How to Limit Souvenirs for Kids on Vacation

Spring break this year was a big one for our family—we took a trip to Disney World and Universal Studios! The excitement was high, the rides were amazing (I get SO nostalgic on the Peter Pan ride!), and the memories we made were priceless (minus one or two when the kids were off their rockers). 

But there was one thing we wanted to be intentional about before we even stepped foot in the parks: souvenirs.

SET EXPECTATIONS WITH THE KIDS BEFORE VACATION

Anyone who has ever been to Disney or Universal knows that the temptation to buy is everywhere. Every ride seems to spit you out into a store filled with colorful merchandise, and it’s hard for kids (and let’s be honest, adults too) to resist the appeal of a special item to commemorate the experience.

There are many different philosophies when it comes to souvenirs. Some parents take a hard stance—no souvenirs at all. The experience itself is the gift. Others go all out, letting their kids pick up whatever catches their eye. We’ve found a middle ground that works well for our family. 

Before our trip, we set clear boundaries: each child would get two souvenirs. That way, they had the freedom to choose something meaningful while also learning to be thoughtful about their selections.

STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE

One thing we’ve worked on as a family is helping our kids understand that the beauty of an experience isn’t in the stuff. At the same time, we recognize that kids are still developing their understanding of value, and for them, tangible items often play a big role in making memories feel more concrete. It’s a balancing act—teaching them to appreciate moments while acknowledging that a well-chosen souvenir can bring them joy long after the trip ends.

To start things off, we decided on a practical, fun first purchase. On day one, each of our kids got a bubble maker. These were a lifesaver! They kept the kids entertained while waiting in long ride lines and added a little extra magic to the whole experience. After that, they each had one more souvenir to choose, and they put a lot of thought into what they really wanted.

Our daughter knew she wanted to wait for Animal Kingdom, where she picked out a baby animal stuffed toy. Our older son held off until we made it to Harry Potter World, where he picked out a magnetic owl (Hedwig!!) to perch on his shoulder. We were feeling good about the plan—until, of course, things took a slight detour.

At Animal Kingdom, our daughter picked out a baby Nala stuffy in the morning. Throughout the day, she was begging to meet Doug from Up, which I kept putting off because it wasn’t convenient. Well…by the time we went to look for Doug, he was no longer in the park. Cue DEVASTATION. So you know what I did? I bought my 5 year old daughter a Doug stuffy as a bit of an apology for putting off something she really wanted to experience.

My daughter isn’t spoiled, and she’s incredibly patient, generous, and weirdly good at decluttering. I have no regrets raising her spirits by getting her an extra stuffy. 

In the spirit of fairness, we then allowed our son to get two things at Harry Potter World the following day. But we still wanted to keep things practical, so we encouraged one of his choices to be a Gryffindor sweatshirt—something he’d actually wear, especially since we’re moving to Alaska and he’ll need more warm layers. (He only owns one sweatshirt, currently!)

WHAT TO DO WHEN KIDS PUSH BACK

Now, let’s be honest. There were definitely moments when the kids asked for more. When every ride exits into a sprawling gift shop filled with eye-catching toys, clothes, and collectibles, it’s inevitable. But we stuck to our boundaries as best as we could, while also allowing for flexibility when it made sense. Our goal was never to be rigid but to help our kids make mindful decisions about what they truly wanted.

The big picture for us is this: we don’t villainize souvenirs. We simply aim to approach them in a balanced way. Minimalism isn’t about never buying things—it’s about not letting things control us, whether that means mindlessly consuming or rigidly restricting. We don’t want to swing to the opposite extreme where our aversion to “stuff” takes the joy out of small, meaningful purchases.

At the end of the day, our trip was filled with laughter, adventure, and plenty of core memories. The souvenirs were just a small part of it—not the centerpiece, but a nice little bonus. And that’s exactly how we want it to be.