Raise your hand if you’d give anything to never see another plastic toy cluttering up your play area 🙋. Wow, that’s a lot of you. Honestly, as The Washington Post once said so eloquently, our kids have too much stuff.

It’s unrealistic that your kid will never ask for another action figure, truck, or doll—that’s just a part of parenting we’ve all come to terms with. But with a bevy of spring occasions on the horizon, including the end of the school year, graduation season and, for most of the country, warmer weather at last, why not make it a tradition to give the littles in your life experiences that are just as special as physical items?

Here’s a few memorable present ideas that are a win/win for both parents and child, no matter his or her age or interests:

• A gift card to a local museum or zoo. Most kids attractions (like the Bronx Zoo in New York, for example) offer gift cards that can be purchased online or in-person, either for a one-off activity or a discounted yearly subscription. It’s a nice idea to keep these gifts in your back pocket (literally and figuratively) on a day when you have little else planned and the kids are cooped up and kvetchy. Bonus: You’ll have plenty of Instagram photo ops built right in.

• A subscription to an age-appropriate publication. Both early readers and older kids will appreciate some new reading material via a subscription to a magazine delivered right to their door. National Geographic Kids is perfect for the science or animal lover; The Week Jr. for the future politician; and the classic Highlights for the likes-everything kiddo who might take to crafting, word searches, mazes, recipes, and the like.

• Lessons at a local business. Whether the child in your life has been wanting to try cookie decorating, karate, ballet, ceramics, or soccer, odds are there’s a small business near you at which they can try it out. A certificate for classes at a local studio or gym is the perfect opportunity for kids to dip their toes into new extracurriculars that may become lifelong passions, as well as a great way to shop local. 

• Tickets to a local show or kids’ concert. Trust that there’s few things better in life than seeing your child’s face light up as they watch one of their first-ever live shows in awe. Kidz Bop is touring the U.S. this summer, Disney on Ice makes stops at arenas nationwide from now until May; Monster Truck Jam revs into arenas this spring and summer; and national touring musicals and plays like Aladdin, Annie, and Back to the Future just might be doing gigs near you before the new school year begins.

• DIY coupon book with special dates and activities. Your kid(s) will feel like they have the power when they redeem a coupon they earned from the special book you made just for them (check out ideas HERE if you’re not the do-it-yourself type). Coupons can include a post-school trip to the ice cream shop, a stay-up-past-my-bedtime card, an hour of alone time with mom or dad, or letting them choose what the family’s having for dinner. 

Which of these experiences would your littles enjoy the most? Any others we missed? We’d love to hear from you!

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