The 22 Best Subscription Boxes for Kids, Researched by Parents
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While snail mail may be a thing of the past, there is still a palpable joy (followed by the adorable puttering of tiny footsteps) that fills a house when a package is delivered. And when that package is a subscription box full of surprises for your little one to unpack, play and learn from, the excitement is heightened. There are so many different ones for any kind of kid, from clothing boxes for the mini fashionista to science and art packs for the school nerd and food boxes for the aspiring chef. Then of course, there’s the best subscription box of all—one that’s full of playthings for your kid. Here, we've rounded up 22 of the best subscription boxes for kids that will make their eyes light up as soon as it arrives.
How We Chose the Best Subscription Boxes for Everyone
We chose our list of the best subscription boxes for kids based on a few factors. We polled PureWow editors and parents to find out which subscription boxes have that “it” factor, researched PureWow reader favorite subscriptions, and sifted through subscriber reviews. The result is a complete guide on the best subscription boxes for kids, from newborns to teens.
The Best Subscription Boxes for Kids at a Glance
The 63 Best Subscription Boxes of All Time
1. Lovevery
Lovevery
This Happy Kid Awards winner delivers a curated mix of Montessori-based toys every two to three months that not only surprise and delight, but are also impeccably timed to your kid’s age and stage. Created by child development experts, each box comes with a selection of playthings and books, plus a handy guide for parents so you’re properly equipped to help your child learn and grow. Designed for newborns up to 48 months, previous toys have included a magic tissue box for a 5-month-old, a working sink for a 2-year-old and a microscope for a 4-year-old.
2. Kiwico Koala Crate
KiwiCo
Get your tot spotting planes and squirming through the bushes in search of bugs with this monthly box from KiwiCo. Each one is designed for kids ages 3 to 4 and organized around a science-y theme like reptiles or rainbows, ideal for your scientist-in-training. (Psst: The brand also offers subscription boxes for babies, toddlers, teenagers and more, so the offerings can keep growing with your kid.)
3. Stitch Fix Kids
Stitch Fix
This popular clothing subscription box company for adults also comes in kid sizes and works in much the same way. Simply pay a $20 styling fee, answer questions about your kids' preferences and sizes and then wait for your box of 10 items of clothing from popular brands (like Under Armour, Adidas and Vans) to be delivered. You only pay for the items you keep and the styling fee can be applied to your total. Take 25 percent off if you keep all items.
4. Little Passports
Little Passports
Take your mini around the world with this travel subscription box filled with activities and games that vary each month to focus on a theme. Previous boxes have been centered around world music, oceans and countries. Kids will especially love toting their new treasures around in their very own suitcase or backpack.
5. My First Reading Club
Amazon
The idea behind this subscription box is simple—tell them the age of your child and they’ll pick the books. Each monthly delivery comes with three to four books, plus a free surprise for mom each month (like a beauty sample). There are five different age groups to choose from: newborn to 2 years old, 3 to 5 years old, 6 to 8 years old, 9 to 10 years old and 11 to 12 years old. We like this one specifically for the 3 to 5 age group, before subject interest and reading level become more prevalent.
6. MyEduCrate
Cratejoy
An award-winning pick, this box is themed around seasonal learning topics with items hand selected by a team of teachers and parents. April’s package, for instance, was all about Earth Day and included experiments, a DIY terrarium and a book about bugs. Another box engaged kids' critical thinking skills in order to construct a ball shooter machine and aim for strategic strikes.
7. Little Feminist Book Club
Little Feminist
This curated selection of books touches on themes of women’s empowerment, diversity and inclusivity. Split into various age groups (0 to 2, 2 to 4, 4 to 7 and 7 to 9), we love that there’s an option for children as small as 0 (in this case, board books with Black and Brown characters and a story about a nurse who just so happens to be a man), proving these are conversations to have at any age.
8. Baketivity
Baketivity
For the kid with a sweet tooth (i.e., all of them), this baking subscription box is just the thing. Each month a kid-friendly recipe and pre-measured ingredients are delivered straight to your door, along with experiments and games, plus a cook-along video. Previous recipes have included cake pops, whoopie pies and soft pretzels. Your first box also includes a chef hat and apron, as well as a kitchen adventure board.
9. Kiwico Doodle Crate
KiwiCrate
Calling all parents of artists: This monthly arts and crafts box has everything you need to complete a creative project from start to finish. Previous boxes have included tools to create colorful wax candles, a felt succulent garden and a black ink wash painting.
10. Bitsbox
Bitsbox
Designed for 6- to 12-year-olds, this computer science box lets them build a new app every month that runs on any computer, tablet or phone with a web browser. (But don’t worry, grown-ups don’t need to know anything about coding to help out.)
