Here are a Dozen Austin Gift Experiences to give this holiday, along with 5
Top Gifts to TREAT yourself with this holiday mamas.
If you like give something special to unwrap or maybe even enhance the experience, you’ll notice there are a few restaurants and gift ideas sprinkled in. Experiences can be big or small, but what really makes them special is the people you share them with, the love that’s put into it, the magic in the details big and small, the things you learn, and the memories that are made.
Do you remember the gifts you received as a child at Christmas?
I don’t, but I do remember getting surprised with tickets to Paula Abdul with my dad and the new outfit to go along with it. (Thanks for the memories dad!)
Here are a Dozen Austin Gift Experiences to give this holiday season:
Thinkery + Lick
Play for hours at Thinkery with over 40,000 sq. feet of indoor and outdoor magic! Thinkery is perfect for kiddos of all ages! It’s wonderful for cold, hot, and rainy days, and really ANY day when you want to have some serious fun! Children’s Museum memberships have been a favorite gift over the years for all my kiddos. Pair it with ice cream from Lick, and you basically win the “Best Mom Ever” award!
Gift Idea: Pick up a fun toy from the Thinkery’s Gift Shop, Toy Joy.
P.S. – Community Hours are offered where admission is complementary on certain days and times. AND if you have a teeny tiny one, check out Baby Bloomers on Saturday mornings from 8-10am when the museum is open exclusively for little ones 0-3 year years old.
Alamo Draft House + Top Notch
Enjoy a movie AND dinner the Iconic Alamo Draft House. Oder the fried pickles or mozzarella sticks. After enjoy shakes at Top Notch Hamburgers in a vintage drive-in setting with curbside service that’s been around since 1971. If you recognize this gem from the movie Dazed and Confused, your 100% correct!
Gift Idea: model car or vintage style hot wheels from Terra Toys
Pajama Storytime + Pizza
Bath the kiddosand jammies on, it’s time for a night on the town, in your jammies of course! Visit one of several Austin Public Library locations for Pajama Storytime! The Central Library location is a sight to see on it’s own! After grab some pizza at All Day.
Gift Idea: Grab a book or two, I recommend Pajama Time, and Pete’s a Pizza from Book People and a PJ’s from local maker, La Paloma. A Library Card is also a great addition if they don’t have one yet.
Texas Rowing Center + Pool Burger
Get paddling on Lady Bird Lake. We love Rowing Dock for renting your watercraft – paddle board or kayak, and Texas Rowing Center for renting or bringing your own. The exciting thing is your young kiddos can sit on a paddle board with you! After grab burgers at Pool Burger (One of my favorite burgers in Austin!).
Gift Idea: Inflatable Paddle Board from the new store, Bote – perfect for anyone no matter what you drive, and easy to carry, and stable in the water, with options to for magnetic accessories such as speakers, coolers or more.
Fortlandia
Find your secret hideout at Fortlandia at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center! Discover forts designed by local architects, artists, and designers. Here curiosity, art, and nature combine to transport you and your kiddo to the kind of imaginary worlds that will have you throwing your hands up for true outdoor childhood magic! It’s a true Austin treasure!
Gift Idea: Boxes and duct tape… then let your kiddos imagination run wild! (This was a huge hit for my son when he was 7!) …and another great option is a nugget play couch, build a fort, turn it into a slide, or a couch!
Butler Pitch & Putt + Gimme Burgers
Get swinging at Butler Pitch & Putt with a nine-hole, par 3 pitch-and-put that makes golf fun, affordable, and accessible for all ages and skill level. Soak in the vibes of the city as the course sits on nearly 8 acres neighboring downtown Austin. After, grab a burger at the onsite food truck, Gimme Burger. Want a smaller scale? Try the iconic Peter Pan Mini Golf! After grab burgers at Sandy’s.
Gift Idea: Grab swag from: Butler Pitch & Put or Peter Pan Mini Golf
Cidercade + Pizza + Wings
Play over 150 retro and modern arcade games at this lakeside attraction, Cidercade. Best of all it’s UNLIMITED play. Pay $12 Play All Day or $20 and play all month. The exciting this is, you won’t have to worry about refilling your play card every 10 minutes with more money.. lol. While your there enjoy pizza & wings. …and moms and dads can grab cider or beer while the kiddos play!
