Yahoo Movies 17 last-minute experience gifts for kids that will arrive in time for Christmas
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Uh oh! Life got in the way and now you have nothing to give that special kid. Have no fear! So often the best gifts aren't ones you can find under the tree, but ones that build lasting memories. Experience gifts always fit, are always in style and they're always appreciated.
►Holiday gift guides 2022: Shop for everyone on your list with this ultimate gift guide
Gift cards and cash can feel impersonal and you certainly don't want to add to the clutter by getting them a toy they won't touch. Maybe it's time to go the non-toy route. Whether they are a cynical tween or they are a kid who has everything, we think experience gifts are the way to go.
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Here are some of our favorite experience gifts for kids that we wish our kids would receive! Each is thoughtful and unique and—we promise—won’t ever be forgotten after the holiday frenzy.
1. A date with their favorite characters: Cameo Kids
There are, of course, tons of reality TV stars and YouTube influencers and more on Cameo that kids would love to get a shoutout from. This month, however, Cameo has released Cameo Kids where little ones can get adorable shoutouts from the stars of CocoMelon, Thomas the Train, Blippi and even Santa himself.
2. Fender Play: Online music lessons for kid who wants to rock out
Best for ages: 8 and older
For the budding rockstar, sign them up for Fender Play, where they can take self-paced guitar lessons from expert instructors. They can learn anything from acoustic to electric guitar to bass and even ukulele, all from the comfort of their own home.
Lessons are broken down into 3- to 15-minute pre-recorded classes that feature a well-structured interface that allows users to closely view techniques and track their progress.
3. Epic reading app: Endless books for the kid who loves to read (or the kid you wish would read more)
Best for ages: 4 to 12
Whether your kid loves to read or you wish they'd catch the reading bug, the amazing Epic reading app is—bar none—one of the best literacy-building apps available.
With over 40,000 titles to choose from, the Epic app sends a curated stream of titles right to a phone, tablet or laptop ensuring that compelling reading material never runs dry. Completely searchable by age and grade, kids can easily find books that are right at their reading level and that will pique their interest.
For new or reluctant readers, we are huge fans of the fantastic "read-to-me" option where titles are read aloud, highlighting each word as it's spoken, allowing kids to hone their phonetic and comprehension skills and build their reading confidence.
$9.99 a month or $71.99 a year at Epic
4. Boarwarts: An Outschool class for kids who love Harry Potter
Best for ages: 7 to 12
At Boarwarts, Hogwarts’s rival academy, students go through just as rigorous learning—but it’s all done virtually. In this Outschool class budding wizards and muggles alike can learn about wand-making and potion creation and they can even embark on a magical escape room challenge.
For $5 off, use code USATODAY.
5. For the altruistic kid: An AllTruists gift box
For that kid with a heart of gold—or the kid you wish would have a heart of gold. The AllTruists's gift boxes and subscription kits aren't your typical craft boxes. These crafty kits are service-focused and each is aligned with a highly-rated non-profit.
These kid-friendly volunteer activity kits are fun, engaging and AllTruists does a tremendous job with getting kids to understand how they can make a real impact in the world. Every box gives back to amazing non-profit partners that focus on societal and environmental themes such as refugee displacement, hunger, preservation and, my son's favorite, helping animals in shelters (where they can make really fun dog and cat toys).
6. Disney+: For endless entertainment on the TV or tablet
Best for ages: All ages
They’ll love you. Their parents will love you. A subscription to a kid-friendly streaming service is worth its weight in gold (which is equal currency to a parent’s free time). Disney+ is our family’s current favorite and right now they are offering a streaming bundle with Hulu and ESPN+ for an incredible price.
7. Annie's Craft Kids: STEM and STEAM activity kits for kids who love tactile learning
There are so many STEM and STEAM kits to choose from; the options can be overwhelming. While other boxes are great for exposing kids to a variety of different crafts and projects, we like that these kits by Annie's Craft Kits allow you to choose from a specific craft of interest, like jewelry-making, woodworking, knitting and more.
8. Fandango: Give the gift of this movie gift card
Best for ages: Ages 7 and up
Give them a night out at the movies! Your young cinephile will love having a fun night out with friends, without having to dip into their savings with this Fandango gift card. Tip: Add a little extra on the card so they can hit the concession stand with reckless abandon.
