Here Are Some Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Kids

Christmas is coming up really fast. Relatives are already asking for ideas for the kids for Christmas. Sometimes it can get overwhelming with all the gifts that appear during the holiday season. Trying to clean out old bins to make room for the new things.

I thought of a different idea. How about non-gift ideas to tell the family about? Because, who really wants more stuff? The gift of experiences and time spent together as a family to create memories that will last a lifetime. That's what I'm talking about here.

Specific Non-Toy Gift Ideas:

Season Passes

- Zoo (Hemker Zoo, Minnesota Zoo, Como Zoo is FREE Como Town)
- Museum (MN Children's Museum, Bell Museum, Crayola Experience at Mall of America)
- Butterfly Conservatory ( Como Zoo)
- Aviary
- Aquarium (Sea Life Aquariums)
- Amusement Park (Valleyfair, Nickelodeon Universe)

One-Time Passes

- Movies ( Waite Park Movie Theatre Marcus Theatres)
- Bowling (Southway Bowl. The Underground, Great River Bowl)
- Swimming (Jack Splash)
- Theatre Performance (Paramount Center for the Arts)
- Dinner & A Show (Chanhassen Dinner Theatres)
- Go see a sporting event (MN Wild, MN Twins, MN Vikings)
- Disney On Ice (Disney on Ice)
- Circus ( Circus Location at The Minnesota State Fairgrounds)
- Ice Skating
- Roller Skating (Skatin' Place)
- Mini Golf (SummerLand Fun Park)
- Concert Tickets (Ticketmaster)

Experience Gifts for Kids

- Horse & Buggy Ride
- Train Ride
- Ice Cream Vouchers
- Special dinner out
- A Trip to the Fire Station
- A Trip to Chuckie Cheese
- Coupon book with "time" gifts (ie. an afternoon making cookies with mom)

A Class or Season of Lessons

- Swimming
- Sports
- Gymnastics
- Dance
- Karate
- Musical Instrument
- Pottery Class- or paint your own pottery
- Art Class
- Craft class (ie. knitting)
- Horseback riding lessons
-Family Experience Gifts

Physical Gifts that aren't Toys

- Books
- Games
- DVD
- CDs of fun kids music
- Craft kits
- Science kit
- New art supplies
- Magazine Subscription
- Monthly Craft or Science Kit Subscription
- Fun Bath Supplies
- A wagon to pull kids in when you go on walks
- Stationery
- Special Christmas Tree Ornament
-Camera
- Wrist watch
- Piggy bank
- Memory/Photo Book
- Journal

I hope this helps at thinking outside the box this holiday season. It might even make holiday shopping even easier. And you won't need to necessarily need to wrap all the gifts under the tree this year.