We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Lifestyle Fun Entertainment The 10 Best Kids Subscription Boxes to Engage Your Child KiwiCo is our top pick overall, because it caters to kids of every age bracket and enhances learning through educational activities. By Julia Pelly Updated on March 9, 2023 KiwiCo If you're in the market for new ways to help your kids learn and play, a subscription box simplifies activity preparation for you. Instead of coming up with and putting together projects and activities to keep your kids engaged and entertained, you can let someone else do the work. The list of the best kids subscription boxes below includes packages filled with everything from books to toys and stickers to science projects. If your kid likes getting mail (what kid doesn’t?) and if you like having pre-planned activities or fun novelty items to enjoy with your kids each month, ordering a subscription box could be right for you. Read on to learn more about the best kid subscription boxes to choose from. Best Kids Subscription Boxes of 2023 Best Overall: KiwiCo Best Developmental Stages: Lovevery Best Book Box: Owl Post Books Best Snacks: Universal Yums Best Sticker Kits: Pipsticks Kids Club Best Art Box: We Craft Box For the Explorer: Little Passports Best Clothing Box: Kidpik Best Science Kits for Kids: Spangler Science Club For the Little Builder: Brick Loot Best Overall: KiwiCo KiwiCo Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $18.50 to $43.90 per box Delivery: Monthly or bi-monthly Number of Plans: Multiple plans within 9 subscription lines Why We Chose It Kiwi Crate truly has something for everyone. With boxes for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kids, tweens, and teens, your kids never have to outgrow this favorite subscription. Pros & Cons Pros Boxes for all ages Boxes based on interests Easy to change subscription as a child grows Cons Some boxes are more expensive than many other subscription options Boxes can include items your child is not interested in along with those that they are Overview With nine subscription lines tailored to every age bracket, KiwiCo enhances kids' development at all ages with unique educational activities. Start with the Panda crate (0-24 months) and keep your child engaged through adolescence with the Koala (ages 2-4), Kiwi (ages 5-8), Atlas (ages 6-11), Yummy (ages 6-14), Doodle (ages 9-16), Tinker (ages 9-14), Eureka (ages 12+), and Maker (ages 14+) crates. Infant boxes come every two months while boxes for older kids, tweens, and teens come monthly. Once you select your crate type, it will be delivered on a recurring basis. Pricing depends on what you order, and ranges from $18.50 to $43.90 per shipment (shipping is free). With almost 40,000 reviews and a 4.7-out-of-5-star rating, KiwiCo is truly a parent-loved brand. Customers say their kids "look forward to the boxes every month," and that they're perfectly curated for each developmental milestone. Best Developmental Stages: Lovevery Lovevery Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $80 to $120 per kitDelivery: Every 2 months for babies under 1, quarterly for toddlers ages 1 to 4 Number of Plans: 1 Why We Chose It Lovevery is the playkit that grows with your child; each box contains high-quality, developmentally appropriate toys you’ll be excited to display. Pros & Cons Pros High quality, durable toys and items Clear descriptions of what each box contains Attractive toys you’ll be happy to have on display Cons More expensive than some other subscription options Boxes can be bulky Overview Lovevery curates play kits for babies and children up to 4 years old. The stage-based, intentional play kits are $80 and are delivered once every two months. As your child grows, you can adjust the kits to fit their developmental stage. Each kit includes high-quality toys made from nontoxic paint and baby-safe plastics, organic cotton, and sustainably harvested wood. The play sets are created with care by experts who give parents research-based parenting tips, activity ideas, and ways to play with your child. Parents also get access to popular parenting courses and tons of learning materials, including book bundles and toys not included in the subscription kits. Subscribe to receive boxes once every two months for the first year and every three months for years 1-4. Shipping in included in the price of all kits. Best Book Box: Owl Post Books Cratejoy Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $15 to $34 per monthDelivery: MonthlyNumber of Plans: 3 Why We Chose It This book subscription will help kids discover new stories they enjoy without trekking to the bookstore each month. Pros & Cons Pros Affordable Curated by an experienced educator Easy to