Kids love toys and "stuff" and while the excitement of opening a new toy is the fun of the holidays or a birthday, gifting an experience can be a gift that lasts a little longer and can even be something that is enjoyed as a family. Don't get me wrong, my kids are going to get toys as gifts and I'm sure their wishlist is ongoing in their minds. We will also be including some local experiences to gift to them and to friends and family. The experience of seeing a show, learning something new at a museum or in a local class can lead to fun family memories that may last longer than a toy or other "stuff." Experience gifts are great for giving to grandparents or other family members, too. What's better than something fun you can do together?
Here are some ideas for local experience gifts right here in Chester County (or very nearby) that you can give this year:
- Gift Certificate to a Museum such as American Helicopter Museum and Education Center in West Chester or even a helicopter ride for the thrill-seeker in the family!
- Gymnastics class past from our partners Synergy Gymnastics in Malvern
- Gift Certificates to a trampoline spot like Urban Air or Skyzone
- Give the gift of My Gym! Our partner My Gym - Downingtown offers gift certificates and class cards
- Bowling passes from Palace Bowling and Entertainment
- Zoo Membership - we have a number of fun zoo's nearby including Elmwood Zoo, Philadelphia Zoo and the Brandywine Zoo
- The gift of fun and acting - sign up for an acting class!
- Sign them up for a fun-themed summer camp that they'll enjoy
- Book store gift cards - shop local at Wellington Square Book Shop
- Tickets to an upcoming performance from our partners at WC Studio at Uptown! Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts offers shows for families or for a night on the town!
- Passes to a bounce place like Bounce U Exton
- Enroll them in an art class
- Climb and zip - passes or a membership to Treehouse World would make a fun outdoor-themed gift
- Plan a special kid-friendly salon day at somewhere kid-friendly such as Cookie Cutters - West Chester
- Sign your kids up for music lessons or voice lessons.
- Dance Classes
- Family photos - This would make a great grandparent gift or family gift
- Dinner and a movie - gift a gift card to a local restaurant for takeout and include a movie rental too
- Scream for Ice Cream with an ice cream or frozen yogurt gift card - check our list of local spots for a cool treats for ideas
- Plan an overnight stay somewhere fun such as Kalahari, Great Wolf, or Hershey Lodge. Check CertifiKID for deal vouchers on getaways!
- Use the Macaroni KID calendar for ideas - make a list of options for family fun, wrap them in an envelope or put them in a jar and let the kids pick one each week
- Give tickets to a theme park - some ideas include Hersheypark, Diggerland, Doney Park, Dutch Wonderland. Check CertifiKID for deal vouchers on amusement parks and zoos!
- Give passes to go rock climbing
- Plan a day at or give a membership to Longwood Gardens or Tyler Arboretum
- Sign up for kids cooking classes - The Kitchen Workshop offers teen classes and parent and child cooking classes
- Enroll them in swim lessons - a gift of both fun and safety!
- Give a gift card to paint pottery together or with a friend, cousin, sibling or plan a trip as a family to somewhere like Fired Up Pottery or Painted Plate
- Get tickets to an upcoming sporting event - there are the major local teams as well as great college teams and minor league teams, too!
- DIY together at AR Workshop - Malvern - purchase a gift card or a DIY Kit To Go!
- Plan a staycation nearby at a Chester County hotel
- Tickets for an upcoming performance from Salt Performing Arts in Chester Springs
- Jump time at Jumpers Newtown Square
- Grab a deal on an experience gift from CertifiKID - This deal/ voucher site is a parent company of Macaroni Kid and has all kinds of deals on things to do with the family near Chester County from axe throwing to scavenger hunts!
- Plan an Escape Room outing
- Passes to Oasis Family Fun Center
- Plan a ski weekend, day trip, or overnight!
- Plan a family DIY day at Board and Brush or AR Workshop
- Get tickets to an upcoming show at People's Light
