Learn how to turn corporate rewards into lasting memories.
When Canadian companies think about experience gift ideas for employees or clients, they are choosing more than a present. They are choosing a memory. Experience gifts land differently than office swag because they create moments employees and clients talk about long after the calendar reminder fades.
In this article, we explain why experiences are such strong corporate gifts, how gift cards solve logistics and preference issues, and then present 11 handpicked experiences across Canada with short “best for” notes and a direct call to action for each.
Why Gift Cards Make Great Corporate Gifts
One of the easiest ways to gift an experience is through a gift card. With a gift card, your employee or client receives more than just something. They receive the power to choose. That decision matters: it signals trust in the recipient and respects their individual interests. Letting them pick means the gift genuinely resonates.
A gift card for experiences removes the risk of mismatching someone’s interests, and increases the likelihood the recipient will use the gift and remember your company positively for it.
Why Buying Multiple Gift Cards Helps Cover Diverse Preferences
When you purchase specific experiences for your team, you might encounter challenges. Some recipients may not like or be available for the chosen activity. That’s why buying multiple gift cards, as opposed to a single fixed experience, is a smart corporate strategy.
With the gift card option from Breakaway Experiences, you get a flexible voucher that can be applied toward any experience on their site. Their physical or email gift cards never expire and can be used across hundreds of offerings. This ensures your corporate gift can truly fit diverse tastes and schedules within your team.
Top 11 Experience Gift Ideas for Corporate Gifting in Canada
Here are 11 standout experiences perfect for corporate gifting across Canada. Each activity includes a “best for” section to help you pair the experience with the right recipient:
#1 Exotic Car and Supercar Driving Experience, Canadian Tire Motorsports Park
For the person who dreams of speed and precision, nothing beats a Supercar Driving Experience. This activity puts your employee or client behind the wheel of incredible machines from top manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Porsche. Taking laps on the legendary circuit at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park or Grand Bend Motorplex provides a true adrenaline rush and a feeling of pure achievement.
This experience is the kind of high-octane reward that reinforces the message: high performance deserves exceptional recognition. This is a gift of pure, high-horsepower fantasy brought to life, offering a story they will enthusiastically share for years. The sheer novelty of piloting a machine this powerful turns a reward into a milestone memory.
Best for: Top Sales Performers, High-Value Client Appreciation, and Executive Team Bonding.
👉 Offer the thrill of a lifetime.
#2 Toronto Islands SUP and Kayak Eco-Tour
Offer a moment of tranquility and exploration just steps away from the bustling financial towers of downtown Toronto. This eco-tour allows recipients to paddle a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak through the serene lagoons and waterways of the Toronto Islands. It is an opportunity to relax, connect with nature, and view the stunning city skyline from a completely different perspective.
This low-impact activity appeals to individuals prioritizing wellness and mindfulness, offering a perfect counterbalance to demanding office work. It is a subtle but powerful reminder that your company cares about work-life balance and mental well-being, a major trend in Canadian employee benefits right now.
Best for: Wellness Program Rewards, Teams Focused on Sustainability, or Staff Recognition.
👉 Give a dose of urban nature.
#3 Dark Table Restaurant for 2, Vancouver
This experience goes beyond a simple dinner reservation; it is an immersive, sensory exploration. Guests dine in complete darkness, which heightens their senses of taste, smell, and touch, leading to a new appreciation for the meal and conversation. It is a highly unique outing that encourages focused communication and trust between two people.
Offering this for two means you are gifting an exceptional date night or a deep conversational experience with a trusted friend. This distinctive, memorable gift shows sophistication and creativity in your appreciation efforts. It stands out dramatically from a standard gift certificate to a chain restaurant.
Best for: Key Client Relationship Building, Anniversary or Long-Service Awards, or Executive Pairings.
👉 Reserve an unforgettable evening.
#4 TAG Day Ticket – Whistler Full Day of Adventure
The TAG Day Ticket bundles several high-energy, fun activities into a single day in beautiful Whistler, British Columbia. Recipients can tackle challenges like the Treetop Obstacle Course, Ziplines, Axe Throwing, Nature Hikes and much more, making for a physically engaging day out.
This is a fantastic reward for a younger, dynamic workforce or for an entire team that thrives on collaborative outdoor challenges. It fosters resilience, teamwork, and shared laughter, creating internal memories that truly stick. Physical activities like this are increasingly popular as part of corporate wellness initiatives.
Best for: Departmental Team Building, High-Energy Employee Incentives, or Active Staff Rewards.
👉 Unleash the spirit of adventure.
#5 Vancouver’s Hidden History & Sweets Tour
This is the perfect blend of cultural immersion and delicious treats. Recipients are guided through Vancouver’s older neighbourhoods, discovering secret stories and historical tidbits that are not found in typical guidebooks, all while sampling delicious local sweets. It’s a thoughtful way to explore the city, appealing to those who enjoy history, culture, and gastronomy.
