Traverse City Area Holiday Gifting Guide for Kids!
Welcome to the first UpNorth Kids Holiday Gifting Guide for the Traverse City area! I’m so excited for this one! I’ve curated a list of can’t miss gift ideas from some of my favorite businesses in the Traverse City area to help families find great local Christmas gifts while supporting our amazing community.
With each purchase, you’ll not only be gifting something thoughtful and inspired, but also supporting local businesses that make Traverse City such a wonderful place to live.
Expand each section for details on the best kids gifts the Traverse City area has to offer this holiday season and don’t forget to shop local!
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Give the gift of hang time this season! ELEV8 is offering two different punch card options for families this season along with an UNLIMITED climb package for winter holiday break! Punches can be shared within a household.
3-Punch Package includes:
Three days of climbing at ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness
Rental Climbing Gear
$10 Gift Card (great for snacks!)
ELEV8 Sticker
Price: $60 youth (14 & under) | $75 adult
6-Punch Package includes:
Six days of climbing at ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness
Rental Climbing Gear
$20 Gift Card (great for snacks!)
Two unique ELEV8 Stickers
Price: $110 youth (14 & under) | $140 adult
Unlimited Holiday Pass includes:
Unlimited climbing at ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness during the Winter holiday break (they are open every day 12/26 through the start of school in the new year - that is 11 days!)
Rental Climbing Gear
$10 Gift Card (great for snacks!)
ELEV8 Sticker
Price: $85 youth (14 & under) | $105 adult
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This holiday package from Underground Toys is perfect for the young explorer who’s ready to dive into the wonders of science. This kit inspires curiosity while delivering hours of fun. With engaging activities that cover physics, paleontology, and more, Santa’s Science Sleigh brings the magic of STEM to every holiday season! Includes:
Plasma Light Static Electricity Lightning Ball
Amber Fossil Mini Dig Adventure Kit
Balancing Pterosaur Center of Gravity Toy
Tornado Tube Vortex Creator
Magnifying Bug Viewer
Fidget Cube
Underground Toys Sticker
Red Pinwheel
$49 Gift Bag Price ($59 Suggested Retail Price)
Purchase the UpNorth Kids/Underground Toys Package here or in person in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons
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Has your little one been asking to get their ears pierced? Wrap up the Christmas surprise of the year with a brand new pair of earrings that they’ll bring into Up North Pediatrics to be put in on piercing day!
Their ears will be pierced by a pediatrician using Blomdahl medical-grade sterile plastic or titanium earrings to avoid allergic reactions and risk of infection.
The cost is $125 and includes the procedure, the earrings, and the after-care cleaning wipes so you have everything you need. They’ll receive a fun prize after it’s done! Or bring your own earrings and choose piercing only for $100.
Click Here to Purchase! -
Give the gift of family adventure this Christmas with Tubbs Flex Jr. Snowshoes, crafted just for kids! With the unique FLEX Tail™ design and QuickLock™ binding, these snowshoes make each winter step smooth and fun. Whether it’s a stroll through the snowy woods or a playful day in the park, these snowshoes are ready for young explorers ages 6-10 to lead the way. Wrap up an unforgettable winter filled with snowy trails, family bonding, and adventure!
Cost: $64.95
Purchase in store or online here! -
Step into the magic of the season with the Nutcracker Suite Dancer Package from Diva Dancewear and Dance Arts Academy! Perfect for young dancers and Nutcracker fans, this enchanting bundle includes:
One 10” Nutcracker
One Small Snow Globe
A Nutcracker Storybook
One Kurt Adler ornament
$50 gift certificate towards merchandise at Diva Dancewear or toward a 2025 Dance Class at Dance Arts Academy
Cost: $149.95
*Nutcracker merchandise can be substituted with similar priced items. Gift certificate is not redeemable for cash.
Items can be ordered by emailing info@divadancewearstore.com with your name and cell or calling us at 231-941-4234
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Brilliant Books is offering a unique, personalized subscription service - just for kids! Your child will receive a new book every month, each chosen individually by an expert bookseller with age- and theme-appropriate books chosen to suit your child's reading level and interests.
They offer 3 distinct monthly programs designed for young readers of all ages:
Picture Book Readers (ages 0-5)
Chapter Book Readers (ages 6-8)
Middle Grade Readers (9-12)Cost: 6 Months/1 Year - $130/$240
Once you've subscribed your young reader to our Monthly Book Club, they'll receive a preferences card that will ask about favorite authors, genres, styles, etc. When they've filled this out and returned it, we'll assign a children's book specialist to select their books, and before long, their first selections will be arriving in the mail.
Happy holidays, and may your season be filled with warmth, laughter, and unforgettable local treasures!