9. Outschool comics class: For the kids who love manga and comics
Best for ages: 6 and up
If your kid is a fan of the ever-popular Dogman or Captain Underpants comics they are probably itching to express themselves by making their very own comic book. This cool Outschool class will give them an in-depth course on how to make their ideas come to life. Plus, at the end of the eight-class course, each kid will walk away with 30 copies of their very own printed comic books.
The next session for this class starts in early February and you can reach out to the teacher to request a time that works for you. For kids ages 12 and older, there's a Manga comic book class by the same teacher. For $5 off, use code USATODAY.
10. Uncommon Good’s Magician class: For the kids who want to be the next Houdini
Best for ages: 13 and older
This master class with master magician Ming Da is best for older kids who want to up their illusionist game. In this 1-hour class by Uncommon Good's Uncommon Experiences, students will not only get an intimate show from an elite magician, they will learn his sleight-of-hand secrets.
11. Class Bento: Gift these cool craft classes for kids
Best for ages: 12 and older
For a hot holiday drink that's the bomb, this online class by Class Bento sends everything you need to create delicious and festive hot chocolate bombs.
You can either purchase the craft kit separately for $85 or the kit and a 75-minute online class with a teacher for $115. Class Bento donates a portion of all proceeds to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, so this is a great class that also does good—for extra feel-good gifting.
Starting at $85 at Class Bento
12. An Outschool martial arts class: For the little ninja who needs to move
Best for ages: 4 to 7
Think of this as a lifeline for harried parents during too-long school vacations. This class is just the thing for kids to burn off pent-up energy, while also learning introductory martial arts skills.
Outschool has loads of intro to karate classes, but we like this one because this is taught by a bad-ass momma who "gets it." Using her momma-know-how this instructor will get your little hellions to burn off energy by playfully moving kids through the basics of martial arts and karate through specified movements and fun games.
13. The Immersive King Tut: A museum exhibit for the kid who loves history
Best for ages: 6 and older
The Immersive Van Gogh took the country by storm last year with its trippy, experiential immersive experience that put museum-goers in the mind and art of the master.
Since then there have been more and more immersive art and culture experiences to choose from. Lighthouse Art Space is one of the leaders of experiential art showcases and they have 17 locations across the country.
This winter, leading up to the holiday, they are showcasing the Immersive Nutcracker, and going forward into the new year they'll be hosting the hotly anticipated Immersive King Tut. If your child is a fan of history, art, culture or experiential entertainment, they'll love tickets to one of these shows.
$40 per ticket at Lighthouse Art Space
14. Kids' Table: Cooking classes for kids who love the kitchen
Whether you have a budding Top Chef or just want to help hone your kid's cooking abilities, the Kids' Table offers a full lineup of online classes for all ages and all abilities.
Classes are available for purchase as a four or five-week series for $63 and $78 respectively, or as a single class for $18 per person. You can select classes based on age group and there are options for modifications for cooks with food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
15. For the kid with a curious mind: An annual museum pass
Best for ages: All ages
An annual pass to a local museum or science center is always appreciated. Not only are you giving them a far more rewarding experience than any toy can give, but this is also something the family can enjoy together.
What's more, most children's museums and science centers are reciprocal—meaning gifting a membership to a local museum will gain families free or discounted entry to other museums nationwide.
Not sure what museum to buy a membership to? The Association of Children's Museums and the Association of Science and Technology Centers can help you find just the right one.
16. An Uncommon Good's tie-dye class: A next-level class for kids who love to craft
Best for ages: 13 and older
If your kid has already far surpassed your tie-dye prowess, this class at Uncommon Goods will take their fabric-dying ability to the next level. This 90-minute class will take students not only through higher-level tie-dye processes, but it will also teach expert-level techniques on dye mixing, to make them experts in getting exactly the shade and hue they desire.
17. Pinna: Give the gift of kid-focused podcasts
Best for ages: 3 to 12
For engaging screen-free content that they'll love (and that parents won't have to worry about) Pinna is a media-streaming app that's just for kids.
It has music, books, and award-winning original podcasts—all made exclusively for kids 3 to 12. From interactive game shows to epic serial mysteries, Pinna has hundreds of hours of programming that fits the interests and tastes of every kind of kid.
$7.99 a month or $79.99 a year at Pinna.fm
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: 17 Ways to Gift an Experience to Kids This Christmas