It works wonderfully for clients visiting the city or for employees who appreciate the finer, quieter pleasures in life. Giving a gift that supports local, small businesses like those on the tour also aligns your company with a growing trend toward corporate social responsibility.
Best for: Cultural Enthusiasts, Client Welcome Gifts, or Rewards for Creative Teams.
#6 Toronto Clue Solving Adventures
Transform the city streets of Toronto into a massive, living puzzle. This team-based clue-solving adventure encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and friendly competition as participants race against time and other groups to solve mysteries hidden throughout the downtown core. It is an excellent team-building activity that replaces the stuffy boardroom retreat with genuine fun and mental stimulation.
The shared success (or hilarious failure) of the team forms bonds stronger than any internal memo. These city-wide adventures appeal strongly to the millennial and Gen Z workforce who prioritize unique, shared experiences.
Best for: Large Team Building Events, Project Completion Celebrations, or Departmental Challenges.
#7 Edmonton NASCAR Race Car Driving Experience
Much like the supercar experience, this is a phenomenal high-value reward, but with a unique focus on the raw power and drafting strategy of NASCAR. Recipients get to drive a genuine race car on an oval track near Edmonton. This is pure, unadulterated speed in a safe, controlled environment.
This experience gift is ideal for acknowledging a major individual achievement, as it provides a singular, powerful experience that feels truly exclusive and recognizes dedication and drive. It is a fantastic option for rewarding hard work in the Western Canadian market.
Best for: Individual High Achievers, Retirement Gifts, or Automotive Industry Client Rewards.
#8 Friday Night Wine and Cheese Sail in Toronto
A sophisticated and relaxing way to end the work week, this sail offers beautiful views of the Toronto skyline from Lake Ontario while guests enjoy fine wine and artisan cheeses. It is a calming and elegant experience that is perfect for appreciation without excessive fanfare.
It offers a chance to decompress and socialize in a beautiful environment, making it an excellent choice for client entertainment or acknowledging dedicated staff members who might appreciate quiet luxury. The combination of local cuisine and scenic views makes it a quintessential Toronto experience.
Best for: Employee Retention Rewards, Client Entertainment, or Team Wind-Down Events.
👉 Set a course for relaxation.
#9 Granite Falls Zodiac Boat Tour - Vancouver, BC
This tour takes guests on a fast, thrilling Zodiac boat ride through the waters surrounding Vancouver, eventually leading to the stunning, towering waterfalls of Granite Falls in Indian Arm. It mixes the excitement of a high-speed boat ride with the awe-inspiring beauty of British Columbia's coastal scenery.
It is an adventurous and visually spectacular gift, ideal for those who enjoy the outdoors and dramatic Canadian landscapes. It’s an experience that captures the wild spirit of the West Coast and provides phenomenal photo opportunities that they will share online, boosting the perception of your generous corporate culture.
Best for: Outdoorsy Staff Rewards, New Employee Welcome Packages in BC, or Client Sightseeing.
#10 Halifax Waterfront Food Tour
Halifax boasts a rich culinary history that goes beyond just seafood. This walking tour guides participants through the vibrant waterfront, stopping at local eateries and hidden gems to sample regional specialties and hear the stories behind the businesses. This tour is a truly digestible way to experience the culture of the Maritimes.
It makes an exceptional gift for clients or employees interested in food culture and local community, fostering a delicious connection to the East Coast. Food tours offer a social setting that is less formal than a dinner, encouraging easy conversation and relationship building.
Best for: Food-Loving Teams, Client Hospitality in Atlantic Canada, or Local Culture Exploration.
#11 Ottawa City Rafting
Forget what you know about white-water rafting; this tour offers the excitement of rafting right within the nation's capital. Participants navigate the rapids of the Ottawa River that run directly through the city, offering a unique blend of urban sightseeing and thrilling water sport.
It is an accessible adventure that requires no prior experience, making it a powerful, fun team activity. It’s perfect for injecting some excitement into a corporate summer outing while celebrating the spirit of the National Capital Region. This unexpected, adrenaline-pumping activity creates an instant, strong shared memory for a team.
Best for: Summer Team Outings, Active Group Celebrations, or Introducing Staff to Ottawa’s Fun Side.
Final Thoughts
When planning your next round of corporate gifts in Canada, consider experience gift ideas and especially leverage a platform like Breakaway Experiences’ gift cards. By giving choice, you empower recipients; by offering memorable experiences, you reinforce your corporate values; and by offering flexibility, you ensure maximum uptake.
For your next campaign, consider offering two tiers of gift cards (for example, moderate value versus premium value) and pair them with a brief message explaining that the recipient is free to choose any experience across Canada. You’ll likely see higher engagement, stronger loyalty, and more amazement than with traditional gift sets.
Ready to move forward? Choose your gift card value, select your recipients, and personalise the message. Then get ready to watch the smiles and the stories!
