This post contains affiliate links by which I may earn a commission to support this ministry and my family at no extra cost to you. Disclosure
Have you ever thought about or looked for great gifts for the whole family? Are you having trouble finding the perfect gift for your sister, her husband, and kids? Do you want to do something special for your pastor’s family for Christmas, but don’t know what each person would like? Do you dread the clutter more gifts will bring to your own home this Christmas?
Sometimes family gifts make more sense than searching for individual presents. They promote spending time together and creating lifelong memories in everyday moments. Whether you are looking for great gift ideas for your own family, or if you need ideas to give to a family you love, keep reading!
Gifts That Last All Year
Memberships
Family Memerships make great gifts for the whole family. Instead of adding more stuff, they encourage families to have fun and get out of the house together more often! These experiences can quickly become treasures memories that kids will beg to have again next year. Here are some ideas for places to gift family memberships. Be sure to check the limit on the number of kids if you have a big family in mind. With eight kids, the ones with don’t place limits on the number of household members works best for us!
Museums (Children’s Museum, Science museums, Art museums, etc.)
Zoos (Some have reciprocal benefits with free admission or discounts at other zoos around the country.)
Gyms/recreational facilities
Local pool/Waterpark (Well, most may not be available all year, but they will look forward to summer!)
Movie clubs (We have a Cinemark Membership to save on tickets, online fees, & concessions.)
Subscriptions
A monthly subscription to something fun for the whole family makes a great gift! Each month they can look forward to the arrival of a new magazine subscription box. You can also give a subscription for an ongoing service that family members can enjoy everyday. Here are some fun subscription ideas.
Subscription boxes (These are so popular and are available in all kinds of products from snacks to S.T.E.M.)
Scribd audio and ebooks (This is the best audio book resource for the price that I have found.)
Adventures in Odyssey Club (Our whole family loves listening to these fun and Biblical episodes as we drive. And, my 11 year-old son listens ALL the time at home.)
A One-Time Adventure
The whole family will love a gift of day or night out together. This may also be a less expensive option depending on the activity and family size. Parents and kids will have fun and spend time growing closer. If you are gifting a family besides your own immediate family, perhaps your family could join them as a part of the gift! Then it will be even more special as a time to enjoy with someone they love.
Movie tickets or gift certificate
Concert tickets
Tickets to a local “little theatre” play
A Family-friendly Escape Room
Miniature Golf
Bowling (See if your local alley participates in the Kid’s Bowl Free summer program.)
Skating (Also, see if your local rink participates in the Kid’s Skate Free program.)
Laser Tag
A Trampoline Park
Personalized Gift Packs
Gather all of the supplies needed for some fun at home and package them in a pretty basket. The whole family will enjoy a gift of a something special to spice up an ordinary day.
An Ice Cream Bar (cones, syrup, sprinkles, candy bar/cookie crumbles, bowls, etc.)
Bonfire Supplies (Marshmallows, fudge-striped cookies for easy s’mores-try caramel striped also!, roasting sticks, fire starter squares, napkins, wet wipes, and if you want to go all out, a fire pit!)
Night Time Outdoor Fun Pack (glow-in-the-dark frisbee or football, glow sticks or bracelets, flashlights or headlights, constellation chart, outdoor blanket, etc.)
Family Games
Games always provide quality family time and create warm memories! Even when we had our own families, my mom often bought a family game for me and my siblings to share and make more memories! Consider the ages of the kids in the family and choose game gifts the whole family can enjoy together. Go for quick games over games that take hours like the traditional board games. (I don’t think our family has ever finished a game of Monopoly or Life, though they were some of my childhood favorites!) This is a list of games that almost anyone can play and enjoy together.
Portable Badmitton/volleyball set (Use a beachball for younger kids.)
Uno Attack (little ones only need to know colors and numbers and the Attack version makes for lots of laughs)
Jenga or a similar Life Size Block Game
Dodge Ball (soft balls!)
The Game Ledger (A place to keep up with wins, losses, and fun commentary on games.)
Family Vacations
If the gift for the whole family is for your own family, consider giving a trip somewhere. Memories last a lifetime, unlike the toys and other stuff we enjoy for a while then eventually discard. Give a physical representation of the location as a present and let them guess where they are going!
I want my kids to remember that family is more important than material things. One way to do this is by creating lifelong memories using gifts for the whole family!
I hope you find this list helpful! What fun gifts for the whole family have you given or received? Share your ideas in the comments!
Want a great idea for a special year-long celebration for your special teen or child? See Sweet Sixteen: A Year of Memories.
More Gift Ideas
I love these ideas so much! My son is 20 now, and I couldn’t name the toys he got for Cmas, but I remember the outings, trips, and games we played. These gifts will create sweet memories!
Thanks, Kimberly! Memories of fun times together last so much longer than things. This is even more real to me now since my dad went to be with Jesus last week. I treasure the memories of time together most!