Local Experience Gifts for Kids

When I was a kid, the hottest toy of the holiday was the Cabbage Patch Kids doll. I remember watching the news and seeing people getting trampled at K-Marts and Targets across the country. I was amazed when I opened one of my gifts to see my doll, “Gretchen”. My mom says I asked her if she had to fight other moms to get it. I just remember feeling like the luckiest kid in town!

The times, they are changing...

This year, the hottest toy for the holidays isn’t the Hatchimal, My Little Pony, or even the latest "it" toy, the Fingerlings. The hottest “toy” this year isn’t a toy at all. It’s an EXPERIENCE.   

The theory is that experiences that create memories and bonding time with family, make for better gifts instead of more (dare we say) unwanted toys. The kiddos already have enough Legos, light sabers, Matchbox cars, bins overflowing with dress-up clothes, and don't forget the iPad and video games.

An experience gift is anything that creates an opportunity for togetherness. It can be as simple as a special family dinner that gets the entire family involved in the prep and cooking. It can also be classes, museum memberships, a family vacation, trip to the zoo, etc.

If you’re in this same school of thought, or if you’re just looking for something different to give the kiddo that has everything, Macaroni Kid is here to help with ideas for local experience gifts. Here’s a list of 10 local experience gifts perfect for this holiday season.

1. Local Jump Gym – A fun activity to keep kids active all year! SkyZone in Plymouth offers massive, wall-to-wall trampolines for endless jumping action with friends.
2. Gymnastics Classes – Roll around, jump, kick, dance, flip! Mini-Hops offers classes and packages for kids ages 12 months – 18 years in gymnastics, dance and karate. If you don’t want to make the commitment of a class, try the open gym (and parent night out events!) offering free play in their 48,000 square foot facility. 
3. Movie Tickets / Night – With movies like Star Wars, Coco by Pixar and Ferdinand coming out between now and the end of the year, movie tickets are a great experience gift. The newly remodeled Emagine Willow Creek Theater offers luxury, stadium seating and endless popcorn! Plus, certain family films include a free toy for the littles. Check out showtimes HERE. Keep the same idea without spending all that dough with Movie Theater Night-In. Wrap up a family movie DVD, and snacks into a box and let the kids host movie night-in.
4. Bowling – Eat, bowl and be merry! Bowling is a great game that teaches math skills, patience, sportsmanship and is a sport that just about anyone can play. The Park Tavern in St. Louis Park offers open bowling daily and a full-service restaurant with tasty treats.
5. Music Classes – If your little one loves music, then watch your little Beethoven flourish in a music class design just for kids! At Studio Encore, Kindermusik is a world of discovery and adventure. Check out the meet-ups where you and your kiddo can experience a special themed class together. 
6. Roller or Ice Skating – Talk about an experience! Anytime I’ve gone roller skating or ice skating, I laughed so hard my face hurt. Both are a great way to be active and are relatively easy to learn if you’ve never done it. The Roller Garden in St. Louis Park is one of the best rinks around. They offers family skate times daily and if you have kids ages 4-10, they can skate free with preregistration in the Kids Skate Free Program. 
7. Geocaching Adventure – Bust out the GPS and hit the trails on a family-friendly, high-tech treasure hunt that combines respect for the environment with a sense of adventure. You can geocache (for FREE!) at French Regional Park. Click HERE to learn more. Use an old map to create an invite that you roll-up and tie a bow around it using a bandana. 
8. Lunch Date – Give a gift card to a family-favorite breakfast joint or lunch spot and have a date with your child. The Good Day Café in St. Louis Park is a great place to bring kids for lunch. They serve a variety of dishes in a down-to-earth, comfortable setting.
9. Make a Playlist – Who didn’t love getting a mix tape when they were a kid? While mix tapes no longer come on cassette, the idea is still fun. Put together a list of songs you and your kiddos will love onto a USB flash drive. Take the gift one step further by planning the list together with a visit to Down in the Valley. Spend time peruse their huge selection of CDs or vinyl and pick your faves. Either way, every time they fire up the flash drive, they’ll think of you! 
10. Give Back Together – This is a great time of year to give back to the community. Why not set-up a volunteer opportunity for the whole family? Volunteering as a family creates memories that last a lifetime and fosters kids’ development of compassion and empathy for others. Sign-up to sort and repack food at Second Harvest Heartland in Golden Valley, or deliver meals in the Plymouth area through Meals on Wheels. Whatever you decide, wrap up an event invitation for the kids to open.

No matter what you give the kids this year, remember to have fun with it. The best part of any gift from you will be the time you spend with your kids. Whether it’s roller skating or a movie night-in, join in the fun! That’s what makes experience gifts a lasting memory they’ll always remember.

What’s the best experience gift you’ve ever heard of? Tell us on Facebook!