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Thank you Valley Oak Children's Services!
Throughout the holidays, there's pressure to shop 'til we drop and buy each other lots of STUFF. My goal with this guide is to help you think differently about gift-giving by encouraging you to invest in experiences instead. It will reduce clutter and chaos, create new memories, and your loved ones might pick up a new hobby or skill in the process!
Even better, the featured businesses are local, so you are supporting Chico's community and economy with your thoughtful purchases.
Chico's Best Experience Gifts for Kids
Interactive Play
Chico Children's Museum
📍325 Main Street Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 809-1492
chicochildrensmuseum.org
Gateway Science Museum
📍625 Esplanade Chico, CA 95929
☎️ (530) 898-4121
csuchico.edu/gateway
Active Play
Bowlero Chico
📍2397 Esplanade Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 895-3527
bowlero.com/location/bowlero-chico
Terrain Park Climbing Center
📍931 West 5th Street, Suite 100 Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 809-0796
terrainparkclimbingcenter.com
Cal Skate Funland Chico
📍2465 Carmichael Drive Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 343-1601
funlandchico.com
Rare Air Trampoline Park
📍1090 East 20th Street Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 433-5557
rareairparkchico.com
Classes & Lessons
Art
Chico Art Center
📍450 Orange Street, Suite 6 Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 895-8726
chicoartcenter.com
Chico Art School & Gallery
📍261 E 3rd Street Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 570-3895
chicoartschool.com
Chico Creative
📍305 Wall Street Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 213-3713
chico-creative.com
Sienna Joy Painting
📍1680 Vallombrosa Avenue Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 680-8765
siennajoypainting.com
Arty Party
☎️ (916) 300-4786
artypartystudios.com
Dance
Chico Creek Dance Centre
📍1144 W 1st Street Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 893-9028
chicocreekdance.com
Hype Dance Studio
📍1033 Mangrove Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 898-8789
hypedancestudio.com
Kinetics Academy of Dance & Gymnastics
📍627 Broadway Street, Suite 100 Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 345-2505
kineticsacademyofdance.com
Movement Arts of Chico
📍254 E 1st Street Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 870-1133
movementartsofchico.com
North State Ballet
📍2400 Notre Dame Boulevard Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 774-2364
northstateballet.com
Revolution Dance Company
📍562 Manzanita Avenue, Suite 1 Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 774-5255
revolutiondancecompanychico.com
Uptown Dance Arts
📍2201 Pillsbury Road, Suite 174 Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 399-0436
uptowndancearts.com
Gymnastics
Athletic Horizons Gymnastics Center
📍415 Otterson Drive #70 Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 893-4967
athletichorizons.com
Kinetics Academy of Dance & Gymnastics
📍627 Broadway Street, Suite 100 Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 345-2505
kineticsacademyofdance.com
Horseback Riding
Almond Tree Stables
📍3538 Elk Avenue Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 899-7909
almondtreestables.com
Jan's Rails to Trails
📍9 Hagenridge Road Chico, CA 95973
☎️ (530) 514-9140
facebook.com/jansrailstotrails
Music
Children's Choir of Chico
📍850 Palmetto Avenue Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 342-2775
childrenschoirofchico.org
Kai Music and Arts
📍515 Wall Street Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 717-5949
kaimusicandarts.com
The Music Connection
📍341 W 3rd Street Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 898-0110
musicconnectionchico.com
Simple Strings Music Academy
📍1544 Warner Street Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 537-5047
simplestringsmusic.com
The Wright Keys
📍7 Hilda Way Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 604-3835
thewrightkeys.com
Self Defense
Nibukikan Martial Arts Academy - jujitsu
📍664 E 1st Avenue, Suite 10 Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 570-0549
nibukikan.godaddysites.com
Haley's Martial Arts Center - karate
📍260 Cohasset Road Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 895-3114
hmacdojo.com
Morning Sun Martial Arts - taekwondo
📍181 E 9th Avenue Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 342-5833
morningsunma.com
Seth Weil Martial Arts - jeet kune do
📍2555 Zanella Way Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 624-2663
martialartschico.com
Swimming
WaterSprites Swim School
📍2280 Ivy Street Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 342-2999
chicowatersprites.com
North Valley Swim School
📍1293 E 1st Avenue Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 345-6707
inmotionfitness.com/programs/north-valley-swim-school
Theater
California Regional Theater - CRT Kids
📍3581 Morrow Lane, Suite 7 Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (800) 722-4522
crtshows.com & crtkids.com
Other Fun Experiences
Cinemark 14 - Tinseltown
📍801 East Avenue, Suite 200 Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 879-0143
cinemark.com - chico cinemark 14
Chico's Best Experience Gifts for Adults & Teens
Group & Couples Fun
Axe Throwing
Hatchet House
📍845 Cherry Street Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 715-7547
hatchethousechico.com
DIY Crafts
Board & Brush Creative Studio
📍1380 East Avenue, Suite 108 Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 487-8905
boardandbrush.com/chico
Immersive Puzzles
Chico Escape Rooms
📍55 Declaration Drive, Suite C Chico, CA 95973
☎️ (530) 636-4475
chicoescaperooms.com
Partner Dancing Lessons
Studio One
📍804 Broadway Street Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 345-9465
studiooneballroom.com
Wine Tasting
Almendra Winery & Distillery
📍9275 Midway Durham, CA 95938
☎️ (530) 343-6893
almendrawinery.com
LaRocca Vineyards Tasting Room
📍222 W 2nd Street Chico CA, 95928
☎️ (530) 899-9463
laroccavineyards.com
Nascere Vineyards
📍3471 Durham Dayton Highway Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 345-9904
nascerevineyards.com
Odyssey Winery, Inc.
