Amazon Explore experiences as gifts cut down on clutter, open horizons and help families make amazing memories. Whether you are looking for an Amazon Explore Experience for yourself or one to give as a gift, I’ve got all the information you need to find the perfect experience gift.
What is an Amazon virtual experience?
In May 2021, Amazon launched Amazon Explore experiences! I’m always on the hunt for unique and creative gift ideas and an Amazon Explore Experiences make an amazing last minute gift for those hard to buy for people on your gift list.
Let’s talk about what Amazon Explore Experiences entail!
This post contains affiliate links. This means, if I will get paid a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you purchase products through my links. I always try to recommend products I have personal experience with and LOVE. I also read reviews and ratings to make sure that I am offering up the best possible gift option for you. You can read more in my full disclosure.
Can you buy experiences on Amazon?
An Amazon experience is an interactive virtual experience that will help you explore and learn about different locations, cultures, art, food, history, people and even animals! They range in price from $10-$165 and can be done on an individual or group basis.
Your Amazon Explore experience takes place on your computer (they don’t work on phones or other devices). At a scheduled time, you will be connected to your host with 1 way video (you see them, but they don’t see you) and 2 way audio (so you can talk!).
These sessions are done live (no pre-recorded video) and give you (or your giftee) the opportunity to connect, shop, learn and even cook!
What I love about Amazon Explore Experiences are the variety of experiences available. You could learn to cook salsa in Mexico, make fresh pasta with sisters in Italy, get up close with rescued animals in Costa Rica, explore an ancient Buddhist temple & receive your fortune in Tokyo, Japan or visit an antique kimono shop (and shop for your own kimono!) and uncover the haunted history of Chicago (to name just a few!).
Some of the Amazon Explore Experiences offer live shopping, where you can purchase things shown to you by your host (through your Amazon account) and have them shipped straight to your home!
The cooking experiences tell you what ingredients you need so you can either cook right along with your host, or just watch them do the cooking.
I think these would make amazing gifts for most everyone on your list!
How long do Amazon Experiences last?
Amazon Explore Experiences last different lengths of times (which you can see when you purchase). The shortest experiences are 30 minutes and some go as long as 80 minutes +.
Are Amazon Experiences live or pre-recorded?
All Amazon Explore Experiences are done LIVE. You will be able to interact with your host using 2 way audio, and see what they see using one way video (you see them, they don’t see you).
You can also click on your screen to show your guide things that you are interested in, as well as take photos of your experience while it is happening. In some experiences you can choose to speak with people you see as you “walk” down the street.
Can I give kids an Amazon Experience?
Yes! There are quite a few family friendly Amazon Explore Experiences that would work for curious kids! However, an adult over the age of 18 does need to be with the child during the experience.
At the end of this post, I share some of my favorite options for Amazon Explore Experience gifts for kids.
How do I gift an Amazon Explore Experience?
There are a couple of different ways to give someone an Amazon Explore Experience.
- If you are giving the experience to someone in your home, you can purchase the experience on your account and let them know when their experience will be. As part of the gift, I would buy necessary supplies (for cooking experiences) and/or give some extra “shopping money” for the shopping experiences.
- You can purchase an Amazon Explore Experience Gift Card so your giftee can purchase whichever experience they’d most like. I would type up a little about the experience I think they would like in a card and slip the gift card inside.
What’s the difference between a private Amazon Experience and a Group Amazon Experience?
Some experiences have both private and group options available. If you are looking for a more custom experience, where you could ask questions and direct the focus of your experience, then a private experience would be the best option!
Private Amazon Explore Experiences are more expensive than group options.
The best options for Amazon Explore Experiences to give as gifts
Amazon is continually adding new Amazon Explore experiences, so make sure to check out all of the options on their website. However, I looked through all of the options and these are my current favs!
The Best Amazon Experiences for Kids
Learn about the mysterious life of owls at Toucan Rescue Ranch: You will get a personal tour at a Costa Rican animal rescue. You’ll learn all about owls, how to identify them and how the animal rescue helps them out.
Search for Dolphins with a professional marine biologist in Mexico Bay of La Paz: Travel along with a marine biologist as you look for, and learn about dolphins! You’ll learn about marine life, mangroves and conservation.