pause or skip a month Cons Takes only age into consideration when selecting book, not interests More expensive than the library Overview For little readers, Owl Post Books Imagination Box is a top-rated subscription. There are options for all ages: board books for kids ages 0-3, picture and story books for ages 4-7, early reader chapter books for ages 8-10, and tween novels for ages 11-13. Each month, your child will get three books handpicked by a seasoned educator, along with a fun craft. There's also an Imagination Mini Box option with one book and one craft (which may work better for families with kids at different reading levels). Plans vary from monthly to a prepaid 12-month subscription. Parents praise Owl Post books for the high-quality content and commitment to inclusivity. Plans cost between $15 and $34 per month and you can opt to add extra books or crafts to each box for a fee. Best Snacks: Universal Yums universalyums.com To buy: Key Specs Pricing: $15-$41 per boxDelivery: Monthly Number of Plans: 3 Why We Chose It With excellent variety and new snacks each month, this box will surprise and delight every member of the family. Pros & Cons Pros Wide variety of snacks Fun packaging The option to choose different sized boxes Cons Not all snacks will appeal to all kids Cannot accommodate food allergies Overview Universal Yums is a unique monthly subscription box that allows kids and families to explore cultures through food. Each box focuses on one specific country and includes trivia, recipes, tasting games, and lots of information about the culture highlighted in the box. One major perk is that the snack boxes are full of treats that are not typically available in the United States, making this gastro adventure an especially fun one for the whole family. There are three boxes to choose from; each includes free shipping in the U.S. The lowest-level subscription starts at $15 and includes five to seven snacks and a booklet with trivia and games. The most popular box is the mid-level box, which starts at $26 and includes 10 to 12 snacks and games. The Super Yum Box starts at $41 and includes 15 to 18 snacks and plenty of extras like games, recipes, and activities. Best Sticker Kits: Pipsticks Kids Club Pipsticks Kids Club Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $12 to $18 per month Delivery: Monthly Number of Plans: 2 Why We Chose It Kids love stickers, and with Pipsticks they can look forward to all sorts of unique and extra-special stickers. Pros & Cons Pros Affordable Unique stickers each month Includes extras like postcards and a pouch each month Cons Cannot customize boxes The petite pack offers a small quantity of stickers Overview Do you have a kiddo who absolutely loves sticker books? Then definitely consider a monthly subscription to Pipsticks, a fun sticker box starting at $12 per month. Each box contains multiple sheets of stickers created with little fingers in mind and includes stickers in a dizzying array of sizes, shapes, and colors. Your child will love the puffy Pipstickers, Scratch 'n Sniff, and interactive activity sheets that come with cute themes like DIY robot designs. If you're looking for specific types of stickers, Pipsticks has an impressive menu to shop from that includes themes, textures, and even holidays. The petite pack offers seven sheets of stickers for $12 per month; the classic pack offers 15 sheets of stickers for $18 per month. Best Art Box: We Craft Box Cratejoy Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $35 per month or $360 per yearDelivery: Monthly Number of Plans: 1 Why We Chose It The We Craft Box is truly all-inclusive when it comes to kids crafts. You can expect to receive multiple crafts, with all materials, photo directions and tutorials, and a themed story for each one. Pros & Cons Pros Includes everything needed to complete a variety of crafts Enough materials for two young crafters Seasonal crafts keep things interesting Cons More expensive than some boxes May be best suited to younger crafters Overview Geared toward kids ages 3 to 9, We Craft Box is a monthly craft subscription box with art projects that will entertain and encourage creativity. Each box comes with a themed story and four or more related crafts, plus all the materials your little artist needs to make them (except scissors). Photo and video instructions are also included. Plan options range from one month to 12 months for $35 a month (discounted when prepaid for several months or one year at a time) with the flexibility to cancel or change your subscription. One reviewer said the We Craft Box was the "best decision" they made during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it encourages time spent on art rather than electronics. For