The Best Holiday Gifts Are Shared Experiences

'Tis the season for holiday gift giving. While some people are easy to shop for, choosing the right present for kids, parents, aunts, uncles, or grandparents can sometimes be challenging. Instead of pricey electronics or trendy items that may miss the mark, why not focus on something truly priceless? Experts agree: quality time and shared experiences create memories that last a lifetime. So this year, give the gift of togetherness.

Here are some great local ideas for "experience gifts" this season.

Purchase a Membership at Greater Lansing Attraction

Fenner Nature Center

A membership to Fenner Nature Center comes with reduced rates for educational classes and the gift shop, discounts and early announcements for camp programs, a subscription to the Seasons newsletter, invitations to members-only events and annual meetings, as well as eligibility and discounts to rent the nature center for meetings and events. Learn more about Fenner Nature Center.

Harris Nature Center

Find nominal fees for their programming, including campfire programs, monthly chipmunk story times, daytime and evening nature walks and for ages 21+ a Wine Walk. Discover all there is to do at Harris Nature Center.

Impression 5 Science

Kids ages 1 to 101 can enjoy playing, creating memories, and discovering the wonder of science together. I mean, really, who doesn't like to play with bubbles, fly paper airplanes, or create an image on the giant light screen? Impression 5 is where all generations can learn or re-learn all about science. A membership allows free admission, exclusive member night events, discounts at the gift shop plus free or discounted admission to more than 350 ASTC science centers worldwide. Learn more about Impression 5 Science Center.

Potter Park Zoo

Potter Park Zoo memberships are invaluable. Members receive free standard admission, discounts at our gift shop, concessions and much more. Best of all, you are making a lasting impact on wildlife conservation – for now and for years to come! Discover the animals at Potter Park Zoo.

R.E. Olds Transportation Museum

The delight of a child along with an adult's remembrance of bygone days pair nicely at this car museum. Find cars from the early 1900's all the way up to the 1980's. A basic family membership gains you 2 adult and up to 4 children admission plus 10% discount in the gift shop. Learn more about R.E. Olds Transportation Museum.

Woldumar Nature Center

Household memberships cover all members living at the same address. Benefits include an annual parking pass, Woldumar's newsletter, a 10% discount at the gift shop, special discounts on select programs, a discount to Camp Discovery, and invitations to special Members-only events! Learn more about Woldumar Nature Center.

Take a Tasty Class Together

Some delicious options include pie making at Sweetie-licious Bakery Cafe, delicious full course meals at Le Chat Gourmet and pasta making and more at the Local Epicurean.
For those 21 and over, how about a date together to create craft cocktails at Lansing Shuffle or perhaps cooking classes at Red Haven. 

Enjoy a Sporting Event 

Lansing Lugnuts

Baseball, hot dogs, popcorn, family time and all kinds of crazy between-innings entertainment make a Lansing Lugnuts game unforgettable. Individual and season tickets are available at affordable pricing. Go Nuts! Learn more about the Lansing Lugnuts.

Lansing Common Football Club

Lansing Common FC has one of the most unique, enjoyable, and affordable sports experiences you can find. Our games feature high-level soccer, local players, and active supporters! Games are held at Eastern Stadium, located just north of UofM Sparrow Hospital at 400 N. Pennsylvania Rd. A Family membership includes 4 Member Scarves 4 Member T-Shirts Entrance to All Home Matches 4 Bring a Friend Vouchers. Learn more about Lansing Common Football Club.

Michigan State Athletics

Having a Big Ten University in our own backyard yields opportunities to attend a wide range of sporting events. From Cross Country, Track & Field, Soccer, Volleyball, Rowing, Softball, Tennis and Baseball to Basketball, Football and so much more, it's time to yell "Go Green!" here in Spartan Country. Learn more about Michigan State Athletics. 

Create Something Together

Side by side, when you take a "Make it and Take it" class, not only will you be spending time together, you can have a souvenir of your experience. Check out Paint Your Poison, ALT Printing, Lansing Maker's Network or REACH Studio Art Center for all kinds of options.

The best thing about these ideas is that these gifts can work both ways. Whether it's grandparents gifting these to their grandchildren and their families or children giving these to their grandparents, time spent together is truly a priceless holiday gift.

The vision of Choose Lansing is to inspire everyone to celebrate and love Greater Lansing as much as we do! Which goes hand in hand with our mission, to positively impact our community’s quality of life by developing the region as a visitor destination. What that boils down to is we want you to love Greater Lansing just like we do.

Choose Lansing and plan on something Greater!