How Do You Wrap an Experience Gift?

For as long as I can remember — truly, since he was about seven — my son has talked about wanting to visit New York City. The skyscrapers. The history. The energy. The idea of the big city.

So this year, instead of adding more toys to already-full shelves, we chose something different. We gifted both of our kids an experience: a winter trip to New York City over Winter Break. We bought the train tickets. We booked the hotel. The memories were officially in motion.

And then came the familiar question…

How Do You Wrap an Experience Gift?

I love giving experience gifts — travel, concerts, classes, adventures — but I’ve learned that kids still need something tangible to open. Something that makes the experience feel real and builds excitement ahead of time.

For our family, the answer was simple, sustainable, and meaningful:

Books.

Books align beautifully with our values around intentional living and sustainability. They don’t become clutter, they spark curiosity, and they extend the learning well beyond the experience itself. This same mindset is something I often talk about when choosing toys and gifts that kids use over and over again.

Using Books to Wrap an Experience Gift

Rather than wrapping a single piece of paper that said “Surprise! We’re going to NYC,” I wrapped books that would help each child connect with the city in a way that matched their interests.

Books for a History-Loving 10-Year-Old

What Was Ellis Island?
This book introduces kids to the history of immigration through Ellis Island in an engaging, age-appropriate way. It helped my son understand why New York City matters — not just what it looks like. It also set the stage for our visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, turning sightseeing into meaningful context.

Lonely Planet Kids Guide to New York City
Packed with colorful illustrations, fun facts, and kid-friendly maps, this guide made NYC feel exciting rather than overwhelming. We flipped through it together, circled landmarks, and even used it as a loose planning tool — similar to how we approach STEM-inspired travel learning as a family.

Books for a 13-Year-Old Who Loves Art and Architecture

Hidden Landmarks of New York
This book focuses on the details most people walk right past — architectural surprises, forgotten stories, and lesser-known places. It’s perfect for kids who love discovering things that feel secret and encourages slowing down and observing.

Art Hiding in New York
From sculptures tucked into buildings to artistic details woven into everyday spaces, this book highlights how art shows up beyond museums. It was a wonderful way to connect my daughter’s love of art with real-world exploration — something I also think about when designing hands-on, curiosity-driven learning activities.

I’ve gathered all of the books we used to wrap this experience gift here:
https://bookshop.org/lists/experience-gifts

A LEGO Twist on Wrapping an Experience Gift

Because my son is also a huge LEGO fan, I added one more surprise: a 3D buildable postcard of the New York City skyline.

It was the perfect blend of creativity and context — something he could build before the trip while learning the names of buildings we’d soon see in person. This is the same reason I love incorporating LEGO into learning and gifting, which I’ve shared more about in my post on why LEGO can be a sustainable, STEM-rich choice for kids.

Why Books Are a Sustainable Way to Wrap Experience Gifts

• They build excitement before the experience
• They deepen understanding during the trip
• They become meaningful keepsakes after you return
• They avoid wasteful packaging and single-use items

This approach transforms an experience gift into a longer learning journey — one that aligns with sustainability, curiosity, and mindful consumption.

So I’ll Ask You…

How do you wrap your experience gifts?

Do you use books, maps, scavenger hunts, LEGO builds, or small handmade items? I’d love to hear what works for your family — feel free to leave a comment or reach out and share your ideas.

Because sometimes the most meaningful gifts aren’t wrapped in paper at all — they’re wrapped in anticipation, learning, and shared memories.

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