10 Christmas Gifts Without the Clutter: Hot Springs Activities & Experiences
Give Experiences, Not More Stuff: A Hot Springs Christmas Gift Guide
I bet you're already thinking about Christmas presents for the family, aren't you? What to buy, where to buy it, who to buy for. Even though the leaves have barely started changing color, the moment those Christmas decorations hit the stores (I’m looking at you, Hobby Lobby), you're in planning mode. No judgment here! I’m the same way. It’s what we do, we plan ahead.
But you're also tired of the aftermath—the mountain of toys you have to put away at the end of the day, the endless tech gadgets cluttering the playroom, wrestling dolls out of their impossible plastic packaging (seriously, why do they make it harder every year?). It's time to consider something different.
Experience gifts: What are They?
These are gifts that don't take up extra physical space in your home (and mental space in your head). Instead of temporary excitement over another toy that'll be forgotten by New Year's, experience gifts give families a chance to create actual memories and quality time together. Through experience gifts, your kids will have stories to tell years from now.
And my favorite part? Nothing to store, organize, or trip over in the middle of the night.
If your house already feels overcrowded with stuff and you're craving simplicity this Christmas, here are 10 experience gift ideas your family will actually love:
Experience Gifts for Hot Springs Families
1. Mystic Ozark
This newer Hot Springs attraction is interactive, immersive, and surprisingly educational. Kids learn the science behind what makes Hot Springs so special—the actual hot springs! It's the perfect blend of fun and learning without feeling like you’re in school.
2. Garvan Woodland Gardens
Garvan is stunning year-round, making these passes a gift that keeps giving through all four seasons. Whether it's springtime blooms, summer greenery, fall colors, or holiday lights, it's beautiful every visit. Consider a membership for some awesome benefits and discounted (sometimes FREE) events/classes (such as fire building, art classes, yoga, kids’ fishing program, guided forest bathing sessions, Oktoberfest, etc) Great for grandparents, parents, and kids alike.
3. Go Foto YourSelfie
Perfect for teens or the whole family. A pass gets you access to a creative photo studio full of fun backgrounds and props where everyone can let loose and be silly (bring multiple outfits if you want!). You'll leave with fun photos and memories.
4. Mosaic Madness
Create something beautiful and functional (like a photo frame or flower pot). Unlike crafts that end up in a drawer, they'll bring home a piece they can actually use and display for many years. It's hands-on, creative, and a gift that can serve multiple purposes!
5. Spa City Smash R Stuff
A rage room is best for older kids and adults—perfect for releasing pent-up energy and stress! The cool thing is: you don’t have to clean up after!
Why give a single visit when you can give a whole year? A membership pays for itself in just a few trips AND gives you discounts other exclusive deals. With rotating exhibits and hands-on stations, there's always something new to explore. Educational, yes, but also super fun.
7. The Pocket Theater
The Pocket Theater always has shows running—musicals, plays, and youth shows. Give your kids tickets to an upcoming performance and make it a special night out. Bonus: It's a screen-free evening!
8. Classes
National Park College offer smaller evening classes (such as pottery, yoga trapeze, culinary classes, watercolor painting, etc) that usually last for a couple months. Perfect for adults who need a creative outlet.
9. Board & Brush Creative Studio
Get creative together. This is great for teens and adults who want to make personalized home décor (they offer knit blankets/ pressed flower frame/stained glass classes and more). You'll leave with something handmade (and Instagram-worthy), plus you had fun making it.
10. Magic Springs Season Passes
Give them something to look forward to for the summer! Season passes mean discounts and free parking on top of concert tickets and the water/amusement park! It's the gift that lasts way beyond Christmas morning.
How to Make Experience Gifts Feel Special
Experience gifts might not come in big boxes, but that doesn't mean they can't feel exciting on Christmas morning. Here are a couple ideas on how you can present them.
Create a simple gift certificate or card explaining the experience in a fun way
Include a photo or illustration of the activity so they can visualize it
Wrap a small related item—sunscreen for a lake day, popcorn in a bucket for a Pocket Theater ticket, a shirt from Mystic Ozark (the ones with a dragon tail on the back gives a fun touch!), or a potted plant for Garvan Woodland Gardens pass.
Less Stuff, More Memories
This Christmas, give yourself permission to give less stuff. The real joy isn't always wrapped in a present—it's in the time spent together, the adventures you take, and the memories you create.
Your kids won't remember every toy they unwrapped. But they will remember the day they learned how the waters in Hot Springs are hot, the mosaic stepping stone they made for grandma’s garden, and all the fun they had during their first rollercoaster ride in Magic Springs.
Speaking of preserving memories...
If you need help organizing years of printed and digital family photos so you can actually find and enjoy them (instead of scrolling endlessly through your camera roll or photo boxes), I'd love to help. Let's turn those thousands of photos into something organized, accessible, and meaningful. [Learn more about my photo organizing services here]
-Andrea