Children's subscription boxes make amazing gifts for kids. Each month, they deliver new age-appropriate surprises that are as fun as they are educational. KiwiCo is one of our favorite children's box brands—this one company offers 7 different boxes to accommodate a wide range of age groups and interests. So, which box is right for your child?
We're breaking down the differences between these popular children's activity boxes to help point you in the right direction. But remember, KiwiCo lets subscribers switch between boxes whenever they'd like—as your child grows or their interests change, you can switch up their box to match their changing needs!
You can get even more details about KiwiCo boxes in our expert monthly reviews. And don't forget to check out all of the other children's subscription boxes in our directory!
Best Box for Infants & Toddlers Age 0-3:
Tadpole Crate
What you get: 2-3 developmentally appropriate hands-on projects, online resources and a mini magazine (Wonder Magazine) with info and ideas for parents, and a board book for you and your child.
Past crate themes: "Color Mixing", "Alphabet Play", "Mail Delivery"
What our reviewers say: Older toddlers in particular love this box! The activities are perfect for little minds, though we can't guarantee their attention spans will stay with any one project for long. But no worries—with other activity ideas and an adorable board book in each box, there are plenty of other things to keep your little one busy. Best of all, our reviewers say that the quality of the products in the box makes it easy to store the items and play with them again later!
Get 60% off Tadpole Crate (orig. $19.95/mo) here!
Best Box for Toddlers Ages 3-4:
Koala Crate
What you get: 2-3 creative activities geared towards preschool-age children, online DIY ideas for future fun, a parent guide, and a mini magazine (Imagine Magazine) of engaging stories and games.
Past crate themes: "Pirate", "Birds", "Glowing Nature", "Music"
What our reviewers say: We've found that this crafty box can be just as fun for children slightly younger and slightly older than its recommended age range. A lot of the time, the projects in this subscription have children creating costumes or DIY toys that you and your child can enjoy beyond the initial craft session. We love the way the activities in Imagine Magazine really do encourage kids to use their imaginations and get playful!
Get 60% off Koala Crate (orig. $19.95/mo) here!
Best Box for Kids Ages 5-8:
Kiwi Crate
What you get: STEM-inspired projects for curious young minds complete with kid-friendly instructions and tools, plus online DIYs and additional projects, comics, and more inside the included mini magazine (Explore Magazine).
Past crate themes: Disk Launchers, Ultraviolet Light, Capillary Action, Rainbow Optics
What our reviewers say: We've been so impressed by how easy Kiwi Crate makes it for young minds to assemble these unique, science-minded projects! The activities are relatively stress- and failure-free, which means kids can focus on being proud of what they built and learned. Kiwi Crate also does a great job of talking about the real-world applications of the engineering, physics, and other scientific knowledge the kids are absorbing through their projects. It's a great box for curious minds, even if they're not typically into science!
Get 60% off Kiwi Crate (orig. $19.95/mo) here!
Best Box for Kids & Tweens Ages 6-11:
Atlas Crate
What you get: Geography and culture-inspired activities, collectible cards and an album to store them in, plus additional materials to help your child become a global citizen.
Past crate themes: Italy, Nigeria, Peru, Japan
What our reviewers say: Kids love the quirky, unique facts that they learn on the collectible cards! They learn about different celebrations, games, and even vocabulary from the spotlight country or culture. The activities feature kid-friendly instructions that let your children take charge, and many of the crafts and games result in items that kids can play with again (such as toys, games, and small accessories). This subscription is an awesome way for kids to become familiar with other cultures on a fun, lighthearted level.
Get 60% off Atlas Crate (orig. $19.95/mo) here!
Best Boxes for Tweens & Teens Ages 9-16
Doodle Crate
What you get: One new art project per month aimed towards younger teens and tweens
Past crate themes: Handcrafted Paper Bowls, Geometric Candles, Mini Journals, Zipper Pulls
What our reviewers say: Not only are these DIYs fun—they're functional, too! That means kids can decorate their life with what they make once they've completed their crafts. The instructions and projects are kid-friendly, and while they are probably better for younger teens and tweens, the colors and concepts should inspire the junior maker in your life.
Get 60% off Doodle Crate (orig. $19.95/mo) here!
Tinker Crate
What you get: A monthly science-inspired project designed for younger teens and tweens
Past crate themes: Irrigation, Kinegram Cartoons, Fantastic Flying Discs, Buzzing Circuits
What our reviewers say: Tinker Crate is the science-minded version of Doodle Crate. The projects are similar to Doodle Crate's in terms of age appropriateness and quality—the end results of each project tend to be things kids can display proudly in their rooms or homes. This box is perfect for kids who like building gadgets, LEGO projects, and little machines—it's awesome to see what kids can learn from these relatively simple activities!
Get 60% off Tinker Crate (orig. $19.95/mo) here!
Best Box for Ages 14+
Eureka Crate
What you get: A sophisticated craft, often with mechanical details
Past crate themes: Wooden Ukelele, Pencil Sharpener, Desk Lamp
What our reviewers say: Even adults can get into these DIY activities! The difficulty level is a little higher than with the other crates on this list, but the projects aren't so challenging that a crafty teen or adult can't figure them out. In fact, the problem solving involved in this box is what makes it so fun. And the finished items you get to make are super cool.
Get 60% off Eureka Crate (orig. $29.95/mo) here!
Has your child tried a KiwiCo crate before? What did they/you think?
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