the Explorer: Little Passports Little Passports Sign Up Now Special Offer Save 40% off site-wide with code HOLIDAY40 at checkout (through January 1, 2024)!Offer valid on subscription purchases only. The Kitchen Adventures subscription line is excluded from this promotion. Key Specs Pricing: $15 to $25 per monthDelivery: Monthly Number of Plans: 8 Why We Chose It Little Passports is sure to make everyone in the family happy, with multiple options based on a range of interests and a mid-range price point. Pros & Cons Pros Lots of choices Mid-range price point Discount for prepaying for multiple boxes Cons Boxes are meant for only one child Can be tricky to choose the best option Overview Little Passports ships your child educational activities in the fields of geography, nature, and science, letting them explore destinations and cultures around the world. There are five boxes for different interests and age groups, ranging from 3 to 12 years old, and monthly, six-month, and 12-month subscriptions. Pricing depends on the plan you choose, but shipping is included for every box. Parents or gift-givers can select the box's theme from eight choices and subscribe for monthly delivery at $30 per box or prepay for a discount. One dad said, "My son is 12 and crazy about everything science and STEM. He loves the [Science Expeditions] kit!" Get 20% off your first month when you sign up for emails. Best Clothing Box: Kidpik Kidpik Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: Items are an average of $16 each when you keep the whole boxDelivery: Monthly Number of Plans: 1 Why We Chose It This box lets you skip the lines and try on clothing at home—and, with items picked just for your kiddo, there are sure to be many winners. Pros & Cons Pros Style quiz helps create custom boxes Items are generally affordable when purchased together Free shipping and returns on all items Cons Items can be pricey if you don’t buy all or most of them Returning unwanted items may feel inconvenient Overview Kidpik is a monthly clothing subscription designed with your growing child in mind. The boxes come with eight items, including shoes (optional) and an accessory. You have seven days to try on the clothes and make any returns; you only pay for what you decide to keep (each item is around $16). Returns and exchanges are easy and free when you use the prepaid envelope included in every box. Before your kid receives their first shipment, they'll take a three-minute style quiz to narrow down their preferences. Parents like the service. One parent said of the service, "Great quality! Unique clothes that are not going to be the same as all the other kids in school. My kids love the small accessories that come with each box. So much better than spending time at a store shopping [and] trying on clothes." With Kidpik, styling, shipping, and returns are always free. After receiving your box you’ll pay for and keep the items you like and return the ones you don’t. Items cost an average of $16 each when you buy the whole box. Best Science Kits for Kids: Spangler Science Club Steve Spangler Science Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $30 per monthDelivery: MonthlyNumber of Plans: 1 Why We Chose It With multiple experiments per box and lots of engaging materials, your kiddo will have a blast every time they pull this kit out of the mailbox. Pros & Cons Pros Multiple experiments per kit Fun for a range of ages High-quality materials and supplies Cons Experiments require parental supervision You only get a discount when you prepay for multiple months Overview If your child has a curious mind and enjoys experiments, the Spangler Science Club has kits that will dazzle them. These highly engaging science kits include five to eight experiments and hands-on activities that (with adult supervision) can be fun for the whole family. The club was founded by Steve Spangler—the inventor of the infamous Mentos and Diet Coke geyser experiment that went viral in the early 2000s. If you want to give it a try, you can order an individual science kit for $33. When you're ready to commit, the subscription plans include three months for $30 per kit, six months for $28 per kit, and 12 months for $25 per kit. The recurring subscriptions all come with free shipping and can be modified online. For the Little Builder: Brick Loot Brick Loot Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $33 per monthDelivery: MonthlyNumber of Plans: 1 Why We Chose It Lego-lovers rejoice! This box has all that you need to get creative with your bricks. With Lego-compatible sets, custom merch, and fun extras, your kid (and you) will look forward to receiving these kits every month. Pros & Cons Pros New themes each month Includes a brick set and