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At a glance
- For whom
- Kids from babies to teens – and families who want to do things together
- Idea
- Experiences and things that actually get used on days out and trips
- Last minute
- Tickets and vouchers can often be bought online and printed at home
- Tip
- Add a small extra to unwrap with every voucher
The children's room is full, the grandparents are asking for wish lists, and what you really want is more time together. That's exactly what these gift ideas are for – experiences for the whole family and things that actually get used on days out and holidays. Prices, opening hours and age limits change; please check them with the provider before you buy. Our examples are from Germany, but the ideas work anywhere.
Experiences for the whole family
A day together is often remembered for much longer than the tenth toy car. These ideas are especially good as gifts – including as a joint present from grandparents, godparents or friends.
A day at a theme park
Many parks sell tickets or vouchers online. Mind the season: most parks are closed in winter or only open on event days, so the ticket is often used in spring. Which parks suit small children is covered in our guide Theme parks in NRW for little kids.
A season pass for a nearby zoo
Many zoos and animal parks offer family season passes. The best part: you can go for just two hours without having to make the ticket “worth it”. Check who the pass covers before buying.
A rope-park voucher
Many high-rope parks have special low-level kids' courses. Higher courses usually have a minimum height or age – check the park's rules before you give it.
Indoor experience: aquarium, planetarium, water park
A gift that works in January too: an aquarium, a planetarium show or a day at a water park. Ideas around Münster and the Ruhr area are in our rainy-day guide.
A night somewhere special
Treehouse, hay hotel, farm or holiday park: even a single night away is a big adventure for kids. What to look for in family accommodation is in our guide Choosing a family hotel.
Gift ideas by age
Babies (0–1)
Babies love closeness – parents love anything that makes life on the go easier. Good ideas are things for the first holiday: a baby carrier, a light travel cot or a voucher for baby swimming lessons. For bigger items, check with the parents first so nothing ends up twice in the hallway. More in our packing list for a holiday with a baby.
Toddlers (1–5)
- Their own suitcase or backpack: kids who pack and pull their own case look forward to the trip much more.
- A kids' audio player: audio stories and songs make long car journeys more relaxed – without a screen.
- Rain trousers and wellies: sounds boring, but it's the ticket to every puddle day.
- Picture books about animals and nature: ideally matching the next day out, such as the zoo or the seaside.
School kids (6–12)
- A kids' camera: their own holiday photos make kids proud – and show you the trip from their point of view.
- An explorer kit: binoculars, compass and bug viewer turn every forest walk into an expedition.
- Head torch and walkie-talkies: for night walks, tent adventures and treasure hunts.
- A travel journal: for drawing, sticking in and remembering – perfect for the next holidays.
- A kids' nature guide or atlas: knowing which bird is singing or where the holiday destination is makes everything more exciting.
Teens (13+)
Teenagers often find toys “embarrassing”, but not experiences: a day at a rope park or bouldering gym, concert tickets or a say in the holiday plans. Another lovely gift is a “day out of your choice” – the teens plan, you come along.
A voucher is quick to make but nicer with something to unwrap: add an animal book to a zoo voucher, a pair of gloves to a rope-park ticket or a spade to a trip to the seaside.
Homemade: the family day-out calendar
Our favourite gift mainly costs time: write twelve day-out ideas on twelve cards – one for each month – and put them in a box. In January it's the aquarium, in May a bike ride, in July the North Sea, in October a family hike. Plan the bigger trips around the school holidays.
Gift check before you buy
Last minute: when Christmas Eve is around the corner
Many tickets and vouchers can be bought online and printed at home or loaded onto a phone. Alternatively, write your own voucher (“A day at the zoo with Grandma and Grandpa”) and buy the ticket later to suit the date. That's not an emergency gift – often it's the nicest one.
FAQ
What do you give kids who already have everything?
Experiences and time together: a trip to the zoo, a day at a theme park, a rope-park voucher or a night somewhere special – plus a small extra to unwrap.
Which experience makes a good Christmas gift in winter?
Indoor experiences like an aquarium, planetarium or water park can be used straight away. Outdoor experiences like rope parks or theme parks are given at Christmas and used in season.
What can grandparents give their grandchildren?
Many grandparents give time together – a day out with Grandma and Grandpa, a zoo season pass or a voucher for a day of the grandchildren's choice.
What can you give at the last minute?
Many tickets and vouchers are available online to print at home. Or write your own day-out voucher and buy the ticket later to suit the date.