Why Experiences Make Better Christmas Gifts (Backed by Science… and Kids!)



Christmas morning always looks the same in every home I’ve ever visited. Shredded wrapping paper everywhere... Confused pet sitting inside a gift bag... And a kid holding a shiny new toy that will somehow disappear into the void by February.

But there’s something else I’ve noticed... Something quieter, sweeter, and honestly, way more valuable. It’s the moment a kid looks up at you with that spark in their eyes because you gifted them an experience. Not just “a thing,” but a memory waiting to happen.

It’s the same spark you see when a child walks into the nearby Trampoline Park for the first time. If you’ve ever wondered why experiences feel different, why kids remember them longer, or why science says they’re the best gifts you can give.

Pull up a cozy blanket, grab some cocoa, and let’s unwrap this story together.

The Magic of an Experience Gift

Let’s start with a little truth from the trenches of parenting.

Toys are great for a while. Kids adore them, obsess over them, show them off, and then poof, they become part of the growing mountain in the playroom.

But a day out? A moment shared? An adventure you both talk about for months? That hits different.

I still remember a mom telling me her seven-year-old loved his Altitude birthday party so much that he brings it up every time they drive by the park. Not the toys he got that day, but the memory of his cousins cheering for him during a dodgeball game.

That’s the heart of it... Experiences plant memories, and memories are what kids carry forward.

Why Experiences Stay With Us Longer

Let’s sprinkle some science into this snowy story...

Researchers from Cornell University discovered people get more lasting happiness from experiences than objects.

Why?

Because experiences

1. Create Emotional Memories

Objects sit on a shelf. Experiences live in your mind, tied to laughter, adrenaline, joy, surprise.

A kid might forget which toy you gave them at age 8... But they never forget the first time they nailed a backflip on a trampoline, or the time you joined them for a jump session and fell into the foam pit with zero grace. Memories like that feel alive.

2. Connect Families More Deeply

Shared moments build stronger bonds. Kids crave togetherness more than things. They won’t tell you that, but their eyes will.

A day at an indoor trampoline park becomes a “remember when” story. A shared laugh. A new tradition.

3. Boost Happiness Before, During, and After

The anticipation of an experience creates excitement. The experience itself is thrilling. And the memories keep the joy going long after it ends.

A toy usually delivers a quick, short burst of happiness. An experience gives you three waves.

4. Help Kids Grow Confident and Active

Active experiences, such as jumping, climbing, balancing, and moving, support brain development and emotional resilience.

It’s a gift that fuels growth, not just play.

Why Kids Actually Prefer Experience Gifts

If you ask a kid what they want for Christmas, they’ll probably shout, “Toys!” “Games!” “A giant robot dinosaur that shoots laser jellybeans!”

But if you ask them what they remember from last Christmas, they rarely mention a toy. They mention moments.

Kids love experiences because

  • They get your undivided attention: No screens. No chores. No hustle. Just you and them present, laughing, participating.

  • They feel special: A trip to Altitude feels like an event. It’s more than play, it’s a big deal.

  • They get to move: Kids are bundles of energy disguised as humans. An experience that lets them jump, bounce, explore, and scream-laugh? That’s their love language.

  • They get stories to tell: To everyone, “Guess what I did during Christmas break...” You're giving them a brag-worthy moment.

The Psychology of ‘We Time’

Christmas is the season of togetherness. But ironically, it’s also one of the busiest, most overwhelming times for parents. Between shopping, planning, cooking, and wrapping, kids often get the leftover slivers of our attention.

That’s why experience gifts feel so powerful... They carve out a dedicated space just for joy.

Here’s what psychologists say

  • Shared experiences strengthen family bonds.

  • Kids feel more valued when you do things with them, not just for them.

  • Experiences create positive emotional anchors.

And honestly? Those are the gifts kids carry into adulthood.

What Experience Gifting Looks Like at Altitude

You don’t need to wrap a huge box. You don’t need to hide it in the closet. You’re gifting something simpler, deeper, and far more joyful... A moment.

And at Altitude, those moments come in all shapes

  1. A Day of Jumping: A classic. A visit filled with giggles, glowing lights, foam pit dives, and challenges you create together.

  2. Memberships or Recurring Passes: The ultimate long-lasting gift. Kids love knowing they get to come back again and again.

  3. Christmas Break Adventures: When school’s out and boredom moves in, you swoop in with a surprise jump day.

  4. Memory-Making Photo Ops: Holiday themes, glow nights, themed events... these moments are camera gold.

  5. Family Jump Day Traditions: Start a yearly tradition... One jump session every Christmas season.

Kids will look forward to it more than unwrapping any toy.

The Secret Ingredient: Joy You Can Actually Feel

It’s cold outside. Holiday music is playing everywhere. The kids are vibrating with energy. You walk into a jump park and boom, instant warmth.

The energy. The excitement. The laughter bouncing off every wall.

You watch your kid try the rock wall. You cheer when they land their first trick. You laugh when you fall into the foam pit.

You snap photos. You make memories. You forget about the to-do list. Suddenly… Christmas feels like Christmas again.

That’s what an experience gift does.

How to Wrap an Experience Gift And Make It Feel Magical

Make it fun. Make it surprising. Make it a moment. You can

  • Print a “You're going to Altitude!” card

  • Create a little “jump ticket”

  • Wrap a pair of silly socks with the gift

  • Add a handwritten note like “Get ready to fly!”

  • Create a mini scavenger hunt that ends with the experience reveal

Kids love suspense. They love clues. And they really love surprises.

Conclusion

Kids want more than things. They want more of you. More time. More laughs. More energy. More adventures. A trampoline park experience feels like pure freedom to them and pure connection for you.

Gifts fade. Moments stay.

So if you’re thinking about making this Christmas feel a little more magical, maybe it’s time to wrap a memory instead of another toy.

And if that memory happens to include a few jumps, flips, foam-pit dives, glow-night moments, or membership perks... Well, we’d love to be part of it.

Ready to choose joy over “just another toy”? Your next family memory is waiting at Altitude Trampoline Park. 

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