Experience gifts for 8 & 6 year olds

[Youmeandacupoftea]

Has anyone given experience type gifts to 8 and 6 year olds in the past and it’s been well received?
I’m trying to reduce the amount of “stuff” my kids get at Christmas but also appreciate that there’s an excitement to having new toys to play with rather than a voucher or a promise for a day out in the future at that age but wondered if any of you have given experiences or subscriptions that have been a hit with this age group? Thanks!

Yes. For slightly younger kids though - a 6 and 3 year old. Their present from us last Christmas was a trip to CBeebies Land at Alton Towers. But we did it between Christmas and New Year, so they weren't waiting long to go. It was well received and they thoroughly enjoyed the day even though DH and I were very disappointed.

Following for ideas

We got an annual pass to Port Lympne one year - that was well worth it as we went loads. It was nice being able to pop in to have a picnic and see the monkeys or tigers and not feel you had to spend the whole day getting your money's worth.

My younger one did junior keeper experiences at that sort of age.

Though I agree season tickets can be the gift that keeps on giving.

I think at these ages it's good to tie them to a physical gift otherwise Xmas morning can be a bit rubbish if you're just sat round viewing e-tickets for an event in 6 months. So a zoo pass goes with a jelly cat zoo animal or a book.

We gave climbing wall vouchers one Christmas for both kids (would have been around 6 & 9) which went down well. They both really enjoyed it and still go regularly.

Dc1 went scuba diving in Skegness Aquarium for his birthday this year and whilst you have to be 10 for that, they and lots of other aquariums offer snorkeling from 6. Certainly they were brilliant with ds who had just turned 10 so I imagine they'd be good with children snorkeling as well.

Cinema, rock climbing, zoo pass and theatre tickets have all been well received. Also magazine subscriptions.

Agree a balance between real things and experience things is good at that age.

I gave my animal-mad niece a National Geographic for Kids subscription one year. I used to take my friend's children to the theatre (bc they got soooo many physical presents from family).

London shows can be well received. Needs to be quite soon though.

Phoenix magazine.
Legoland or Legoland discovery centre.
Local adventure playground.

Good to have actual things too so there's something on the actual day.

Harry Potter World
Pottery painting class or subscription to Sclpted
Little Baker Subscription
Horse riding experience or lessons
Annual subscription Simply Draw

DD had a craft box subscription one year which was a hit, and she also loved both Phoenix and Aquila magazines.

Thanks everyone, some great ideas I’ll be looking into.

Mine did a zookeeper experience for their 7th/8th birthdays.

I have a much younger sibling, he had so much stuff already. From when he was about 5 I would take him out for a day between Christmas and new year. I’d give him 2/3 options and he got to choose lunch. He loved it. Warwick castle was good, they had a steam fair on. One year was a bird of prey experience.
There was a birthday trip to Go Ape that was brilliant.

We’ve done Merlin passes, the local farm, a zoo, the local trampoline park & Go Ape. All have been well received and I’ve always been grateful we’ve done it during the year when we’ve got an already paid for activity to do.
The year of Merlin passes we planned lots of weekends away over the school holidays to make maximum use of them

Tickets for a pantomime on NYE?

One of my similar age kids really wants to go to the minecraft experience in London.

Yes we've been gifting experiences for our granddaughter for the last few years. As a pp mentioned we add a little gift linked into the experience. Previous ones have been:
Harry potter world along with hp pjs and pop up book
Theatre tickets and costume
Capybara visit and Clyde Capybara jellycat

This year it will be jellycat popcorn bag with some cinema gift cards inside for a few visits to our local which she loves and some money for snacks too.

We do this a lot. DD (11) & DS (7) have had & enjoyed the following over the past few years:
Junior Zookeeper for a Day
Theatre tickets
Junior Marine Biologist for a Day
Nighttime Zoo tour
Painting experience
Warner Bros Studios Harry Potter tour
Sleep with the Sharks experience where we all went & slept at the National Marine Aquarium overnight
Legoland including overnight
Warwick Castle staying overnight