When the stay-at-home orders came down, I started looking for a few fun things to do with the kids that would brighten their days. After all, being locked in the house can get old real quick. Enter, subscription boxes for kids.
What we ended up doing was ordering a few different subscription boxes. The kids loved them, and we were happy to find something new and different to keep them busy.
What are Subscription Boxes for Kids?
Subscription boxes for kids are basically well-thought-out goodie boxes. Depending on the company you order from, you can get them for all ages.
Most subscription boxes are focused on a particular interest. That means you can tailor what you order to the kid you’re ordering for. For instance, there are subscription boxes that are science focused or art focused.
There are others that are geography focused. And still others that are geared toward music lovers. Here are some of the best options for subscription boxes for kids.
Table of Contents
1. KiwiCo – For All Ages
The first subscription box company I found was called KiwiCo. KiwiCo has several different box categories for a variety of ages.
Here are their 9 category lines by name:
- Panda Crate (0-36 months): Less building a more a set of fun exploratory toys
- Koala Crate (3-4 years): Crafty things you build with your kid
- Kiwi Crate (5-8 years): More independent building but they’ll still need some help
- Yummy Crate (6-14 years): Cooking-themed with recipes and tools
- Atlas Crate (6-11 years): Theme about exploring the world, learning other cultures
- Doodle Crate (9-16 years): Craft focused / art
- Tinker Crate (9-14 years): Engineering / STEM
- Maker Crate (14-100 years): More creative and arts & crafts, but using innovative materials & techniques to explore
- Eureka Crate (12 – 100 years): Building and tinkering with larger engineering projects
Each line has a different monthly box they send out for the recipient.
Our kids are 6 and 8 but we found that we enjoyed getting the Doodle Crate and Tinker Crates. Our 8-year-old was able to build his Tinker Crate with little assistance while our 6-year-old needed a little bit more help.
As an example, one month the Tinker Crate activity was a spinning art machine. The Doodle Crate activity was a leather satchel. The cost varies based on how many months you order and the type of crate.
For example, for Panda Crates, it’s $43.90 if you buy just one crate. If you go with 3 crates, the cost drops down to $41.90 each. If you buy 6, it falls to $37 a month. The longest commitment of 12 crates is $33.90 each. The crates come every other month.
Some crates are more expensive than others. The Yummy Crate is only $23.95 each and goes as low as $18.50 per month if you get 12. Yummy Crates arrive every month.
The Maker Crate is $32.95 per month and goes as low was $26.95 per month if you get 12.
Bonus: If you need to, you can pause a subscription. This is a great feature if you have a busy month and don’t get to the boxes.
For a limited time, get 40% off your first month with code YAY – good through 11/13.
2. Amazon Prime Book Box – For Readers
The Amazon Prime Book Box can be a great way to encourage kids to read more. These subscription boxes contain ages appropriate books for a variety of age groups:
- Baby to Age 2 – four board books each month
- Ages 3 to 5 – 2 hardcover books
- Ages 6 to 8 – 2 hardcover books
- Ages 9 to 12 – 2 hardcover books
The book titles that are sent are chosen based on book titles that customers and/or editors love. The boxes are $19.99 each, and you can choose to receive them every one, two, or three months.
After you receive your first order, you’ll get a preview email so you can review the books scheduled to ship with the next order. You’ll have five days to preview the order, and you can swap for different titles or skip the order altogether.
If you get the books and there are some you don’t want (or already have), you can return them like any other Amazon item.
Finally, if the books in your order are priced lower than the box price of $19.99 at the time of your order, you’ll automatically get the lower price. And you can cancel or pause your subscription at any time.
Learn more about Amazon Prime Book Box
3. Raddish – For Young Chefs
Raddish is a subscription box designed around a cooking club. Raddish subscription boxes include a different theme each month. The themes typically fall into one of four categories: Seasonal Spotlights, Global Cuisine, Creative Cookery, or Holiday Celebrations.
Each themed kit includes:
- Three illustrated recipe guides
- Three culinary skill cards that share a new kitchen skill
- A creative kitchen project
- Kid-friendly tools and collectibles
In addition, you’ll get a free Raddish apron with any 6 or 12-month subscription purchase. Each box includes a complete shopping list as well. And there’s bonus information sent via email and on the Raddish website.
Each box costs $24. However, there are discounts for 6 and 12-month memberships. When you get a 6-month membership it costs $22 per box. If you get a 12-month membership it costs $20 per box. Both of these longer-term memberships are paid up front.
The boxes are great for kids of all ages, and Raddish posts dietary substitutions online for those with special diet needs or preferences.
4. Bitsbox – For Little Coders
Bitsbox is a subscription box program designed for kids aged six to twelve, but kids of all ages can use it. It teaches kids how to learn real computer coding via Javascript/HTML5. They learn to build apps they can use on the Bitsbox website.
