50 Unforgettable Experience Gifts for Grandchildren

Think about your favorite memories as a kid. What comes to mind? While you may remember a favorite toy or two, most of your cherished memories are likely centered around the experiences you shared with a loved one. From treasured family traditions and quality time together to the grand adventures you embarked on. Years from now, when your grandkids are all grown up, they’ll feel the same way. Those experiences and moments spent with loved ones—those are the things they will treasure most.

Instead of trying to guess the perfect gift or purchasing a slew of plastic toys that will eventually break or end up in the trash, why not give little ones an experience gift that creates lasting memories? But you may wonder, “What are experience gifts?” Well, experience gifts are exactly that—an experience, something to do and remember rather than a tangible item to play with. They allow your grandkids to engage in something enjoyable, exciting (and even educational) instead of just receiving a new toy. Experiences can range from activities, outings, lessons, tickets, and trips to items like art supplies or camping gear that facilitate or enrich experiences.

These gifts can be tailored to your grandkids’ specific interests, creating enduring memories for everyone involved for years to come!

Experience gifts have the ability to alleviate stress and improve relationships, as well as provide hours of entertainment, education, fun, and pleasant memories to last a lifetime. Let’s dive into some of the more specific reasons that an experience gift could be the right gift for your grandkid(s) and explore some of the options out there. 

Experience gifts add less clutter which means less stress.

Toys are a major source of clutter in homes, they may even be the biggest source for families. Research shows physical clutter creates stress and reduces our ability to focus. Experience gifts, on the other hand, can reduce stress, whether that be through physical activity, laughter, or an opportunity for rest and relaxation. Here are some experience gift options that can also aid in rest, relaxation, and time with family.

• A hiking or camping (or glamping) getaway
• A day at the beach, river, or lake
• Family trip or destination vacation
• A “behind the scenes” experience like touring an ice cream factory, going backstage at a show, etc…
• A big experience tied into a trip or vacation. Things such as character dining at Disneyworld, swimming with dolphins, extra special rides at amusement parks, early entry/late hours at parks, etc…

Experience gifts provide entertainment & fun.

Experience gifts can be a great source of entertainment and fun, not just for your grandkid(s), but for everyone involved! Bring out your inner child with these options. From high-energy physical activity to the best of rainy day activities, let this list help lead you in the right direction of experiences to enjoy with your grandkids.

• Indoor rock climbing
• Trampoline park
• Amusement parks
• Waterparks
• Bowling
• Ice or regular skating passes
• Arcade afternoon
• Streaming service for a year (Disney+, Amazon Music, Prime Video, etc…)

Experience gifts offer kids a way to grow and learn.

Experience gifts such as yearly passes, music lessons, art supplies, and day camps can infuse learning with fun and excitement, aiding your grandkids in developing and honing new skills while igniting their interest in fresh subjects and hobbies. One significant advantage of venues offering yearly passes is that they often pay for themselves after just a few visits and provide a year-long outing option. Ensure to inquire whether any of these venues or activities offer this option to deliver a year-round experience.

• The zoo
• The aquarium
• Arboretum pass 
• Nature park passes
• Gymnastics, dance, or other physical learning style classes
• Swimming classes
• Sports lessons
• Library card
• Digital books, audiobooks, or digital music
• Children’s magazine subscription
• Art supplies
• Music or instrument lessons
• Day camps

Experience gifts create opportunities for bonding and togetherness.

Research out there shows that experience gifts of any type are better than material gifts at improving relationships and bringing people closer together. If you want to give your grandkid(s) something that will make them feel closer to you, give them an experience. These experiences below are specifically catered to being together. They are experiences that can be done on one, or with the whole family. It’s up to you. But all of them encourage spending time together doing something fun and exciting.

• A gift card to their favorite restaurant
• A day out together
• Movie tickets
• Concert tickets
• Theatre tickets
• Family game night
• Tickets to a sports game of their choice (Don’t overlook high school and minor league options! They tend to have a more flexible schedule, and are usually cheaper.)
• Getting your nails or hair done
• Shopping day
• Volunteering somewhere

Experience gifts create lasting memories.

As I’ve mentioned previously, experience gifts make memories that last a lifetime. While toys, books, and other tangible items can make memories as well, there is nothing quite like the memories that are made when you get to experience something fun and exciting with your grandkid(s). The options we will dive into next are ones that are made to do together. Where you can have the opportunity to really have one-on-one time with your grandkid(s) and maybe even learn something new.

• A day at the arcade
• A cooking class
• Jewelry-making classes
• Painting or pottery classes
• Festival or fair tickets
• Train ride
• An afternoon of cooking or baking at home
• Build a blanket fort or an obstacle course with them
• A “yes day”
• Going for a bike ride together
• Going for an afternoon walk
• Doing a puzzle together
• Coffee/hot chocolate date
• A trip to the bookstore

Unforgettable Experience Gifts for Grandchildren

Experiences leave a more lasting impact than material possessions as they evoke stronger emotional reactions. While books and toys make for wonderful gifts, they often provide only fleeting moments. Memories, on the other hand, endure a lifetime. With so many options available, it’s definitely worth considering them over traditional gifts. Experience gifts allow you to create lasting memories with your grandkids, even from a distance. They encourage the exploration of new interests, learning opportunities, and the chance to step out of their comfort zones.

I hope these reasons for choosing experience gifts, along with the variety of options available, assist you in selecting the perfect one for your grandkids, enabling you to forge enduring memories with them. Embrace these precious moments and have a great time!