Toys, clothes, gadgets and games can be exciting to receive around the holidays. But as the years go by, sometimes the gifts your kid remembers most aren’t always the ones that were wrapped. Instead, they usually remember the experiences, like driving to see Christmas lights, visiting a favorite museum or spending an afternoon doing something special with you.
That’s why memberships and experiences can make especially meaningful holiday gifts. They give your family a chance to spend time together, try something new and create traditions that last long after the season ends. Bonus: Memberships and experiences also support the local community, making them a gift that gives on multiple levels.
Memberships to Local Hot Spots
A membership to a local museum, zoo, aquarium, wildlife center or activity center can give your family a whole year of fun.
Museums
Museum memberships are especially useful for families with young children. Whether it’s to a children’s museum, art museum, historical museum or science museum, an annual membership lets families visit throughout the year without feeling like they have to see everything all at once. Have an hour to spare on a rainy afternoon? Stop by the museum. Looking for something to do during a snowy weekend? Go again. Need a place to burn off energy before a nap? You get the idea.
Many museums also offer member discounts and reciprocal admission benefits at other museums. Visit the Association of Science and Technology Centers (astc.org) and the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (narmassociation.org) to see if any of your museum memberships qualify for reciprocal admission to other places around the country.
Zoos + Aquariums
For animal lovers, memberships to local zoos, aquariums and wildlife centers can also offer unlimited visits, plus special perks like member-only events, animal encounters, classes, camps and behind-the-scenes experiences.
Gyms + Recreation Centers
And don’t forget gym memberships as gifts. A membership to a gym, recreation center, gymnastics facility, trampoline park or other activity center can give energetic kids a place to move throughout the year. Some facilities offer open play, while others provide structured programs like gymnastics, ninja, parkour, dance or sports. It can be a gift for both the kid and the parent who needs to get a rambunctious kid out of the house.
Theaters + Performances
For older children and adults, consider memberships or season tickets to local theaters, concert halls and sporting venues. Depending on the organization, these can include perks like priority seating or special activities.
The Gift of Doing
Classes and lessons are another great way to give an experience. What is your child interested in? Dance, swimming, music, art, cooking and sports are just a few ideas.
You can choose something your child already loves, or use the gift as a chance to introduce them to something completely new. Or even better, find an activity you can do together. A parent-child cooking class or art workshop can turn a simple gift into quality time.
For babies and toddlers, experiences can be especially memorable. A parent-and-me class, tickets to a holiday breakfast with Santa or an indoor waterpark can be great gifts for little ones.
Experiences for Everyone
Gifts of experience don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. A family outing to see holiday lights, a special dinner at a favorite restaurant or even a family snow day can be just as memorable as anything else. The important thing is being intentional about spending time together.
This holiday season, consider giving a membership, a class, tickets or just a planned day together. These are gifts that don’t have to be returned, outgrown or put away in a closet. They give families something even more valuable: time together and memories to cherish for years to come.
Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun in Indianapolis 2026
