Subscription box clubs for kids (monthly subscription boxes) are a great a way to add a creative learning center to your home school or supplement learning at home. (Yes, a subscription box for child is worth it!) Read our experiences and personal subscription box reviews and learn how you can get discounts subscriptions services!
Our Choice For Best Kid Subscription Boxes For Kids
If you want to get right to our experience and choices for subscription box clubs, here are some of our favorites for the best subscription boxes kids . . .
Which subscription box is best?
- Cratejoy (variety)
- Little Passports World Edition
- Groovy Lab in a Box (STEM)
- Up & Away Adventures (around the world)
- Bitsbox Coding Subscription Box for Kids
- MEL Science
- Which Way USA Subscription Box
- Wonder Crate Kids Subscription Box (with the popular WHO IS? kids’ book series)
- STEM Discovery Boxes Monthly STEM Science Subscription Box
- Prime Book Box Monthly Book Clubs
TIP: Don’t just look for girl boxes or boy boxes or you’ll miss out on some really great children’s subscription boxes!
About three years into homeschooling, I realized that my kid really isn’t a sit down and do workbooks from a curriculum kind of kid.
(Yes, I can be slow on the uptake.)
At that same time, we were getting a STEM subscription box. It was a set up as one of those monthly gift box clubs from a friend for my daughter’s birthday.
After the first mail order box clubs, I noticed how something:
She would wait and check the mailbox around the time it was to be delivered. When it came, her entire face would light up and she would spend hours alone engrossed in learning and creating everything about the topic of those monthly box clubs.
It was then that I realized the benefit that those boxes had on learning.
They weren’t just a toy box that we got monthly. These were real learning opportunities that were fun for my kid . . . and she really, really learned things!
Since then, we’ve signed up for multiple different boxes: toy subscription boxes, geography subscription boxes, STEM subscription boxes and more.
I’ve put together a list of some of the best subscription boxes for kids (and most affordable) so that you can try them out!
What kind of subscription boxes are there? You can find monthly toy subscription boxes, book club boxes, travel subscriptions, snack subscription boxes and so much more!
We’ll talk about the subscription boxes in more detail in a bit (and I’ll let you know which ones we personally tried and pros and cons of those).
Before we get to detail about subscription box kids…
How much is kid box a month?
The price for a children’s monthly subscription box will vary from around $10/month to $29.99/month and more, depending on the subscription box that you choose. Some of the cheapest subscription boxes are the box clubs for kids!
Before you buy subscription box for kids, see what the terms are and how/when you can cancel. Each of the monthly kits for kids are different!
Getting a Discount on Subscription Boxes (WITHOUT a Coupon Code!)
Periodically throughout the year, there are sales on subscription boxes for kids, especially if you are a Prime Member.
I’ve seen discounts anywhere from 30%-70% OFF (!!!) of the first month of some kids boxes — making some of these boxes as low as $4 to try them out!
This allows you to try multiple fun boxes at the discounted rate before committing.
If it doesn’t live up to your expectations, you can cancel after that first box and you haven’t spent a ton of money and you’re not locked into the subscription.
BE SURE TO READ THE SUBSCRIPTION BOX REQUIREMENTS!
Every subscription box and kids mail club varies!
Many allow you to go month-to-month, but some require a 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month subscriptions.
Are box subscriptions worth it?
Subscription box clubs for kids can be worth it for learning at home, especially if you can try the box first at a discount before you sign up. Monthly subscription boxes are huge time saver for parents and homeschoolers and also can actually save money if you consider purchasing the items individually.
Subscription boxes are honestly one of my secret learning tools and homeschool resources that we use regularly! An activity box for kids is one of the things I use to free me up to work and homeschool! (I haven’t “taught” science in YEARS due to monthly kids subscription boxes!)
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OK! Let’s get to our subscription box for girls and subscription box for boys ideas!
Kid Box Reviews: Types of Monthly Subscription Box Clubs for Kids
(Kid Boxes That Won’t Break The Bank!)
Cratejoy
Type of Subscription Box: Various Subscription boxes for kids and adults
Cratejoy are crates for kids! It has so many great children’s subscription boxes that it’s actually difficult to pick a favorite — from art subscription boxes to animal subscription box for kids to history subscription box for kids to science subscription boxes to kids activity box and SO MANY more!
I love the Think Outside the Box Learning Crates.
You fill out a survey and then get surprise books and items based on your survey questions. (Waaaay cooler than just book of the month club!) It’s fun for mystery boxes for kids!
The SuperPower Academy Box is also super cool. It’s a “Superpower Social and Emotional + STEM monthly box with ‘Secret Missions’ for kids ages 5-10.” (Perfect for boxes for girls or boys!)
If you have a budding artist and are looking for a sketch box or art box subscriptions, try the Art Snacks monthly box where you will get different art supplies each month!
Cratejoy has hundreds of kids monthly subscription boxes! You can browse them here.
Up & Away Adventures
Up & Away Adventures is a new kids’ subscription box that I’m REALLY excited about because it allows your family to visit locations around the world … even when you’re stuck at home!
