Grandparents are ditching plastic toy gifts; here's why experiences make better gifts

Grandparents love buying gifts for their grandchildren. But more of them are now worried about the impact of plastic toys on the planet. New research from Scottish Friendly shows that 62% of grandparents are concerned about plastic toy waste. 

And with good reason; many plastic toys are hard to recycle, break quickly, and end up in landfill. 

So instead of buying more toys, grandparents are looking for gifts that feel more meaningful. According to the study, nearly three in four grandparents (72%) say they’re happy to put money into a child’s savings instead of buying a physical present. 

The research also found: 

• Grandparents spend £81.20 on average for each birthday gift. 

• London grandparents spend the most (£124.50), and the North East spends the least (£52.50). 

• 67% would buy a small present and save the rest if parents asked. 

• 14% would skip physical gifts entirely and save the full amount. 

So, the tradition of giving toys is starting to shift and many grandparents prefer to help build a nest‑egg instead. 

Saving is a great idea, but kids don’t always “get it” 

Putting money into a savings account is a smart move. It can grow over time and help children when they’re older, whether they need help with a first home, driving lessons or university costs. 

But here’s the thing; kids can’t always understand the long-term benefits of savings. Unless they’re a budding Warren Buffet and love playing with compound interest calculators, of course. 

To kids, especially little ones, money for the future often doesn’t feel like a “real present”. There’s nothing to unwrap or play with, and there’s nothing to look forward to in the near future.  

That’s why a mix of experiences and savings might work better. That way, they can learn about savings without feeling like they’re missing out on a gift right now.  

Why experiences make brilliant gifts 

Experience gifts are fun, memorable and don’t add clutter. They also avoid the landfill waste that comes with toys kids don’t play with for long. 

Instead of buying another plastic toy, grandparents can treat kids to: 

• A trip to the cinema 

• A day at the zoo 

• A visit to SEA LIFE 

• A theme park day at Alton Towers or Thorpe Park 

• A hands‑on activity like a junior driving session or an animal encounter 

Kids get a special day out. Grandparents get real quality time. And the environment avoids another bit of plastic going to landfill.  

If you want to make these days out more affordable, you can save money through PlusSave, and put the savings in a children’s savings account if you want. Win-win.  

Save on theme parks and family attractions with PlusSave 

PlusSave is available to all thinkmoney SmartPlus customers.

With PlusSave, thinkmoney customers get access to discounted gift cards at hundreds of restaurants, retailers, hotels, and entertainment venues across the UK.  

Here’s  a few ideas if you’re thinking of treating the grandchildren to an experience gift for their next birthday.  

5% off Merlin Gift Cards 

Merlin gives you access to 30+ attractions across the UK, including: 

• Alton Towers 

• Thorpe Park 

• Chessington World of Adventures 

• SEA LIFE 

• The Dungeons 

• Madame Tussauds London 

Buy a Merlin gift card through PlusSave to get 5% off, then use it to book tickets online. Just bear in mind you can’t use the card on-site, so you’ll need to book ahead.  

Save 20% on Virgin Experience Days 

If you want something a bit different, Virgin Experience Days has options for children of all ages. With PlusSave, you get 20% off gift cards. 

They have a whole section of experiences ideal for children’s birthdays, including:  

• Junior Tree Top Adventure for two – costs £56 for two kids aged 6-15 and there are 16 locations to choose from in the UK where kids can take part in a high ropes course. With 20% off from PlusSave, this’ll cost you around £45.  

• iFLY Junior Indoor Skydiving for two – two kids can partake in indoor skydiving; great for adventure seekers who don’t want to jump out of a plane to experience the thrill of skydiving. Normally costs around £160, but with PlusSave, it’ll cost you £128 instead, giving you a £32 saving towards your grandchild’s savings.  

• Children’s Storybook-themed steam train trip for one adult and one child – this is a great option for younger kids, and if you want to share the experience with your grandchild; it costs just £40 or £32 with PlusSave, so great for grandparents on a budget.  

10% off Cineworld gift cards 

If you buy a Cineworld gift card through PlusSave, you’ll get 10% off your spend. Because it’s a discounted gift card, you can often stack this saving with Cineworld’s own offers, which means you’re getting even more value. 

Some Cineworld deals that may work well with a PlusSave gift card include: 

• Cineworld Family Ticket - This covers 1 adult + 3 children or 2 adults + 2 children (kids must be 14 and under). With this ticket type, adults pay kids’ prices, which helps keep the day affordable. 

• Movies for Juniors – from £3.99 a ticket - These are weekly screenings made for younger children or first‑time cinema‑goers. It’s an easy, low‑cost way to enjoy a film without breaking the bank. 

Key takeaways 

• 62% of grandparents worry about plastic toy waste, so many are rethinking what they buy. 

• Nearly three in four (72%) are happy to put money into savings instead of giving a physical gift. 

• Kids don’t always understand savings, so a mix of experiences and money can work better. 

• Experience gifts create memories without adding clutter and avoid more plastic going to landfill. 

• PlusSave helps cut the cost of days out, making experience‑based gifting more affordable.