The Best Experience Gifts in Sioux Falls: 2025 Guide to Local Activities for All Ages
- South Dakota Aerial & Arts
- Nov 26
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 29
If you’re searching for the best experience gifts in Sioux Falls, this guide highlights some of the most creative, family-friendly, and unforgettable activities offered by our local small businesses. Whether you're shopping for kids, teens, adults, couples, or that hard-to-shop-for friend, these experiences build memories that last far beyond the holiday season.
Below, you'll find offerings, age ranges, purchase details, and verified ratings + real customer feedback wherever available.
This list was curated based on community suggestions, and no business paid to be a part of this list. We just think they deserve recognition for being awesome experiences!
Bungee and Aerial Experiences at South Dakota Aerial & Arts
Aerial Silks · Bungee Fitness · Camps · Youth Programs · Parties/Private Sessions
Rating: ★★★★★ 5.0 (114 reviews)
Age Range: 4 years – adult
How to Purchase: Purchase gift cards and class passes online at sdaerialarts.com. They offer printable certificates upon request. Check out their holiday deals for 2025.
South Dakota Aerial & Arts offers a circus-inspired fitness experience unlike anything else in Sioux Falls. With aerial silks, lyra, trapeze, bungee fitness, youth programs, adult classes, and camps, this studio is a perfect experience gift for families, fitness lovers, creative kids, and adventurous individuals' of all ages.
Customer Feedback:
“A unique fitness experience taught by amazingly supportive and skilled instructors.”
“Incredibly welcoming for beginners — my daughter’s confidence has soared.”
This is one of Sioux Falls’ most loved and highest-rated experience-based businesses, making it a great all-ages gift option.
Escapades Escape Rooms
Escape Rooms · Smash Rooms · Axe Throwing
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.7 (430 reviews)
Age Range: Best for ages 10+ (younger allowed with adults)
How to Purchase: Book rooms or gift certificates at escapadesescape.com
Escapades is Sioux Falls’ top-rated escape-room destination, offering immersive themed rooms that challenge groups to solve puzzles, crack codes, and beat the clock.
Customer Feedback:• “By far the best escape rooms we’ve played — challenging and beautifully themed.”
“Staff was friendly, booking was easy, and everything was clean.”
Perfect for family gifts, teen groups, double dates, corporate outings, or anyone who loves a mental challenge.
Cooking Class Experiences
Cultivated in Love · Bee Loved Kitchen · Plum’s Cooking Company
Sioux Falls offers several cozy, hands-on cooking experience options:
Ratings: Public Google ratings for these smaller culinary businesses are limited or unavailable.
Age Range: Varies — often ages 6+ for family classes and 12+ for hands-on culinary workshops.
How to Purchase: Visit each business website or contact directly for class registration.
Cultivated in Love
Known for warm, heartfelt cooking experiences that feel like gathering around a family kitchen table. They offer charcuterie classes
Ratings: ★★★★★ 5.0 (28 Reviews)
Age Range: Teen through adults
How to Purchase: Email cultivatedinlove@gmail.com to schedule a class or purchase a gift card online.
Bee Loved Kitchen
Offers wholesome baking, cooking, and specialty food workshops — often family-friendly or kid-friendly.
Ratings: ★★★★★ 5.0 (3 Reviews)
Age Range: Not specified
How to Purchase: Contact at beelovedkitchen@yahoo.com or check out/book events on their Facebook page.
Plum’s Cooking Company
A long-standing Sioux Falls classic featuring professional cooking classes in a commercial teaching kitchen with top local chefs.
Ratings: ★★★★☆ 4.7 (42 reviews)
Age Range: Adults
How to Purchase: Purchase gift cards online on plumscooking.com
These classes make wonderful gifts for families, foodies, creative kids, couples, or anyone ready to learn new kitchen skills.
Gaming Fun: 81 Arcade & Union Social
EightyOne (81) Arcade Bar
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.7 (approx. 376 reviews)
Age Range: 18+ after 8pm; ages 13–17 allowed with parent before 8pm
How to Purchase: Pay-per-game cards, gift cards in-store
A retro-style arcade bar with over 50 classic games, pinball machines, music games, and a full bar.
Customer Feedback:
“Great selection of games, clean space, and fun vibe for groups.”
"This place is a lot of fun, lots of old fashioned arcade, pinball and action games like Rambo, Mario Kart and Dance Dance Revolution"
Union Social
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.3 (approx. 90 reviews)
Age Range: All Ages
How to Purchase: Gift cards are available online at unionsocialsf.com. See standard gift cards. Explore 2025 Holiday Deals.
