The Best Experience Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List

We love giving experience gifts to the women in our lives because doing something we love or have been dying to try is on our most-wanted list, too. It’s hard to beat a day out making memories. One editor's sister still talks about the pottery class she got her three years ago. Another editor's best friend? She framed a photo from the hot air balloon ride. These things stick.

For the Wellness Enthusiast

We have a few wellness enthusiasts on the team—forever talking about their next massage appointment or which meditation app they're trying. Spa days are the move here, obviously, but think bigger than just a basic rubdown. Float therapy is having a moment, and for good reason. You're basically suspended in a sensory deprivation tank, and people swear it melts stress like nothing else.

Yoga retreats take it further if you want to really blow someone away. We're talking full weekends of classes, healthy food, and zero phone service. Some women need that forced unplugging more than they'd ever admit. Couples massage packages work too, especially if you're shopping for your partner and want an excuse to tag along.

For the Creative Spirit

Does she have a running list of hobbies she wants to try? We know someone who does—it's in her Notes app and currently sits at 23 items. Cooking classes are always a hit because everyone wants to be better in the kitchen. Plus, you get to eat your work at the end, which is the best bonus.

Pottery classes, jewelry making, those paint-and-sip situations—they all work for the same reason. She walks away with something she made, which beats buying something she could've just ordered online. MasterClass subscriptions are just right if she prefers to stay in. Hundreds of courses taught by actual experts, everything from photography to writing to cooking with Gordon Ramsay yelling at you through your laptop.

Dance classes or fitness series give her structure if she's the type who needs accountability. Photography workshops appeal to anyone who's tired of their phone shots looking like everyone else's.

For the Adventure Lover

Book the thing she’s talked about, but she'd never book herself. That's the secret. Hot air balloon rides at sunrise? She's thought about it but never pulled the trigger. Wine tasting tours where someone else drives? Perfect day out. Weekend getaways where you pick the destination and just hand her the confirmation? Chef's kiss.

Zip-lining, outdoor adventures, anything that gets the adrenaline going—these work for women who get antsy sitting still too long. We know someone who did a trapeze class for her 30th and said it was better than any piece of jewelry she could've received.

Guys are weird about gifts. They'll drop money on the most random stuff but claim they don't want anything for their birthday. One editor's brother does this every year, then gets mad when she actually listens and doesn't get him anything. Experience gifts bypass this whole dance because you're giving them something to do, not something to own.

For the Sports & Entertainment Fan

Concert tickets solve about 80% of gift-giving dilemmas for men. It really doesn't matter if he's into country, hip-hop, or dad rock—live music is always a winner. Same goes for sports tickets. One of our editors says her husband still brings up the playoff game she got him tickets to in 2019. It was one game. Five years ago. But she's a gifting genius according to him, so she'll take it. Not sure which team or band to go with? StubHub e-gifts and Vivid Seats gift cards are the move, you pick the amount and then he can pick who he wants to see, when he wants to see them.

Golf stuff works for the right guy. Lessons if he's serious about improving, or just a nice course pass if he wants an excuse to be outside for five hours. Season tickets to anything—basketball, football, hockey—turn into recurring date nights if you're smart about it. Music festivals and comedy shows land well too, especially if you can find something local or in a city worth visiting anyway.

For the Foodie

Craft beer tours are basically designed for guys who describe themselves as "beer guys." Whiskey tastings too, though those tend to be pricier. BBQ classes work because every man secretly thinks he's one YouTube tutorial away from being a pitmaster. One editor's dad took a grilling class last summer and now acts like he invented smoked brisket.

Steakhouse gift cards feel boring until you realize some guys genuinely consider a good steak dinner an event. Hot sauce making workshops appeal to a specific breed of man—you know the one. Owns at least four bottles of hot sauce, has opinions about Scoville units, definitely brings his own sauce to restaurants.

For the Adrenaline Junkie

Race car driving experiences are objectively the coolest thing you can gift someone. Full stop. Every guy we know who's done one says it's the most fun they've had with their clothes on. Skydiving, zip-lining, bungee jumping—anything that involves signing a waiver beforehand tends to be a winner.

Rock climbing gym memberships work for guys who need a regular outlet that isn't just "going to the gym." Woodworking or tool-making workshops give him something to do with his hands while honing skills. These experiences tend to spark actual hobbies, which is the gift that keeps giving.

The best couple gifts create stories they'll tell at dinner parties. Not "we got matching robes" stories—more like "remember when we almost fell out of that hot air balloon" stories. Experiences foster quality time in the best ways, and you’ll get in on the memories by being the one to gift it.

For the Romantic Duo

Sunset dinner cruises hit that sweet spot between effort and romance. You show up, someone else cooks, and you're literally floating through golden hour. Couples massage packages work the same way—the opportunity to spend two hours relaxing together is built-in, and really who doesn’t love a good massage?

Weekend getaways solve the "we need to get away but don't want to plan anything" problem beautifully. You gift the voucher, and then the couple picks the destination and when they want to go. Hot air balloon rides at sunrise remain undefeated for pure romance points. Everyone looks good in that soft morning light, and the shared adventure brings you closer.

For the Adventurous Pair

Wine country tours let couples explore together while someone else handles the driving. We're not saying that's the whole appeal, but it doesn't hurt. Kayaking or paddleboard adventures work for duos who get restless during typical "date night" activities. Something about being on the water makes conversations flow easier.

Escape room experiences bring out your teamwork skills in a fun way. You'll learn how you collaborate under pressure and celebrate wins together. Mystery picnic dates combine adventure with food, which hits two major relationship currencies at once. You follow clues around a city, collect picnic items, end up somewhere scenic. It's like a scavenger hunt that actually feels special.

