During the holidays a common conversation between parents is the massive amounts of “stuff” that kids accumulate. There is one solution to this “toy problem” that is absolutely brilliant…giving the gift of an experience!
The joy of an experience can last a lifetime while even the hottest toy often ends up collecting dust in just a few months. Here are some amazing experiences gifts that are perfect for Northeast Ohio families.
Featured Experience Gift Ideas for Kids
Indoor Fun at Cafe O'Play
“The playing adult steps sideward into another reality; the playing child advances forward to new stages of mastery.” -Erik H. Erikson
Unstructured, imaginative, creative, and active play is what Cafe O’Play is all about. Our award-winning indoor play cafe is more than a huge indoor playground; it’s a place where community is built, memories are made, birthdays are celebrated, kids play all day and adults find a comfortable and cozy oasis.
Owned and operated by local parents, John & Carolyn Green and their four kids, Cafe O’Play is THE place in northeast Ohio where parents and children can step sideward and forward into the joy of play.
There are many options to give the gift of Cafe O’Play this Christmas!
Gift Cards & Admission Passes – You can purchase GIFT CARDS, MONTHLY, 3-MONTH WINTER SEASONAL, OR ANNUAL PASSES. Our flexible 5-PLAY and 10-PLAY admission passes also make great gifts.
Birthday Party or Facility Rental – Choose the perfect BIRTHDAY PARTY or FACILITY RENTAL. Our trained PARTY HERO’S will also come to your home or outside location when you order a CAFE O’PLAY ON-THE-GO package.
Specials Discounts – Visit our website for a PLAYDATE SPECIAL of 4 admissions for only $28 or visit our party planning guide for discounts on PARTIES AND FACILITY RENTALS.
Goldfish Swim School's Holiday Package
This holiday season, many parents, grandparents and other relatives are looking to give a child the gift of an experience rather than more “stuff.”
Looking for an experiential holiday gift option that gives families the ability to spend quality time together and gives a child an invaluable life skill? Consider swim lessons as a holiday gift for the little fish in your life.
Goldfish Swim School (with three Cleveland-area locations in Fairview Park, Hudson and Cleveland East Side) is offering special discounted holiday packages in November and December while supplies last.
Goldfish Swim School Holiday Package
- Two months of lessons at Goldfish Swim School (choose between the three Cleveland-area locations)
- Free registration
- Fun retail items (so the kiddos do have something a little something to open!)
- A complimentary family swim passes so the whole family can enjoy some time in the pool together!
Family Four Pack to Renaissance Theatre
Celebrating 90 years, Mansfield's Renaissance Theatre is your source for LIVE and ENGAGING arts, entertainment, and education in a beautiful historic venue! Upcoming performances include The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mutts Gone Nuts, Teddy Bear Concerts and family-friendly Mansfield Symphony Concerts.
When you purchase a Family Four Pack, your family can easily afford to bring the whole crew to a show without draining the college savings account. If you need more than four tickets, you can add additional tickets to your package for just $15 each. When you pick up your tickets either at the Box Office when you purchase or at the will call window the day of the event, you will have two vouchers for popcorn that you can redeem at the concession stand anytime that evening.
The Family Four Pack tickets can be purchased by visiting or calling the Box Office at (419) 522-2726 (Box Office hours are Tuesday through Friday, noon-5pm).
More Experience Gift Ideas
Give the gits of lessons to try something new or continue an activity they already love. Get inspiration from these Kids Classes & Extracurricular Activities.
Passes or gift cards to one of the many indoor play centers are a fun way to get kids moving. Save the passes for the upcoming winter days when it's too cold to play outside. Deal Alert -> Get the playdate special at Cafe O'Play
Do you have a basketball fan in the family? Take them to see the Harlem Globetrotters. They come to Canton in January. Deal Alert -> Up to 40% off tickets
What about children that LOVE Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood? The LIVE show is coming to Akron in January. Deal Alert -> Up to 40% off tickets
Get tickets to Cedar Point. Deal Alert -> Sign up for the FREE Pre-K Pass and get free Admission for Kids age 3-5
Swimming is not only fun, it's a valuable life skill. Deal Alert -> Check out the Holiday Swimming Lesson Packages at Goldfish Swim School
A membership to a local museums or science center is another great option. Many offer reciprocal admission privileges to participating museums across the country. That means you can use your membership to get in free (or with a discount) to another museum when you are traveling.
If your child is an animal lover, a day pass or membership to an area zoo, aquarium or animal reserve is a great option. Deal Alert -> 54% off at African Safari Wildlife Park
Tickets to ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad would be a great gift for a train lover.
Take your children to a musical or theater production geared toward children or acting classes and watch their imaginations soar. Deal Alert -> Family Four pack of tickets to Renaissance Theatre.
The Golden Dragon Acrobats are coming to Akron. Give the tickets as a Christmas Gift and then enjoy the show in March. Deal Alert -> Up to 47% off tickets
Older children would definitely love a pass to play laser tag. Deal Alert -> 41% off at Laser Quest
Creative Ways to Wrap Experience Gifts
To add to the fun, find creative ways to wrap the experience gift so it is fun to open.
For example, make opening the gift an adventure by drawing a map and sending your child on a treasure hunt for their gift. Frame tickets or gift certificates and then reuse the frame to display a picture of the experience after you've done it. Or put the gift inside a balloon for an exciting reveal!
The Gift of an Experience will last a Lifetime
Whatever experience you choose to give, you'll be glad you replaced some of the holiday “stuff” with an outing that will create a lasting memory.
You may also be interested in:
Holiday Fun Guide – Detail on all the fun things to do across Northeast Ohio this holiday season.
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