Panda Crate is a new, bi-monthly subscription from KiwiCo for ages 0-36 months. They are curated based on the science of early development and are made practical, helpful, and convenient for parents. In fact, they actually consulted researchers at Seattle Children's hospital to make sure everything is suited well for each stage of your child's brain development.
In addition to this newborn subscription, KiwiCo offers other boxes for different age groups:
- Panda Crate for 0-36-month-olds,
- Koala Crate for 3-4-year-olds,
- Kiwi Crate for 5-8-year-olds,
- Atlas Crate for 6-11-year-olds,
- Doodle Crate and Tinker Crate for 9-16+-year-olds, and
- Eureka Crate and Maker Crate for ages 14 and up.
This is a review of Panda Crate's second box ("Travel With Me" for ages 3-6 months) which costs $19.95 + free shipping.
About Panda Crate
The Subscription: Panda Crate by KiwiCo
The Cost: 1 crate every 2 months costs $19.95/month (with free shipping) which adds up to $39.90/crate. Save with longer subscriptions.
The Products: Up to six learning toys and books, specifically designed for your child’s age and stage. The line is split into five separate age bands: Birth-2 months, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 13-18 months, 19-24 months, 25-30 months, and 31-36 months.
Ships to: The U.S. for free, Canada for $3.95 per month, worldwide from $4.95-$6.95.
Good to Know: You can switch to any of KiwiCo's other subscriptions at any time to suit your child's age and developmental interests.
Panda Crate "Travel With Me" (3-6 months) January 2020 Review
1 of 5
Each box comes with a Wonder by Panda Crate magazine, with information about the stage of development your baby is in and lots of tips and FAQs for parents. This Panda Crate, for ages 3-6 months, is titled "Travel With Me."
The back of the theme page shows every item in the box with a brief description on the right.
1 of 2
Panda Crate sends informative cards with details about each product and ideas for how to use them to promote your baby's development.
1 of 2
Every crate will also include "beyond the crate" activity cards with details of your baby's brain development, activities you can do with them to promote growth, and the science behind them.
1 of 2
Poppy On the Go Soft Book
The items in Panda Crate are exclusive and designed for the box, and I love the cute panda motif throughout all the products. This book is made with soft, crinkly fabric and the story itself is really just introducing vehicle noises. It's cute and perfect for the phase my daughter is in now, where she's really just practicing gripping and noticing things making noises when she crinkles them.
1 of 2
Star Grasping Toy
This star toy is another item designed to help with grasping practice. I love the design of a shooting star! The fabric is crinkly, too. It's also good for chewing if it ends up in her mouth (which, it will).
1 of 3
Travel Play Mat
This play mat is a nice size, and rolls up to make it easy to bring along on the go! Perfect for the "travel with me" theme. Like the grasping toy, I love the space theme and there are crinkly parts and ribbons to play with, plus some loops to tie on other toys. The back is a soft, fuzzy fabric and this whole mat is easy to just toss in the wash.
Sun & Cloud Hanging Rattles
Speaking of other toys that you can tie onto the loops of the play mat, these are little fabric rattles that have velcro on the canvas straps just for that purpose. So sweet, and you can use them anywhere.
Verdict: This is my second Panda Crate and I am loving it so far! The goal of the box is great: to deliver scientifically-backed products to help promote my baby's development. This box, Travel With Me, is aimed at the 3-6 month age range and seems right on point to what my 3.5 month old is ready for. I know we will get good use from all the products. Aside from the practicality of all these items, my favorite thing is the design! The branding is so cute with the little panda on everything, and the colors are modern and stylish. It makes me really excited to see more. Overall, considering the practicality, the information cards and magazine, the science-backed curation, the quality, and great design of the items, I'm happy with everything you get for the $39.90 per crate cost.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, this is one of the two boxes they send during the 3-6 month age window. Panda Crate is more of a "line" of boxes from KiwiCo than a typical subscription model with different themes each month. When you sign up, you input your baby's age or your due date and they'll send you the appropriate box for your child's age and development at the right time. (Good to know: you can pick what month you want your first box to arrive. By default, it will arrive the month of your due date.)
Check out other Panda Crate review, more KiwiCo reviews, and the best baby subscription boxes of 2019!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
What do you think of Panda Crate?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.