Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Kids

Recently, some friends and I were talking about how we love the holidays and showering our little ones in gifts, but if we receive any new toys this year we will have no place to store them. Or, heaven forbid, we receive a toy kitchen, giant bear or Barbie’s Dream House… we’ll have to either move or add an addition to our homes. That’s when I started thinking, “What are some non-toy gift ideas for kids?” They’ve got to exist, right? As a matter of fact, yes, they do exist, and are especially plentiful in the Middle Tennessee area.

Here’s a few of my favorite non-toy gift ideas for kids!

Memberships

The Nashville Zoo, Cheekwood Art and Gardens, The Frist Center, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, The Nashville Children’s Theatre, and Adventure Science Center all offer memberships or season tickets.This is one of my favorite ideas! We frequent most of these places already, so having a membership would be perfect! Not to mention, all of these experiences are great for entertainment, playdates, education, and getting some culture.

Lessons/Classes

My little girl is so active and loves going to classes that allow her to burn some energy, but these classes can get pricey. Knocking out a dance, music, or gymnastics class as a gift is great because it’s a year-round gift that will teach your kids a new skill, give them an opportunity to make new friends, and have a lot of fun. Some of my favorite local classes are Gymboree Play & Learn, Harpeth Gymnastics, The Nashville Ballet and The Music Class.

Money

Money might not be the most creative gift (or the most exciting for young kids), but I guarantee they’ll appreciate a savings account or stocks bought when they get older and realize they’ve already got some money in the bank. A piggy bank and some change isn’t a bad idea either. It will teach the little ones to start saving now.

Music

What kid doesn’t love music??? Whether it’s the Frozen soundtrack, an iTunes gift card, nursery rhymes, or their favorite boy band, they will love jamming and dancing to their favorite tunes. Looking for some great local artists?Mr.Steve recently released his new album, Earth Party, and it’s awesome!

A “Date” Night

Kids love getting one on one time with their favorite adults. Why not take them out for a special night? You could both dress up for dinner and a movie, stay active and head to a trampoline park like Sky High Sports, or have a relaxing night at Parnassus Books and top it off with Jeni’s ice cream!

An Adventure

Taking your kids on a special trip is always an unforgettable gift. You can go big and surprise them with a big trip to Disney World, the beach, or Universal Studios, but it doesn’t have to be that extravagant. There are lots of fun adventures right here in Tennessee too! You can take a road trip to Memphis or Chattanooga for new zoos, aquariums, beautiful sights, and historic landmarks or stay closer to home and test your outdoor skills. We love going hiking around Percy Warner and Radnor Lake, canoeing on the Harpeth and rock climbing at King’s Bluff or Climb Nashville!

Clothing

Okay, okay, I know this is not the most creative idea, but kids grow so fast! They always need new clothes. Winter coats and accessories, pj’s,  and shoes are always appreciated!

Do you have any non-toy gift ideas to add to out list? Let us know in the comments!