From the site:
“Enjoy a curated, family friendly, educational experience through our subscription suitcases which include games and activities while incorporating the culture, cuisine, and people from countries around the world. Something that sets us apart is our focus on the five senses. Each suitcase comes packed full of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and things to touch, guaranteed to stimulate your senses.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Little Passports World Edition
Type of Subscription Box: Geography / travel subscription box for kids
Little Passports World Edition is one of our favorite subscription boxes for kids! Each month, your child will learn about different parts of the world and cultures through different hands-on activities and projects.
The first of the kid crates comes with a “suitcase” box, a passport, and a world map.
Your child will also meet Sam and Sofia, who will be your child’s “pen pals” each month. As they travel around the world, you’ll learn more and more!
With each country, your kids can “stamp” their passport of the countries they visit!
We love my subscription for this! My daughter really enjoyed all the little stickers and cards that came with each one and then finding where Sam and Sofia were on the map. (Good for girls boxes or boys boxes.)
Listed Age Range: 6-10 years
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SUBSCRIPTION BOX
Groovy Lab in a Box
Type of Subscription Box: STEM
Groovy Lab in a Box is a STEM monthly subscription box that covers different science, technology, engineering, and math theme topics each month. From the box description:
Because children, STEMists, are natural engineers so Groovy Lab in a Box blends Scientific Inquiry and the Engineering Design Process, which allows children to create ingenious inventions, enhance critical problem solving skills and have FUN!
Groovy Lab in a Box includes everything children, STEMists, need to learn about and do hands on STEM experiments. Including the basics. If the activity, experiment, test, challenge, or inquiry requires a specific tool or supply, it’s in the box!
In this kid crate, you also get an official Lab Notebook with each box that walks you through the projects and activities.
What’s cool about this childrens subscription box is that they have a “learning portal” where your kids can carry on the learning online!
Our extended learning portal, Beyond…in a Box, works in tandem with the Groovy Lab in a Box Lab Notebook. Based upon the theme of the month, children, STEMists, will learn about ways to utilize actual scientific inquiry and the engineering design process.
Listed Age Range: 8+ years
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SUBSCRIPTION BOX
Highlights Puzzle Club
Type of Subscription Box: Puzzles Helping With Reading, Writing, Math/Problem Solving
I have to confess that Highlights has a special place in my heart because I used to get the magazine when I was a kid.
I loved reading through it and would read it cover-to-cover, saving my favorite for the very end: the hidden picture finds.
When my daughter was old enough, I introduced her to Highlights magazine and she loved them, too!
(YAY! Or else I might’ve had to trade her in . . . )
Well, now there’s a Highlights Puzzle Club, where you can get these awesome puzzle books delivered each month.
From the subscription description:
Age-appropriate puzzles strike a just-right balance between difficulty and achievability that keeps kids coming back for more.
Highlights Puzzle Club puzzles promote reading, writing, math, problem-solving, strategic thinking skills, concentration, attention to detail and more.
My daughter felt like she aged out of them a couple of years ago (probably around age 9 or 10), but we received them for many years and she loved them!
Listed Age Ranges: 4-7 years and 7+
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SUBSCRIPTION BOX
Bitsbox Coding Subscription Box for Kids
Type of Subscription Box: STEM
Bitsbox Coding Subscription Box for Kids is—you guessed it!—a coding subscription box for kids where your kids learn real computer programming in a fun and interactive way. And, the best part? No previous coding experience is needed!
There is a different coding concept each month and they build upon the one from the previous month, allowing your kid to work with more and more complex coding concepts as they go along!
From the subscription box description:
Bitsbox delivers coding projects that teach kids to make video games, greeting cards, simulations and more. Kids build apps on the Bitsbox website, and their apps work on real phones and tablets!
Kids start by coding from examples and progress quickly to inventing their own apps.
Coding with Bitsbox strikes a balance between challenge and entertainment, as kids practice life skills like problem-solving, patience and persistence.
Each box comes with a “Grownup Guide” so parents can help the kids and there is also unlimited email support (which is HUGE!).
Listed Age Range: 6-12 years
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SUBSCRIPTION BOX
MEL Science
Type of Subscription Box: STEM
MEL Science is one of the monthly subscription box clubs of STEM (science) chemistry projects.
The age-appropriate STEM toys all encourage learning about science, technology, engineering, or math through play.
From the box:
“Over 80 SAFE and EXCITING EXPERIMENTS in one subscription. Supported by VR lessons. New chemistry topic every month.”
Listed Age Ranges: 10+ (or 6+ with close parental supervision)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SUBSCRIPTION BOX
STEM Discovery Boxes Monthly STEM Science Subscription Box
Type of Subscription Box: STEM
STEM Discovery Boxes Monthly STEM Science Subscription Box is another STEM subscription box service that provides projects on science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
From the subscription box description:
Each month a new box will arrive in the mail with three exciting STEM projects. Your child will learn how things work, why they work and how to create them! They will build, explore and test all kinds of experiments and contraptions using activities built for their age group (and to be honest, adults love them too!).
STEM Discovery Boxes make the perfect gift for both boys and girls. Our boxes are unique and provide the gift of knowledge and education that amaze and excite children… and are super convenient since they arrive right at your door ready to go!
