100 Non-Toy Christmas Gifts to put Under the Tree for Edmonton Kids - 2022
Experience gifts for children are a great way to gift lovingly to children, without adding to the pile of things that kids receive around the holidays from parents, extended family and Santa Claus. Experience gifts, and non-toy gifts still create the magic and fun of receiving gifts – and are perfect for families that are trying to embrace more of a minimalist lifestyle.
Annual Passes and Memberships
Wild Edmonton Multi Play Pass
The WEM Multi Play pass gives experience to more than twelve places to play this holiday season at West Edmonton Mall. World Waterpark or Galaxyland may be the first to come to mind when it comes to this play pass, but there are so many more places to play, in the mall. Buy one time passes or as long as the full year, here.
The Village Toy Share
Skip giving a toy this Christmas and give access to a whole library of toys! With The Village Toy Share, you can gift a child the membership that will give them access to the full library of toys, that can be rotated out every month. It’s a win for the minimalist parent in your life, and a win for the earth - it’s a win for everyone! Gift a membership, here.
Royal Alberta Museum Mammoth Pass
Gift an annual membership to the Royal Alberta Museum this season, and give the gift of play all year long. For younger children, access to the children’s museum provides an incredible place to play, all year long. Buy a membership, here. The mammoth pass just happens to give you the best bang for your buck, coming in at only $70 for the whole family.
Telus World of Science
Telus World of Science is a membership that comes with a whole lot of perks. As an added bonus, you’ll get access to Telus Spark in Calgary on your next road trips, discounts on movies, camps and experiences at Telus World of Science, and get in first for special exhibits. Buy a membership, here.
Fun (Non-toy) Gifts to Wrap Up
Headlamp
A headlamp is a classic gift for winter adventures, but also makes it more fun to read stories in the dark at sleepovers, and is a practical option for those early nights when you don’t want to call the adventures quits! Use it on your next adventure to the playground this winter, or the campground this summer. Find great local options at MEC, or choose this one delivered straight to your door. It’s a great, all-ages appropriate gift this holiday season.
Kiwi Crate (One time purchase)
Koala Crate, Kiwi crate, even the cooking crate. Rather than the monthly subscription boxes that are delivered to the door of the recipient, you can buy the kits and boxes, one off, that are perfect for gifting. For our six year old, we chose the Ice Cream making it, and the solar system making kit to supplement the learning that we’re doing at home. Use the code CHEER to save 20% when you shop the store, online at Kiwicrate.com.
Single Pass Experiences
The Gift of Laser Tag
Give the gift of fun this Christmas with Laser City gift cards. Gift cards are an affordable way to gift adventure, with $9.49/game adventures. Buy gift cards for laser tags online, at www.lasercity.ca and find a stocking stuffer for every age of child/teen in your life.
World Waterpark New Year’s Eve Beach Ball
This is an experience gift you can give with a quick use, for excitement under the tree this year. The New Year’s Eve celebration at World Waterpark features the longest indoor fireworks show., snacks, and slides, while you ring in the new year in thirty-one degree weather. Buy before November 30th to take advantage of the early bird discount offer.
Monthly Subscription Gifts
Pipsticks
It’s a sticker subscription that delivers a fantastic package monthly, in your mailbox. It’s under $20 for $50 worth of stickers, postcards and other fun stationary items that kids can stick and play with. Best for ages 4-14. Buy membership, here.
Magazine Subscription
Owl and Highlights are the clear frontrunners in our house, in terms of the content, and readability. Plus, the games and activities are a great way to keep kids entertained on road trips! With magazine options for kids from 3-13 (Chirp is so good!) there’s something for every kid. Subscriptions start at $29/year, and there are often promotions available.
Kiwi Crate, Koala Crate, Atlas Crate and Doodle Box
Kiwi Co is one of the original subscription boxes we have purchased for our kids - we’ve been customers for 8+ years. From the Kiwi Crate, to the many that they’ve introduced over the years, to the Doodle Crate, and Koala Crate for younger kids - we’ve tried them all (and loved them all). You’ll love that the projects every month can be re-used and re-imagined for play, over and over. Use the link below to save $10 off of your first order.
Shop Kiwi Crate
Wild Life Nature Subscription box
Theses adventure kits are jam packed with adventure inspiration, gear for getting out there and adventuring, 10+ hours of games and activities in every box, crafts, and a merit pin. Bonus points for being locally made! Join the Wildlife, here.
Little Feminists Book Club
Diversify your book collection this year! With subscription options available for toddlers (0-2) and little kids (4-7), the book club is a great gift for giving because it creates a book collection full of diverse stories and characters. Join the Little feminists club, here.
Board Games
Best Board Games for Little Kids
Best Board Games for Little Kids
Best Board Games for Big Kids
Triominos
A classic, this game is perfect because you can play it over, and over, and over, and never get bored of the competition. It’s simple to learn to play, and you can either play one round, or keep score and try to reach the ‘rulebook’ winning score, with an ongoing tally.
Non-toy and Experience Gifts for Teens
Surfing Lessons at World Waterpark
Did you know that you can take surfing lessons at World Waterpark? Take a lesson this winter, and after, teens can drop-in and surf the waves during one of the weekly drop in sessions.
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