19 of the Best Experience Gifts for Kids and Families

For the budding astronaut in your life, this starter kit is a must-have. It includes a set of model planets that they can paint and construct a mini solar system with (that actually spins), plus a launchable pair of model orbiter spaceships that they can build. The set even includes facts about the history of space travel to what it’s like to live on the International Space Station. Putting everything together is super fun, and you can also sneak in some knowledge about space and the solar system (win win).

We're all for nostalgic gifts that bring us zooming back to our yesteryears, so when we're talking about experiences, that can only mean one thing: Highlights for Kids. Who else can remember being thrilled to have a Highlights issue to flip through when sitting in a doctor's office lobby waiting for mom or dad to get out of their appointment? Us too! And these days, there are a number of editions of the award-winning magazine to surprise and delight all ages: Highlights for kids ages 6 to 12; High Five for preschoolers ages 2 to 5; Hello for babies and toddlers ages 0-2. And a special High Five Bilingüe imprint to start exposing toddlers to Spanish as early as 2 years old. Use code JOY to score 30% off.

Little Passports offers one-of-a-kind activity kits that awaken kids’ curiosity about geography, culture, science, and art. Through enriching globally-inspired activities, hands-on projects, and relatable characters, the fun travel-themed boxes ignite the imagination and open doors to a totally new way of seeing the world and exploring science. Regardless of the kit you choose (Early Explorers for ages 3-5; World Edition for ages 6-10; Science Expeditions for ages 8+, and a couple more, as well), your child will receive a colorful suitcase to stash all of their souvenirs — and keep the clutter in check, woo hoo! Oh, and if you sign up for their email list, you'll receive exclusive screen-free projects, hands-on activities, STEM experiments, and special discounts, plus access to a huge library of free DIY learning materials for kids ages 3-9+. Use code CYBER40 to save 40% off sitewide.

Since we're on the subject of experiences, the holidays are a great time to reinforce altruism in the family. Adopting an animal through the WWF is a sweet way to give back while also learning and growing as global citizens. When you donate through WWFGifts and adopt an animal (from a baby lion cub to a harbor seal, my daughter's current favorite), you help create a safer world for wildlife, protect the beautiful and amazing places the animals inhabit, and build a sustainable future where all of us coexist peacefully with nature. I'd also recommend checking out the Bronx Zoo's Gift Guide, where you can gift memberships and wild animal encounters (there are even virtual options!), plus adopt animals in the zoo.

We're already huge fans of the kids cooking subscription box, Raddish Kids, but new for the 2021 holiday season, the brand is offering Cook-Along Kits. These simpler boxes enclose a fun recipe like Cider Donuts, Gingerbread Cookies, Sushi, even Ravioli, necessary pre- and cooking tools, plus exclusive access to cook-along videos moderated by a Raddish Culinary Coach. Now, if relatives are coming over for the holidays (contingent on COVID, of course), your kids can dazzle them with their dishes. Sure beats all the talent shows, dance contests, and one-off "Mommy watch what I can do!" moments ... We kid, of course, those are super sweet, too 😉. Use code HOLIDAY25 to score up to two free kits for the year.

We don't have to wax poetic on the challenges of parenthood, especially these days, but as another year comes to a close, it's definitely important to get a pulse check on our relationships. Happy Partners Project created an expanded version of their original "Relationship Check-In Method (TM)" to include a special category, just for parents. With 20 additional open-ended questions and prompts, this new category supports parents as they navigate the day-to-day with their children. These questions also guide parents toward conscious parenting approaches necessary for bringing up the next generation of humans in a mindful, intentional way. And for just $48, it's a much more cost-effective alternative to therapy — which we ALL need now and then.

Have you heard of CAMP before? It's known for being a totally unique shop/play hybrid experience with a number of physical locations across the country. Inside CAMP stores, there are rotating themed experiences that make every surface into a seamless blend of play and product. Until the end of October, their Connecticut location is transforming into Adventure Bay for a PAW Patrol Experience, while their Brooklyn store is hosting a "Cosmic CAMP" experience that takes familiies on an adventure through interactive games, physical challenges, and cosmic-themed stations and vignettes.

What grownups love about virtual classes they find on Masterclass or Skillshare, kids can find for their own age and skill level on Outschool. As its name suggests, Outschool offers a variety of engaging, small-group classes online that are taught live so that learners and teachers can interact via video chat or text in real-time. Kids form real friendships on Outschool every day as they expand their knowledge and build their skills. Curriculum-focused courses (like world geography and beginner's multiplication) are available, of course, but we love the extracurricular options like Escape Rooms and dance camps. Use code WINTER40 to get your first month free!

