As I look around my kids rooms, I am constantly reminded that we need to do a major clean out! I mean MAJOR! This is especially true for my daughter Melia (age 4). We are lucky to have a clear path to walk to her bed. Night wakings have become hazardous to our health!

For my own safety and sanity, I love experience gifts for kids! Let’s be honest, our kids don’t really need anything! The bonus? You get built in, lasting memories.

My Top 5 Experience Gifts for Kids:

1. Single Use Gifts – These are great because they typically provide a single experience and they are done. No need to find a permanent place for it. It won’t be here long. The kids love it because it’s so much fun to use. Some examples:
   • Painting kits – Finger paints. Paint sets with brushes. Face painting kit.
   • Science kits – Erupt a volcano. Grow crystals. Launch a bottle rocket.
   • Bubble bath or color fizz to change the color of the bath water.
2. Gift Cards – There are so many gift card options out there! To keep with our trend of more experience versus stuff, here are some examples we love:
   • Fast Food – My kids love a trip to Burger King or Chick-fil-A. It means they get a kids meal toy and they get to play in the playground! The bonus with a gift card is they feel like they are paying for their own meal. So cool!
   • Ice Cream – Who doesn’t love ice cream? Dairy Queen, Cold Stone Creamery, or your local tasty freeze.
   • Itunes or GooglePlay – Every kid seems to have a tablet or iPod. If not, they have access. On those devices I guarantee they have games or music just for them. A gift card at one of these locations let’s them download music or games. I love this because it doesn’t add to the clutter in their rooms.
   • Gaming – What kid doesn’t love video games? If the parents are on board, this would include places like Dave & Busters, Chuck E Cheese, or Gameworks. All offer gift cards.
   • Movie Theater – Let them pick out snacks and a drink and you have an instant hit. If you are lucky enough to have a drive-in theater nearby, take advantage.
3. Day Out – Create your own coupon for a day out. You can customize it for anything you like. Some ideas for any budget:
   • Local Zoo
   • Aquarium
   • Museum – Children’s museums are a lot of fun!
   • See a show or a play
   • Mini Golf
   • Bowling
   • Local Arcade
   • Theme Park or Water Park
   • Horseback Riding
4. Night Out – Make it an overnight trip. You can do this on any budget!
   • Camping Trip – Just find a local place. Camp sites are really inexpensive. If you stay local you can even go for just 1 night.
   • Hotel Stay – My kids LOVE a hotel! Find a local hotel with a pool. Turn it into a staycation. Even just for 1 night. Guaranteed hit!
   • Sleep Over – My kids love a sleep over at home! Pop in a DVD. Have snacks. Play a board game. Sleep on the pull out couch or blow up mattress.
5. Lessons – Sign your kids up for something they are interested in. It could be a sport, ballet/dance class, karate, or music lessons.

What experience gifts have you done before? Were they a hit?