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Gifting Experiences for Kids: Local Ideas That Last

11/4/2025

When we think about gifts for kids, it’s easy to picture wrapping paper, boxes, and toys stacked under the tree. But some of the most memorable gifts don’t come in packages at all—they’re experiences. A morning spent dancing, a pottery class, a trip to the climbing gym, or tickets to a local theater show can all become memories that last far longer than any toy.

“The best gifts don’t always come in packages.”

Gifting experiences also helps support our local community—many of the best opportunities for kids to learn, move, and create come from small, family-run businesses right here in town. These experiences can range from special one-time workshops to weekly extracurriculars that nurture confidence, creativity, and friendships.

Local Experiences That Make Wonderful Gifts

If you’re ready to wrap up something a little different this year, consider gifting an experience from one of our amazing local businesses. The Kansas City Northland and Liberty area is full of opportunities for kids to learn new skills, get creative, and discover what they love — from art and dance to cooking, music, and more.

These small businesses pour their hearts into creating meaningful experiences for families, and when you choose to gift one of their programs, you’re not only giving a child a chance to grow — you’re also supporting the people who make our community vibrant.

Ideas from Our Community

Here are a few of our favorite local spots for creative, hands-on experiences this holiday season (including, of course, our own Orange Easel Art Studio!)

Water Street Ceramics, Liberty
Water Street Ceramics is a brand new ceramics studio in our downtown Liberty. They are offering classes for ages 12 and up. Current class information can be found here and gift cards are available!

MY Play Cafe - Northland,
A cozy space offering a unique play experience for the little ones and a truly enjoyable experience for parents. Gift cards available here.

ORANGE EASEL SCHOOL OF ART, Liberty
Weekly art classes make great Christmas gifts. Or even a week-long summer camp. We offer gift cards for both plus a complimentary gift bag with artsy trinkets so you have something to put under the tree!

BUSY BEAN PLAY CAFE, Liberty
A coffee shop where the kids get to play while the grown-ups relax. Offering Open Play times, events, and memberships -- Gift cards can be purchased here.

Sugar Kittens Cat Cafe & Cattery, Liberty & Lees Summit
Sugar Kittens offers an amazing immersive experience with 60 of the cutest, cuddliest kittens all under one roof! Gift certificates are available to purchase in store.

Martha Lafite Nature Sanctuary, Liberty
The area is open for hiking, nature study, birding, photography, sketching and relaxing in the beauty of the natural world, providing opportunity for people to discover and connect with nature. Kids' summer camps happen throughout June, July, and August!

Northland Rolladium, Liberty
Proudly serving the Liberty community and the greater Kansas City area for years, giving families, friends, and skaters of all ages a place to gather, glide, and make memories. Gift certificates available for purchase in-store.

Dabble & Drip, Liberty
Pottery painting for all ages! This drop-in studio offers a relaxing and inspiring atmosphere perfect for individuals of all ages and skill levels.

Fastkick Martial Arts Center, Liberty
FastKick Martial Arts is a family oriented martial arts center offering classes for students as young as three years old.

Corbin Kid's Company, Liberty
Corbin Kids Camp is a 2-week long camp. Participants will learn all aspects of theater production culminating in a show at the end of the camp! Registration opens on 1/1/26 - a limited number of Christmas Gift Certificates available beginning Black Friday.

Fun Run, Liberty
A 9,000 square foot indoor park filled with inflatables, a two-story wooden town for imaginative play, sky maze with slides, arcade games, and toddler area exclusively for children ages 3 and under. Gift certificates available for purchase in store.

Above All Trampoline Park, Liberty
Above All Trampoline Park is Liberty’s hottest destination for family fun! Come take flight on our massive indoor court of connected trampolines for an unforgettable adventure. Gift cards available here.

Chalky Mountain Rocket Factory, Liberty
Chalky Mountain Rocket Factory is a kids gymnastics and fitness center offering classes, camps, and Friday Fun Nights.

