Holiday Experience Gifts for Kids: Ideas by Age
By the Aqua-Tots Swim School Communications Team, Updated October 2026
The toy box may be full, but there’s always room for a new adventure! When the holidays roll around, finding something your child will truly love can take a little creativity. A new toy is fun to unwrap, but an experience gift gives kids something to enjoy long after the holidays. Think new skills to learn, adventures to look forward to, and memories they’ll carry for years.
Read on for experience gift ideas by age, from babies to tweens, and discover why swim lessons might be one of the most useful holiday gifts you can give.
What is an experience gift?
Who says the best presents have to come in a box? An experience gift is all about giving kids something they get to do and enjoy firsthand. It could be a special day out or an activity they get to enjoy throughout the year. The possibilities are as unique as the kids receiving them! And while the surprise might start with a ticket or gift card tucked inside a wrapped present, the real fun begins when they get to experience it.
Why do experience gifts make kids happier than toys?
Experiences provide more lasting happiness than material possessions, according to researchers, Thomas Gilovich and Matthew Killingsworth, in the Journal of Psychological Science. “Our experiences are a bigger part of ourselves than our material goods,” Gilovich explains. “You can really like your material stuff. You can even think that part of your identity is connected to those things, but nonetheless they remain separate from you. In contrast, your experiences really are part of you. We are the sum total of our experiences.”
Think of the kiddos on your gift list and what makes them light up. For the little animal lover, tickets to the zoo or aquarium could mean finally seeing their favorite animals up close. For the child who’s always dancing around the living room, a dance class could turn that excitement into a new favorite hobby. The best experience gifts build on what kids already love or introduce them to something they never knew they’d enjoy.
And the excitement often starts long before the experience itself. Kids love counting down to a special outing or imagining what they’ll learn in their first lesson. When the day arrives, they get to enjoy what they’ve been looking forward to. Afterward, they have a memory to revisit or a new skill to keep practicing. That’s part of what makes experience gifts so special: the joy can continue long after the gift is opened.
Experience gift ideas by age
Kids’ interests change as they grow, and your gift ideas can grow right along with them! The right experience can introduce them to something new or give them more of what they already love. Here are some experience gift ideas to help you find something they’ll love at every age.
Gifts for babies (4 to 12 months)
At this age, an experience is often just as special for parents as it is for babies. Look for simple activities that let little ones explore at their own pace and give families something to enjoy together.
- Parent & Tot swim lessons, a weekly class baby and parent take together
- A baby music or sign language class
- A professional milestone photo session
- A family membership to a children’s museum or aquarium
Gifts for toddlers (1 to 3 years)
Toddlers are discovering just how much they can do for themselves, and their curiosity grows by the day. Look for experiences that give them room to explore and try something new.
- Swim lessons that build water comfort and safety habits early
- A toddler gymnastics or tumbling class
- A zoo or farm membership for repeat visits
- A first trip to a children’s theater show
Gifts for preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Preschoolers are discovering their own interests and getting a little more independent. They’re also proud of the things they can do, so a new class or special outing can give them something to look forward to and talk about afterward.
- Swim lessons that teach floating, kicking, and getting to the wall
- A dance, art, or soccer class
- Tickets to a holiday light show or a train ride
- A “day with Grandma” coupon book for planned outings
Gifts to school-age kids (6 to 12 years)
By school age, kids often have strong opinions about what they like. An experience gift is a chance to encourage those interests or let them try something they’ve been asking about. You might even let them help choose.
- Advanced swim lessons or stroke development
- A cooking, coding, or music lesson series
- Rock climbing, trampoline park, or skating passes
- Tickets to a game, concert, or museum exhibit of their choice
Are swim lessons a good holiday gift for kids?
Absolutely! Swim lessons bring together everything that makes an experience gift so exciting. Kids get something to look forward to each week while learning a skill they’ll carry for life. The first time they float independently or reach the pool’s edge on their own is a moment worth celebrating. And with every lesson, there’s another milestone ahead!
There’s an important safety benefit, too. According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that swim lessons can help reduce drowning risk starting at age 1. By giving your child swim lessons, you’re helping them develop essential water safety skills they’ll carry with them for life.
Swim lessons can also complement a family vacation or plans for a new backyard pool. Starting during the winter gives kids time to build their skills before summer arrives. When those long-awaited pool days come around, they’ll have new skills to put into practice and plenty of swimming adventures ahead.
Curious where your child would begin? Use our Swim Level Finder to discover the right starting level for their age and abilities.
How to give swim lessons as a gift
For kids, part of the fun of the holidays is having something special to unwrap! And with a little creativity, you can give them an experience they’ll love while keeping that moment of surprise.
Simply find an Aqua-Tots Swim School near you, purchase a gift card, and tuck it into a new swim bag or wrap it with a colorful towel and a pair of goggles. They’ll have something fun to open, and once the wrapping paper is gone, they can start counting down to their next swim lesson! For ideas on how to give the perfect gift bundle, visit our blog “5 Holiday Gift Bundles for Kids.”
For more than 35 years, Aqua-Tots Swim School has been committed to saving lives worldwide, one swim lesson at a time and offers year-round, indoor swim lessons as early as four months old. May our lessons enrich your gift giving experience this holiday season.
Giving the gift of swim lessons is now easier than ever with Aqua-Tots gift cards! Purchase your gift card online or pick one up at your local Aqua-Tots Swim School today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age can kids start swim lessons at Aqua-Tots?
Aqua-Tots offers Parent & Tot classes starting at 4 months, with levels that progress through school age for kids up to 12 years. Learn more about our Swim Journey here.
Can I give swim lessons as a gift if I don’t know the family’s schedule?
Yes. A gift card lets the family choose the location and class time that works for them, subject to availability.
Can Aqua-Tots gift cards be used at any location?
Yes! Aqua-Tots gift cards can be redeemed at any Aqua-Tots Swim School within the country where they were purchased. To find a location near you, visit our location finder.
What should I put in a swim lesson gift bundle?
Pair the gift card with a towel, swim goggles, a swim bag, or a waterproof toy so there’s something to unwrap.
Are experience gifts better than toys?
Research from Cornell University found that experiences bring more lasting happiness than material things, and they don’t add clutter.