several fun extra items Lego minifigures always included Cons Cannot customize boxes Some kids may need parental support to complete their builds Overview Brick Loot is perfect for kids ages six to 99. Each month, your child will receive a themed box filled with plenty of loot to help them build anything they can imagine (and hey, adults can get their own subscription too!). Kits include Lego exclusives—some created by famous Lego designers. They also include Lego-compatible accessories and bricks and new-release products that haven't hit the store shelves yet. Brick Loot offers several subscription options depending on how much you are willing to prepay. Choose a single box for $33 or prepay for 3 months for $31 per box, 6 months for $29 per box, or 12 months for $27 per box. For kids who are especially excited about Lego sets, there is a fun countdown clock on the homepage to let them know precisely when the next box will ship. Final Verdict Choosing a subscription kit for a child you care about can seem hard. Luckily, there are a lot of companies that offer fun, educational, and exciting options. KiwiCrate has a huge variety of boxes that are based on kids' age and interests, and are in the mid-range price point. KiwiCrate always has free shipping, and more than one child at a time can enjoy the kits. If you don’t have a lot of time to do crafts or experiments (or your kiddo just isn’t into that sort of thing), Universal Yums is an excellent choice. With lots of fun anticipation and the ability to share snacks (and opinions on these shared snacks) with your kid or among siblings, this is an excellent option for those who want a box that can be shared and enjoyed by all without ever having to dip into the craft closet. If you have a mini-fashionista on your hands, Kidpik is a great subscription box choice. KidPik ships clothes your kiddo will enjoy trying on and choosing and lets you return what you want with no shipping or return fees. Compare the Best Subscription Boxes for Kids Company Price Delivery Frequency Number of Plans Best Overall KiwiCo $27 to $88 per box Monthly or quarterly 9 Best Developmental Stages Lovevery $80 to $120 per kit Every 2 months for babies under 1, quarterly for toddlers ages 1 to 4 1 Best Book Box Owl Post Books $15 to $34 per month Monthly 4 Best Snacks Universal Yums $15 to $41 per month Monthly 3 Best Sticker Kits Pipsticks Kids Club $12 to $18 per month Monthly 2 Best Art Box We Craft Box $35 per month or $360 per year Monthly 1 For the Explorer Little Passports $15 to $25 per month Monthly 8 Best Clothing Box Kidpik Items are an average of $16 each when you keep the whole box Monthly 1 Best Science Kits for Kids Spangler Science Club $30 per month Monthly 1 For the Little Builder Brick Loot $33 per month Monthly 1 Guide to Choosing the Best Subscription Boxes What Is a Subscription Box for Kids? Subscription boxes for kids are packages filled with everything from snacks to clothes to toys that are curated and shipped to your home on a regular basis. Most subscription boxes offer a set of novel items each month based around a theme such as cooking, crafting, science, or art. Subscription boxes range in cost and generally offer a discount when you subscribe for a longer term. How Do I Choose the Best Box for My Child? Choosing a subscription box should be fun, though it might take a little bit of work to find the perfect fit. You’ll want to consider: Your child’s interests Does your kiddo like to draw? Are they a whiz in the kitchen? Do you constantly find yourself trying to answer questions about different counties, outer space, or how things work? Think about what your child is into or wants to learn more about and search for subscription boxes that meet this theme. Your budget Subscription boxes can range widely in cost, so considering your family's budget is important. You may decide to splurge on a pricier box, but subscribe for six months rather than a year, or to opt for a lower-cost box that you can afford for a whole year. Ease of changing your subscription Many kids change interests frequently, so you’ll want to be sure the subscription you choose has some flexibility. If your kiddo tends to be on the fickle side, consider choosing a company that offers a range of subscription themes so that you can easily try something new each month without having to jump from company to company. Comparing Monthly Subscriptions Boxes After thinking about which theme your child is interested in and what your budget is, you’ll want to compare several options that may meet your needs. As you compare, be sure to make note of the following factors: Pricing Once you know your family's budget, you’ll want to take note of the total cost of each box as well as