The Little Gym of Kansas City, KC North/Parkville
Gymnastics club focused on kids from 4 months to 12 years old, featuring structured classes and camps. Gift giving options available by calling/texting (816-492-2448)

K&B's Fun Town, Parkville
A vibrant activity center uniquely designed for kids ages 0-8.

The Rabbit hOle, North Kansas City
A museum experience that celebrates and brings to life a century of American children's literature for visitors of all ages. Gift cards for admission can be purchased here.

KC Music Academy, Platte Woods
KC Music Academy offers music lessons for every instrument, every level. Besides private lessons, they also have performance groups, summer camps, homeschool music classes, and more!

Did we miss any of your favorites?

If you have a favorite local northland business that offers entertainment or learning experiences for kids and families, we'd love to add them to our list! Let us know here.

In today’s economy, there’s something especially meaningful about this kind of giving. Instead of adding more “stuff,” grandparents and relatives can gift ongoing activities—like art classes, music lessons, or sports memberships—that help families keep doing what they love without extra financial strain.

It’s a gift that doesn’t just fill a day—it fills a season with joy and connection.

Whether it’s a semester of art classes or a single summer adventure, an experience gift lasts long after the wrapping paper is gone. Explore our Orange Easel classes and other local favorites to find the perfect gift this season!

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Top 10 Creative Gifts for Budding Artists

11/4/2025

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At Orange Easel, we make art with kids every single day—in studios and at home. That means we know which supplies truly stand up to real creative use (and which ones don’t!). We’ve tested hundreds of brands, paints, markers, and tools in our classrooms, and we’re sharing our absolute favorites for stocking a home art studio.

These ten picks are economical, long-lasting, and low-mess, making them perfect for creative kids and busy parents alike. Whether you’re building your first art supply shelf or restocking old favorites, these tried-and-true materials will keep the creativity flowing all year long.

Affiliate Note:
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support our small business and allow us to keep creating art (and content!) for our community. Rest assured, we only recommend products we already use and love in our studios and homes.

Orange Easel's TOP 10 for 2025

#1 Liquid Watercolors

Liquid Washable Watercolors make great gifts for young artists!

These liquid watercolors are our go-to in the studio! We use them for everything—coloring playdough, painting coffee filters, even refilling stamp pads.

They make bright, vibrant paintings and are perfect for young artists since they’re already in liquid form (no scrubbing at hard watercolor cakes!). Each bottle is a concentrate, so a little goes a long way—and they’ll last you forever.

#2 Alcohol Ink Markers

Alcohol Markers are a special gift for teen artists

Unlike regular water-based markers, alcohol markers use an alcohol-based ink that blends beautifully and lays down rich, streak-free color. They’re a favorite in our illustrative drawing classes, where students learn techniques used by professional designers and illustrators.
Because alcohol markers can be layered and shaded so smoothly, they’re the go-to tool for comic book and cartoon artists who want that bold, polished, professional look. They are definitely an investment—but that’s what makes a quality set such a special gift for budding teen artists ready to level up their art.

#3 Artsy Apparel

We wear our favorite team’s gear all the time… so why not show our art spirit too?

Our Orange Easel retail shop is filled with comfy, creative apparel designed just for artists. From paint-splattered hoodies to clever art quotes and colorful tees, every piece is printed and shipped right from our studio. They make the perfect gift for makers who love to wear their passion—because the arts deserve just as much spirit wear as sports!

#4 Shape Punches

These paper punches are inexpensive, fit perfectly in stockings, and have endless uses—making them a great addition to any home studio.

Use them to create collage materials, add the finishing touch to a handmade card, or make your own confetti! Plus, for young artists, shape punches are wonderful for fine motor development—they strengthen hand muscles, improve coordination, and build the dexterity needed for confident cutting and drawing later on.

#5 Colored Pencils

prismacolor colored pencils last FOREVER!

