If you’re a parent, you already know what’s coming: the holiday avalanche of plastic pieces, toys that blink and buzz, and boxes that somehow take up more room than the toy itself. It’s sweet, it’s generous – but it’s also… a lot.

This year, many parents are craving gifts that feel lighter, more meaningful, and a little easier to live with. Gifts that spark curiosity instead of clutter. Gifts kids can grow into, return to, and remember. From family experiences to tools that inspire independence, these gifts give kids what they really want: joy, connection, and room to grow.

1. Experiences That Make Memories

Kids may forget what was under the tree last year, but they’ll never forget ice skating under a sky full of stars. Experiences are the ultimate “non-toy” gift – fun now, and unforgettable later.

In the East End, a few can’t-miss experience gifts include:

Buckskill Winter Club (East Hampton)

The Buckskill Winter Club typically opens in late November and runs through early March, offering public ice-skating sessions, hockey clinics, and figure skating programs. Kids can drop in for a casual skate or build real skills with weekly lessons.

Why parents love it: No screens, fresh air, and an easy way to burn energy all winter long. A pass also means fewer “Can we go today?” debates — if the rink is open, you can go.

Good for: Ages 4+, siblings, and high-energy kids.

Children’s Museum of the East End (CMEE)

A CMEE membership doubles as a gift for kids and their parents. Memberships usually include unlimited admission, discounts on classes, camps, and special events, and early registration for popular programs. The museum’s exhibits are hands-on and imagination-forward — from the market and shipyard to the art studio and “CMEE Playland.”

Why parents love it: It’s the perfect winter and rainy-day destination, and kids won’t age out too quickly — it’s ideal for toddlers through early tweens.

Good for: Ages 1–11, and anyone who likes play that’s purposeful.

Adventure Paddleboards (Sag Harbor)

Gifting surf or paddleboard lessons in December may feel unexpected, but it gives kids something to look forward to once summer hits. Adventure Paddleboards offers private and small-group lessons, summer programs, and equipment rentals. You can gift a single lesson, a multi-lesson package, or a voucher they can redeem during the warmer months.

Why parents love it: It’s active, confidence-building, and gets kids outside in a way that feels very “Hamptons summer.” Plus, the anticipation is half the fun — wrap a beach towel or a pair of flip-flops with the gift card for a sweet reveal.

Good for: Ages 6+, adventure-seekers, and kids who love the water. Wrap it creatively: print a “ticket” and tuck it into a box with something small and related (like a snorkel mask, a seashell, or a waterproof disposable camera).

Other options include passes or memberships to: The Long Island Aquarium, The Parrish Art Museum, or South Fork Natural History Museum (SoFo) — perfect for stress-free days spent together.

2. Subscriptions That Keep Giving

The beauty of a subscription is that it extends the joy well past the holiday season.

• Book-of-the-Month boxes for young readers: Literati and Bookroo ship a box of age-appropriate books to your home, bringing monthly mail excitement.
• Magazine subscriptions — Highlights, Kazoo, Honest History, or National Geographic Kids — gives kids something new to talk about besides gaming.
• Monthly craft and science boxes: KiwiCo has kits for ages 0-12+ themed around play, art, geography, crafting, engineering, and design. Everything is included in the kit and activities are easy enough for kids 8+ to do on their own.
• Global culture subscription box: Each monthly Little Passports kit (ages 3–8) delivers books, toys, stickers, and crafts centered on a new country, sparking curiosity and teaching kids about geography, culture, and science through fun, hands-on activities—making learning exciting all holiday season.

3. Gifts That Inspire Connection

The best gift is often time spent together, laughing, learning, or trying something new.

• A family movie or board game night basket: Fill a festive basket with a board game or movie, cozy blanket, and popcorn, plus a note promising an evening of “no phones, no schedules, just us.” For convenience, you can even pre-build one from sites like UncommonGoods or Etsy.
• A DIY kit to do together: Choose a hands-on project like candle-making, building a terrarium, or painting ornaments, available at Target. DIY kits provide all the supplies, but the real gift is the shared experience and lasting memories.
• Escape room and puzzles: From printable escape kits and board games to puzzles that demand patience and spatial reasoning — these games are perfect for building connection, collaboration, and problem-solving as a family.