A modern entertainment venue offering bowling, arcade games, axe throwing, and a restaurant/bar — great for parties, group outings, or team-building.
Customer Feedback:
"We had my son's 5th birthday party here tonight and what a wonderful time had by both kids and parents!
I've never had such a positive experience as I did tonight -all the staff was incredibly kind and helpful and ensured he had the best day ever! We ordered food for the adults last minute, and everything came out hot and delicious!"
"My family loves this spot! The bar is my personal favorite aspect of this place"
Get Crafty at AMC Collective
AMC Collective
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.6 (17 reviews)
Age Range: Typically 12+
How to Purchase: Register for specific classes via website or Facebook page. They offer punch cards for multiple creative sessions - visit their physical location or contact them via email (hello@amccollectivesd.com) to purchase.
AMC Collective offers pottery, painting, resin art, décor-making, and seasonal crafting events. Perfect for creative teens, adults, or mother-daughter outings.
Gift a Glam Session: American Beauty & Beauty Lounge Glamour Studio
American Beauty
Rating: ★★★★★ 5.0 (25 Reviews)
Age Range: Teens & adults (younger clients allowed for special events)
How to Purchase: Contact the studio via email info@americanbeautysd.com or purchase gift certificates (website/social media). Check out their social media for their Pink Friday Sales.
American Beauty is known for polished, picture-perfect glam — from flawless makeup to voluminous blowouts. It’s a popular choice for photoshoots, performances, weddings, pageants, and special events.
Customer Feedback:
• Clients rave about how “friendly, talented, and professional” the artists are.
• Reviewers highlight that the studio creates “a warm, confidence-boosting experience.”
Beauty Lounge Glamour Studio
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.8 (71 reviews)
Age Range: 6 and up
How to Purchase: Email to book a session or request a gift certificate - beautyloungellc@gmail.com
Beauty Lounge Glamour Studio specializes in bold, camera-ready glam and customized makeup artistry. They’re known for attentive service, flawless finishes, and making clients feel incredible.
Customer Feedback:
• Reviewers praise the studio for being “amazing at enhancing natural beauty.”
• Guests describe the experience as “pampering, empowering, and so much fun.”
Wellness Experiences: Alchemy House Wellness & Rose Petals Massage
Alchemy House Wellness
Rating: ★★★★★ 5.0 (6 Reviews)
Age Range: Adults
How to Purchase: Email to purchase a package or gift card (info@alchemyhouse.co)
Provides Reiki, holistic energy sessions, meditation, and intuitive wellness experiences. They offer individual and group sessions. You can also enjoy their serene space by visiting The Alchemist's Cup - their quiet Tea Bar.
Rose Petals Massage
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.7 (11 reviews)
Offers therapeutic massage and restorative bodywork for relaxation and wellness.
Age Range: Adults
How to Purchase: Book sessions or buy gift cards by contacting through their website
Customer Feedback:
"I highly recommend! The amount of continued education, excitement for learning and love of knowledge really shows. Rosa took the time to really listen to me and what I needed from her. I could tell she definitely cares about her clients. I felt extremely comfortable and yet it was still a very professional atmosphere. I will definitely be going back!"
These wellness-focused experiences make wonderful self-care gifts for busy parents, teachers, healthcare workers, or anyone needing a reset.
Sioux Falls Food Tours
Rating: ★★★★★ 5.0 (15 Reviews)
Age Range: Adults (teens allowed with adults on some tours)
How to Purchase: Book through their website - click the Book Now button in the top right corner
Sip, sample, and stroll through downtown Sioux Falls with a guided food tour featuring signature dishes, local stories, and hidden gems. A delicious gift idea for couples, food lovers, or visiting guests. They offer guided tours, private tours and self-guided tours.
We Rock the Spectrum – Inclusive Play Gym
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.7 (113reviews)
Age Range: Toddlers – pre-teens
How to Purchase: Buy gift cards on their website werockthespectrumsiouxfalls.com
We Rock the Spectrum provides an inclusive, sensory-friendly indoor gym with swings, climbing structures, sensory toys, ziplines, and imaginative play zones, ideal for children of all abilities. Book open play, parties or classes.
Why Experience Gifts Are Perfect for Sioux Falls Families
Experience gifts:
✔ Create lasting memories
✔ Reduce clutter
✔ Support local small businesses
✔ Encourage movement, creativity, and connection
✔ Are suitable for every age and interest
Many of these local businesses are just getting started, and your support could make or break their holiday. Let's support our community while also giving our loved ones unforgettable experiences!
Whether you're gifting adventure, creativity, wellness, or flavor, Sioux Falls offers truly special experiences that go far beyond the typical gift.