When it comes to recognising your employees, it’s no longer just about the reward itself, it’s about the impact it creates. More and more businesses are moving towards family friendly employee rewards that go beyond the workplace and into employees’ real lives. Because let’s face it, what means more? A generic gift… or a day out with your loved ones, making memories that last a lifetime?
That’s exactly where experiential rewards come into their own. By giving employees the flexibility to choose something that suits them and their families, businesses can create more meaningful, more personal recognition moments.
At Virgin Incentives, we see this first-hand every day. And one of the best examples? When one of our own employees, Amy Bryant, was gifted with a Merlin Gift Card and turned it into unforgettable family days out with her daughter. But before we hear Amy’s story, let’s take a closer look at what makes this such a powerful reward option.
What is the Merlin Gift Card?
If you’re looking for family friendly employee rewards that genuinely excite people, the Merlin Gift Card is a fantastic place to start. Operated by Virgin Incentives on behalf of Merlin Entertainments, the Merlin Gift Card gives recipients access to some of the UK’s most popular attractions all in one simple, flexible reward.
From thrilling theme parks like Alton Towers Resort and Thorpe Park, to immersive experiences like The Edinburgh Dungeon and Madame Tussauds London, as well as family favourites like LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort and SEA LIFE centres across the UK, there’s truly something for everyone.
What makes it particularly powerful as part of a family friendly employee rewards strategy is the flexibility it offers:
- Loadable from £5 to £1,000
- Available as a physical card or digital e-voucher
- 12-month validity for ultimate flexibility
- Easy online booking process
- Can be used online for tickets, extras, and even short breaks
Recipients simply choose their attraction, book online, and pay using the gift card, just like a regular debit or credit card. It’s simple, convenient, and designed around choice. And most importantly, it allows employees to enjoy experiences not just on their own, but with the people who matter most.
Which is exactly what Amy did…
Amy’s Story: Family-Friendly Employee Rewards in Action
1. Name and role?
Hi I’m Amy, Senior Account Manager here at Virgin Incentives
2. Do you remember when you received your Merlin Gift Card? How did it feel to receive a gift like this from the business?
I remember receiving my gift card when the Merlin Gift Card was first launched, and I used it towards our Merlin Gold Annual Passes. It was a fantastic gift because it allowed our whole family to enjoy something together.
3. Why did the Merlin Gift Card make such a lovely gift for you personally?
I have an 8 year old and it can get really expensive to keep children entertained during half terms. Being able to use it towards our Merlin Gold Pass meant we had access to lots of great days out, which made it much easier and more affordable to plan fun family activities together. It felt like a gift that kept on giving, as we could enjoy multiple experiences rather than just one day out.
4. How did you decide which attraction(s) to visit?
My daughter loves rides so one of the key factors was checking height restrictions. Legoland Windsor Resort and Chessington World of Adventures Resort were the best as we could go on everything.
5. Can you talk us through the booking process? Was it easy to use the Merlin Gift Card online?
It was super easy to book and the instructions were really clear, the gift card works just like a credit/debit card so it was nice and simple.
6. Did you like having the option to choose different attractions rather than being tied to just one?
Yes, definitely. It meant we could plan days out that suited us at the time, depending on the weather, school holidays, or what my 8 year old was most excited about.
7. Which attraction(s) did you end up visiting and what did you get up to on the day?
We visited quite a few attractions. We went to Legoland Windsor and Chessington several times, which my 8 year old absolutely loved because there was always so much to do and see. For one special occasion, we decided to celebrate a birthday with a trip into London. We made a full day of it and visited The London Eye, where we enjoyed the amazing views across the city. We also went to Shrek’s Adventure! London, which was really fun and interactive, and finished the day at SEA LIFE London Aquarium. It was such a great day because we managed to fit in several attractions and make the birthday feel extra special.
8. What were some of yours and your daughter’s favourite moments?
She absolutely loves rides so Chessington is up there as is LEGOLAND. The Mandrill Mayhem coaster at Chessington is a firm favourite and Warwick Castle has a great maze which you can spend hours getting lost in!
9. How special was it to be able to spend that quality time together as a family thanks to the reward?
It’s absolutely priceless, and the memories we’ve made together are ones we’ll carry with us forever.
10. From your perspective, why do you think something like the Merlin Gift Card works so well as an employee reward/gift?
Family days out can be expensive and can take some planning, so having a gift like this is a great way to reward not only an employee but their family too. Merlin attractions are suitable for all ages and there are so many great options available to enjoy a family day out or even a weekend away.
11. If you could choose your next Merlin attraction to visit, where would you go and why?
It would have to be Alton Towers Resort, the rides look amazing there!
Final Thoughts: Why Family Friendly Employee Rewards Make a Lasting Impact
Amy’s story is a perfect example of why family friendly employee rewards are becoming such an important part of modern reward and recognition strategies. It’s about creating experiences that employees genuinely value, and that extend beyond the workplace into their personal lives. By offering rewards like the Merlin Gift Card, businesses can:
- Strengthen employee engagement and loyalty
- Support a better work-life balance
- Create shared experiences that employees remember long after the reward is given
And perhaps most importantly, it shows employees that you care about their lives outside of work and you see them as people, not just professionals. Because when a reward creates excitement not just for the employee, but for their family too, that’s when it really means something.
If you’re looking to bring your family friendly employee rewards strategy to life, the Merlin Gift Card could be the perfect place to start. Check out the product below:
