Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Halloween... it feels as though every month brings a new occasion and a new onslaught of gifts. And while seeing their little faces light up as they rip through the layers of wrapping paper is a joy, finding space for all the toys and games can be less pleasurable. Not to mention the sustainability issues around having so much 'stuff'.
While you could try the Montessori toy rotation, or donating toys they no longer play with to a baby bank, experience gifts for kids could be a solution. They'll get to try something they might not otherwise, whether that's a driving session or toddler theatre show and you'll all get to make memories that will last far longer than a normal gift.
If you're looking for a kids experience gift, we've rounded up our favourites across the UK, from photoshoots to treetop adventure. Enjoy!
Black Friday deals on kids experience gifts
If you're planning to give your child an experience gift this Christmas, take advantage of the Black Friday deals and get the same experience for less. While Black Friday officially starts on 29th November, the deals are already here so you can get your Christmas shopping done for less, whether you're looking for Black Friday deals on baby essentials or gifts.
The best Black Friday deals for Kids experience gifts
Save almost 50%: Enchanted fairy photoshoot - Was £19, now £10
Save £165: Superhero Capow Photoshoot- Was £185, now £25
Save 20%: Emirates Stadium Tour for One Adult and One Child - Was £51, now £41
33% OFF: Junior Double Supercar Driving Blast - Was £104, now £70
Baby and Child Photoshoots
Baby photoshoot
Capture your baby’s first year with a baby photoshoot. This experience includes three professional photoshoots spaced three months apart to chart their first year. As any parent will tell you, they change so much in that first year and this gift will let you capture that. It may be more of a gift for you but it includes a print from each session so your little one will be able to share the magic when they're older.
• Price: From £19.
• Age Suitability: 0–1 years.
• Locations: 49 studios nationwide.
Enchanted Fairy Photoshoot
For older tots, how about the chance to transform themselves into magical creatures in an Enchanted Fairy Photoshoot. This kids gift experience lets little ones become fairies or elves with magical costumes and props before taking part in a photoshoot. It includes a print so they can forever remember that magical moment.
• Price: £10 (was £19).
• Age Suitability: 1–5 years.
• Locations: 18 studios nationwide.
Farm and Zoo Keeper Experiences
Zookeeper experience
At Millets Farm Falconry Centre in Oxfordshire, toddlers can become Junior Zoo Keepers, feeding and interacting with a variety of animals under the guidance of a zookeeper. They'll learn all about the animals, including meerkats, skunks, ferrets, reptiles and many more! The farm is also home to over 100 birds of prey.
• Price: £89.
• Age Suitability: 4+ (under parental supervision).
• Location: Abingdon, Oxfordshire.
Lucky Tails Alpaca Farm
The whole family can get involved with this experience gift which is for two people. You'll be able to walk an alpaca around the farm, meet and feed the meerkats, and groom the donkeys. It's a chance to get close to animals they wouldn't normally get to see, and see what life is like on the farm.
• Price: £63 (was £90)
• Age Suitability: All ages, under 3's go free
• Location: Atherstone
The fun doesn’t stop there as you meet and greet the resident donkeys. Give them a lovely groom, feed them some tasty treats and then finally, fill their treatballs for them to have some fun. Whatever the occasion, this promises to be a great day out for any animal-lover.
Kids driving experiences
Firefly Driving Experience
If your child is car-mad, they're sure to love getting behind the wheel of their own car with this Firefly driving experience. This car comes complete with independent suspension, disc brakes, twin electric motors, rack and pinion steering, indicators and head lights, so they'll feel like they're driving a real car. They can reach speeds of 10mph, and you can have peace of mind knowing the patented safety systems will bring the car to a controlled halt (and you also have a remote control cut off switch!)
• Price: £21 (was £25)
• Age Suitability: 4-10 year olds
• Location: 20 locations in the UK
60-minute driving lesson
If you have older kids, they don't have to miss out on the driving thrill. Children from 10-17 years old can do a 60 minute Driving Lesson experience where they'll get behind the wheel of a proper car. Mother&Baby's Digital Writer, Rebecca Lancaster's 10 year old son experienced this and said it was "the best thing ever!" Being able to learn to drive, manoeuvre, parallel park and reverse park is a great experience for younger kids, and gives them some advance knowledge before they can officially learn to drive.
• Price: £99.99
• Age Suitability: 10-17 year olds
• Location: 62 locations in the UK
Go Ape Treetop Adventure
A Go Ape Treetop Adventure is the perfect high ropes activity for younger adventurers over 1m tall (around 4-6 years old). Your child will have an hour in the treetops, and will be safely harnessed up to allow them to explore. They recommend that under 6's and children under 1.2m have an adult with them (so you have an excuse to give it a go too!). It's a fun way to discover the great outdoors, test their nerve and have an adrenaline-induing experience in safety.
• Price: From £20 but keep an eye out for Black Friday deals
• Age Suitability: 4-6 year olds (over 1m)
• Location: 29 locations in the UK
Kids Cooking Experiences
Kids Cooking Class
If they're a budding Gordon Ramsey or just love food, why not give them a cooking lesson? This hands-on kids cookery class lasts around 1 hour 30 minutes and will let them watch easy cooking demonstrations, gain cooking tips and tricks and find out how to whip up dishes like Quesadillas, Red Velvet Cupcakes, and Chicken Pie.
• Price: £45
• Age Suitability: 8 - 16 year olds
• Location: South-west London
Junior Chef Cookery Class at the Gordon Ramsay Academy
This two-hour class at the Gordon Ramsay Academy is designed to inspire young chefs with a selection of class themes to choose from for ages 6-10 and 11-15. They could learn to make their own pizzas for a family movie night or master a curry, find out how to whip up sweet treats or become a master of hand-rolled sushi.
• Price: £55
• Age Suitability: 6 - 15 year olds
• Location: Woking, Surrey
Kids Theatre Experience Gifts
If they're a budding thespian or just love the fun of make-believe, why not buy your child tickets to the theatre? They'll get to experience a new show, or see their favourite storybook characters come to life. From Stickman to The Lion King, there's so many incredible theatre shows to enjoy throughout the year. Throw in some popcorn or a bag of sweets and we're sure it'll be a gift they'll remember for a long time!
Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour
A must for all Harry Potter fans, old and young, the tour of the Harry Potter Studio at Warner Bros is a mesmerising journey through the making of the famous films. Kids get to see what it takes to transform the characters, see the actual sets, including Privet Drive and the Great Hall, and can even 'fly' on a broomstick. There are special experiences throughout the year, including Hogwarts in the Snow which is a particularly special experience for a Christmas gift.
• Price: From £56
• Age Suitability: all ages
• Location: Watford, London
Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on ten years of parenting her two children to help others navigating their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.