Experience-based gifts encourage curiosity, build lasting memories and are a great way to spend time with little ones.

We’ve broken down the different categories of experience gifts and some ideas to look into. Since activities and outings are mostly based on your location, we’ve also added tips on how to search for things to sign up for in your area.

Take a look at some of these fun experiential ideas for babies and toddlers.

🎟️ Season Passes and Memberships

You’d be surprised by the number of times your child can go to the same aquarium, zoo or indoor playground and simply never get bored. Thankfully, most of these places offer season passes for up to a year at a time, so you’re not paying per visit. It’ll feel like you’re gifting them access to their favorite place. Here are our tips for finding giftable season passes for babies and toddlers:

  • If you’re not sure where a cool zoo or aquarium is in your area, check out the Association for Zoos and Aquariums locator as a starting point. Most of them offer some kind of season pass that’ll allow you to prepay and visit all year long. 

  • Indoor playgrounds usually offer memberships of various durations, from a month to a year. They are the perfect rainy day activity to get the indoor jitters out.

  • Children’s museums and science centers are fun for babies, toddlers and older children and offer memberships so you don’t have to pay for each visit. Plus, most of them have additional learning programs that members can receive a discount on, so it's a double win. Need help finding a children’s museum in your area? Check out the Association of Children’s Museums locator.

  • Trampoline parks, especially the parks that have multiple locations across the US like Skyzone and Urban Air, offer memberships that allow kids to jump for two hours during the week (with other perks like discounts on extras and parties).

🥳 Special Outings

Gifting special outings, like a trip to the movie theater with all the trappings or to see a live toddler-friendly play, is a gift-worthy treat. Here are some tips for finding special outings to gift (that are actually fun).

  • If you’re opting for a kid-friendly movie, you can choose a gift card for a national movie theater chain (try AMC or Fandango) to help the recipient find a location near them. 

  • Check your local performing arts center for kid-friendly live performances. Most cities have a performance arts center, some bigger than others (like NJPAC) and many of them offer quality performances like plays and concerts for a low cost. 

  • Theme parks are fun for the whole family and most states have one or more that'll offer toddler-friendly rides and activities. You can purchase a family pack of tickets or make it a special outing for just you and the gift recipient.

  • Join your local Facebook groups or regional online parenting magazines (like ParentMap or Mommy Poppins) to find cool, seasonal outings that are otherwise trickier to track down. 

🖌️ Classes

Sign kids up for classes where they can learn new skills like swimming or have fun banging on drums during music lessons. There’s a class for almost anything, and many of them offer memberships or class packs that can be purchased ahead of time. For mommy-and-me-style classes, check local parenting groups and parks and recreation centers. Not sure where to start with finding classes? Here are some tips.

  • National chains with locations all over the country make finding classes super convenient for both the giver and the receiver. Check out places like Little Gym, Goldfish Swim School, and Gymboree Play and Music. You can find even more classes in your local area.

  • Scroll through the class offerings at your local YMCA or Boys and Girls Club. The class offerings will depend on the location, but they typically offer options like swim lessons, sports teams and much more. You don’t have to be a member at the YMCA to participate in classes, and they offer financial assistance too. 

  • Check out ice skating rinks, roller rinks or skate parks for any class offerings.

  • Your town’s recreation center is also a gold mine for all sorts of sports and classes that you can pay for ahead of time and gift.

📭 Subscriptions

Getting something fun to open every month in the mail is super exciting for toddlers and their parents. It gives them something new to do without needing to buy another toy. Subscription boxes can include everything from age-appropriate play kits to new books to stock their library. Here are some of our favorites to check out. 

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