A taste of Tokyo: enjoy sights, smells, and surprises with a Japanese culture experience kit This Amazon Explore Experience is extra fun because it includes a kit! You will be mailed a special kit before your scheduled experience that you open and explore during your visit.
The Ultimate Cookie Class: You will learn from a cookie pro in Montreal how to make three types of cookies. Includes an ingredient list so you can cook along with the baker in this 60 minute class. Kids who love to bake will enjoy this one!
Watch an Argentinian Magic Show and Learn a trick! Kids will love this 35 minute experience with a professional magician. After a magic show, he will reveal the secret to one of his tricks and teach your kids how to do it! Give them their own deck of cards when you gift them this experience (they’ll need it for the magic trick they will learn!)
Koala and Kangaroo Adventure in Australia! If your kids love all animals in Australia (and there are SO many cool and unique animals there!) this Amazon Explore Experience would be a great gift! You will get up close to a Koala, hand feed a Kangaroo & meet all of your favourite Australian animals in an outdoor bush setting in Sydney, Australia.
The best Amazon Experience Gifts for Teens
Teens can be so hard to buy for, these Amazon Experiences would make a super fun gift for teenagers! (Remember, there must be an adult 18+ present at each experience).
Barcelona Custom Espadrilles Workshop This is a private experience and would be SO MUCH FUN! During the hour experience, you will learn about the history of espadrilles, choose colors, size and style of your own custom espadrilles, and watch them get created! Then they are shipped directly to you.
Bake beautiful French Macarons Learn how to make French Macarons with bakers in Montreal. You can bake along with them or just learn and do it later. These gorgeous french cookies would be a unique skill and fun gift for teens (or adults!).
Explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii: Who isn’t intrigued by the story of Pompeii? A city frozen in time from a devastating volcanic eruption. Teens will love this private tour of the ruins, and the opportunity to ask lots of questions and learn new things.
Japanese Tie-Dye Custom Scarf with Indigo artists in Australia: In this Amazon Experience, you will learn how these artists use itajime pattern making–practiced in Japan since the eighth century to make geometric tie dyed products. You can get supplies and do it at home (I’m not sure how hard this is?) OR watch them and get the scarf sent directly to you!
iPhone Photography Masterclass: If you have a budding photographer, this Amazon Explore Experience will give your teen a look at how to use their iphone to take amazing photos! Award winning photographers will use Phone 10 ,11, and 12 ProMax to teach this class.
The Ghosts of Philidephia: Teens and spooky go hand in hand. This ghost tour tells all about Phiidelphia’s gruesome past.
The Best Amazon Explore Tour Experiences
There are a lot of different Amazon Experiences that include a live tour of different cities. If there are places you (or your giftee) have wanted to explore, this is a great way to make that happen from the comfort of your own home!
Some experiences have the option of purchasing group tickets instead of just private. You could purchase several group tour tickets, gift them, and schedule the experience with people in your family or friend group that you don’t live near!
Traditions live on: Hong Kong’s Possession Point, vibrant temples, ghost stories and more Walk through Central Hong Kong with an English speaking tour guide who can give you historical perspectives, interesting cultural tidbits and even spooky ghost stories! You’ll tour temples and walk through the streets of Hong Kong. This is a 75 minute private tour.
Omaha Beach D-Day Landing Tour In this 60 minute Amazon Explore Experience, you will tour Omaha beach and learn all about the most daring seaborne invasion of all time that took place on the coast of Normandy, France, at dawn on June 6, 1944.
Crime and debauchery: Stories of Melbourne’s slums and sinful past This 60 minute Amazon Explore Experience takes a look into at the dark side of Melbourne Australia. Learn about the Little Lon District, where brothels and opium dens once abounded.
Berlin’s historic Nazi era: Retrace Hitler’s footsteps Experience the tumult of the Nazi era when visiting Berlin’s most iconic Third Reich sites. You will learn about Hitler’s rise to power while touring some historical sites and visit the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. WWII Afficianados will love this private and educational 45 minute tour.
