Tinker Crate is a subscription for kids ages 9-14 from the makers of Kiwi Crate. Like Kiwi Crate, it comes with everything you need to complete projects based around a central theme. Unlike Kiwi Crate, however, these projects are less craftsy and more based on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning and enrichment.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Tinker Crate
The Cost: $19.95 per month (free shipping)
COUPON: For a limited time, use coupon code SPARKLE to save 40% off the first month of any Kiwi Crate subscription! (Regularly $19.95 a month.)
Offer expires tonight at 11:59pm and only valid on subscription purchases and does not apply to Shop purchases or Canadian shipping charges.
OR
Save 30% off your first month with coupon code MSA30!
The Products: STEM-based crafts and DIY projects for kids, with supplemental learning kits, booklets, and activities. Projects are designed to enhance children's critical thinking and problem solving skills through activities that are exciting and fun!
Ships to: Anywhere in the United States, including Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and APO addresses
Check out all of our Tinker Crate reviews and the Kids Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your Wish List or Subscription List!
Every box comes with a copy of TinkerZine magazine, which includes articles about that month's theme, as well as smaller projects and experiments. This month's theme is all about density! I do this box with my ten-year-old son.
Here's a peek at the table of contents from this month's TinkerZine. In addition to the large project that Tinker Crate sends, the magazine has several articles plus smaller projects you and your child can undertake to gain a deeper knowledge of the scientific principles of that month's topic.
This month's big project is a bubble lamp! So cool! My son and I are almost always thrilled with Tinker Crate's project selections!
Here's a peek inside the instructions this month. They may look a little intimidating, but they are always very clear, complete, and easy-to-follow.
These were the materials Tinker Crate supplied for the project. With Tinker Crate, sometimes you have to supply a few things, but they are always items you have at home, like scissors or water. This month they included everything we needed for the project except scissors and water. Sometimes Tinker Crate includes some supplies for the smaller projects in TinkerZine, too.
This is our completed bubble lamp! I'm sorry the pictures are on our yucky old crafting table, but this lamp was a serious greasy mess, so I had no intention of moving it around and cleaning up after it. Everything about my son's lamp turned out fabulous, but it had a really poorly designed top. The top has a little hole in it that was supposed to be covered by a piece of fabric held in place by a sticker. The grease in the lamp comes up through the hole when you pump air into it, though, so the grease kept getting everywhere and also kept the sticker from sticking. I can see what they were thinking, but it didn't work out in reality.
Verdict: We love Tinker Crate! This month's project was awesome except for that one design flaw. The bubbles still did their things, so it looked awesome, and my son got the lights to work with no problem. It was mostly a success. It's just not something he can keep, which is a little disappointing. Otherwise, Tinker Crate always picks out fun projects, send quality materials, and provides loads of educational content. It's a huge value for $20!
What do you think of Tinker Crate?
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