Gift idea help! Experience gift for a family of 4 in Northern NJ.

Submitted by Tropicalism t3_ztj93v in newjersey

As the title says, we’re looking for a family gift, budget max $300 total. They don’t want or need toys/things and would not appreciate gift cards, so we’re a bit lost and could really use advice from peeps from the area with kids :)

They’re the type of friends that would honestly be ok with no gifts at all, but would appreciate a thoughtful one that includes the family.

They’re two adults and two kids, 6 & 3, they’re active and close to Rutherford.

Was thinking and annual pass to the Legoland Discovery Center at the American Dream mall, but the reviews we’ve seen were mixed.

Thank you and happy holidays!

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bros402 t1_j1dri0b wrote

Family membership at the Liberty Science Center?

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waukeecla t1_j1dxec1 wrote

Turtle Back Zoo Family Membership! You can even add another non-family adult like grandma or a nanny!

My cousins love being able to stop by whenever, and dont have to stay for long because it's a year long pass.

and you have access to a bunch of other zoos

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scyber t1_j1dw53s wrote

Six Flags season passes are $75 each. Which would put you right at the budget. It isn't in north jersey, but they can use them all year. Kids are a bit young to appreciate all the rides, but there are plenty of rides for younger kids. Season passes are great with little kids as well since you don't feel obligated to stay an entire day (in case one gets over tired or needs a nap).

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soingee t1_j1dxlfb wrote

Maybe tickets to musical or a show? Check the local community theater or the colleges nearby.

Or what about a few moth passes to Skyzone? Kids love trampolines.

They also sound like they might be cool with a gift like a donation in their name to a charitable cause, like the food pantry or some sort of cause they like.

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THE_some_guy t1_j1ehpua wrote

I wouldn’t surprise someone with passes to a trampoline park. Some people aren’t ok with the injury risk.

If you already know that they like those places then it could be a good gift.

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soingee t1_j1f38nx wrote

Fair point. A 6 year old barely had the strength to jump high enough to risk injury though. I think it's reasonably safe in this case.

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THE_some_guy t1_j1fqsk9 wrote

The big problem with trampoline parks is that you have many people of multiple different sizes jumping at the same time. That causes unpredictable movements of the surface that can snap smaller people’s leg bones. Here’s a study published by the NIH that goes into details.

A 6 year old might not hurt themselves on a trampoline, but 10-year-old and a 36-year-old parent jumping with them could cause a lot of damage (and has, many times).

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KneeDeepInTheDead t1_j1e58kp wrote

NJPAC is having some shows coming up, on monday i think they have some sort of christmas circus and theres a ballet mid January there too. You can try Cirque de Soleil too, I think theyre playing soon at Prudential Center but that might be more expensive.

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waukeecla t1_j29f8np wrote

NJPAX also has movies and music. You watch a popular movie like Mary Poppins or Harry Potter adn the orchastra plays the soundtrack! Kids might not understand but they will like the movie!

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kurt667 t1_j1e6swu wrote

medeival times is cool

or family yearly pass for liberty science center

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Nenoshka t1_j1f4w33 wrote

If they don't mind a drive to Flemington, there's Northlandz, with a huge toy train setup and other miniature museum stuff.

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JohnFlip t1_j1fcqz0 wrote

Family membership to Morris museum. Have two kids around the same ages 1 and 5 and they love it.

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waukeecla t1_j1dxmrs wrote

Diggerland is down south, kind of a drive but if they're boys or if they like trucks, they'll love it.

Cowtown Rodeo, 3 might be too young, also a drive but its a once in a life time experience.

Mountain Creek Waterpark or Snow Tubing

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waukeecla t1_j1dxs0z wrote

if they like the boardwalk, you can do a gift card to their favorite rides or arcades.

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MotorboatingSofaB t1_j1e1t9s wrote

Get them a stay at an indoor water park. Kartrite, Kalahari, Camel Back, Great Wolf Lodge are all decently close and im sure their kids will love it.

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Tropicalism OP t1_j1f2hla wrote

Thank you all! Truly appreciate it!

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lacapitanaemu t1_j1fuk3o wrote

Are they outdoorsy? Maybe membership to the New Weis Center in Ringwood, they have great family programs throughout the year (and the membership supports them as a nonprofit!).

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Getbu5yliving t1_j1gghju wrote

Disney on Ice at the Prudential Center.

If they’re up for going into the city, the NY Botanical Garden has the miniature train show going on right now.

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kktyp t1_j1hm9yl wrote

Check out iFly! It’s an indoor skydiving place in Paramus. There’s an instructor flying in the tunnel with you at all times so the kids will be safe!

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