I’m a big believer in giving gifts that are experiences, rather than things. Don’t get me wrong – I give people stuff too. I’m very practical, and sometimes my nieces and nephews just need clothes because they’re growing like weeds! But I really like to give gifts that the receiver will enjoy multiple times, or can use in several places, especially if the receivers enjoy traveling.
I recognize that some of these gifts are very expensive. But, if you give the gift to the family and break it down per family member, some of these aren’t that pricey at all. Or, as I often do with my siblings, pitch in together and give these gifts from multiple people. Recipients often appreciate getting the one big thing they couldn’t afford otherwise.
Here are 5 Experience Gifts that keep on giving:
Amusement Park Season Passes
My family has had season passes to amusement parks on and off my entire life, and most of them had options that allowed admission to any park in its brand. For example, a King’s Island Platinum Season Pass gives admission and parking to all Cedar Fair parks in the US and Canada!
This is a perfect gift for the thrill-seeking family that likes to road trip. Wouldn’t it be fun to spend a week (or a summer) riding the roller coasters at a bunch of amusement parks? Cedar Fair isn’t the only option – Six Flags has a similar season pass perk too! And as a bonus, the parks are offering great season pass discounts if you purchase before the end of the year!
Tip: Find the amusement park closest to the recipient (King’s Island in Cincinnati for us!) and make that the primary park for the recipient.
Zoo & Aquarium Memberships
Did you know that most zoos and aquariums offer reciprocal memberships to other zoos around the county? For example, with my membership to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, I can get free or reduced admission to zoos and aquariums around the country, like Aquarium of the Bay on Pier 39 in San Francisco or Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. This is perfect for the animal-loving family, especially with younger kids. We visit our zoo regularly, so our membership is worthwhile without traveling, but we also love to see other zoos when we travel.
Tip: Look at the list of reciprocal zoos and the membership privileges. Often a smaller zoo has a better reciprocal membership with larger zoos.
Children’s Museum Memberships
This one doesn’t apply to just “children’s” museums, but science museums too! Many museums geared toward kids and families have reciprocity through the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Travel Passport Program or the Association of Children’s Museums. Museums are one of the best places to be when the weather isn’t cooperating, no matter where you live or travel!
Concert Tickets
For the music-lover in your family, this gift suggestion was inspired by my friend Courtney. Every year, Courtney and her husband spend three or four days following a band they love from city to city. Their nights are spent at the concert, while their days are filled with sightseeing, eating the best food, and drinking the best beer the locals can offer. This is especially great for bands planning small venues, as ticket prices are more affordable.
Tip: This is a great gift for couples, especially if you offer to babysit the kids too! I like to use our city as a stop on the tour – it’s an excuse for them to visit us too!
America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass
For the outdoor-loving, camping, or hiking families, the America the Beautiful Pass is a gift that can be enjoyed all year long at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites operated by the National Parks Service, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Army Corp of Engineers. These are the places that are on so many bucket lists, like Rocky Mountain, Yosemite, Zion, and Denali National Parks, or famous sites like the Grand Canyon, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, and Muir Woods (where Return of the Jedi was filmed). My parents bought the Lifetime Senior Pass when it was only $10, and definitely got their money’s worth on our family vacation to Hawaii!
Tip: There are special rates for seniors and veterans, and every 4th grader can get the pass for free!