Gift Idea: Grab some retro video game memorabilia at Monkey See Monkey DO
COTA Karting at Circuit of the Americas
Rev up the excitement, and race next to the only purpose-build permanent Formula 1 track in the United States, Circuit of the Americas (COTA)! Racers 13 years and older will experience a track with 15 hair raising turns. Young racers ages 5-12 will have a track tailored specifically towards them. COTA It is known for hosting various motorsport events, including Formula 1 races, and is a karting destination not to miss! …AND if you want to experience the magic of 6 million Christmas Lights and more – Check out Peppermint Parkway!
Gift Idea: Grab swag from COTA
Austin City Limits
Get lost in good beats, good food, and a sea of people all soaking in the spirit of the legendary Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL)! ACL is nestled in the heart of Austin, at the iconic Zilker Park, which means you will have a backdrop of the cities skyline while you’re watching an impressive lineup of artists.
Gift Idea: Grab merch from ACL or a record from an artist you’ve seen at ACL from Waterloo Records
Ice Skating
Glide on the ice at the Long Center under the stars with all the feels of the famous Rockefeller Center! This means you’ll overlook Lady Bird Lake with the view a fully lit view of Austin’s skyline. Cozy up with cocoa & fresh popcorn, or a hot toddy and Christmas cookies.
Gift Idea: Something to Keep Warm – Hat, Mittens, or a Scarf
UT Game + Dirty Martins
Cheer on the Longhorns at a UT game! Banding together with your favorite people in support of your favorite team will be a gift to be remembered. Celebrate the Win at Dirty Martins Place after.
Gift Idea: Why team swag from UT’s Co-Op of course!
Educational Based Austin Gift Experiences! – Stay Curious, Stay Learning!
When we gift children learning experience, we are giving them a gift that they will carry with them everywhere. We are giving them more than skills; we are giving them confidence, and for that reason this is at the top of my list for gifting children.
Austin has SO many great places out there, and here are just a few to get you started finding the perfect activity for your kiddos personality.
Sports:
Soccer Shots – This high-energy program introduces children to the fundamental of soccer principles such as using your feet, dribbling, and the basic rules of the game for ages 2-8.
i9 Sports – Sports leagues for kids ages 3 and up in popular sports such as flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, lacrosse, and tennis.
Gift Idea: Sports gear
Rock Climbing:
Crux Climbing – recreational program and competitive programs for ages 8-18 focused on improving their climbing in a fun pressure-free environment.
Austin Bouldering Project after school program features climbing, activities, discovery and social time for ages 4 -13.
Dance:
Hello Dancer – Join me for magical dance classes for kiddos ages 2 mo.- 9 years old, keeping things simple, enjoyable, while putting the fun into the FUNdamentals of dance. Mommy & Me – Independent Classes.
Ballet Austin Academy– The official school of Ballet Austin, the prominent ballet company, the academy serves as a training ground for aspiring dancers ranging from beginners to advance students.
Alisia’s Dance Academy – Offering classes for ages 2-18, including traditional classes as well competitive edge workshops, and college dance prep clinics. Competitive teams offered for ages 7-18. – camps ages 2-12
Gift Idea: A leotard or dance bag
Art:
Create Process Art Studio – A new process art studio for ages 1.5 – 11 with open tables and classes from weaving, to printmaking, to sensory art, and sculpting.
The Contemporary Austin – The art school at the Laguna Gloria location offers one-day workshops for kids ages 6-11, where you can make projects like pop-up greeting cards or holiday platters. Every second Saturday of the month they also offer hands-on art making workshops for families that are free with museum admission.
Art Garage – The Art Garage is a walk-in art studio offering over 250 items for paint-your-own-pottery, canvas painting, mosaics, fused glass, and tie-dye. Weekly classes available for ages 5-12.
Gift Idea: Art supplies
Music:
MiCasa Su Casa – Offers online baby and toddler music classes to learn Spanish through music, sign language, parenting and early childhood development
Music Together – Tune Bugz – Music classes for infants through preschoolers, parent & care giver classes, as well as independent classes. Aimed to nurture musicality with instrument play, singing, and more.
Orpheus Academy – A wide variey of programs including, guitar, piano, violin, signing, voice, as well as group musicianship classes for all ages and levels.
School of Rock – combines 1 on 1 lessons with group band practices, ending in rock star style performance. Classes offered for a variety of ages.
Gift Idea: Musical Instruments
Cooking:
Foodie Kids – which has classes like “Junior Chef” and “Cakes and Bakes” for ages 4 and up
Sticky Fingers Cooking – this children’s cooking school offers after school enrichment programs focused on introducing young kids to healthy recipes.
