5 Reasons to Give the Gift of Adventure + Experience Gift Ideas For All Ages

Looking for a gift that keeps on giving?

Why don’t you give someone the gift of adventure instead?

Here are a few reasons why you should consider giving an experience gift instead of a physical one.

This article contains affiliate links.

1. Experience Gifts Don’t Add Clutter

Nothing is more frustrating to me than entering my kid’s room and discovering toys and clothing that were former gifts, discarded on the floor, and not treated with value.

Living more with less means getting to enjoy life with less physical baggage.

The only space that an experience gift takes up is a memory in your mind… unless you bring home a souvenir.

2. Experience Gifts Give You Something to Look Forward to

In a culture of instant gratification, there is something about building the anticipation of an upcoming adventure.

You can give the gift of an upcoming concert, vacation, or local adventure.

It’s nice to have an adventure to plan for and look forward to doing in the future.

3. The Memories Are Priceless

You can’t put a value on an experience. It goes beyond whatever monetary value was spent.

Sharing experiences together with friends and family is a gift.

Memories together also make great stories to be shared for years to come.

4. The Recipient Will Always Remember the Gift and the Giver

I can tell you who gave me the gift and the special occasion it was for, from all the experience gifts I’ve received.

Adventure is better shared.

You are giving the gift of an experience that will be memorable.

For example, we have chosen to give my kids season passes to a local amusement park for their birthdays for the past few years.

We have shared countless memories that are way better than a physical gift, that would have lost its newness over time.

5.  It’s All About Presentation

You can still give a physical gift if you want to.

For example, if you are planning a surprise trip to Disney, you could wrap up a small toy, themed clothing to be worn on the trip, or maybe something that could be used on the way to the destination, like a special movie, etc.

If you are going on a ski trip, maybe some gear such as a pair of new ski goggles, or a new snorkel if you are going somewhere tropical.

If you are giving tickets as a gift, you can still be creative in how you present your gift, whether it’s in a large wrapped box, or presented in a frame or as a scavenger hunt.

Need some experience gift ideas?

I’ve got LOTS of them.

Annual Passes

• Amusement Park
• Water park
• Zoo
• Museum
• Children’s Museum
• Nature Park
• Fitness Center With Indoor Aquatics
• Ski Resort
• Swim Club

Fun for All Ages

• Movies
• Bowling
• Ice Skating
• Roller Skating
• Curling
• Archery Dodgeball
• Nerf Arena

• Indoor Trampoline Arena
• Rock Climbing Wall
• Go-Karts (indoors)
• Indoor Ropes Course
• Ziplining (indoors)
• Arcade
• Laser Tag
• Skatepark
• Miniature Golf
• Entertainment Complex
• Top Golf
• Escape Room

Take a Tour

• Food Tour
• Wine Tour
• History Tour
• Bourbon Tour
• Art Tour
• Sports Themed
• Scenic Train ride
• Segway
• ATV Tour
• Behind the Scenes Tour
• Museum Tour

Go Outside

• Ziplining
• Extreme Tree Climbing
• Fishing Trip
• Standup Paddleboarding
• Surf Lessons
• Snorkel tour
• Kayak/canoe/ or rafting tour
• Cable Wakeboarding
• Archery Range
• Shooting Range
• Frisbee Golf
• FootGolf

• Snow Tubing
• Cross Country Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Sail/Riverboat Cruise
• Dog sledding

Make Something

• Create a Candle
• Paint Pottery
• Painting Class
• Splatter Paint Art
• Blow Glass Art
• Cooking Class
• Cocktail Class
• Make Jewelry
• Make Pottery

Services

• Massage
• Hair Salon
• Nail Salon

Lessons to Give As a Gift

• Swim lessons
• Cooking
• Art
• Sport
• Private lesson/ coaching
• Personal Training
• Dance
• Horseback Riding
• Hula Hoop class
• Aerial Silks
• Gymnastics
• Ski/Snowboard

Entertainment

• Theater Tickets
• Comedy Show
• Dinner Theater
• Concert of a favorite Band
• Sporting Event
• Go see a Special Speaker or Conference tickets

Extreme Adventure

• Skydive
• Indoor Skydiving
• Zipling
• Luge
• Drive a Race Car
• Race Car Ridealong
• Hot Air Balloon Ride
• Small Plane
• White Water Rafting
• Bungee Jump
• Trapeze

Adventures with Animals

• Penguin Encounter 
• Overnight at an Aquarium
• Wolf Encounter 
• Help Bathe an Elephant
• Pet a Kangaroo
• Dog Sledding
• Swim with Manatees
• Horseback riding
• Encounter with Falcons
• Otter Encounter
• Pig Encounter / Pig Yoga
• Scottish Highland Cow Encounter

Take a Trip

You can either make it a surprise or give little gifts that can be used for or during the trip.

• Roadtrip
• Ski Trip
• Cruise
• Beach Getaway
• International Trip
• Once in a Lifetime
• National Park
• Getaway with Friends
• Camping/ Glamping Trip
• Treehouse Overnight
• Staycation
• Indoor Waterpark

Unique Overnights

• Sleep at the Aquarium
• Sleep at a Museum
• Sleep in a Treehouse
• Sleep in a Submarine
• Sleep in a Teepee or a Yurt

I hope you’ve found lots of experience gift ideas to give the gift of adventure to someone you love.

Save on Attractions

Here are some ways to save on experience gifts

• POGO Pass featuring local attractions available in multiple cities – Use Discount code “ADVMOM” for 50% off
• Viator – 300,000+ experiences around the world
• Tiquets – Museums and attractions around the world
• Booking.com – Stays, flights, cruises, attractions and more
• Get Your Guide – Attractions, tours and experiences
• Giftory – Unique gift experiences around the world

Looking for Some Destination Recommendations?

• Hike the Narrows for an Incredible Adventure at Zion National Park
• Awesome Things to Do in Silver Springs, Florida
• An Attainable Adventure on the Emerald Azzurra Luxury Yacht
• Fun Things to Do at Adventures on the Gorge in West Virginia
• Top Things to Do in West Michigan Beach Towns (Near Grand Rapids)