Experience Gifts and Non-Toy Gifts for Everyone On Your List

Avoid the plastic packaging, the quickly forgotten toy, and cheaply made trinkets and give meaningful experience gifts instead. In addition to being a much greener option, experience gifts are great non-toy gifts that offer so much more than a pretty package and include the joyful gift of fun, long-lasting memories.

Note: I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases when you purchase some of these items through any affiliate experience gift links on this list. Your cost is the same, but your purchase helps support my work, so I will be able to continue to sharing new content. Thank you for your support!

What Do You Give Someone Who Has Too Much Stuff?

Do you remember every gift you were given five years ago? How about two years ago? Did you take a picture of them so you’ll never forget the experience?

Probably not, but do you remember the weekend you and your husband spent on retreat in the mountains? The dolphin cruise you took with the whole family or that time you took your son to the football game where the Browns won? (That would be memorable!)

Experience gifts make perfect non-toy gifts for anyone who wants to give fun memories instead of more stuff. They offer the opportunity to learn or try something new, have active fun, and best of all create more meaningful, lasting memories for the receiver — and oftentimes the gift giver as well!

How Do You Wrap a Gift Experience?

Giving experience gift vouchers or tickets doesn’t have to be boring or include wasteful non-recyclable wrapping paper or gift bags. Start thinking outside the “gift” box and you’ll find there are so many earth-friendly, unique, and fun ways to package your experience gifts.

Golf lessons? Tie the gift card to a new, unwrapped putter. Art or cooking classes? Buy an item from the supplies list, like paint brushes or a beautiful apron and gift them in a carrying case. Skiing lessons? Gift the lesson passes in a new ski bag with a new warm hat and gloves. Adventure gift? Slip them into a personalized, reusable water bottle! Or keep it simple and gift the tickets, gift cards, or vouchers in a handmade reusable gift envelope. (See how to make them HERE.)

Experience Gifts for Everyone On Your List

Our list of 70+ ideas includes gift ideas for activities from “at home” to vacation. If you know of an idea we missed please tell us in the comments  so we can add it!

Classes and Lessons

• Dance classes
• Music lessons
• Pottery classes
• Green Kids Subscription Box
• Horseback riding lessons
• Dance classes (kids and adults)
• Cooking or baking classes
• Surfing lessons
• Golf Lessons, a round of golf, or gift certificate to the driving range
• Tech classes
• Summer or Winter Break Camps
• Scuba diving
• Sky diving
• Tennis Lessons
• Flying Lessons
• Subscription Box from Green Kids Crafts
• Buy a class or membership to Craftsy.com and enjoy a class together

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Related Article: The ULTIMATE GREEN GIFT GUIDE

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Pampering Experiences

• Massage
• Facial
• Day at the spa

Outings and Fun Activities

• Bowling night or a kids bowling party
• Professional sporting event tickets
• Roller skating
• Laser tag (for the family or a party with friends)
• Ninja Warrior Gym
• Trampoline Park passes (or party)
• Movie tickets and a gift card for snacks

Adventure & Outdoor Experiences

• Rock climbing adventure
• Zip Lining trip
• Ice skating tickets or lessons
• Rock climbing adventure or lessons
• Sailing cruise or classes
• Theme park tickets
• Train ride
• Boat ride
• Scavenger hunt
• Camping trip (rent equipment or cabin)
• Kayaking
• Ski lift tickets and equipment rental (or lessons)
• Bike tour
• Extreme adventure park
• White water rafting
• Cave exploring experience or tour
• Mining adventure or tour
• Fossil dig experiences
• Parasailing Adventure
• Jet Ski Rental

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Related Article: Easy and Beautiful Earth Friendly Gift Wrap Ideas

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Museums, Centers & Animal Experiences

• Science center day
• Natural history museum tickets or pass
• Art museum or tour
• Children’s museum tickets or pass
• Zoos day
• Aquarium visit
• Petting zoo or safari animal experience
• Botanical gardens & arboretums tickets
• Behind the scenes tour of your local zoo or other favorite venue
• Unique & themed museums: Ripley’s, Christmas, Train, Aviation, Maritime, etc.

Memberships & Season Passes

• Swimming pool pass
• Water park pass
• Zoo membership
• Museum passes
• Gym membership
• National Park pass or “Day at ___ National Park”

Unique Experiences

• Wine tasting
• Helicopter tour
• Brewery tasting
• Hot air balloon adventure
• Family or couples photo shoot

Live Event Tickets and Performances

• Live show tickets: clean comedy, theatre, etc.
• Community theatre pass or class
• Orchestra season pass
• Concert tickets
• Ballet tickets

Travel and Day Trips

• Plan a weekend or overnight road trip
• Plan a vacation with your family: let them choose the location and help plan the details for a weekend trip, spring break, or next summer
• Go on a pilgrimage: plan a pilgrimage close to home or one your family has always wanted to experience. (Add links)
• Guided tours (stay-cation tours or while away)
• Tree House Adventure and Getaway

Experience “At Home” Gifts

• Buy a class or membership to Craftsy.com and enjoy a class together from home
• Seeds and a plan to start a garden together
• Coupon Books (Game night tickets, make your own pizza night, movie party, etc.)
• Green Kids Gift Boxes: Art and crafts box for at home fun
• Subscription box to Green Kids Crafts

Gifts That Give Back

• Make a donation to help fund their next mission trip
• Donate to a animal rescue or adopt a pet in their name
• Give to giving Tree or Shoe Box donation in their name
• Schedule and donate for a Mass to be said for their deceased loved one
• Volunteer together to give gifts to others

When you give non-toy and experience gifts, your family and friends will learn something new, do more of what they love, and make memories that include remembering the great gift you gave them!

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