the total cost if you subscribe for a set number of months, and pick a subscription that seems reasonable. Delivery frequency Though most subscription boxes are delivered each month, some come more or less frequently. Consider whether you want a box in the mail each month and be sure to note how often each company you're considering delivers. Experience level As you look at your options, think about how hands on or off you want to be with your kids' kits and choose an option that’s on the right level for your child (and requires more or less supervision from you, based on your family's needs and preferences). What’s included While the price of the box matters, it’s important to cross-reference the price tag with what’s included. Sometimes, lower-cost boxes have many fewer items, supplies, or materials than boxes that cost a little more. If you have multiple children in your family, you may also want to consider if there are enough supplies, materials, and items to be shared. Range of plans offered Most subscription box companies offer discounts when you prepay for a longer subscription. Take a look at each company’s subscription plan page to get a feel for how much you’d save if you subscribed for longer. Frequently Asked Questions Are Monthly Subscription Boxes Worth It? Monthly subscription boxes are an excellent way to offer kids new projects to explore or to help them dig deeper into an existing interest. While some monthly subscription boxes can be expensive, they often include supplies, items, and materials that are difficult to purchase in small quantities. For example, a recipe box may include just enough of a spice to complete a special recipe that, without the box, you’d have to buy a whole expensive jar of. Likewise, craft kits have often organized materials in a way that saves parents major time and energy. As long as your child regularly uses and enjoys their monthly subscription box, it’s probably worth it. What Is Included in a Subscription Box? The exact items included in subscription boxes vary based on the theme of the box. Some boxes include things that can be used, consumed, or worn right away (like delicious snacks, stickers that are ready for sticking, and seasonally appropriate clothing) while others include the supplies and materials needed to create a specific craft project or recipe. Most companies will make guarantees about the number, type, or value of items in each box, but will not share the details of each box before it ships. Is a Subscription Box Right for My Child? A subscription box may be right for your child if they have a special interest, like getting mail, and tend to enjoy using kits or following directions. Subscription boxes can make great birthday or holiday gifts and are a way for parents or other gift-givers to spread the excitement of a gift over the course of several months or a whole year. What If I Have Children of Different Ages? If you have children of different ages, you’ll want to be sure that the kit you order is a fit for anyone in their age range or that you order your kids separate kits. Many subscription boxes are appropriate for kids in a certain age group (like ages 2–4 or 7–10), so you may be able to purchase one kit if your children are close in age and share similar interests—and if the kit comes with enough supplies for two. Methodology We researched 20 kids subscription boxes available online and focused on several factors as we conducted our analysis, including cost, themes, included items, and policies around changing or ending a subscription. It can be tricky to find a subscription box that is right for your child, so reviewing several and comparing them based on the factors that are most important to you can be helpful. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Related Articles 24 of the Best Learning Apps for Kids Art Activities for Kids to Do at Home The Best Back-to-School Books for Every Age 10 Free Coloring Pages for Teens 4 Kids TV Shows That Actually Teach Valuable Life Lessons 12 Toy Subscription Boxes We Recommend for Kids Based on Their Age and Interests The Best Christmas Movies for Kids The Best Toddler Books to Get Kids Started on a Lifetime of Reading These Disney Movies From Your Childhood Now Come With Content Warnings 19 Parenting Podcasts to Bring You Comfort and Solidarity The Best Board Books for Babies and Toddlers (and Their Grown-Ups Too) 10 Best Movies for Siblings To Watch Together Reddit Parent Starts Much Needed Thread To Highlight Shows for 'Brown Babies and Toddlers' 100 Jokes for Kids That Will Actually Make You Laugh 8 Kids' TV Shows You'll Actually Enjoy, Too 23 Classic Movies and TV Shows Families Can Watch Together Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies