Holiday Gifts for the Grandkids
‘Experience’ is the name of the game when it comes to smart holiday gifts to grandkids
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
![The Strong National Museum of Play offers admission for $16. Photo courtesy of National Strong Museum of Play.](https://www.roc55.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/TheStrong3-300x242.jpg)
If your grandchildren have plenty of toys and games, consider giving experiences this year. What children enjoy most is the gift of time with the adults who love them. Pair up a gift card with the promise you’ll take them there this year and you can create memories neither of you will forget.
• Seneca Park Zoo tickets start at $9 for kids. Buy them for all your pre-teen and younger grandchildren for a fun outing. Some teens may also enjoy the zoo; others may not.
www.senecaparkzoo.org
• The Strong National Museum of Play offers admission for $16. Children can enjoy hands-on fun alongside you.
www.museumofplay.org
• Clubhouse Fun Center operates in two locations — Henrietta and Greece —so read each site to tell which amenities you like better. Clubhouse doesn’t have admission but charges per activity. Kids can apply their monetary gift cards ($10 to $100) to whatever activity they want: go-karts, arcade tokens, batting cage, miniature golf, gemstone panning, bumper cars or ball play. Children from about age 4 through teens would enjoy the place.
www.clubhousefuncenter.com
• Waiting to use gift cards to theme parks Darien Lake Roseland or Seabreeze can build the anticipation all winter and spring. Each park offers a variety of packages, from one-day tickets to full season passes.
www.sixflags.com/darienlake
https://seabreeze.com
• Altitude Trampoline Park is perfect for grandkids who are already bouncing off the walls, from toddlers through teens. Admission starts at $8.99.
• Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures offers ziplining and obstacle courses for adults and bigger children or one for younger children, starting at age 4. Double-locking belays and other security measures keep adventurers safe. Gift cards start at $53 and allow the user (or his parents) to select the right course.
https://bristolmountainadventures.com, Canandaigua
• Genesee Country Village and Museum offers a great outing for history buffs to share with their grandchildren. The facility includes many hands-on activities for children at no additional charge. One-day admission must be purchased at the gate; however, tickets to special events are available online. Family/grandparent admission is $130 annually and includes two adults and the grandchildren you list. That may be a more budget-friendly option if you plan to attend often with many grandchildren. The facility is generally stroller-accessible; however, not every building can accommodate strollers.
www.gcv.org
Consider giving a gym membership, camp or lessons. If your grandchildren want to get fit, excel in their favorite sport, learn a new skill or improve in playing their instrument, discuss with their parents what you can do to support their interests.
Ask for a Senior Discount
Many of these tickets may be ordered online for easy shopping. Most places offer free admission for those 2 and younger. Some facilities like theme parks offer a “non-rider” entry at a lower cost if you came along only to watch. Of course, ask about a senior discount, since many venues offer this.
Especially if your grandchildren are small, give a small gift along with their gift card so they have something tangible that represents their “real” gift, such as a plush puppet to go with a zoo gift certificate or a sporty water bottle to go with their gym membership certificate. Always ask their parents in advance about experience gifts to ensure that your gift is appropriate.
Photo: Genesee Country Village and Museum offers a great outing for history buffs. Photo by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant.