Eureka Crate (from parent company KiwiCo) is a subscription box for teens and adults ages 14-104. It arrives every month with all the materials and instructions needed to create a functional, lasting object with a focus on engineering. The goal of these projects is to use science and math to solve real-world problems while inspiring the recipients to become creative innovators.
KiwiCo offers boxes for a variety of different age groups:
- Panda Crate for 0-24-month-olds,
- Koala Crate for 2-4-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,
- Eureka Crate and Maker Crate for ages 14 and up. There really is something for every age with this company.
This review is of the $29.95 a month Eureka Crate, for 14-year-olds and up.
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 Eureka Crate
The Subscription Box: Eureka Crate
The Cost: $29.95 per month + free shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.
The Products: Detailed instructions and all of the high-quality materials needed to create a unique, lasting, and functional engineering project as well as a Maker's Guide that explains the science and technology behind it.
Ships to: The US for free, Canada for $3.95 per month, and worldwide from $4.95-$6.95.
KiwiCo Eureka Crate "Rivet Press" Review - September 2020
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The project for this month was to create our own Rivet Press. This felt like a fairly unique project and one that might prove useful as well! This Maker's Guide is full of educational information related to our project and on the "Behind the Design" page, they noted that they went through 8 different prototypes!
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Our directions are separated into various sections which makes it so much easier since it breaks it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. The instructions are always clear and easy to follow with detailed, colorful pictures to reference. They even include information on troubleshooting, which can be very helpful!
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There were a lot of pieces for this project, but fortunately, everything is organized and with the clearly labeled illustrations it is easy to find the correct pieces!
Part A: Build the Ram
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The first step was to build the ram. They included a tiny screwdriver along with several bolts, screws, and washers. I lined up the holes of the two rocket-shaped pieces and then secured a bolt after adding some washers and orange sliders on either side.
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Next, I added a large washer to the wooden shape with the matching hole and secured that along with another wooden piece by adding some smaller washers and long screws to the bottom of my rocket shape.
Part B: Mount the Ram
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Next, I added this smile-shaped piece to the mainframe piece along with a slider and a washer.
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Then I added the ram piece to the other side of the bolt and placed another bolt through the smaller wooden piece before fitting it into the slots on the frame piece.
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Then I added this smaller wooden piece to the slot at the top before adding a slider and washer to the other end of the bolt and placing the other side of the frame over it. Then I added another smile piece to the longer slot.
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Next, I fitted this slotted wooden piece to the notches on the sides of the frame and added some screws to hold it all together.
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I finished this off by adding three bolts with washers to the holes on the frame to really secure the pieces.
Part C: Add the Toggle Joint
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To make the toggle joint, I first layered two smile pieces on top of one another and slid them in between the frame pieces and secured them with a bolt and screw.
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Next, it was time to add a longer smile piece using more bolts and wooden washers. I connected that to the shorter smile pieces I had already placed on the frame. Then I finished it off with a longer smile piece for the other side and the toggle was complete.
Part D: Attach the Lever Arm
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Next came the tricky part of adding the lever arm. This was just a matter of adding the arm to both sides and then connecting it to the toggle and frame. It was tricky just trying to get everything lined up just so and I had to move the ram up and down in order to get everything in the right spot.
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I added the wooden piece with prongs to the back slots in the arm pieces and then added the spring in between. I slid a bolt through the bottom of the spring to hold it in place and then screwed down the Eureka front piece over that to hide the spring. Now I was able to lift the handle up and down to operate the ram.
Part E: Build the Base
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The base was a fairly easy build. I first added these adhesive rubberized non-stick squares to the bottom then I flipped it over and placed my ram on top by fitting it into the notches. I added the two smaller wooden pieces to the slots at the back and the longer pieces to the angled slots at the side.
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Then I slid the top piece on and secured it with some bolts and screws.
Part F: Add the Dies
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I added this square piece on top using screws and metal washers to hold it in place.
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Then it was time to add the press pieces. I screwed the one with the plastic end into the bolt at the top part of the ram and then I fit the other metal piece into the circle at the bottom.
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It was a very tight fit so I actually had to use the press to push it into place which luckily did the trick! Then I placed this last rubberized piece at the top as a hold for the press and it was complete!
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Here is the finished press.
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They provided some instructions on how to use it along with several rivet pieces.
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I snapped a top and bottom piece together and then I placed it on the press and secured the pieces. They mentioned that once pressed together we could only get these apart by using some pliers.
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They even provided a small project for us to test out our press. These pleather pieces went together to form a little wallet.
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First, I lined up the strip with the center holes of the bottom part of the wallet. Then I slid in a rivet piece before folding in the sides and slipping the holes over those rivet pieces.
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Then I used the press to secure the rivets along the side at the bottom.
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They provided two little pieces that were to be used as tags. One had the Eureka logo on it while the other was plain. I sandwiched it between the holes at the top and then secured it with another rivet.
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Here is the finished wallet. Cute and simple!
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I decided to use mine to store all my spare rivet pieces for now!
In our booklet, there is always a design challenge. This month they gave some great ideas for how we might be able to create more projects using our rivet press.
Verdict: This month's Eureka Crate project was really unique and I think it is one of those projects that may prove to be more useful than it seems at first. After checking out the design challenge I was inspired by all of the things I could possibly make by just choosing some sturdy fabrics and connecting them in the right spots. That teddy bear is pretty cute and I bet my kids would love to come up with their own designs! This was another creative and educational project that was well thought out, organized, and easy to accomplish thanks to the clear instructions!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? It is possible you might get this crate, but it is not a guarantee. From KiwiCo:
Crates are assigned each month based on availability and your crate history - not all subscribers receive the same theme each month.
Check out all of our KiwiCo reviews and the best boxes for teens!
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