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Dispatch is a monthly "subscription-based mystery" from Breakout Games that "tests your detective skills each month with a new delivery of clues." They also have a kids' version called Dispatch Kids:
Dispatch Kids offers a unique experience for engagement between parents and children. Gameplay positively impacts cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being in kids. Our goal is to provide a thorough story-driven experience that utilizes modern approaches to child play.
This is a review of the $24.99/month first series called Coin Quest recommended for ages 3-5.
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 Dispatch Kids by Breakout Games
The Subscription Box: Dispatch Kids
The Cost: $24.99 a month + free shipping
ACTIVE DEAL: Save $10 off your first box!
CODE: dispatchsignup10
The Products: Physical clues to help solve a mystery
Ships to: USA
Dispatch Kids: Coin Quest by Breakout Games #2 Review
This is the second box for the Coin Quest series. While the quest is continuous, I was happy to find out that we didn't need anything from our first box other than the background knowledge my 3-year-old somehow retained. She remembered that Johnny lost his coin when he paid for his Superman ice cream and that we were in search of the ice cream truck to find it. If you remember, she was completely enthralled with our adventure last month. So let's see what's in our second installment:
This is the booklet that is included for the adult who is assisting in the mystery. I highly recommend you read through it beforehand so that you can get prepared. Also, just a note, you will need access to a phone, tablet or computer to complete some of the activities!
I love that they highlight various skills that you can work on with your child and that they include social/emotional skills as well. These are so important and I don't know a lot of educational boxes that specifically address them, which makes this box unique!
We received a checklist to make sure that we had everything in our box. My daughter and I went through this together and then we read our note from Johnny.
Our first step was to take the scratch and sniff card and identify what flavor ice cream it smelled like. Then I used my laptop to take us to the website listed on the back of the card.
We answered the question as to what the mystery flavor was and since we got it right, we were able to access the rest of the site.
We were able to ask the Ice Cream Man, Mr. Wallace, a few questions about his name and favorite flavor ice cream. Then we told him that he must have Johnny's coin which is when we received the above message.
If we could just help him with his shopping, he would be able to give us the code to enter here. Then, the next destination would be revealed to us. 
First, we were given the recipe for his ice cream. On the back was a prompt to help us create our own ice cream flavor. This was a great way to get my daughter engaged and have some fun!
We received this little shopping list to use which also had space on the back for her (me) to write down what she likes to shop for at the store.
We received this large, colorful map and this set of flashcards to help us shop for Mr. Wallace. Last month I had some trouble trying to figure out how best to use and incorporate the flashcards since there aren't specific directions for them. I used a method that worked pretty well this time, but I still wish that there were instructions included for how best to utilize these!
The first step we took was to put the cards in order. I set them out and had my daughter locate card #1 first.
We also received a set of wax sticks (We are familiar with and love these! They are the best for keeping kids entertained if you happen to go out to eat, FYI!) that we were able to use to mold to practice forming letters.
After she found each card, we would practice the letter from the card.
Then we would flip it over to read about it and imagine what is happening in our story. My favorite part of this box are the many questions they provide at the bottom of each card. They are incredible at asking things I wouldn't necessarily think to ask on my own and I feel like it really helps me get to know my daughter even better. They also ask some great questions that get your child really thinking critically about things.
After we finished reading the cards and forming our letters, I had my daughter match the shape to its shadow card. Then I collected them and kept them in order for the next part.
Once we had all our cards in order, we went to the website and were able to match up our numbered shapes with their shadows using the flashcards.
I definitely recommend using a tablet or touchscreen computer because this way I was able to have my daughter drag the shapes to the corresponding box by herself.
Once we had the correct order and all of them matched, then it asked her to pick the 6 shopping list items from a larger group and put them in the basket. This was great for testing her recall from our activity!
Then they even asked if she could identify the most important ingredient for ice cream. This was on one of our flashcards, but I think she was really distracted by the wax sticks when I was reading it to her, so it took a little coaching from me to help her solve this one!
The last screen provided us with his receipt and his total was actually our secret code. I love that this connected directly to the shopping trip! After we had our code, we were able to go back to that map and see what the next destination was. We were able to enter it in to verify if we were correct and then Johnny spoke to us and said he would meet us there soon!
Verdict: I loved that our second Dispatch Kids box was not completely reliant on the first. It could have been a standalone activity, but of course, the backstory of Johnny losing his special coin made it more special and interesting. I was really amazed at how much my daughter remembered from the first box and her enthusiasm for the game is what really makes me appreciate this subscription. I had a lot of fun working with her to solve the clues and while I wish there were directions for the flashcards, I think it still went pretty smoothly this time. The way that they engage children with the special messages from Johnny while also keeping it educational through critical thinking and introspective questions make this box a win for me! This box costs $24.99 + free shipping and it might seem like a lot for what we get, but the experience has been worth it to us so far. We look forward to receiving our next box in this quest!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? All new subscribers receive the first box so that the boxes can be opened in sequence.
Coupon - Use code dispatchsignup10 to save $10 off your first box!
Check out all of our Dispatch reviews and more boxes for ages 3-4 and ages 5-8 in the Kids Subscription Box List!
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What do you think of Dispatch Kids?
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