Top 10 Experience Gifts for Edmonton Kids

Through the holidays, with extended families and multiple celebrations in our families – the kids are bombarded with a lot of gifts. Though appreciated, we’ve been trying to give more ‘experience gifts’ and get our family on the same trend.

These gifts give kids the chance to experience something, either alone or with the person giving the gift, and enable us to have to drag home fewer toys that are going to be played with for a couple of months before the novelty wears off.

Telus World of Science Annual Passes | Annual passes to the Telus World of Science grant the child, or the child and their family, access to the indoor playground and fun areas, plus the latest installations and exhibits – all year long. If your children are anything like our children, it’s one of those experience gifts that are going to be used quite a bit through the rest of the year.

Cineplex Movie Kids Tickets Movie tickets for kids are a great experience gift to give. What’s better than a night out with the family, or a one on one date night out with Mom or Dad?  These tickets for kids not only include the admission price, but the snacks for the show too. Tip: buy them at Costco and they’re easier on the wallet.

Edmonton Valley Zoo Passes | The Edmonton Valley Zoo is open 364 days of the year. An annual pass is a great investment, allowing your family to see the animals any day of the year – from getting close to the babies in springtime to seeing them grow up through the fall and winter seasons. Annual passes are an affordable way to provide fun, all year long (and take part in special events).

Naturally Edmonton Pass | This pass gets you the most bang for your buck, in Edmonton. It includes year-round access to the Edmonton Valley Zoo, Muttart Conservatory and John Janzen Nature Centre, plus one all-facility recreation centre admission that can be redeemed for one-time use at any City of Edmonton recreation centre

‘Kids Night Out’ Gift Certificates | From Kids night out painting pottery and watching a movie, or taking part in a combat zone, there are many kids night out experiences in Edmonton. Priced between $25-40, these nights are a break for the kids (and the parents) and are available for kids 3-12, depending on the activity. These passes give kids the chance to try something new and parents a break, too.

Surfing Lessons | West Edmonton Mall offers surf lessons at World Waterpark to guests ages 10 and up and a surf club for those who want to improve their surfing skills and fitness and surf year-round in a safe, controlled environment.

Climbing Up the Walls | If you’ve never been to Vertically Inclined, you’re missing out. They have some fantastic climbing programs for children, and camps where kids can experience the thrill of rock climbing, indoors.

Trainer for a Day | First, you will head into the sea lion cove and change into a wetsuit, to get ready to swim with the sea lions. When you’re finished, you’ll learn about everything from nutrition to care of the sea lions, get in on a behind the scenes show and even take part in penguin painting. To participate, children must be 12 years or older, and in good physical condition.

Spend the Night in a Space Shuttle | There’s a brand new space shuttle room at Fantasyland Hotel. Children can spend the night in bunks with shutters, televisions with headphones, built into the bunk and a fun pretend sleepover that’s going to have them talking for months about how fun the experience was. Plan a staycation and stay in one of the themed room at Galaxyland.

What are some of your favourite experience gifts to give to kids in Edmonton?