Experience Gift Ideas for All Ages (Best Gifts Ever!)

Experience gift ideas are the gifts people actually want! Something fun to do, learn, or see – and something to look forward to once the holidays are over! Stop giving gifts just to give gifts – they end up unopened, in a closet, and a waste of money. Give the gift of adventure and excitement with an experience gift suited just for them. And treat yourself to something fun while you’re at it!

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Experience Gift Ideas for Kids

Kids are fun to buy for – all of the toys and cute things are big, fun, and colorful! But the parents don’t always enjoy the bulky toys that take up space; kids lose pieces to smaller toys quickly, and they outgrow the clothing before they can wear it twice! So this year, opt for experience gift ideas for kids in your life – that lets them make special memories & take pictures to keep forever – that’s a gift that keeps on giving.

Monster Jam Tickets. Most kids – especially little boys- LOVE Monster Jam! Big cars + dirt = happiness. Luckily, they will be in New Jersey and New York through mid-February, so buy tickets now and gift them for the holidays. Just be sure to bring some earplugs, as it can get noisy in there!

Family Zoo Membership. Get the whole family done in one gift! A family zoo pass to places like Turtle Back Zoo or the Bronx Zoo is good for the whole season. This means anytime, they can enjoy a trip to the zoo – getting outside and off screens, seeing some animals, walking around, and spending time together. Turtle Back Zoo Family Membership (2 adults + up to 4 kids) is currently $175, with other options available. The Bronx Zoo Family Membership starts at $230.

Legoland Westchester. Why not treat a kid to a day at Legoland – and you come too? Make it a special day of building and creating, with some one-on-one attention and a break for the parents. Legoland has some really cool things to see – and is enjoyable for adults too. If you can wait until summer, consider The Legoland Resort in Goshen for a real treat. It’s got great rides and a water park for all-day fun!

DreamWorks Waterpark. The 4-in-1 pass to DreamWorks Waterpark at the American Dream Mall includes admission to the waterpark, Blacklight Mini Golf, the Mirror Maze, and the Tilt Museum – for a jam-packed, exciting day of fun! The kids will sleep good that night.

Live Rodeo. Seeing a rodeo at Madison Square Garden in January could be a cool experience gift idea for kids! The atmosphere is noisy and fun, and some little cowboys (and cowgirls!) would love it! Get ready to Unleash the Beast!

Tickets to the Aquarium. Check out the New York Aquarium in Brooklyn, or the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, or even the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Conn. Spend a day in a new area, check out some sights, and watch their eyes light up at all the creatures at the aquarium. A fun experience for sure.

Bowling & Pizza. Treat the kids in your life to a night at the bowling alley – they will love it. Whether you’re the “cool uncle” or they’re your friend’s kids, whatever. Kids usually just want a little attention and an activity. Bring them to your local bowling alley, let them get some snacks, and play a few arcade games after bowling. Trust me, you will be the most fun person in their eyes.

American Girl Store in NYC. Do you have a doll-loving kid in your life? The American Girl Place in New York City has the most fun day set up for her. Look around at all the dolls and set-ups, get her (and her doll’s!) hair done, and have tea time in the cafe. They also serve lunch and hold special events! A must-go for little girls who love American Girl Dolls.

Experience Gift Ideas for Teens

It can be hard to find gift ideas for teens. Instead of just giving them money this year (which will end up being used up on Starbucks and snacks), why not give them an experience gift? There are a ton of things for teens to try!

iFLy Experience. Know any thrill-seeking teens? Treat them to a 2 Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience! This will run you about $109 per person, for an out-of-this-world experience that they will talk about forever! And better yet, no one else will have thought of this gift. And better still – it’s located right in Paramus, NJ!

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Take a trip to NYC and bring your favorite teen to the Celebrity Wax Museum! This is the closest they may ever get to taking pictures with celebrities…so you may as well have fun with it! There are wax figures of celebs like Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande, Bad Bunny, Spiderman, The Rock, over 200 figures!

Escape Room. Have the teens test their knowledge and know-how with tickets to an escape room. A fun and different activity to try – with multiple rooms and themes. Gift them tickets to try the American Dream Escape Room, and be the coolest gift-giver around.

Concert Tickets. Teens love music, and they love concerts! If you can swing it, grab a couple of tickets for your favorite teen to enjoy with a friend (depending on age, you may have to go too!). Concerts for 2026 in the area include Lady Gaga, Halsey, Journey, and more.

Indoor Ropes Course. There are a couple to try out – including the world’s largest indoor rope course in New Haven, Conn., It Adventure Rope Course, or the world’s tallest indoor ropes course at Palisades Climb in the Palisades Mall in New York. Great for all ages and skill levels!

Movie Tickets. Even just a gift card to go to the movies gives teens a destination – and something to do. A great excuse to get out of the house for a day, walk around the mall with friends, and have a fun movie experience – popcorn and all.

Paintball. Scour your area for the best Paintball parks like this one in the Poconos, Pinnacle in Malaga, NJ, or Long Live Paintball in Old Bridge. Get a gift certificate for your favorite teen to invite a couple of friends along for a fun day of hiding, battling, and laughing.

Experience Gift Ideas for Couples

What do you get for the friends who have everything? Well, an experience gift of course! There are plenty of things for couples to try that they haven’t done yet. They will appreciate your effort and have so much fun with a special date night. (or day!) Even better – do it as a group!

Snow Tubing & Brewery Day Trip. Snow tubing is fun for all ages! Tell them to bring out the hats and scarves, get some rosy cheeks, and have some laughs snow tubing at Campgaw Mountain for 2 hours – then they’ll head over to Pennings Farm’s Winter Beer Garden for dinner & drinks.