We love Crayola for everyday coloring—but when artists are ready to take their drawings to the next level, Prismacolor pencils are the gold standard. They’re soft, blendable, and rich in pigment, allowing for smooth shading and professional-quality results.

They’re definitely an investment, but a set of Prismacolors can last for years—these are the same pencils many of us took with us to college (and still use today!). A perfect gift for any young artist who’s starting to get serious about their craft.

#6 Washi Tape

Just like paper punches, washi tape is small, inexpensive, and endlessly versatile—perfect for any mixed media art station!

Young artists can use it to add patterns to drawings, borders to journals, or decorative layers to collages. It’s easy to tear, reposition, and experiment with, making it both frustration-free and creatively open-ended. And as a bonus, peeling and placing tape pieces helps build fine motor strength and coordination in little hands.

#7 Drawing Set

A good sketch set is a must-have for any growing artist! This comprehensive kit includes graphite and charcoal pencils, blending tools, and erasers—all neatly packaged and ready to go. It’s perfect for artists who are still experimenting with different drawing materials or building up their personal supply stash. With everything in one place, it makes sketching, shading, and exploring new techniques simple and inspiring.

#8 Art Club Membership

Once you’ve got the supplies, sometimes you just need a little coaching and community to get started! Our Orange Easel instructors teach live, online classes every week—so you can create right alongside us from home.

As a Creation Nation member, you’ll also get access to our on-demand library with thousands of art lessons for every age and skill level. It’s the perfect gift for artists who want to keep learning, experimenting, and connecting all year long.

#9 Polymer Clay

Polymer clay is one of our favorite materials for miniature sculpting projects—from charms and jewelry to tiny creatures and food art! It’s a bit more of an investment than basic modeling clay, but a little truly goes a long way when you’re working small. Unlike regular modeling clay that never hardens, polymer clay bakes solid in a home oven, turning your creations into lasting keepsakes.

The colors are vibrant, the texture is smooth, and the finished pieces are durable—perfect for artists who love to make and treasure their creations for years to come.

#10 Low Temp Hot Glue Gun

Sometimes, only hot glue will do! An ultra low temp glue gun is a must-have for any home art studio—especially for artists who love building and constructing.

It’s the secret weapon behind all of our cardboard sculptures and popsicle stick creations in the studio. The low temperature makes it much safer for young makers, while still providing a strong, fast bond for all kinds of materials. Once you have one, you’ll wonder how you ever crafted without it!

Looking for even more creative inspiration? Our Holiday Gift Guide is a 20-page digital booklet packed with gift ideas for every type of artist—from preschool doodlers to digital illustrators. You can grab your copy right from our website or sign up below to have it emailed to you.

Because the world needs more artists—and we’re here to help you shop for them!

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Gifting Experiences for Kids: Local Ideas That Last

Local Experiences That Make Wonderful Gifts

Ideas from Our Community

Did we miss any of your favorites?

Top 10 Creative Gifts for Budding Artists

Orange Easel's TOP 10 for 2025

#1 Liquid Watercolors

#2 Alcohol Ink Markers

#3 Artsy Apparel

#4 Shape Punches

#5 Colored Pencils

#6 Washi Tape

#7 Drawing Set

#8 Art Club Membership

#9 Polymer Clay

#10 Low Temp Hot Glue Gun

Allison May Jensen, owner

Archives

Categories

Gifting Experiences for Kids: Local Ideas That Last

Local Experiences That Make Wonderful Gifts

​Ideas from Our Community

Did we miss any of your favorites?

Top 10 Creative Gifts for Budding Artists

Orange Easel's TOP 10 for 2025

#1 Liquid Watercolors

#2 Alcohol Ink Markers

#3 Artsy Apparel

#4 Shape Punches

#5 Colored Pencils

#6 Washi Tape

#7 Drawing Set

#8 Art Club Membership

#9 Polymer Clay

#10 Low Temp Hot Glue Gun

Allison May Jensen, owner

Archives

Categories

Ideas from Our Community