I don't know about you, but my children do not need any more stuff... this Christmas, they are only getting a few items: my 12 year old is getting a computer, my 5 year old is getting tickets to PAW Patrol Live!, and we are doing a big family vacation in January. I even asked grandparents to go in on the computer and not by him a bunch of things he won't like next month. The past few years I have been requesting "things to do" rather than "things".
Here are some fantastic ideas, if you would like less toys and more experiences for your kids too:
1. Movie Tickets
2. Waterpark passes
3. Gift cards to Laser tag/trampoline park/Hick's Place/family fun centers
4. Gift cards to their favorite restaurant (Burger King in our case)
5. Dance/gymnastics/karate classes
6. Day dates (day with Grandma/Grandpa)
7. Weekend getaway/family trip (as a big family gift for everyone)
8. Pool passes or season passes to anything (Adventureland even has them on sale with early bird pricing)
Here are some other local (Cedar Valley) ideas:
Grout Museum District, Waterloo
With a family or grandparent membership, two adults and all dependent children are allowed entry into all four of the Grout Museum District museums for free. The Grout Museum is also a member of the ASTC (association of science and technology centers). That means you get in for free at all of the ASTC affiliated museums. Members get discounts on all programs and in the gift shop.
The Grout Museum District is running a special from December 9-23. It is 20% off all memberships that are purchased as a gift, making a family or grandparent membership $60 instead of $75. Use code gift20 to redeem that online or stop in the gift shop or call.
Kindermusik is a world-wide music and movement program developed by child development experts to enhance the development of the whole child---cognitively, linguistically, musically, physically, emotionally, and socially--at the most impressionable time in the child's development. Classes use music and movement to stimulate the development of those 6 key development areas in active, creative, fun, and playful ways. Kindermusik classes are parent (or grandparent/caregiver) participatory and are designed to give you meaningful memory making opportunities with your child, opportunities for socialization and connecting with other parents, and ideas for extension at home. Classes are grouped by age: infants (2-18 mo) toddlers (1.5-3.5 yrs) and multi-age (1-6 yrs). Classes and meet weekly for 45 minutes for semester-length units. Registration is going on now for the upcoming semester, which will run February-May, and tuition is $130 for the semester if registered by January 1st, 2018. Gift Certificates in any amount are available. Read more and register online at www.KindermusikCF.com or call Tricia Freeman, program director, at 319-415-9404
YMCA of Black Hawk County, Waterloo
The YMCA has a family membership special going through December 31st. $10 off the monthly family membership for one year. Also, gift certificates can be given for youth programs - swim lessons, youth sports, summer camp, etc. Check out their website for fun offerings and programming: www.blackhawkymca.org
*AND don't forget to enter our PAW Patrol LIVE! Giveaway for 2 FREE tickets to PAW Patrol LIVE! in Cedar Rapids*
I hope this helps you with some NEW and awesome Christmas/holiday ideas this year!
