From Plastic to Playful Moments: Why More Aussie Families Are Choosing Experiences Over Toys

From Plastic to Playful Moments: Why more Aussie families are choosing experiences over toys

For years, kids' birthdays and holidays in Australia meant new toys - bright, plastic-packed, often quickly forgotten. But a quieter revolution is underway. Families across the nation are now rethinking gifting. The new preference? Experiences.

15 August 2025

Melissa Soutar

Australia's Shift Toward Experience Gifting

Why experiences are gaining traction

✅ Less waste: Experiences don’t end up in cupboards gathering dust or in landfills.
✅ More lasting impact: Skills, memories, emotions—they stick long after a toy’s novelty fades.
✅ Closer connections: Time spent together—learning, exploring, playing—is the real gift.
✅ Value-conscious choices: Especially in tough economic times, families choose gifts that reflect their values and budgets.

In the words of Dr. Belinda Barton: “Spending money on experiences rather than material goods can significantly boost happiness. Experiences contribute to our identity and are less likely to cause social comparison”.

GIFT CARDS

Mini Karting Sydney

What experience gifts look like in Australia

Experience Type	Examples	Why It Resonates
Nature & Adventure	Wildlife tours, beach days, bush school	Bonding with environment, excitement
Creative & Performing Arts	Music, painting, drama	Confidence, expression, imagination
STEM & Discovery	Robotics workshops, science camps, coding labs	Future skills, curiosity stimulation
Wellbeing & Play	Kids yoga, sensory play classes, mindfulness	Calming, emotional development
Travel & Day Outings	Zoo or aquarium passes, holiday parks, family hikes	Exploration + shared memories

Rather than “another plastic toy,” many gift-givers now think, “What unforgettable moment can I share with this child?” (christie – how can I meet them where they are, expose them to new environments and challenge them through new activities)

EXPERIENCES

CURRENT PROMOTIONS

Below are currently some of Spark Pop’s current promotions. Hurry you better book in quick!

Australia

EVENT Cinema Pass

Great for All Ages

Discover

FROM

$45

Melbourne

Melbourne Big Ticket

Great for Ages 3-12

Discover

View all Promotions

Spark Pop is part of the movement

Spark Pop was founded in 2022 by Sunshine Coast mum Melissa, who was finding homes overwhelmed by unused toys and parents searching for sustainable alternatives. She created Australia’s first marketplace dedicated to curated experiences for kids and families, initially launching in Southeast Queensland and expanding across the east coast and Perth.

Their mission? To reduce toy clutter, support local play and learning providers, and funnel profits back into community causes, including The Smith Family and toy library initiatives. Spark Pop is all about helping families create memories—all while creating less waste. They’re not just selling experiences—they’re championing a different way to celebrate childhood.

GIFT MEMORIES

Kids won't remember the toy.. but they'll always remember the adventure.

The shift to experiential gifting in Australia is powered by real change in values and priorities. Between mounting waste from unused toys, budget-conscious giving, and a growing desire for gifts that mean something, experiences are becoming the gold standard.

And platforms like Spark Pop are making it easier than ever to gift joy, learning, and time instead of more stuff—showing that the future of gifting isn’t in what’s unwrapped, but what’s experienced.

👉 Explore Risky Play Experiences Across Australia

Gift Card, Australia

Join the Squad and get early access to deals

+ Get 10% off your first order

Schools & Groups

FAQ's

Refund Policy

Become a Supplier

Media & Partners

@sparkpoptribe

SPARK POP® acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Privacy

Terms & Conditions

Refund Policy