I know my kids appreciate their gifts, but do they really need another stuffed animal or action figure? Probably not. We’re already running out of places to put everything.

Over the years, I’ve started looking for gifts that give my kids something to do, not just something else to own. If you’re shopping for a child who seems to have everything, here are some ideas worth considering.

Give them an experience they’ll remember

One of my favorite alternatives to toys is giving kids a chance to do something they wouldn’t normally get to do. It doesn’t have to be a vacation or an expensive outing.

Some ideas include:

  • Tickets to a professional or minor league sporting event
  • A trip to an amusement park or water park
  • A movie outing with a friend
  • An afternoon at an indoor trampoline park
  • Tickets to a concert, play, or live show
  • A visit to a zoo, aquarium, or science museum

You can even make the experience part of the gift by wrapping a printed ticket or a small clue about where you’re going. If you’re looking for something a little bigger, a family getaway can be a fun surprise for everyone.

A small child in a rust-orange jacket and a grey knit hat holds a piece of apple through a wire fence to two spotted fallow deer, who stretch their noses toward it.

Sign them up for something new

Kids don’t always know what they’re interested in until they try it. A class or activity can be a great gift, especially for children who enjoy learning new things.

Think about what your child has mentioned wanting to try. Maybe they’ve been asking about horseback riding, cooking, martial arts, or learning an instrument.

You could give them a few lessons or sign them up for a short program without committing to an entire season. Who knows? They might discover a hobby they love.

Try a subscription box

If your child loves getting packages in the mail, a subscription box can be a fun option. Boxes exist for almost every interest, including science experiments, art projects, cooking, books, and crafts.

For kids who love science or building things, KiwiCo offers hands-on projects for different age groups. If your child enjoys helping in the kitchen, Raddish Kids offers cooking kits with kid-friendly recipes and activities.

You don’t have to sign up for a whole year, either. Many companies offer shorter subscriptions or individual boxes.

I’d probably start with a single box to see whether my child actually enjoys it before signing up for monthly deliveries.

I’ve started looking for gifts that give my kids something to do, not just something else to own.

Give them something they can make

Some kids are happiest when they’re busy creating something. Instead of buying another toy, consider putting together a gift basket filled with supplies for a project they’d enjoy.

For younger kids, that might mean washable paints, modeling clay, stickers, or supplies for making friendship bracelets. Stores like Michaels have plenty of craft supplies and DIY kits, whether your child enjoys painting, jewelry making, or decorating pumpkins.

Older kids might enjoy a sewing kit, woodworking project, model-building set, or more advanced art supplies. For kids who love building and figuring out how things work, CrunchLabs offers engineering projects they can put together themselves.

If your child loves baking, fill a basket with a cookbook, decorating supplies, and everything they need to make their favorite treat. For a kid who’s always taking pictures, try a beginner camera or a kit to make their own photo album.

You can put together a pretty fun gift without spending much, especially if you already know what your child likes to make.

Let them redecorate their room

As kids get older, their bedrooms start to feel more like their own spaces. A room makeover can be a fun gift, especially for tweens and teenagers who aren’t as interested in traditional toys anymore.

You don’t have to redo the whole room or spend a fortune. New bedding, a few pictures on the wall, some string lights, or shelves for their favorite things can make a big difference.

You could even give them a budget and let them help choose what they want. They get to shop and make the decorating decisions, while you avoid guessing what they’ll like.

Just be prepared for some decorating choices you might not love.

Give them a special day with you

With three kids, finding time to spend with each of them individually isn’t always easy. Between school, sports, and everything else we have going on, those one-on-one outings don’t happen nearly as often as I’d like.

As our children get older, finding those moments together can take a little more effort.

That’s why I love the idea of giving each child a day that’s just for them. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. You could let them choose a restaurant for lunch, pick an activity, and spend a few hours together without their siblings.

One child might want to go bowling, while another might prefer a bookstore and ice cream. You could even make a little certificate that says they get to plan the day.

For younger kids, the excitement of choosing everything themselves can be half the fun. And for older kids, who might not always ask for one-on-one time, it’s a nice excuse to spend an afternoon together.

Consider gifts they can use up

Not every gift needs to last forever. A basket filled with favorite snacks, special art supplies, bath products, or baking ingredients can be fun to open without leaving much behind.

For a child who loves being outdoors, you might put together a summer basket with sidewalk chalk, bubbles, water balloons, and other outdoor activities.

You could also make a movie-night basket with popcorn, candy, and a gift card for a streaming rental.

These are especially good gifts when you’re shopping for a child you don’t know very well. You can ask their parents what they like and put together a basket around those interests.

Don’t underestimate gift cards

I know gift cards aren’t always the most exciting presents to wrap, but kids often love having money to spend on themselves.

A gift card to an ice cream shop, bookstore, or favorite restaurant can feel like a big deal to a child. Clothing stores, gaming platforms, movie theaters, and coffee shops are also good options, depending on their interests.

A boy with a grey backpack, seen from behind, looks up at a row of red-framed movie posters for Superman, The Fantastic Four, The Bad Guys 2, Eddington and Smurfs on the white wall outside a cinema.

Make the gift even more fun by pairing the card with a small item. For example, give a bookstore gift card with a bookmark or a movie theater gift card with a box of candy.

If you’re giving one to a younger child, consider planning a trip to the store with them. Letting them choose is part of the experience.

Give them something practical they’ll actually enjoy

Practical gifts don’t have to be boring. In fact, kids can get pretty excited about everyday things, especially when they get to pick out the style or color.

A new pair of sneakers, a sports bag, or a sweatshirt they’ve been asking for might be exactly what they want. For older kids, consider headphones, a watch, or something related to their favorite hobby.

Of course, there’s a difference between giving your child something they’ve been wanting and wrapping up something you were going to buy them anyway.

A new basketball for a kid who loves playing is a gift. A package of socks because they’re running low? Not quite the same thing.

That said, some kids really do love getting socks.

Ask what they actually want

We can spend so much time trying to come up with a creative gift that we forget to ask kids what they want. Before buying anything, ask what they’ve been interested in lately. Their answers might surprise you.

If you’re shopping for someone else’s child, don’t hesitate to ask their parents for ideas. They might have a running list of what their child wants, or they may be able to steer you away from buying the fifth version of a toy the child already owns.

You can also ask whether the family would prefer an experience, a contribution toward a larger gift, or something the child can use.

If you’re trying to make room for new gifts, it might also be a good time to rethink how toys are organized at home.

The best gifts don’t have to come in a box

I’m sure my kids will still get plenty of toys and gadgets for birthdays and Christmas. That’s fine with me. I know how exciting it is for them to unwrap something new.

I’ve also learned that some of their favorite gifts haven’t been toys at all. They’ve been outings, activities, and little things they probably wouldn’t have thought to ask for.

And if I can get through another birthday or Christmas without reorganizing the playroom, even better.

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