Have you heard of Kiwi Crate?
Kiwi Crate is a monthly subscription service that offers kid’s educational projects, crafts, and activities on different themes. You can get a subscription for as low as $16.95 per month for the box — including shipping. This box will include 2-3 projects, all the materials to complete those projects, plus hands-on learning activities and more.
We have had our subscription for almost a year now and thought this gem was too good not to share especially with “Birthday season” and Christmas just around the corner.
Here’s what you want to know about Kiwi Crate…and maybe more. What we liked, what we didn’t like.. and where we go from here.
When I first heard of Kiwi Crate it sounded fun, who wouldn’t love getting a box of colourful, fun activities in the mail? But I passed it off as an expensive craft box that I likely already had the supplies for.
I’m already a pretty crafty momma, do I really need more ideas? Isn’t that what Pinterest is for? We’re overflowing with craft supplies, why bring more into the house?
I’d heard a lot about Kiwi Crate before, but I’d never signed up for it.
Each month our Kiwi Crate arrived neat and perfect in our mailbox. The contents were well-packaged and even arranged with an introduction and instructions on top. The supplies for the craft were all included–from tape stickers, to rubber bands, brads, even markers and scissors. Once we sat down at the table we really didn’t need to get up for anything.
Pro #1 – Yes, it costs. It can be hard coming from a frugal, DIY mindset to paying for a kids craft subscription service. But here’s what I’m finding out–we’re paying for a high-quality product that my kids enjoy and requires absolutely no prep work from me (except a clean work space). So far, I feel like it’s worth it.
Con #1 – My youngest still need a lot parental support for these activities—like reading directions, understanding what is what, and following the directions step-by-step. Luck for me her older sister loves these kinds of things so I get a break and the girls are busy building together.
Pro#2 – Everything worked! Our first box was last December and her “claw” still opens and shuts just like it’s supposed to. The googlie eyes may be missing off the pompom aliens but they are just like the day the kids put them together.
Con#2– Really I don’t have one but I thought the list would look a little wonky without a #2. You know?
What do the kids think?
My kids love Kiwi Crate! As soon as they grab it out of the mail box I can expect them to ask me multiple times a day, “When are we going to do the Kiwi Crate?”
What does momma thinks?
I have been very impressed with the box. We’re loving it and, for now, a Kiwi Crate subscription feels worth it.(And the design is just so darn cute.)
In fact, we loved it so much that we are thinking that our Birthday gifts for the kids this year will be a subscription to Tinker Crate for Abigail, a subscription to the Doodle Crate for Noah, and renewing our subscription to Kiwi Crate for Jessica.
Kiwi Crate has a great sale in their online shop. Save 40% on your first box, just use this link. Save 30% in their email sign up, just use this link. You can also save 30% on the first month of any subscription with this link and the code good30.
Cricket Crate: Lay the foundation for lifelong learning. For Children 0-36 months. This crate will be launching soon!
Koala Crate: gives preschoolers (3-4 yr olds) exposure to new materials, tools, techniques, and concepts that encourage hands-on learning and fun in a developmentally appropriate way. Inside each Koala Crate you’ll find creative materials for multiple play and learn activities, a parent guide, and our imagine! magazine created especially for kids.
Kiwi Crate: designed for kids 5-8, and was built out of a passion for hands-on fun that encourages creativity and curiosity. Inside each Kiwi Crate you’ll receive materials for activities covering art, science, games, and imaginative play. You’ll also find detailed instructions for all the projects, plus explore! a magazine, which provides bonus articles and DIY activities about the month’s theme, to extend the learning and fun. (This is the one we got for my daughter and she LOVES it!)
Here’s what’s inside:
Doodle Crate:inspires 9-16 year olds to learn new design skills and gain creative confidence through making. All Doodle Crates come with high quality materials needed to create each DIY project, a video tutorial, and easy to follow instructions on a new art or design technique.
Tinker Crate: introduces 9-16 year olds to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) through fun educational activities. Each Tinker Crate comes with all the materials needed for building the project, instructional video and blueprint with step by step instructions, as well as a Tinker Zine with additional science experiments and activities.
What else does Kiwi crate offer?
Other than their monthly subscription services (which you can opt for a one-time, 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month subscription), Kiwi Crate also offers single crates to buy if you’d like a specific crate, party favours (which could make great stocking stuffers), art supplies, and mini crates.
They DO offer a sibling add-on if you find that you need it!
They’re customer service is awesome. They have a referral program where if your friend signs up with your referral link, you EACH get $10 towards a crate.
Note: Since a subscription is rather expense, this also might be a great gift idea to pass along to Grandma & Grandpa for Christmas this year. I love that it’s mostly consumable, very educational, hands-on, and a gift that would keep giving all year long!
Note: This post contains my Kiwi Crate referral link. If you click through and decided you are willing to risk it enough to sign up for a subscription, I will receive a referral fee if you sign up through one of my links in this post. If you don’t feel comfortable doing so, you can go to KiwiCrate.com to sign up directly.
I love the different variations of this sub box. Great savings with the coupon codes too, awesome!
I love these things although my kid it too old for them now as I think they hold a lot of value and gives the kids something ‘different’ to do besides what’s offered in the stores.
This really is a great idea for a gift. Subscriptions are nice because they keep giving. 🙂
This sounds pretty cool. I am a little subscription boxed out but this one sounds worth it. Having a craft ready to go i think would help us do more. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
🙂
Traci
We are huge fans of Kiwi Crate, as are my children. I think they really they put a lot of thought into the quality of the products they put in there. We love the science projects!
I have seen this advertised a lot but never “saw” what was inside. Thank you for sharing your pros and cons that is really helpful!