"Experiences" instead of Toys

My niece (9) and nephew (11) have a ton of toys. Have you ever received a museum membership or some other type of experience for your DC instead of a toy? If so was it worth it, what was the experience ?

Re: "Experiences" instead of Toys

Not exactly the same but DS got 3 months of a Gymboree membership for his first birthday. It was an awesome gift! If they kids have an interest you know of, I say go for it.

ETA: I know places like Adventureland sell gift cards, so that's an option, too.

Message edited 11/24/2015 4:13:05 PM.

Re: "Experiences" instead of Toys

My kids are only 4 and 1, but I much prefer experience to toys. My older one has never been big on toys, she'd rather do things and be active. I ask people to give her experiences or gift cards towards all the time and only 1 grandparent did. I wish they would give experience type gifts. I feel bad bc all the toys she gets just sit around unused.

She's gotten gymnastics tution, trip to American girl, show tickets.

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I've gotten my nephews tickets to shows in the city a few times - Gazzillion Bubble Show, Newsies and Matilda. The first time they opened a gift that was "just" tickets, they were kinds like, "oh, thanks, uh what is this?" But once we went to the show they LOVED it. Now they know if I get them tickets, the experience will be great, even if it is a little ways off into the future

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Yes and I try to give experiences as well. My suggestions are gift card or membership to the children's museum, gift card to safety swim, movie gift cards, tickets to legoland discovery center in westchester, ice skating rink gift card, build-a-bear, sporting events for older kids. You could even do Chuck-E-Cheese, adventure land. To me the experience is so much better than a toy. Most of the toys are just junk these days.

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Every year for his birthday DS gets a CMEE membership renewal and for christmas we get our family membership renewed at the aquarium. We also do tickets a lot for gifts, or family vacations. Experiences are always more fun than toys!

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My BIL bought my kids the family membership to the LI Children's Musuem last Xmas. The nice thing is it's part of the reciprocal museum network so your membership is good at other museums all over the country.

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We've given my nephew islanders tickets on several occasions. It went over really well! Definitely Better than more toys

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I WISH my inlaws felt this way!!! They think toys toys and more toys. Not even practical things like clothes. Only toys!!!

I love the idea of broadway show tickets, museum passes, adventure land, skyzone passes (trampoline place)... heck even bowling gift cards. All that fun stuff that creates memories!

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My kids have seen the lion king on Broadway, we are going to radio city for the Christmas spectacular. We saw a show at Liu when they were really little. They also were gifted isles tickets. I love activity gifts for my kids. Something to consider might be a kiwi crate or a tinker crate subscription. My kids love it. They made a trebuchet, a manual pulley hand and this month they will make a manual flashlight.

Message edited 11/25/2015 12:25:58 AM.

Re: "Experiences" instead of Toys

For the past few years, my 2 aunts have been giving their nieces and nephews and their families museum memberships. It's an awesome gift! Also, my boys birthdays are right before and right after Christmas. So 2 years ago, my sister and BIL decided for their birthday gift to take them out to do something special instead of giving them a toy. They have LOVED those special days with them. They've taken them to the Museum of Natural History, Jack Hanna live show, and an Islanders game so far. They have loved all of them!

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What about a magazine subscription? American girl? Sports Illustrated for kids? They are probably too old for highlights or Ranger rick but there are probably others out there for "tweens".

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My kids have gotten globetrotter tickets, licm membership, adventureland season passes. They loved it. Your niece and nephew are probably too old for licm though