Howtoons is a new STEM-based subscription for kids ages 7-12. Every month, subscribers receive a package with a fun project and accompanying booklet. The booklet uses comics and articles to explain and supplement the scientific concept of the monthly project.
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: Howtoons
The Cost: $24.99 a month + free shipping
The Products: Everything needed to create one STEAM-based project, plus an accompanying instructional comic book
Ships to: US only
Check out more activity boxes for ages 5 to 8 and 9 to 12 in the Kid's Subscription Box Directory!
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This month's theme is Bat Crazy Halloween! We did receive this box in time for Halloween, but just barely. I think this box was possibly sent late since it was for review purposes.
This is the table of contents for the enclosed comic book. There is a healthy combination of comics, project instructions, and articles.
This is one of the comic pages. My nine-year-old LOVED this feature of Howtoons!
This is a sample of the instructions. My son found Howtoons' instructions very clear and easy to follow. I think having a photograph for every step really helps a lot.
This was a really interesting article about a bat ecologist. My son is very into all kinds of animal sciences, so he found this fascinating!
These are the supplies that were included in this month's shipment. In addition to these supplies, we needed scissors, water, and paper towels.
Step one for my son was to build the bat wings. This involved a glue stick and some stickers.
Step two was to assemble the bat body and legs onto the wings. These pieces just slid together.
He painted the top of the bat black...
... and the underside blue and red. Then all he had left to do was to string the bat together into a sort of marionette.
And this is his completed bat in action! So cool! This was at the kids' school, and the other children just loved it!
I need to pause here to comment on the quality of the materials involved in this project. Right after the above video was shot, the bat fell apart. There wasn't enough black paint for the bat to be painted black all over. It would have been better if they had included a larger pot of black paint and maybe one other contrasting color instead of eight tiny rainbow pots. The wings are weighted with washers, which were fine, but the adhesive used to keep the washers in place was stickers. The weight of the washers was too much for the stickers, and they fell out right away. I had to do some glue stick magic to help him put it back together (and keep it together). The project was an overall success, but better quality materials would have made the experience much better.
The Verdict: I think Howtoons is off to a good start, but they really should invest in slightly higher quality materials. The booklet they send is fantastic, but the supplies for the bat left something to be desired. Howtoons is promising! I would love to see them step it up just a little. As it stands, there are comparable children's subscriptions on the market that provide a higher quality product at a lower cost.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, this box can be purchased as a one-time kit!
Coupon – Use code CROSSBOW to save 25% off this month!
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