When it comes to giving kids gifts, you want to get them something they want. But how many times have those toys been opened, played with for a day or so, and then shoved in a corner somewhere to never be seen again? Yeah. This year, give kids something they want – and something they’ll love – by giving them the gift of experiences!

Here are our ideas for 5 Gifts of Experience for kids:

1. A mini getaway

Life gets busy. We want to do so many things, but there’s only so much time. If you’ve been thinking about taking the kids to that fancy doll store, sporting hall of fame or other interesting spot but just never found the time, now is the perfect excuse to do so! Wrap up the mini getaway as a gift.

Bonus: The memory of the time they went on that trip with you will last a lot longer than the memory of the toy du jour.

2. swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School

A GOLDEN experience: Get the best of both worlds when you gift swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School. You’ll be giving the kids something they are excited about, plus they’ll be learning a valuable lifelong skill. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving!

Bonus: swim lessons are a great gift idea for grandparents to give kids (and their parents will thank you, too)! Call the location near you to find out about their gift packages.

3. A night at a waterpark hotel

Have your kids wanted to go to one of those hotels that have waterslides and splash pools, but you’ve never really had a reason to go? Surprise the kids with the promise of heading there! Wrap up a new bathing suit or beach towel and include a picture of the destination, then tell the kids their gift is a night of playing in the water.

Bonus: It will give them a great excuse to show off those extraordinary results they’ve achieved while taking swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School!

4. Tickets to a sporting event

A little quality time goes a long way, especially when the memory of it is connected to cheering for a favorite sports team. Whether its football, hockey, basketball, monster trucks, motocross or something else, giving kids tickets to a sporting event is not only a fun gift but can spark a lifelong passion for the sport.

Bonus: Leading up to the big event, you can prepare with the kids by watching games together on TV or looking up stats on some of the athletes. Quality time continues!

5. Concert tickets

Let’s celebrate! Delay that instant gratification AND make anticipation part of the experience when you give kids concert tickets to their favorite musical artist! Especially if it’s not something you would normally do; concert tickets make exciting experience gifts for kids. You always remember your first concert, right?

Bonus: Perhaps tuck in a CD of the artist – or iTunes gift card – to accompany the tickets.

Gifts galore at Goldfish Swim School

Whether you’re giving the kids the gift of beginner swimming lessons at Goldfish Swim School or not, we have other tangible gifts you can give them, too! Our Treasure Island Pro Shop offers fun gift ideas of things they’ll need and want for swimming. Stop in your local Goldfish Swim School today! You can shop, sign up for lessons, and check out our WOW! customer service while you’re at it. We’re full of integrity, compassion and trust, and we LOVE helping kids learn to be safer in and around the water.