This monthly STEM box was started by a mom who realized how hard it was to come up with different projects and how expensive it can be.
Listed Age Ranges: 7-13 years
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SUBSCRIPTION BOX
Which Way USA Subscription Box
Type of Subscription Box: Geography
Which Way USA Subscription Box is another subscription box that we tried and my daughter loved! (It may be because this is by Highlights, too!)
This monthly subscription box is all about United States geography and uses puzzles and fact-finding to teach your kids about a different state each month.
From the subscription box description:
Which Way USA combines puzzles, map activities and a “race across the states” to make it a fun way to learn about geography for kids ages 7 and up.
Which Way USA state adventure kits include:
Illustrated, Fact-Packed State Maps that spark kids’ sense of adventure
Challenging 32-Page Puzzle Books that encourage exploration of culture, history and landmarks through play
Souvenir Key Tags that kids can collect as mementos of each trip
This box is a fun way to work on geography, states and capitals, map reading skills, and more!
Listed Age Ranges: 7+ years
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SUBSCRIPTION BOX
Wonder Crate Kids Subscription Box
Type of Subscription Box: Books/Reading
Wonder Crate Kids Subscription Box is an awesome with the popular Who Is kids’ book series. (If you don’t know about these books, they are fantastic!) It’s one of the coolest book box subscriptions for kids! (The book subscription boxes reviews are good!)
Each month, your child will get a new Who Is book to learn about a different person in history. There are also theme activities to go along with the book.
From the subscription box description:
A subscription box that introduces kids to inspirational role models, sparks their curiosity and connects them to their own possibilities.
Every month, Wonder Crate feature brave, forward-thinking role models that are making the world a better place and highlight the skills that they used to make a difference.
Each monthly box contains: a book from the popular Who Is book series to inspire children and fun activities to spark curiosity.
Who they see, shows them who they can be!
Created by a mom, educator and entrepreneur and delivered to your doorstep every month.
This is an updated, fresh book of month club!
Listed Age Ranges: 7-11 years
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SUBSCRIPTION BOX
Prime Book Box
Type of Subscription Box: Books/Reading
If you have an avid reader or you’re trying to get your kid to read more, then the Prime Book Box is for you!
Each month, this subscription box for kids brings either two hardcover books or four board books depending on the age range you select.
You can select the books from a curated list or you can be surprised by what the editors pick for you (which may be a lot of fun!).
From the subscription description:
How are books chosen?
Each box features books our customers love and our Amazon Book Editors couldn’t forget. Our Editors read thousands of books every year to find selections your reader will enjoy again and again. You’ll discover new releases, classics, and hidden gems tailored to your reader’s age.
The great thing about this box is that it introduces you and your child to new books at a discounted price—around 40% off of the list price of the book.
If you’re looking for a book of the month box, this is a great option.
Listed Age Ranges: Baby-2 years; 3-5 years; 6-8 years; 9-12 years
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SUBSCRIPTION BOX
Click here to see current deals on subscription boxes
Now that we’ve covered kid subscription box reviews, let’s talk about our personal experiences with children’s monthly activity boxes…
What Are the Benefits of Subscription Boxes for Kids?
If you’re not sure if you want to sign up for a subscription box, here are some of the benefits of subscription boxes to help you decide:
1. Subscription boxes are great learning tools for all ages! There are subscription boxes for a wide variety of ages from elementary to subscription boxes for tweens and even teens. (There are even great toddler subscription box choices and preschool subscription boxes!)
2. Many kid subscription box subscriptions allow you to unsubscribe at any time. So, you can try one out when you find a good deal and see if your kids like it before committing.
3. Subscription boxes for kids can work as a supplement to homeschool curriculum or become study unit themes all on their own!
4. Kids learn with subscription box projects without even realize they’re learning.
5. Subscription boxes for kids are great boredom busters!
6. The monthly subscriptions can be independent study supplements for STEM, reading, and more.
7. Subscription boxes are great for one-on-one communication time with your kids, or even for your kids to collaborate on together and work on team building skills.
8. They’re “set and forget” so you don’t have to plan out your monthly STEM, geography, etc. lesson because it’s already planned for you each month.
9. It’s a great starting point for a topic. Use the theme of that month’s box as a jumping off point for the entire month and find other ways to learn about the topic.
10. They’re just so much fun for the entire family!
11. It’s something for your kids to look forward to every month. (My daughter said, “It’s so exciting to check the mail everyday around the time the box is supposed to come!”)
Why We Use Subscription Boxes for Home School
Here’s how subscription boxes for kids has helped our homeschooling:
1. It gives me a “teaching” break.
2. It encourages independent (kid in box) learning.
3. The planning is done for me.
4. We get exposed to new things.
5. It gives me peace of mind when I feel like we’re “off schedule” because I know my kid is still learning a planned “lesson” through the subscription box.
6. Everything is in one place (and I don’t need to go searching for each learning tool or purchase separate craft elements, etc.).
7. It allows me to work and homeschool.
I hope that this guide to finding affordable subscription boxes for kids helps! They really are a great supplement for at-home learning! (And, they’re super fun, too!)