Every Christmas our family found ourselves drowning in toys and other trinkets. There were literally mountains of presents to swim through. The kids enjoyed opening the presents but became quickly overwhelmed by what to play with. The toys were fun and exciting for a short time — then they ended up in a toy box in the corner of their room.
This year we moved to a new home and realized exactly how much stuff we had. After donating countless bags of toys, we decided less is more. One way we are practicing that is by gifting more family experiences over physical items. I’ve found my kids love these more personal experiences, and my husband and I love bonding and making special memories with our children. Kansas City truly offers so many one-of-a-kind experiences that would make the most meaningful and unforgettable Christmas presents.
Concert Tickets
Our family loves music! For my daughter’s 11th birthday in May we gifted her tickets to a Maddux Batson concert (one of her favorite singers). The concert was in October and we purchased an extra ticket so she could take a friend. The girls had so much fun. Even though the concert was several months after her birthday, she loved having something to look forward to. Check out Ticketmaster to see what concerts are coming to Kansas City.
Memberships
Memberships to local places your family frequents are a great way to save some money throughout the year and give the gift of experiences. We were gifted a membership to Union Station, which gave us unlimited access to Science City, free tickets to the planetarium and discounts on other exhibits. It was the perfect gift for our Union-Station-loving family.
Other fun memberships in Kansas City include: Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life Aquarium, the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, Worlds of Fun Gold Pass, The Rabbit hOle, The Little Gym, Wonderscope and Urban Air.
Kansas City is also packed with indoor play options perfect for gifting fun. Inspired Play Café in Merriam and Overland Park offers family passes starting at $65. Other great spots to check out include Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter in Independence, Kids Empire in Lenexa and Olathe and Summit Play Village in Lee’s Summit.
For history buffs, gift a membership to the National WWI Museum and Memorial, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop or the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum. All three offer affordable annual passes, and some include reciprocal access to other historic sites. For families, a membership to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art makes a wonderful Christmas gift, providing year-round access to world-class exhibits and events.
Holiday Attractions
For the past several years my sister-in-law has gifted our family tickets to holiday experiences. One year she gave us tickets to Snow Globe Express, a Christmas train ride that took us to a magical world with Santa, his elves and reindeer. The next year she gifted us tickets to Enchant KC, where we enjoyed ice skating, light mazes and so many fun holiday events in one night. All of these experiences have been hands-down my daughters’ favorite Christmas gifts each year.
Pro Tip: Check websites on Black Friday, as many attractions have Black Friday ticket deals.
Sporting Events
Do you have sports enthusiasts in your family? Score them tickets to their favorite sporting event! Kansas City has so many professional sports teams to cheer on. Whether you have a baseball, hockey, football, NASCAR or soccer fan, tickets to a game would be a blast. We’ve attended KC Current games and even met some of the players afterwards. An all-day pass to the Kansas City Royals Outfield Experience makes the perfect gift for any baseball-loving kid this Christmas.
Indoor Water Park
We try to gift a trip to Great Wolf Lodge to our kids every year. It has become a bit of a tradition. There’s nothing better than swimming, arcade games, water slides and dance parties in the middle of winter. My oldest daughter requested a trip to Great Wolf Lodge with a friend for her next birthday.
Pro Tip: Book ahead for better rates and check Groupon for major discounts.
Summer Camps and School Year Classes
Does your child love learning new things? Give the gift of summer camp! Kansas City offers amazing opportunities for kids to explore their interests and discover new passions. From faith-based and adventure-filled experiences at Kanakuk, YMCA and Youthfront camps, to creative outlets like Young Chefs, The Coterie and The Culinary Center of Kansas City, there’s something for every child.
Treat the artists on your list to a gift card for Ceramic Cafe or Hawaii Fluid Art—fun they can make their own. Whether they love cooking, performing or making art, these camps and classes help kids learn, grow and make unforgettable memories.
Music Lessons & Live Shows
Giving the gift of music lessons for Christmas is another thoughtful way to invest in a child’s growth and creativity. It’s not just a seasonal present—it’s a lifelong skill that nurtures confidence and discipline every time they play. Three of our favorites are The Culture House, School of Rock and Music House.
My daughter loves theater, so tickets to shows has always been a fun gift for her. We’ve taken in shows at The Coterie Theatre several times, as well as Starlight Theatre. We also love to go to The Nutcracker at the Kauffman Center every year as well as Disney on Ice.
Pro Tip: The Kauffman Center normally has a Christmas in July sale where you can score major discounts on your tickets!
Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives in Excelsior Springs with her husband, Cale, and two daughters, Atley, 11, and Ensley, 5.