Tickets to a Comedy Show. A comedy show is something fun and different to do that people always forget about. So grab some tickets for friends, and meet them there to enjoy the show! There are great comedy shows all over New Jersey and New York, like Banana’s Comedy Club in Rutherford and The Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village (where celebrity comedians are known to stop by!)

A Spa Experience. A gift to a place like Sojo Spa is an amazing gift for anyone who needs to enjoy a little downtime after a stressful year and chaotic holiday season. Gifting a couple a spa day like this is not only enjoyable to them both, but a bonding day of sweat, quiet, and relaxation. Plus, they can take pictures by the infinity pool overlooking Manhattan’s dazzling lights.

Murder Mystery Dinner. Check your area for a Murder Mystery Dinner – they are more popular in the colder months. They are super fun and sell out quickly, so be sure to grab some tickets for friends; they will have the best time!

Cocktail Making Class. Places like J. Bspoke – a gorgeous upscale speakeasy in NYC- offer craft cocktail-making classes for those 21 and older. Your friends will learn about balancing flavors, mixing in fresh ingredients, and how to craft cocktails like an expert – all in a cool ambiance.

Experience Gift Ideas for Mom

Moms will always tell you that they don’t need anything – and this may be true. But what they could really use is a little self-care, and perhaps a little fun. These experience gift ideas are what mom doesn’t even realize she wants – but will love!

Spa Pedicure. A spa pedicure isn’t just getting her toenails painted; it’s a luxurious hour-long relaxing foot soak, soothing leg and foot massages – with hot stones, rejuvenating aromas, and exfoliation. Of course, the toenails get painted too, but this is really about taking care of those feet that she’s traveled on for years! Ask friends for recommendations of the best spa pedicures in her area – or do a quick Google search, but be sure to read the reviews!

Tickets to a Broadway Play. Bring mom to see a Broadway play – and spend the day with her. Treat her to lunch and do a little shopping, and end with an unforgettable play like Hamilton, The Great Gatsby, Wicked, or Mamma Mia.

Hop on Hop Off Bus. If your mom likes New York City, let her see it from a new perspective – one where she doesn’t even have to walk to see the sights! The Hop on Hop off Bus brings you all over Manhattan on a double-decker bus, complete with a pre-recorded guide to listen to – explaining where you are and the history of many landmarks. It’s a neat way to see the city! Plus, you can get off to grab something to eat or check out a store and get back on for the rest of the loop whenever you need.

Pottery Class. Search pottery classes in your area, or check out Mudspinners in Ridgewood for a great gift for mom – let her get her hands dirty on the spinning wheel and create something special that she can keep, and have the memory of actually doing it herself.

Wine Tasting. There are plenty of wine-tasting places these days; they should be easy to find! But there is a special one in NYC: a Private Vintage Car Tour and Wine Tasting in Central Park. Now that would be something to remember.

Candle Making or Fragrance Creation. At places like Candle Therapy, you can offer mom a class to make her own scented candle, or even her own perfume. All supplies are included, and step-by-step instructions for success! A fun, unique experience.

Bungee Class. Offer mom a fun way to get moving – with a bungee class! Bungee classes like the ones at Bounce Studio are a great workout that is low-impact, joint-friendly, and really fun! Do a class together for an extra special experience.

Tea Party. If your mom enjoys dressing up fancy and sipping her tea, you’ve got to bring her to Tea Around Town! Enjoy teas and treats while you ride around on an elegant pink bus all around Midtown. Want to keep her feet on the ground? There’s High Societea House in Wayne, NJ that offers a splendid afternoon tea experience in a quaint and cozy – and beautifully decorated tea room.

Experience Gift Ideas for Dad

Dads are notoriously hard to buy for. It seems they have everything, or will just go out and buy what they want. But sometimes, dads don’t realize what they’re missing out on. Here are a few ideas for fun experience gift ideas that will leave dad surprised – and happy.

Vintage Classic Car Tour of NYC. Treat dad to a cool 1-hour or 2-hour tour of NYC from the seats of a Vintage car. Geared towards the roaring 20s, he’ll learn about the rich history of NYC, plus the rise of Speakeasys in the area. An interesting, unforgettable afternoon.

Tickets to a Game. Grab him tickets to his favorite sports event, like the Yankees’ home opener, a Devils or Rangers Game, or a Basketball game. Seeing a live game is always a special treat – the people, the excitement, the atmosphere, it’s a good time!

Concert Tickets. Is your dad a fan of Journey, Guns ‘N Roses, or Rod Stewart? They will all be playing nearby this year, plus many other artists. Get tickets for you and him to enjoy a concert together!

Fishing Trip. Plan a fishing trip for you and your dad! Try Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Erie, Pennsylvania, a Guided Kayak Fishing Tour in New York, or head down the shore in New Jersey for a relaxing day of fishing in the Atlantic or the Bay.

Craft Beer Brewery Tour. If mom gets a Wine Tasting, dad gets a Brewery Tour in Brooklyn! For $99 per person, you can bring your dad on a Craft Brewery Tour with an expert beer guide – and try up to 12 craft beer samples! With VIP access to some top Brooklyn breweries, this is a fun day together – and a great gift.

Sightseeing Cruise. Is your dad more of a sit back, relax – enjoy the finer things in life kind of guy? Well then, he would love the Champagne, Cheese, and Caviar Sightseeing Cruise in NYC. Leaving Chelsea Piers, board a 1920s-inspired yacht and cruise around seeing the sights and enjoying some food – what’s better than that?! (I think Mom would love this one too!)

NASCAR Trip. Want to give your dad the ultimate experience gift? Bring him to NASCAR! Choose from 2 or 4-day Daytona 500 passes or NASCAR Cup Series Events. He will be shocked – and eager for February to come!