Get extra luck visiting Taipei Taiwan’s Longshan Temple. This temple houses over 100 folk gods that preside over everything from the sea to war. You’ll tour this ornate temple and your guide will throw moonstones on your behalf to interpret meanings from heavenly beings. You will also have your fortune read in this 45 minute explore tour.
Secrets and scandals from Kensington Palace If you have someone who LOVES everything Royal, this might be the best gift ever! Your tour guide will show you around Kensington Palace (outside) and tell you secrets and scandals involving royals. This is a 40 minute session for groups or 1-on-1.
The Best Amazon Expore Food Experiences
Amazon Explore Experiences where you learn to cook and prepare food would be such a great gift! You can purchase the supplies necessary for the experience and gift it with a card explaining about their class. Here are some of my favs!
Learn to make Pasta with sisters in Italy: Homemade pasta is life changing!, This Amazon Explore Experience will have you whipping up pasta by hand, what a great skill to have and a super fun gift idea!
Make authentic Mexican Salsa: Learn how to make Mexican salsas for Taco Tuesdays (and beyond!). You will be making salsa in a 45 minute group or 1-on-1 session with a cooking school out of Mexico City. You can use the list of ingredients and prepare salsa while you watch or just watch how it is done and do it later.
Tequila and Mezcal Mixology in Merida, Mexico In this Amazon Explore Experience, you’ll learn all about the history of Tequila and Mezcal liquors from your own personal sommelier. You can watch and learn or even make your own mixed drink using a list of ingredients.
Learn to make Sushi and Miso Soup in Tokyo If you have a sushi lover on your gift list, this would be a great experience to gift! Learn how to select the best sushi ingredients and the secrets to preparing the perfect sushi roll. This is a 60 minute one-on-one session with the number one ranked person on the TripAdvisor list for Food and Drink activities in Tokyo.
Montreal Bagel Making You’ve heard of New York Bagels, but many people say Montreal style bagels are even better! You can follow along and make your own bagels with the Lincoln Apartment Bakery. Yum!
Learn to make savory Argentinian empanadas from Buenos Aires These tasty meat pies are so delicious and fun to make! Join a group or 1-on-1 class where you’ll spend 60 minutes learning about Argentina history and food traditions and learn to make these tasty treats.
The Best Amazon Explore Shopping Experiences
Shopping Experiences mean that you can purchase things you see during your experience and have them shipped to you! Super fun! If you are gifting a shopping experience, you might want to add some extra shopping money.
Virtually Explore and Shop in Tokyo’s Asakusa District: You’ll get to walk around one of the oldest neighborhoods in Japan (1000 years old!) . You also get to browse and shop for items (there are some exclusions, however, of what you can purchase).
Support Argentinian Artisans and shop live for beautiful handmade goods: Shop handcrafted bags, woven baskets, ponchos, shawls, pillows and tapestries that range in price form 10 USD to 250 USD. This is a 45 minute shopping experience in Gran Chaco, Argentina.
Live Shop leather bags made by the Maasai Tribe in Africa: In this Amazon Experience you’ll meet with the founder of House Of Takura in Houston. She’ll tell you all about how her company is working to provide sustainable economic development for its artisans. Bag prices start at 75USD
LIVE shop Scottish pewter quaichs, flasks, tankards and more
In this Amazon Explore Experience, you’ll get to shop handmade pewter pieces like flasks, tankards and quaichs. Quaichs are a special kind of shallow, two-handled traditional drinking cup or bowl in Scotland. In this virtual experience, you’ll be able to work with the company to choose an engraving message and watch it get engraved. It will then be shipped to you. Prices start at 32USD.
Design luxury jewelry in Paris
In this 1-on-1 Amazon Explore Experience you’ll get to speak with a designer and design your own custom luxury jewelry. The reviews for this experience are amazing, plus you’ll get to say you had your jewelry custom designed in France! The cost of this experience includes the jewelry.
Shop like a chef: browse and buy cookware in Tokyo’s Kitchen Town If you have a chef on your gift list, this would be an awesome Amazon experience to gift them! You will tour Tokyo’s Kitchen town and have the opportunity to purchase amazing knives and other kitchen goodies.