Experience gifts for young children

Santa's workshop is full of dolls, trucks and DUPLO sets, but before you order your child yet another toy for Christmas, why not think outside the box?

Experience gifts are a great way to share magical moments and create lasting memories. And whether you're looking for one special activity, or something that lasts all year, here are some present ideas that will go down in history, just like Rudolph.

• An annual zoo pass or a special zoo experience, e.g. feeding lemurs at Orana Wildlife Park, an animal encounter at Wellington Zoo or a Junior Keeper day at Auckland Zoo
• A game of adventure mini-golf, e.g. at Treasure Island in Auckland or Pirate's Cove in Wellington
• A pony or horse ride
• A camping trip and their very own camp chair and sleeping bag
• Enrolment in circus school, e.g. beginner classes at Flip N Fly Circus School in Auckland (for ages 5+)
• Tickets for a zipline adventure, e.g. the EcoZip experience (once your child weighs 30kg) or the Adrenalin Forest aerial obstacle course (once they’re 1.3m tall)
• A game night bundle, e.g. Spot it Jr. Animals, Cat in the Hat: I Can Do That! Game and Guess Who?
• A steam train ride, e.g. the Glenbrook Vintage Railway
• An annual pass for the aquarium or a unique aquarium experience, e.g. a sleepover at the National Aquarium of New Zealand or behind-the-scenes tour at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's
• A trip to the snow and some skiing/snowboarding lessons
• A musical instrument and some lessons
• A visit to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
• Dance classes and a costume
• An annual pass for MOTAT, the transport and technology museum in Auckland
• Tickets to a stage show, e.g. Alice in Wonderland LIVE!
• A weekend away at a farm stay or family-friendly resort
• Tickets for a live sporting event or enrolment in a new sport for the new year
• A visit to the National Transport & Toy Museum in Wanaka

At the end of the day, family experiences form lifelong memories and whatever you choose to give your child, we wish you a very merry Christmas and hope it's full of love, joy and fun.