100+ Non-Toy Gifts for Kids to Promote Imaginative Play » All Gifts Considered
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Gifting a picnic experience can be a romantic and fun way to spend a few hours together. Pack some of their favorite treats and drinks and go to a nearby park, beach, or rooftop. A day trip to a nearby location can be a fantastic gift that will be remembered much better than some material gift. Look for unique nearby destinations that you can visit and make a small family trip.
Also, books are a big hit all the way up to the college age kids. I love giving memories for gifts, or gifts that help us remember memories! You had some ideas i hadn’t thought of to help them be creative too. These are great for birthdays, gifts for the holidays (like Easter or Valentine’s Day Gifts for Kids), or for any special occasion. I don’t want Christmas or birthdays to be ONLY about the toys. I want them to get past the “want” for toys and have a “want” to help others, a “want” to create memories, a “want” to see the real reason for the season.
Theater Tickets
Some might consider this a toy, but I love this idea because it’s more than just a noise-maker or something for mindless fun. These items promote using your imagination and have way more life in them than most true toys. You can make your own DIY Play-doh and kinetic sand or purchase premade kits online or instore. These items are another kid favorite they’ll love to receive. And if you already have Play-doh or kinetic sand, you can get some new accessories to enhance your children’s play. Magazine subscriptions are one of the tried and true non-toy gifts for kids.
This is a place for people who are or want to become Financially Independent , which means not having to work for money. Financial Independence is closely related to the concept of Early Retirement/Retiring Early - quitting your job/career and pursuing other activities with your time. At its core, FI/RE is about maximizing your savings rate (through less spending and/or higher income) to achieve FI and have the freedom to RE as fast as possible. Memberships to local zoos, aquariums, passed to movies or pool. If the kid is old enough - cash money so they can practice spending or saving.
A savings account with money
Learning how to make jewelry isn’t just enjoyable; it’s a skill your little one could use to start making money! This is why it's another one of our favorite non-toy gifts for kids. Coin collecting can be an educational and fun activity which is why it’s one of the best gifts for kids that aren’t toys. If you have friends, who love reading but don’t want to accumulate tons of books, consider gifting them Audible membership.

Canva and Photoshop are great options to try for graphic design and check out programs like Houzz Pro for interior design. You could also gift your child with a streaming service for kids. Think Disney+, Hulu, Netflix and services like Prime Video. Most platforms provide an option to create a kid’s profile and/or implement parental controls so they’re safe to use.
Beauty & Fashion Non-Toy Gift Ideas
If they support a local team, or their favorite team is passing through your city, even better. Prices may vary depending on the seating, but this is certain to be an unforgettable zero waste experience the recipient will love. You can’t go wrong with the classic gift choice of coloring and activity books.
This list is ideal if you want to avoid giving materialistic gifts and THINGS often left out to collect dust. I'm Julai, a Catholic mom who got into the marriage & motherhood train later in life (@ 35). I was an au-pair/househelp for 12 years and now turned stay-at-home-mama & wife, living with my family in a little village in sunny Barcelona, Spain. And I hope this list will help you, too, especially in the kids’ gift-giving aspect of the coming Christmas.
These non-toy gifts for kids are great all year long!
You can also find one that sends them not only monthly but quarterly if you want them more spread out. Some monthly subscription boxes to consider are crafts, books, clothing, and STEM. Non-toy gifts are the perfect option to shift from stuff and material gifts to give. We know kids love toys and we love giving them things that they feel they just can’t be without.
Websites like Groupon tend to have deals on meditation classes too, which can save you extra money. Cooking classes are always fun and memorable experiences, and with a variety available both online and in-person, this could be the perfect activity for the budding chef in your life. Alternatively, it can also be a subtle hint to help them improve their culinary skills! With sushi-making classes, vegan cookery courses and dessert and cake-making options available, there’s a suitable class or course for both savoury and sweet food lovers. Outdoor adventurers and nature lovers will be ecstatic if gifted with a pass for unlimited entry to some of America’s finest National Parks. This experience can be costly, but it does cover all National Park sites across all states and lasts for a full year, meaning they can visit as and when they choose!
These cards allow you to learn more about the recipient and vice versa. It’s a fun gift suggestion to give to kids who may be a little shy around friends or for a couple that has just started dating. If you’re really struggling to find alternative experience birthday gifts for a friend or partner, why not organize a day trip to a nearby beach, lake, town, or attraction? I am sure you have a local child’s museums or places that kids love and can explore that have an annual membership you can purchase. This is a great gift idea that isn’t toys because they can be reused repeatedly and make memories of each visit together as a family or with friends. You can search for so many different ideas to order your child as a monthly subscription box.

If there's a zoo, aquarium, museum, theatre, or music venue in your area, gift your child a membership so they can attend regularly. Not only will it provide on-going events together, but you'll get to explore more in depth each time you attend. These are especially good for large families, as typically getting a “family rate” is significantly cheaper than purchasing a day pass once or twice.
The best toys for 1 year olds are something that will keep them entertained for hours and also develop their essential skills at the same time. PASSES TO AN AMUSEMENT PARK. If you have a park close to your house, chances are the kids will use it again & again. My friend did this for my other friend , and it was a HUGE hit. We will gladly accommodate your needs to reschedule.
Experiences are some of the best non-toy gifts to give. You’ll make memories and enjoy smiles and laughter to look back on for years to come! Plus, people tend to remember experiences more than they do gifts. You can start your little miss off with some cute and personalized jewelry pieces, too.
Fun Non-Toy Gifts
The content of this article is good but the organization is a nightmare. Half of the space is stock images that make scrolling through the list a chore – I didn’t make it more than 25% through. Write a handmade letter and send thoughtful handwritten notes to friends and family. If you need a little help, consider getting theLITTLE LETTERS series– they have many great letters with prompts, ideal for your mum, dad, grandparent, friend, etc.
You know the classic activities, like going to the park or the movies. Combine one of those fun activities with something that will give you some quality face time to create a special parent/child date. Online courses cover lots of different subjects and are often taught by qualified professionals who specialize in that field.
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