Every Bitsbox comes with a range of different coding projects, from beginner to advanced. Kids choose the app they want to build. They even learn to customize the app to their own specifications.
The coding projects in Bitsbox can be completed with parents, or kids can complete them on their own. Neither parents nor kids need to know anything about coding to complete Bitsbox projects.
You can choose from three subscription types: PDF, Basic, and Deluxe. The PDF subscription comes with an email link to PDF files. The Basic subscription arrives in the mail. The Deluxe subscription arrives in the mail and contains bonus goodies.
Subscriptions start at $16.95 per month. Siblings can share the box, and you can cancel your subscription at any time.
If your kids love learning, check out our best online learning resources.
5. Cratejoy – For All Ages
Cratejoy is a company that, like KiwiCo, sells a wide variety of subscription box themes. Two that I found interesting were the Sensory TheraPLAY box crates and the Green Kids Craft crates.
The Sensory TheraPLAY boxes focus on contents that are fun and therapeutic. They’re created for kids who have sensory processing needs or are on the autism spectrum. Each box contains five to seven sensory therapy toys.
The boxes are geared toward children ages 5 to 9.
The Green Kids craft boxes are created for children aged 2 to 10. Each box contains all the necessary materials for up to six different craft projects and science experiments.
Each Green Kids craft box has a monthly theme and includes a magazine with articles related to the monthly theme. All contents are made from eco-friendly ingredients.
Cratejoy subscription boxes vary in price depending on the subscription box theme you choose. The theme choices in the Cratejoy selection are quite vast and include subscription boxes for adults as well.
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6. Loot Crate – For Gamers
Loot Crate sells subscription boxes that are good for older kids. The company makes boxes that are geared toward pop culture, music and movies, and gaming. For instance, you could get crates that focus on popular video games. Or cult classic movies.
The crates vary in price based on what type of crate you get. For instance, the Marvel 80th anniversary crate which is available as of this writing contains an array of Marvel gear.
You’ll get a Marvel shirt, socks, and other limited edition Marvel items. You can choose a theme for the boxes you want to get. For instance, you might choose the Fallout subscription box if you’re a big Fallout gamer.
The frequency and price of the Loot Crate boxes varies. The boxes start at $13.95 per month and go up from there, depending on the contents of the box.
You can customize your box to fit the size of the recipient as well. And there are discounted prices when you order longer subscription periods.
7. Little Passports – For Little Travelers
Little Passports subscription boxes help kids of all ages to learn about the world. This could be a great choice for subscription boxes if you want your child to learn more about geography. Little Passports has an array of packages available based on your child’s age.
- Early Explorers boxes are geared toward ages 3 to 5
- Science Junior boxes are geared toward 5 to 8-year-olds
- World Edition boxes are geared toward 6 to 10-year-olds
- USA Edition boxes are geared toward 7 to 12-year-olds
- Science Expedition boxes are geared towards kids ages 9 and up
Each subscription box contains activities that are both fun, educational, and age-appropriate. For instance, the Early Explorer boxes contain activity books, stickers, trading cards, and souvenirs.
Science Expedition boxes contain a comic book, experiment guide, tools for a hands-on experiment, stickers, and online bonus materials.
Individual prices for the boxes range from $17.95 to $25.95. There are discounts available if you order a 6-month or 12-month subscription.
8. We Craft Box – For Voracious Crafters
We Craft Box has subscription boxes geared toward kids ages 3 to 9. Each subscription box contains two to three crafts, so there’s enough to share. Younger kids can use the boxes but will require adult help and supervision.
Every box has a theme and includes all of the materials and instructions to make each craft. There are also easy-to-follow photo instructions for each included craft.
For instance, the Super Hero DIY Face Mask box includes materials for two face masks, two superhero glasses, and two stuffed bears you can decorate as well.
And although directions are included, the crafts do allow for individual creativity as well.
Individual subscription boxes cost $29.99 each. There are discounts if you prepay for three, six, or twelve-month subscriptions. All plans come with free shipping, and you can cancel at any time.
If you’re searching for fun but educational activities for your kids or to give as a gift, consider one of the subscription box companies we’ve featured here.
Summary
Subscription boxes for kids are a fun way to keep kids engaged and learning something new. There really is something for everyone; cooking, crafts, science, travel, and more. It’s a great way to get the kids off their phones for an afternoon and signing up for a subscription means they will always have something to look forward to.
Have you ever tried a subscription box? Which was your favorite?
Josh says
We did Kiwi boxes for a year. Our children looked forwards to the crafts each month. Some months are better and more interesting than others…like most things. We still have some of our Kiwi crafts but many are no longer in this house.
From a parent’s perspective, the various crafts start cluttering your house quickly. We had a similar experience with another subscription box, and we only did a six-month subscription that time.
Yeah I’ve been picking and choosing which ones to do but now that school is starting back up, we’re putting it on pause.