For the Creative Couple

Couples cooking classes give you recipes you'll actually remember because you learned them together. Plus you get to eat everything at the end, so it’s basically an activity and dinner date combo. Pottery workshops result in unique bowls you'll treasure forever, mostly because you made them together and they tell a story.

Dance lessons work if you're willing to learn something new together, which builds connection in surprising ways. Salsa, ballroom, whatever—just embrace the learning phase together. Cocktail-making classes teach useful skills while also being genuinely fun. You walk away knowing how to make fancy drinks and having shared plenty of laughs along the way.

Kids don't need more stuff. We know this because half the toys given at birthdays end up untouched in three weeks. Experiences have an entirely different effect. Research backs this up—kids remember doing things way more than getting things. Plus, parents will actually thank you for not adding to the toy avalanche.

For Young Kids (Ages 3-8)

Zoo memberships are a game changer for parents. Unlimited visits mean no pressure to see everything in one exhausting day. Same logic applies to children's museum passes—younger children might not have the attention span to make it a full day event, so being able to bounce whenever makes sense.

Trampoline park sessions burn energy in ways that make bedtime easier, which parents appreciate more than you'd think. Swimming lessons serve double duty as both fun and actual life skills. One of our editors swears by this because her kid thought he was just playing in the pool but actually learned how to be safe in the water, which feels like a parenting win.

Petting farm visits hit different for city kids who might be seeing these animals in real life for the first time. Animal experiences generally work well for this age group—they're still at that stage where touching a goat feels like meeting a celebrity.

For Tweens (Ages 9-12)

Escape rooms work surprisingly well for tweens if you go with them. They get to feel smart solving puzzles, you get to watch them use problem-solving skills. Rock climbing gym memberships appeal to kids who need to move constantly but are too old for playgrounds and too young for regular gyms.

Art or pottery classes give them something to do with their hands that isn't a screen, which feels increasingly rare. Amusement park tickets remain timeless—doesn't matter what generation, kids want to ride roller coasters until they feel sick. Sports lessons in martial arts or dance help channel all that tween energy somewhere productive. Plus they make friends, which at this age matters more than anything else.

For Teens (Ages 13+)

Concert tickets to artists they actually listen to might make you the cool aunt/uncle/parent for once. Teens are notoriously hard to impress, but good seats to see their favorite artist? That lands. Adventure activities like zip-lining or indoor skydiving satisfy their need to feel invincible without actual danger.

Creative workshops in photography or music production appeal to artsy teens who definitely know more about these things than you do (and are easy to gift with a Classpop! gift card). Sporting event tickets work if they're into the sport—playoff games or rivalry matchups are a step up from regular season events. KiwiCo or similar learning subscriptions let them dive deep into whatever they're obsessed with on a monthly basis, whether that's engineering or painting or literally anything else. Teens appreciate when you take their interests seriously.

Parents and grandparents claim they don't want anything, then get overjoyed when you give them something thoughtful. Experiences work because they create moments together, which matters more as everyone gets older.

For the Culture Lover

Theater or symphony tickets appeal to parents who actually get excited about matinee performances. Historical site tours let them geek out over plaques and guided commentary without anyone rushing them along. Museum memberships with guest privileges mean they can bring the grandkids and feel like the cool ones. Art gallery tours or classes tap into that creative side they keep saying they want to explore more.

For the Foodie

Food tours in their own city often surprise them—turns out they've been living somewhere for 30 years without knowing about all the good restaurants. Cooking classes for their favorite cuisine let them finally learn techniques they've been winging forever. Farm-to-table dining experiences feel special without being stuffy, which is the sweet spot for this age group. Not sure which to go with? A Cozymeal gift card lets the gift receiver choose from cooking classes, food tours, even a personal chef for the evening. Sometimes grandparents just want to experience a delicious meal they didn’t have to plan and cook themselves, so meal subscriptions like Blue Apron can be just the ticket.

For the Relaxation Seeker

Spa days or massage packages work beautifully for parents who love a little self-care but don’t always prioritize themselves. Botanical garden memberships give them somewhere peaceful to walk that isn't just around the neighborhood. Weekend getaways at cozy B&Bs provide that change of scenery they need but won't plan. Photography sessions for the whole family give them updated photos they'll actually frame, plus everyone's together for once.

Friends are the easiest people to shop for because you already know what they're into. The trick is finding experiences you can do together, which beats solo gifts every time.

For the Social Squad

Group cooking or cocktail-making classes turn into parties where you accidentally learn something. Comedy show tickets guarantee laughs, which is really what friend hangouts need anyway. Paint and sip classes combine creativity with wine, which is a recipe for fun and comes with a bonus handpainted masterpiece you get to take home. Game night or trivia experiences at actual venues beat someone's living room, mostly because it takes pressure off the host to plan everything.

For the Adventure Crew

Escape room adventures work great for friend groups who like solving things together. Outdoor activities like kayaking or hiking tours get everyone off their phones for a few hours and are the best ways to sneak in a workout. Zip-lining or ropes courses provide those shared adrenaline moments you'll reference for years. Food tours let you explore your own city like tourists, which always reveals spots you somehow never knew existed (hello, new favorite cafe).

For the Entertainment Lovers

Concert tickets for group outings create automatic plans everyone actually follows through on. Sporting event tickets work for the crew that bonds over teams and stats (or even sparks some playful rivalry). Festival passes—whether music, food, or wine—give you a whole day together instead of just dinner. Broadway or theater shows elevate the usual hangout into something you'll remember.