📍6237 Cohasset Road Chico, CA 95973
☎️ (530) 891-9463
odysseywinery.com
Roney Wines - by appointment
📍5900 Anita Road Chico, CA 95973
☎️ (530) 518-9333
roneywines.com
Pampering
Evolve Wellness Center
📍56 Hanover Lane, Suite 200 Chico, CA 95973
☎️ (530) 514-0696
evolvechicowellnesscenter.com
Chico Holistic Wellness Center
📍287 Rio Lindo Avenue Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 809-2112
chicoholisticwellness.com
Lily's Nails & Spa
📍208 W East Avenue Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 898-8765
lilysnailsspachico.com
True Rest Float Spa
📍1357 E 8th Street Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (844) 356-2899
truerestfloatspachico.com
Self-Improvement
Gym Membership
Chico Sports Club
📍260 Cohasset Road, Suite 190 Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 345-9427
chicosportsclub.com
In Motion Fitness
📍1293 E 1st Avenue Chico, CA 95926
☎️ (530) 343-5678
inmotionfitness.com
Planet Fitness
📍1950 E 20th Street (at Chico Marketplace) Chico, CA 95928
☎️ (530) 965-5492
www.planetfitness.com/gyms/chico-e-20th-st-ca
Give a Mom a Village
Chico Mothers' Club
chicomothersclub.org
Give Kids Something "Out of the Box"
Want to create a custom experience for them instead? Give them a Yes Day!
A Yes Day is exactly what it sounds like. It's a day when we as parents say "yes!" to our children's requests for the whole day. It sounded crazy to me at first, but it can be a fantastically fun (and relaxed) chance for everyone involved to bond and reconnect. Plus, it gives our kids an opportunity to feel empowered and in control.
Here are some guidelines to make sure the whole family has a great experience without breaking the bank (or the law!).
- Activities must be legal and safe.
- Set a budget, either total or per child
- Activities should only last for the day (unless you already want to get your kid a puppy!)
- Requests should be limited to a certain distance of travel, whether it's in town or a certain amount of miles/minutes away.
- Set a start and end time to ensure parents don't get woken up at 3:00 AM and kids go to bed at a decent hour.
Other tips:
- Giving your child(ren) plenty of time to think about what they want to do can be really helpful. A Yes Day can be spontaneous or planned!
- Encourage siblings to have equal say and fairness. Taking turns can help or agreement can be required.
- The spirit of a Yes Day is not to trick parents into saying Yes to something they otherwise wouldn't agree to.
Feel free to get creative and make the concept of a Yes Day your own!
Give Mom or Dad a Break
Sometimes the best experience is doing nothing. Not long after our third child was born, my husband got my minivan detailed for me. It was such a thoughtful gift and reduced my stress dramatically! Parenthood is hard enough without responsibilities piling up, especially when you're in the thick of it for the first year of baby's life.
Do you have a friend or family member who just welcomed a child to their family? Take something off their plate:
- Meal Prepping Subscription Box
- Landscaping
- Car Detailing
- Housecleaning
- Child Care
I hope this guide has inspired you to think differently about what gifts look like during the holidays or any time of year! Giving experience gifts like classes, lessons, day trips, and indoor playtime is an excellent way to make memories, reduce waste, and reconnect with loved ones.
Don't forget to tell them Macaroni KID Chico sent you!
A message from our sponsor:
Valley Oak Children's Services: Guiding Families and Empowering Providers in Butte County
Finding quality childcare can feel overwhelming, but at Valley Oak Children’s Services, we’re here to make the process easier. We connect families with trusted local childcare providers through our referral program, guiding them every step of the way to find care that fits their unique needs. For families who may qualify, we assist with navigating the process of applying for financial assistance, helping ensure that childcare is accessible and affordable.
In addition to supporting families, we empower childcare providers with the tools and education needed to grow their businesses. From professional workshops to vital resources like our Lending Library, we’re committed to strengthening the foundation of care in our community.
We also host Resource Rooms where families can access educational toys, books, and essentials, and we distribute items like backpacks, life vests, and bike helmets at key community events.
Your support helps us expand our impact and provide these valuable resources. To learn more or get involved, visit Valley Oak Children's Services. Together, we can continue building a brighter future for Butte County families!
Wish your business was in this guide, too? It's not too late!
Reach out to Jillian: mackidchico@macaronikid.com to learn more.