I’m always trying to keep my kids off screens, so the Toniebox 2 is a great experience gift that we can share together. There are hundreds of Tonies to choose from with stories and songs (here are my son’s top picks), and the new Toniebox 2 includes games that we can play together. I love this beginner bundle; it’s ideal for my 2-year-old who enjoys making animal sounds along with the horse, pig, and cow.

Did you know that 85% of the brain’s development happens before the age of 5? HOMER offers digital, physical, and experiential learning platforms to foster foundational skills across reading, math, and social-emotional learning — starting with kits for children as young as 2. While the language and math enrichment is exceptional, we're even more smitten with the "feelings" boxes, which help children learn and practice social-emotional skills they need for real life, through play. Plus, there's a lot for little ones to discover in the Feelings Forest. The magnetic story box doubles as a storage container for all of the pieces, so your kiddo's kit stays intact for repeat plays, rainy days, and younger siblings' turns down the road! Save 51% yearly when you sign up now!

This number puzzle offers more than meets the eye. The numbers are cleverly arranged by height — for instance, stacking the five and the three results in a height equal to the number eight. This makes it entertaining for my number-loving 2-year-old, while also being a useful aid for my 5-year-old's math homework. As a bonus, it's so aesthetically pleasing that I plan to keep it out as decor long after my kids outgrow it.

I may be the only parent who has co-opted the PJ Masks' theme song for my own kids' bath sessions, "Cause bath time is the right time to SPLASH time," but I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that bath time is king for kids. That's why a scrub-a-dub-dub subscription is such a great gift idea. Each box brims with a handpicked selection of the best premium bath toys and natural products on the market, and it's delivered straight to your door each month. All of the toys are non-toxic and designed without holes to be mold-free; all of the bath products are natural, safe, nontoxic, non-GMO, and gentle on skin.

Bonus? The full-size toys can be used in any water sensory tables, too! #doubledutyforthewin

Let's be honest, ice cream is the answer and solution to any bad day or bad vibes that end up trickling down to everyone in the family. So, even as the weather gets cooler, the icy treat needs to be on-hand — it's even better if you can whip it up yourselves using kitchen chemistry experiments and kid-friendly recipes for ice cream and sherbet frosty confections. Your littles can learn about the science behind ice crystals and freezing, how air is one of the most important ingredients in ice cream, and how stabilizers help keep dessert delicious, and then they can customize the included recipes to make all sorts of creamy concoctions. Insta snaps of the DIY sundaes and captions that may or may not include #SundaeFunday or it didn't happen!

Lovery has a play kit for every age, from babies to 8 years old, and for every kind of interest (music, food, and more). The Early Readers Club is delivered every two months (you can cancel at any time), and includes books to read out loud for 0- to 4-year-olds, and more phonics-based learning for older kids. There are several books included in each box, and it can help your child constantly explore and develop their love of reading. Score up to 25% off sitewide for a limited time.

The classes offered on Skillshare are really great for parents looking to up their home decorating or horticultural games (speaking as a wife of a very committed plant daddy, the pandemic has brought out ALL of our inner green thumbs). Something like stylist Emily Henderson's "Creative tips and techniques for interior design" course is packed with the pro's creative style and signature humor. By the end, you’ll have the inspiration, understanding, and skills you need to create a home that feels unique to you and your crew.

While we wouldn't say that Masterclass is kid-friendly (very few, if any classes exist for the much-younger set), we'd definitely add subscriptions to the list for teens and parents. Highschoolers who have started dabbling in photography, filmmaking, or creative writing in school might find sessions taught by the likes of Ron Howard, James Cameron, and Judy Blume particularly fascinating. And for parents, classes on leadership, creativity, and career architecting moderated by everyone from Anna Wintour to Howard Schultz can help parents everywhere become better communicators, better ambition-chasers, and better workforce innovators+disruptors. Not to mention, a lot of the skills taught have great relevance to raising children. Ever tried negotiating with a 4-year-old? It's terrifying. Snag 40% off all memberships for the holidays!

With the popular America the Beautiful Pass, you and your family can start a tradition of visiting our country’s national parks. The pass admits the pass owner and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle, or the pass owner and three adults where per-person fees are charged. Over 2,000 sites are covered under the pass, and it’s valid for an entire year. Best of all, the memories last a lifetime.

For a great deal (and hours of family fun), check out this set of escape room challenges for kids over 12. Perfect for solo or group play, it includes five capers full of brain twisters. While you can only play through the set once, at $20 it's a solid pick. Plus, if you get stuck, hints are available online.

Featuring VR goggles, color-revealing scratch art panels, and an interactive book, this gift box is ideal for animal-lovers who are 4 years old and up. Parents can read facts about the animals, and then kids can see the animals close up. It’s a bestselling Nordstrom gift, so get yours before it sells out.