Gym:
Ninja Nation – Play, train, and compete on obstacles that are reminiscent of the American Ninja Warriors TV Sow. Perfect for kids ages 3 & Up and adults of all abilities.
Champions – gymnastics, tumbling, and cheer facility, that celebrates accomplishments and cultivates a sense of respect and discipline, perfect for all ages and skill levels.
Swim:
Emlers Swim School – Swim lessons focus on water safety and teaching swimming skills in a positive and engaging environment for various ages and skill level.
Gold Fish – Safe, engaging, and playful swim lessons for kids of all ages 4 months – 12 years.
Bonus For YOU Mamas! For all you lovely ladies who make the magic, here are 4 gifts to put on your wishlist or give yourself, yup, “Treat yo’self Mamas.” These are not your traditional spa gifts and date nights, rather experiences I fully believe will put more pep in your step, have you throwing your hands in the air, and possibly change your life.
House of Colour & Personal Style
Until a year ago I no idea what House of Colour was, or that it would become my number one gift recommendation for you mama’s! Finding out what colors make you sparkle is such a joyful experience! You’ll learn what color clothes, make-up, hair, and jewelry give you that naturally filtered glow. Having this knowledge makes this the gift that keeps on giving!
Trying on 144 colorful drapes, I literally saw my undereye bags disappear several shades when I found the right hue for me.” Magan and Dutch made me feel like a million bucks during this 3 hour experience.
Bonus: I initially fell in love with this dynamic duo on Instagram a year ago. Magan is with House of Colour and Dutch is with Style By Dutch. This tag team works hand in hand. So, after you get your colors done, hit up a Style by Dutch to find out what cuts, brands, and more enhance what your mama gave you! It is possible for you to walk out of your house with clothes that you are excited about and happy to wear! …Follow @hoc_austin.pflugerville & @stylebydutch on Instagram to be inspired.
Gift Idea: A bottle of champagne, because having confidence from head to toe is worth celebrating!
Dance Diva
Walking into Dance Diva is one of the best things that happened to me when I move to Austin. I didn’t just walk into a dance studio, I found a family, and a community of ladies, and new friends cheering each other on. Offering adult classes for all levels and various style, you’ll be a part of a sweaty, sexy, empowering class, that will have you strutting out of class feeling like Beyonce. Yup! That’s 100% happened to me.
These classes helped me to find MY spark that had been lost over the years with putting my kids, my family, and the chaos of life first. One of the things I love so much is that there are 3 locations in Austin, so it makes it easy to get to no matter what part of the city you’re in.
Toss your hair in a sassy pony, throw some sneakers on, and get ready for a dance party!
Gift Idea: New Sneakers or Sassy Dancewear from the DanceDiva Boutique.
New Kids on the Block Concert at COTA
Looking for “The Right Stuff” with Christmas gifts… Seeing New Kids on the Block, Paula Abdul, and DJ Jazzy Jeff at COTA’s Germania Insurance Amphitheatre on July 12, 2024 may be just what you are looking for. Grab your girls, or maybe even your mini-me and re-live your childhood fan girl era while you rep those homemade t-shirts, hold those sharpie secented posters high, while singing at the top of your lungs!
Gift Ideas: B is for Boyband Book by Ali Tierney
Etiquette Coaching
Knowing the principles of etiquette can give you an extra layer of poise and polish. This means you’ll have that subtle pizzaz that sets you a part both personally and professionally. These are tools that will gives you confidence and tools that go way beyond how to hold a fork. May people admit to being shy or having a hard time navigating events but knowing social etiquette can help make those social butterflies go away.
If you thought etiquette was just for the old fashioned, or for the elite, check out Molly Tomlin on Instagram, @mtetiquette, you’ll be able to see that subtle pizzaz I was talking about. She is such an inspiration. Molly Tomlin Etiquette and Elegance offers: Business Etiquette for Women, Social Etiquette for Women, Social Graces and Elegance Training, Afternoon Teas Trainings hosted at various hotels in the city and more.
Gift Idea: A special tea cup or evening clutch.
To Wrap It Up
These Austin Gift Experiences are some of my favorites to hopefully get you on your way to making magical memories.
If your looking for more ideas here are two more extensive lists that will have gifts in both Austin and the surrounding areas form your very own Austin Moms from previous years:
Austin Experiences to Gift 2022
30 Experiences Around Austin to Gift for the Holidays
Comment below what experiences your planning on giving this Christmas.
Now go make some memories mamas!!!
