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.)
About Howtoons
The Subscription Box: Howtoons
The Cost: $24.99 a month + free shipping
LIMITED TIME DEAL: Use code SAVE60 to get your first box for $10!
The Products: Everything needed to create one STEAM-based project, plus an accompanying instructional comic book
Ships to: US only
Howtoons November 2017 Review
This month's theme is "Knights of the Bow"!
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. We like that there is a photograph for every step, but to be honest, this month's instructions were very confusing. This was due in large part to the fact that the shapes of the parts did not line up exactly to the pictures, so we had to do some guesswork.
These are the supplies that were included in this month's shipment. Everything we needed was included.
The pictures above all show the beginning of building the crossbow. I had the flu, so my husband had to start this project with our son. He did a great job taking pictures of the process, but not such a great job describing what is happening in each shot to me, haha. So, at a high level, they basically glued together pieces based on the instructions.
Then I had to get involved because they couldn't understand the instructions for tying a double lark's head knot, as pictured here.
We then glued together the piece that runs up the shaft and hits the dart to fire it. We also had to use a lark's head knot to tie together the rubber bands used to fire it.
Finally, we completed assembly of the crossbow by connecting the firing piece and rubber bands to the front legs.
Here is the completed crossbow!
To complete the target castle, my son just punched out the main circle from the cardboard and folded the cardboard to stand.
And this is his completed crossbow in action! So cool! To fire, he pulled the firing piece back to the launching piece and inserted a firing pin to connect them. When he finished aiming, he just pulled out the firing pin quickly.
We received this note, along with two firing pins and three darts, about two weeks after receiving the box. We did get one firing pin and a dart in our original package, so this was a little confusing. I am guessing some subscribers did not receive these in their original package? In any case, I'm glad they made it right, and it is nice to have more darts.
The Verdict: We really enjoyed our Howtoons project this month! I think, however, my son loves the end product so much that it is easy to overlook a few little kinks in the instructions and materials that were provided. I do not think my son could have completed this project on his own, and a nine-year-old really should be able to. He also loves the comic book feature! As with last month's verdict, I feel like Howtoons is really promising. I think they are just a new subscription and they are still working out a few kinks. I am guessing that after they have been running a little longer, this will be an awesome subscription.
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!
Check out all of our Howtoons reviews and more activity boxes for ages 5 to 8 and 9 to 12 in the Kid's Subscription Box Directory!
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What do you think of Howtoons?
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