Are you looking for experience gifts in Charlotte, NC that don’t take up space? We have an extensive list for you!
We know that kids tend to get tons of Christmas gifts each year, which results in overflowing toys and books in your home, and that makes choosing the perfect gift really challenging. These experience gifts will help you create lasting memories and won’t take up any space in your home!
Membership Gifts
Here in Charlotte, we have TONS of membership options. There are so many attractions that will keep your family entertained for hours on end. Whether the kids in your life love animals or exploring indoor playgrounds, there is a membership for everyone! As I have chatted with many of parents over the years, I know that they will appreciate and frequently use these membership gifts. Everyone gets their money’s worth! A win-win!
Play passes– Charlotte has many indoor play places where you can purchase a pass that will allow you to play a certain amount of times on the pass. Check out Defy Charlotte, Xtreme Play, Adventure Air Sports, or Playland Indoor Playground.
Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville-This interactive children’s museum is a perfect gift idea. The museum has tons of open-ended play spaces, fun events, and more! They offer memberships that will give families endless amounts of fun! This museum is one of three in the area that you can be part of. Passes start at $209 per 1 adult and 1 child families.
Discovery Place Science Center and IMAX theatre– This science museum is part of the Discovery Place Museums in the Charlotte area. You can explore interactive science exhibits, watch special science experiment events, catch a movie at the IMAX theatre, and more! You can purchase a membership and enjoy the science center all year long. Read our Kidding Around review of Discovery Place Science Center. Memberships start at $109.
Sea-Life Charlotte-Concord– This aquarium is full of jellyfish, various types of fish, sea turtles, and more! With all of their exhibits, you will be able to spend hours exploring and having fun with your family. A membership here will be a great gift for kids of all ages. Passes start at $45 per person.
Tiger World– Tiger World is full of endangered and threatened animals including tigers, leopards, lions, snakes, and more. They are open year-round so you can get a membership and enjoy animals all throughout the year. Passes start at $40 per person.
Family Gym Memberships-Give the gift of a family membership where families can swim, play sports, enjoy workout classes, and more. Here are some family-friendly gyms in Charlotte. Pass prices vary depending on family size so be sure to check their websites for details.
The Schiele Museum of National History & Planetarium-The Schiele Museum has tons of educational exhibits, a planetarium, special events, and more! Starting at $135 you can get a family membership.
Event Tickets as Charlotte, NC Experience Gifts
There are so many fun events your family can enjoy in Charlotte, NC. Giving the gift of going to a fun sporting event or performance is a great idea. This gift ensures memories will be made! Here are some great event ticket experience gifts.
Sports Tickets
Carolina Panther’s Football Tickets–These football games are fun for parents and kids. They have special promotional nights/events, food, and more!
Charlotte Hornet’s Basketball Tickets-The Charlotte Hornet’s basketball games are a fun family experience to gift. They even have a special kids club called “Buzz City Kids Club” where kids can join for free and earn special prizes, discounts, and more.
Charlotte Knight’s Baseball-Grab tickets for the baseball-loving person on your list. They have special promotional nights and events throughout the season.
NASCAR–The Nascar Hall of Fame (Uptown Charlotte) and Charlotte Motor Speedway are perfect gift ideas for all the race fans in your life. Grab tickets to a race or take a tour of the Nascar Hall of Fame.
Charlotte Checkers Hockey– A hockey game is so fun for families. They have family nights, fun events, and more. Grab your tickets on their website.
Charlotte FC Soccer– Grab tickets to a Charlotte FC Soccer game as a special event ticket gift.
Performance Tickets
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte– They have a wide variety of performances every year and you can find tickets and their schedule on their website.
Blumenthal Arts– This theatre has several family-friendly performances throughout the year and some performances are best suited for older children/teens. Grab tickets and find their showings on their website.
Movie Theatres– Tickets to a local movie theatre to see a new movie release is a great experience gift. Here are some local theaters:
Local Classes as Experience Gifts: Charlotte, NC
What’s more fun than taking a fun and educational class together? Here are some classes to gift as experience gifts.
The Little Gym of Charlotte-They offer gymnastics classes for kids and even some parent/child classes. With their full schedule, you can easily find a class time that works for you.
Mission Grit– They offer a dynamic program that includes obstacle courses, team-building activities, and more. You can buy a 5-class pass for $220. Additionally, they offer a free trial class.
Romp N’ Roll Charlotte– This gym is for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. They offer a full class schedule, special events, and more.
Small Hands Big Art Charlotte-They offer a wide variety of kids’ pottery, mixed media, and art classes. Find a class time that works for you on their website.
Charlotte Aquatics– They offer swim classes for children and adults of all ages. You can select your class type on their website.
Perfect Balance Training Center-This gymnastics gym offers a wide variety of gymnastics classes for boys and girls, tumbling classes, and gym ninja classes.
Music Together of Charlotte– They offer music classes for children and their caregivers. You can find their offerings on their website.
Ninja Nation– They offer classes where your children learn how to complete obstacle courses and learn ninja moves. Check their website for class offerings.
Charlotte Dance Collective– They offer dance classes including ballet, jazz, dance acro, competitive dance, and more.
Carolina Dance Capital– They offer dance classes for all ages. You can take hip hop, ballet, floor gymnastics, and more.
Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen– This company offers kid and teen cooking classes. Their offerings change so be sure to check their website.
Flour Power Cooking Studios– They offer cooking classes where kids can learn the basics of cooking and how to cook new recipes. Class offerings can be found on their website.
Sweet Spot Studio– They offer a wide variety of baking classes for kids and adults. You can find a class that works for you on their website.
