Gifts for Grandchildren Who Have Everything
If your grandchildren’s toy bins are overflowing and parents are asking you to cut back, these 15 experience and connection gifts are the answer. They’ll give your grandchild time with you, traditions to count on, and memories that last—without adding a thing to the playroom floor.
Marianne's granddaughter turned three last June. By the time the party ended, the living room held a play kitchen, three dolls plus doll furniture, a scooter, and a mountain of clothes. Marianne watched her son carry half the boxes to the garage and wondered what she could possibly give at Christmas.
If you're shopping for gifts for grandchildren who have everything, you've probably felt the same way: you want to give something, but you know the family doesn't need more stuff. I've written before about what happens when grandparents give too many gifts, and I know firsthand how hard it is to keep from adding to the clutter. But it’s easier to hold back when you realize that the gifts young children remember most are rarely the ones you can wrap in a box.
Why experience gifts strengthen grandparent relationships
Researchers Cindy Chan and Cassie Mogilner compared material gifts with experiential ones in a series of studies published in the Journal of Consumer Research. Experience gifts made recipients feel closer to the giver, even when they didn't share the experience together. The closeness came from the emotion people felt while enjoying the gift. Their studies were with adults, but the lesson carries over to our families. Time together, a new adventure, and a tradition that belongs to the two of you build the bond we're hoping for.
Experience gifts also make life easier for parents. There's nothing to store, assemble, or trip over in the middle of the night!
Talk to parents before you choose a gift
Parents know their child's schedule, temperament, and current obsessions better than anyone. A quick conversation keeps your gift from duplicating a membership or landing on a week that's already packed. Try something like, "I'd love to give an experience this year instead of toys. Is there a class or outing you've been thinking about for her?" You'll often hear an idea they've been wanting to try but haven't had time to plan. For more on giving gifts parents welcome, read our guide to grandparent gift-giving etiquette.
Experience gifts for grandchildren who have everything
1. A family membership. A children's museum, zoo, aquarium, or amusement park membership is a gift they can enjoy all year. I often did this when my grandchildren weren’t yet school age, giving the family a regular outing they could enjoy together. Ask parents which place they already visit so you don't duplicate a pass.
2. Class enrollment. Baby and toddler swim, music, tumbling, or art classes build skills and confidence. Let parents choose the timing so it fits their week, and offer to drive on class day if you live nearby.
3. Tickets to a children's show. Puppet theaters, kids' concerts, and short holiday performances are sized for little attention spans, and create special memories for the whole family.
4. A seasonal day trip. A pick-your-own farm, a pumpkin patch, or a scenic train ride makes a lovely outing if you live nearby, and it can easily become a yearly tradition.
5. Standing grandparent dates. Make a set of coupons for library story time, a splash pad morning, or a trip to feed the ducks. Put a date on each one and add them to your calendar so the outing actually happens.
6. A themed sleepover at your house. For preschoolers who are ready (and whose parents are ready), a living room campout with a tent and flashlights feels like a grand adventure.
Connection gifts that keep you close between visits
7. Recorded read-alouds. Record yourself reading their favorite picture books on video or in a recordable storybook. Your voice becomes part of bedtime, even from far away.
8. A "people who love you" photo book. Babies and toddlers study faces. A simple board book with photos of family members and their names keeps you familiar between visits.
9. A shared project that grows. Plant a garden bed, lettuce pot, or a row of sunflowers together, then measure progress each time you visit. Your grandchild learns patience, and you both get something to look forward to.
10. A birthday tradition. Mark their height on your doorframe, record a short video interview ("What's your favorite food?"), or make the same special breakfast every year. Our list of traditions to start with your grandchildren has more ideas.
11. An inscribed book ritual. Give one book each season with a dated note inside, then read it together in person or on a video call. Reading together builds a lasting bond, and books are one "thing" that most parents welcome.
12. A baking day with a family recipe. Choose a recipe your family has made for years, like cinnamon rolls or holiday cookies, and make it together. Preschoolers can pour, stir, and add sprinkles. Write the recipe on a card to send home with parents so the tradition travels with them.
Gifts that grow with your grandchild
Product Details
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What you’ll get:
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Tips for writing to grandchildren of any age, as well as ideas for getting them to write back.
This is a digital product. Your PDF files will be delivered via email.
13. Letters from you through the year. A letter written to your grandchild today is one they can read again as they grow. Grandparent Love Letters gives you 12 printable templates with prompts, so you always know what to write. Parents can read your letters aloud now, and your grandchild will have a collection in your own words later.
14. A time capsule. Start a box now and add to it each birthday: a letter, a photo, the front page of the newspaper, a drawing they made at your house. Open it together on a milestone birthday.
15. A contribution to their future. A 529 college savings plan or other account lets your gift grow for years. Talk with parents first, since some families have already opened an account and others prefer a different approach. Our grandparent's guide to saving and investing for grandchildren walks through the options.
How to give an experience gift to a young child
Toddlers and preschoolers love to unwrap something, so give them a small token that stands for the experience. Wrap a new swimsuit with the swim lesson enrollment, a hat with the zoo membership, or a flashlight with the sleepover invitation. Then make sure the experience happens soon. A gift that arrives in December and doesn't begin until May is hard for a three-year-old to connect to you.
Give the gift of time together
When your grandchildren have everything, the best gift is more of you. Choose one or two ideas from this list, check with parents, and put the first date on the calendar. If writing letters feels like the right fit, Grandparent Love Letters makes it easy to start this year and keep going.
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