:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/par-best-subscription-boxes-for-kids-tout-444eb5f3b11d441db19da61cec82e71b.jpg?w=1500&resize=1500,1000&ssl=1 "The Best Subscription Boxes For Kids")
Whether you’re on the hunt for a new way to keep your kids entertained or for a thoughtful present, a subscription box is the gift that keeps on giving. Because they’re delivered monthly, they feel extra exciting for little ones. As a mom of two toddlers who’ve tried multiple subscription boxes, I can attest to the fact that kids love receiving and unboxing their own mail, especially when it’s something they can play with.
“Subscription boxes can ignite curiosity and create valuable bonding opportunities for families,” says John Bianchette, vice president of education and training at Mathnasium.
Subscription boxes are increasingly popular, which means there’s a wide variety of options available—crafting boxes that include fun projects, STEM kits with stimulating experiments, baking kits, clothes subscriptions, boxes of engaging baby toys—so you’re sure to find one that suits your child’s interests and age. The best subscription boxes offer a carefully curated mix of fun items that encourage creativity or exploration. We researched tons of popular subscription boxes for kids to find options your littles are sure to love.
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Why We Like It
Designed for little ones in their first two years of life, Lalo Play Boxes support your child’s specific developmental stage, so the box they receive will depend on their age. For the first year, boxes are shipped bi-monthly (there are boxes for 0-12 months and 3-4 months) and in the second year, they’re shipped quarterly (every three months).
Each box contains a variety of research-backed toys, a book, and a play guide for parents that explains how to use them to support developmental skill building. Crafted from non-toxic, sustainable, durable materials, the toys can be passed on to other kids or sent back to Lalo to donate to those in need.
But Take Note
Starting at $80 per month, it’s a little pricey. Boxes are only offered for children up to 2 years old, and since they’re all toys, they add clutter around the house.
The Details:
- Age ranges: Birth to 2 years old
- Starting price: $80/month
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Why We Like It
The Lovevery Play Kits are another stage-based subscription box, with contents that depend on your child’s age. You’ll receive a new box every two to three months containing five to seven toys or games, a book, and a play guide for parents. The toys are made of durable, sustainable, and organic materials and boxes are available through toddlerhood.
I used Lovevery with my first daughter—I received almost every box and then saved the toys for my second daughter. Both kids enjoyed the toys and activities, and I appreciate how educational, high-quality, and thoughtfully designed they are and the low-stimulation play they offer. Christina, a mom of two, is another fan. “These boxes built so many important skills,” she said, calling them “a win for parents and children. The play guide helped me to look out for those skills and find fun ways to bring them out in him.”
But Take Note
Lovevery subscriptions start at $80 per month, which is pricey. They can also add to clutter since they are mostly toys, some of which are on the larger side.
The Details:
- Age ranges: Birth to 5 years old
- Starting price: $80/month
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Why We Like It
Little Dreamers Club is a great option for kids who love arts and crafts projects. There are two bi-monthly subscription options, one for 3- to 5-year-olds and another for ages 6 to 8. Each box contains six to eight crafts, a book, and art supplies centered around a specific theme. They’re meant to inspire creativity and spark imagination.
These projects will keep your kids busy for days. Most of the art supplies, like washable markers or toddler-friendly scissors, can be kept and used for future projects. And since they’ll likely need your help with many of these, they’re great for family bonding.
But Take Note
At about $100 a box, these are a little expensive. And with a two-year age range, some of the projects might end up feeling too immature or too difficult depending on your child’s developmental stage.
The Details:
- Age ranges: 3 to 8 years old
- Starting price: $99 per box
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Why We Like It
For kids who love to help out in the kitchen, Raddish is a smart way to explore cooking and baking. Each monthly box includes three recipe guides, skill lessons, a kitchen tool, a kitchen project, an apron patch, table talk cards, and a grocery list. By creating their own meals from scratch, these kits foster a sense of accomplishment and encourage kids to try new foods.
The recipes are easy to follow thanks to kid-friendly illustrations and simple step-by-step instructions. Kits are often themed around holidays or seasons, with fun recipes like jack-o-lantern stuffed peppers or chocolate ghost cupcakes. Raddish also offers a baking subscription and a global eats subscription.
But Take Note
The kits don’t include the food needed to make the recipes, so that’s an added cost to consider.
The Details:
- Age ranges: 4 to 14 years old +
- Starting price: $24/month
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Why We Like It
KiwiCo crates are full of fun projects that tackle science, art, and engineering topics. We love that they’re available for kids of all ages, with subscriptions for toddlers ages 0 to 3 through tween and teens ages 9 to 18. The monthly boxes are designed by educators, engineers, and rocket scientists. Contents vary by age, but each crate contains a hands-on STEM project with easy-to-follow instructions, bonus challenges, and access to extra digital content.