11. Girls Can!
Cratejoy
Empower young women with this badass box that features an inspirational woman each month (like Frida Kahlo or Bessie Coleman) for kids ages 5 to 10 to read about, then complete a few activities that relate to their lasting impact. Yup, that’s the kind of empowerment that leads to a long-lasting lesson.
12. Rockets of Awesome
Rockets of Awesome
Similar to other clothing subscription boxes, start by taking a quiz about your child’s style and size, then receive a personalized box filled with five to 12 pieces depending on the box size you choose. Rockets of Awesome designs and manufactures their clothes in-house, so you won't get any recognizable brands in your box. What sets this subscription apart, however, is that each box is designed with seasons in mind and you have a chance to see what's inside the box before it's sent.
13. Spangler Science Club
Spangler Science Club
Let scientist Steve Spangler kickstart your 5- to 12-year-old kid’s future STEM-based career with exciting new experiments each month. Ever wondered why a doorknob might shock you? Or how to make slime? Put on your goggles and get ready to find out.
14. Sock Panda
Sock Panda
It’s one of life’s greatest mysteries: Where do all the socks go? Instead of hunting behind the dryer every Sunday, enlist Sock Panda to send kids (there's a box for kids ages 3 to 5, 5 to 7 and 8 to 11) two new pairs a month. For every pair you receive, the company donates socks to a kid in need.
15. Kidpik
KidPik
Get picky kids excited to get dressed each day by signing up for this personalized shopping box—with zero membership, styling or return fees—that sends three to ten coordinated outfits (choose from eight to 15 individual pieces) tailored to your kid’s age and gender. Let your mini pick their faves and return the rest for free (or save up to 40 percent if they love everything in the box). Receive a box every four, six or 12 weeks.
16. Reading Bug Box
Cratejoy
This monthly box is personalized with board books that match your child’s age. And it’s a purchase you can feel good about— each read is carefully selected by the booksellers at the award-winning Reading Bug Bookstore in California, an independent, family-owned business.
17. Green Kid Crafts
Amazon
The company behind this collection of science and nature activities practices what they preach—each box is carbon neutral and one tree is planted for each one ordered. Each month, a selection of experiments and art projects are mailed to your house along with easy-to-follow instructions. Young scientists will love making glow-in-the-dark slime, creating a model respiratory system and more.
18. Creation Crate
Creation Crate
Box themes include electronics, chemistry and engineering (although only the electronics box is shipped monthly; the other two STEM boxes are available as single purchases). The electronics box includes activities like building a mood lamp and a rover bot, while the chemistry box features metal burning and the engineering box allows kids to build a mechanical leg controlled by a glove.
19. Guide Dots
Cratejoy
Your kid loves painting but has the tendency to go all Van Gogh on her own piece of art. Keep those creative tantrums to a minimum with these strategically-placed dots and online instruction to help your budding artist develop her skill set at her own pace and produce a frame-worthy masterpiece at the end.
20. Raddish
Amazon
No chicken fingers here—these recipes are intended for the whole family to enjoy and the talking points included in each box make for a lively dinner time discussion (“If you could have dinner in another country, where would you go?”). Each kit features a new culinary theme, three recipes on that theme (think: Nordic cinnamon buns, Swedish meatballs and Scandinavian smorgasbord), three culinary skill cards (i.e., “how to use tongs”), a creative kitchen project (like how to build a solar oven) and various collectibles (like measuring cups).
21. Think Outside
Think Outside
Each box comes with a theme based on an outdoor activity (think star gazing and shelter building) and the items are designed to work in tandem. For example, the intro box comes with the basics for first aid, wildlife information, knot tying, navigation, weather protection and much more. The following boxes are seasonally and activity themed.
22. Sensory Theraplay Box
Sensory Theraplay Box
These boxes are curated by a pediatric occupational therapist for kids with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, neurological impairments and emotional disturbances. Previous toys have included putty, light-up toys, drawing utensils, aromatherapy dough and fidget spinners. It’s the easiest way to engage your child in fun sensory play while promoting their development.
What to Consider When Shopping for a Subscription Box for Kids
When looking at subscription boxes for a child, be sure to consider their age and interests. A toddler, for example, will likely enjoy a toy-themed box more than a science-themed one. Similarly, if you have a little bookworm at home, then a reading subscription box could be the perfect gift, whereas your gaming-obsessed tween might be more into a coding subscription package. In addition to age and interests, you'll want to take price and shipping frequency into account—what's your budget? And how often would you like to receive a new package on your doorstep? Looking at these four factors—age, interests, budget and frequency—will help you find the best subscription box for your kid.
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Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
