If your children are anything like mine, they get way too many toys for Christmas and birthdays. Their closets and shelves are bursting with items that they rarely play with or have forgotten in the chaos. Their GeekDad and I decided that rather then make wish lists for more toys that they don’t need, we would start making wish lists for experiences. Here are some of the best ones that I have found so far in no particular order:
Fashion Playtes: This site lets the user design their own clothes and then purchase them. You can even do your own collection. They have a variety of tops, bottoms, and accessories — even a jean jacket — that you can customize by fabric type and decoration. Once your design is complete, you purchase it and it gets shipped to you. My daughter found it very cool that she could design her own outfit and was “super excited” to wear it to school.
Pottery studios: These places provide pre-fired ceramics and glazes that you paint onto your chosen piece. Our local Purple Glaze had a variety of items from cookie jars to little horses to plates. On our last trip, we made a 60th birthday plate for Grandma complete with a hand print. They also offer pieces that you can craft mosaics on. Contemporary Ceramic Studios Association seems to have a good number of locations nationwide.
Climbing walls: Most of these are pretty low key and I didn’t find a national chain. Our local place offers safety classes, introductory classes, and even outdoor guiding courses. This is a great way to introduce your child to a new sport that might become a life long enjoyment.
Online art studio: Yuva Studio is a creative playground where kids can stamp, punch, patch, doodle, and draw with the online tools. You can create e-cards, make a book, or even get a t-shirt printed with the kid’s art.
Baking/cooking classes: Research and experience tells us that if kids are involved in making the food they are more likely to eat it. Considering the obesity epidemic in the United States it is more important than ever to teach our kids healthy habits. Most places offering cooking classes for kids are local. Wilton offers cake decorating classes nationwide at various hobby and craft stores. Young Chefs Academy offers cooking classes for kids and has many locations nationwide.
Art classes: Again local is your best bet. Use your favorite search engine and see what you can find in your area. Young Rembrandts has some camps and programs in several states as well.
Write your own book: Barnes & Noble has a site called Tikatok where kids can write and illustrate their own book online and then order it as a hard or soft cover or as an eBook download. This would make a great keepsake or gift for the grandparents.
Dinosaur digs or archeological excavations: If your kids are really into artifacts or dinosaur bones, this would be a great gift. Any natural history museum or dinosaur museum in your area might offer the trip or you can make it part of a family vacation.
Some other experience related gifts that might be good: sports camps, swimming lessons, zoo memberships, animal watching trips if you live near wildlife, cowboy for a day, dude ranches, horseback trip, backpacking trip, dance classes, circus classes, fishing trips, etc.
You are really only limited by your own imagination. After all, some of the best memories we have from growing up are experiences and time spent with our families, not how many toys or things we have.
Thanks — these are great ideas. The toy catalogs are starting to arrive and I’m getting that nauseated feeling.
Another suggestion: Magazine subscriptions. My 1 yo and 3 yo like Babybug and Ladybug.
I think kids do appreciate something tangible to unwrap on the day, so I like to give something small (a little toy or a coloring book) along with a card that describes the intangible present.
Magazine subscriptions are a great idea! You could take it a step further too and if you get them say, a g.c. to a climbing gym, you could wrap a small carabiner. Or swimming lessons, a pair of goggles.
Thanks — these are great ideas. The toy catalogs are starting to arrive and I’m getting that nauseated feeling.
Another suggestion: Magazine subscriptions. My 1 yo and 3 yo like Babybug and Ladybug.
I think kids do appreciate something tangible to unwrap on the day, so I like to give something small (a little toy or a coloring book) along with a card that describes the intangible present.
Magazine subscriptions are a great idea! You could take it a step further too and if you get them say, a g.c. to a climbing gym, you could wrap a small carabiner. Or swimming lessons, a pair of goggles.
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