4. Meaningful Keepsakes & Comfort Gifts

Even physical gifts can carry deep meaning when picked with care. Here are a few ideas — and some specific suggestions to make shopping easy.

• A cozy reading–nook setup: Create a little haven for together-time with a reading tent or nook, a soft blanket, and a few cherished books from BookHampton.
  • Little Tikes Night‑Sky Reading Nook – A cushioned, tent‑style nook with a built-in star projector for a dreamy, calming space.
  • Personalized Story Blanket – A lightweight, book-themed blanket with room for a child’s name — perfect for snuggling up with a favorite story.
  • Narwhal Pocket Pillow – A soft flannel pillow that holds a book in its little built-in pocket, ideal for travel or bedtime reading.
• A journal or memory‑box set: Something to preserve memories, thoughts, and milestones — a gift that lasts longer than the present moment.
  • Mindful Modern Paper Co. Ultimate Kids Memory Box — A 56-piece keepsake kit with labeled folders, milestone prompts, and more so you can store childhood treasures in a meaningful, organized way. They also offer a Sibling Bundle so each child can have their own memory boxes.
• A photo album or framed keepsake: A tangible way to relive favorite summer moments or everyday joy.
  • Shutterfly’s Childhood Keepsakes collection offers customizable albums designed for kids, with fun patterns and durable layouts.
  • A School Memory Book Album is another great pick — it’s designed to carry photos, notes, and small mementos from preschool through graduation.
• A mini “Mindful Moments” basket: Combine little tools for calm and self-care into a thoughtful gift that encourages peace and reflection.
  • Plant seeds of calm during a hectic season with a kid‑friendly mindfulness journal, yoga mat, soothing essential oils or linen spray, a soft eye pillow, and a handwritten note about the value of quiet moments.

5. The Gift of Learning, Skill-Building, and Discovery: Shine Classes

And then there’s the gift that blends it all — creativity, connection, and community. On the East End, where winter slows everything down just enough to savor the small moments, the most meaningful presents aren’t things you buy, but experiences that help kids grow.

Shine’s winter classes and workshops are designed exactly for this kind of holiday magic. Whether your kids love art, cooking, STEM, nature walks, dancing, or acting, Shine offers hands-on programs that let kids explore, make a mess, try something new, and build confidence along the way. Families can drop in, play, and leave the clean-up to someone else — a gift in itself.

You might try:

• Cooking classes and kits: Combine Shine’s Kitchen Stars sessions with a stop at Loaves & Fishes Cookshop for kid-friendly cookbooks and tools. Together, they help aspiring young chefs build confidence in the kitchen.
• Art classes and materials: From blocks and fashion design to sensory bins and science projects, Shine has a class for every interest. Combine with one of our customizable craft bags to show kids their creativity is worth the investment.
• Music classes and instruments: Music classes and instruments: Global, Chinese, and Spanish cultural classes all include music or Sing and Shine is all about music and movement. You might also combine a gently used instrument from Gold Standard with one of Shine’s flexible online music courses for ukulele, guitar, bass, piano, or drums.

Frame these as “starter kits” for discovering and cultivating potential passions by including a note: “You’ve got the gift — now go grow it.”

Parents can give a class series, camp session, or gift certificate — a perfect present that’s screen-free, sensory, and social. Kids walk away with more than something new to play with; they gain a skill, a spark, a circle of friends, and a sense of pride.

Reach out to our program coordinators to learn more.

Give the Gift of Wonder

This holiday season, think beyond the toy aisle. Give your kids something they’ll remember – something that lights up their world, not just the living room. Whether it’s a membership, a creative class, or a simple day spent together, the best gifts don’t just fill time – they fill hearts.