Local Experience Gifts: Charlotte, NC
Charlotte has tons of local experiences that you can enjoy alone or with your family! Whether you’re ready for a culinary tour or want to explore a new part of town for date night, we have a list of fun experience gifts for you.
Taste Carolina Food Tours-These tours will take you on a journey around town to the best restaurants where you can meet chefs, talk with others, and enjoy delicious food.
City Brew Tours-These brewery tours in Charlotte are for adults only but take you on a tour of all the craft beer in Charlotte, NC.
Escape Tactic Escape Room– This escape room is sure to get your heart pumping and the fun times going as you try to escape.
Exit Strategy– You can choose from 12 different rooms and try to see if you can solve the puzzles and escape the room.
Sip And Paint Charlotte– You can join friends and paint a masterpiece. They offer several different classes and prices start at $35.
Wine & Design-They offer private painting and craft parties, kids painting sessions, adult wine and paint parties, and more.
Splatter Charlotte-They offer a unique painting experience where you show up, throw paint at your canvas, and take home a work of art.
Topgolf Charlotte– Here you can rent a bay and hit golf balls towards targets. They have food, an indoor golf store, and more.
The Speedpark at Concord Mills– This speedpark offers many types of go-carts where you can race your friends.
Puttery-This one of a one-of-a-kind modern mini-golf experience would make a great gift. They have food, craft cocktails, and several unique courses to choose from.
Monster Mini Golf– They offer indoor mini golf, arcade games, mini bowling, laser tag, and more. You can purchase combo tickets for the attractions you’re interested in.
Frankie’s of Charlotte– This fun park has an arcade, mini golf, rides, bumper cars, bowling, and more for a day of fun! You can purchase tickets for the attractions you’re most interested in.
Mr. Putty’s Fun Park-This fun park has axe throwing, bungee jumping, a challenge zone, mini golf, and more! You can purchase tickets for the attractions you are most interested in.
iFly Indoor Skydiving– Get the skydiving experience without the plane. We tested it out! Here’s our review of iFly.
Good Gifts No Matter Where You Live
These gifts will work no matter where you live in the US! Here are some experience gifts that will ensure your recipient has a fun and memorable time.
With Happy Hive Bee Co.’s Adopt-a-Hive Program, you can gift a year of bee-filled fun — no beekeeping gear required!
Each adoption includes:
- 🐝 Sponsored hive in a Carolina apiary
- 📸 Monthly updates with photos and videos
- 🍯 Jars of honey from their bees
- 🎉 An invite to a spring pollinator picnic and hive visit
It’s the perfect gift for nature-loving kids (and grown-ups too)!
North Carolina State Park Pass– A state park pass for NC is perfect for the nature lovers in your life. An annual pass for reservoirs access is $60 per year and the annual pass for all parks is $90 per year.
Day Spas– There are many day spas in the area that you can purchase a gift certificate from. Treat someone to a relaxing day at a local spa. In Charlotte area specifically, try Plumped Aesthetic Boutique, Nature’s Spa, Woodhouse spa, The Spa at Ballantyne, or Spavia Day Spa.
Photography– Book a local photographer who can capture lovely photographs of your recipient. Then, when the photos are edited, purchase some nice prints.
Gift cards to local restaurants-There are tons of amazing restaurants in Charlotte to purchase gift cards from.
Meal Delivery Service-Take the stress out of grocery delivery and gift someone a membership to Shipt, Instacart, Target 360, or their favorite delivery service of choice.
Subscription Boxes– There are a plethora of subscription boxes that you can choose from. You can pay for them monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly. Many of these boxes even let you customize them based on your wants and needs. Check out Tinker Crate, Little Passports, or Big Play In A Box.
Streaming Services Subscriptions– (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+) – Help a family cut the cord by paying for a subscription to a streaming TV service.
Day Trip Experience Gifts
Living in Charlotte, NC means we are close to many fun day trip destinations! Here are some great day trip experience gift ideas!
The Biltmore-Nestled in Western North Carolina is The Biltmore Estate. A season pass here starts at $209 per person. The passes include unlimited daytime visits and discounts on special events.
The NC Zoo in Asheboro, NC– This zoo is the largest natural habitat zoo in North America. They have so many animals to see and special events to enjoy.
The Children’s Museum of The Upstate-This museum in Greenville, SC is perfect for a day full of fun. A visit here truly never gets old as they are always changing exhibits and adding on more fun events and happenings. Read our Kidding Around review of The Children’s Museum of The Upstate.
Riverbanks Zoo-They have 2000 animals spread out over 170 acres that you can enjoy! This zoo truly has something for everyone. Read our Kidding Around review of Riverbanks Zoo.
Are you looking for more fun day trips near Charlotte, NC? Check out our Kidding Around Ultimate Guide to Day Trips near Charlotte.
Places To Stay Experience Gifts
If you’re not looking for a fun membership gift or ticketed event gift idea, maybe a fun overnight stay will be the perfect idea!
Great Wolf Lodge-Concord, -This indoor water park and resort is a great spot for families. They have a large water park, shopping, special events, MagiQuest on-site, and more.
Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort-This This 55-acre campground has cabin rentals and RV sites you can choose from. They have pool access, large yard games, and discounted ticket deals to Carowinds if you stay at their resort. Read our Kidding Around Review about Carowinds.
Treehouse With Epic Views Rental in Penrose, NC– This “treehouse” has stunning views, tons of outdoor activities, and is close to the charming towns of Hendersonville and Brevard.
Omni Charlotte (Uptown Charlotte)– This hotel would be perfect for a staycation in Charlotte. They offer a fun kids program that includes a welcome gift (Omni Junior Chefs) of cookies and milk and a large selection of kids’ books and games. Plus they have a large pool with a movie screen where they have hosted “dive-in” movies in the past.
What experience gifts would you add to this list?
