Give Your Kid the Gift of a Tennessee Trip This Holiday Season With the Help of These Toys

As we get older, we realize the value of intangible gifts. Something shiny and new is always appreciated, but sometimes making lasting memories with loved ones hits the spot like no physical item can — and stays with us far longer. Kids, on the other hand, typically prefer traditional gifts; something they can unwrap and play with immediately. We don't blame them, either. When you're a kid, nothing beats that kind of in-the-moment anticipation and excitement.

Satisfying the entire family this holiday season is no easy task, but the Tennessee Playcation toy catalog can help. Created by Tennessee's tourism board, it inspires the best of both worlds — a memorable experience coupled with something fun to unwrap. You can order a free physical copy online or download a digital copy to browse.

The catalog is filled with building-block toys modeled after famous Tennessee landmarks like the Memphis Zoo, Ruby Falls, Dollywood, and The Sunsphere at Knoxville's World's Fair Park. The idea is to get your child excited about traveling by gifting them one (or more!) of these 25 play sets along with a trip to the actual site so the whole family can experience it IRL.

For the adventure-seeking kid who's all about thrills and action, a trip to Nashville's Soundwaves™ at Gaylord Opryland® — an amusement and water park — makes for a highly anticipated summer vacation next year. If your kid loves animals and the outdoors, try the Safari Park in Alamo playset or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park playset along with a trip (of course) to each respective attraction. From the Grand Ole Opry for music lovers or the Titanic Museum for history buffs, there's truly an exciting toy and destination for every interest and every family.

Surprising your kid with a playset accompanied by the news of a pre-planned family vacation is one way to present this unique gift. Another approach is having your child flip through the catalog on their own and choose the family's Tennessee destination and activities based on which set(s) they prefer. No matter how you go about it, it's a guaranteed gifting homerun.

The bottom line: simplifying your holiday gift-giving with experiences is not only easier than ever with this catalog, it's also fun, educational, and hands-on. And the best part is knowing that you're proactively creating bonding opportunities and memories that'll last a lifetime. A gift like that? Priceless.