KiwiCo was the standout favorite among experts and parents we consulted. “Each kit inspires kids to apply mathematical and scientific concepts in practical ways, and their joy in completing a project nurtures a lasting interest in STEM fields,” Bianchette says. Mom of two Kelsey loves that the boxes grow with your child. “My son is very into crafting and engineering and it’s been a lifesaver for giving him enriching activities,” she noted.
But Take Note
The age ranges may be a little broad on some boxes, meaning the projects might be too easy or tough for your child.
The Details:
- Age ranges: Birth to 18 years old
- Starting price: $24/month
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Why We Like It
Kids who love to read and parents who want to encourage them will appreciate Literati. It offers monthly book club subscriptions for a wide range of ages. Each box contains five books that fit their developmental stage (think board books for babies and toddlers and chapter books for teens) and align with their interests. You personalize the boxes by answering questions about your child and then rating the books after reading them.
The books range from popular and classic picks to smaller titles you may not have heard of. One thing to note is that you don’t keep all five books: you can read them and, if you want, choose to buy your favorites. Otherwise, you send them back. This is a good way to try out books and cut down on clutter, especially for kids who really love reading and can amass a large book collection.
But Take Note
Keeping up with the constant stream of returns (even with the included prepaid shipping label) can be annoying for already busy parents. Plus, that $10 monthly charge is just for renting books (something you can do at the library for free), and the 5% discount only applies if you purchase all the books in the box.
The Details:
- Age ranges: 0-14 years old
- Starting price: $10 per box, plus the cost of any books you choose to purchase
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Why We Like It
All kids love snacks, and a Kid Snack Box subscription is a good way to get your little one to try new foods. Shipped monthly, each box contains six prepackaged, individual snacks (or drinks) that check all the boxes for health-conscious parents: they’re dietitian-approved, don’t contain artificial ingredients, and are kid-friendly.
Brands found in the boxes include Made Good, GoGo Squeez, Rx Bar, and more. It’s an easy way to broaden their palette without wasting money on a full-size bag of something they don’t like. The boxes also include coupons and discounts for some of the items and brands included.
But Take Note
It’s hard to tell from the website if the boxes accommodate food allergies or dietary restrictions. And since each snack offers such a small portion, the price can feel a little high for something that will be gone quickly.
The Details:
- Age ranges: n/a
- Starting price: $15/month
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Why We Like It
Think of ibbeautiful as a sort of FabFitFun for kids: it’s packed with makeup, skincare, and other items curated with tweens and teens in mind. Each monthly box contains four to six items, such as cute school supplies, jewelry, face masks, scrunchies, bath bombs, and lip gloss. The boxes aren’t just superficial; they’re meant to inspire confidence and build self-esteem and include important messages to that effect.
There’s a tween box and a teen box offered. Teen boxes are a bit more sophisticated and may include more makeup and skincare, while tween boxes will be a bit more immature. Every box is filled with something new for a fun element of surprise, and it’s a good way for kids to test out different products.
But Take Note
Some boxes can feel a little light for $30 each month, especially if the products are on the smaller side.
The Details:
- Age ranges: 6 to 15 years old
- Starting price: $30 each box
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Why We Like It
Little fashionistas will love KidPik. Each personalized box contains two to three outfits put together by a stylist: picks are based on your answers to questions about your child’s age, preferences, and interests. Boxes include clothing items like tops and bottoms, as well as accessories like shoes, belts, and jewelry; all items are KidPik brand.
You can choose how often you receive a box and have seven days from receipt to try on the clothing and decide what you want to keep. You then pay for the pieces you love and return the rest for free. The subscription offers discounts on pieces you buy and a free gift each year. You only pay for pieces you keep—there’s no subscription fee. Items average $18 each.
But Take Note
There are no exchanges or returns after seven days, so you really need to stay on top of the boxes. If you forget to return the items within seven days, you’ll automatically be charged for the entire box (with the 30% discount).
The Details:
- Age ranges: 2 to 16 years old
- Starting price: Pieces average $18 each
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Why We Like It
Perfect for elementary school kids through teens, CrunchLabs encourages kids to use their hands and create. Boxes contain a building project they can work on, such as making a toy or robot, with simple step-by-step instructions and all materials needed. They also get access to online videos, challenges, and activities that help them get the most out of their creation.
Once built, the item becomes something they can continue to use and play with. Two box options are available, one for kids ages 8 to 13, and the other for kids 14 and up, with boxes delivered every month or every two months.
But Take Note
The boxes are built to be challenging for kids, so the projects might take some time or lead to frustration, especially for younger kids.
The Details:
- Age ranges: 8 to 14 years old +
- Starting price: $25 each box
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Why We Like It
Little Passports offers a wide variety of subscription boxes, each tailored to a different age group. The themed boxes are essentially activity kits with projects for kids to work on and items to play with. Projects are focused on geography, culture, science, and art, and strive to introduce kids to new things, teach them something while they’re having fun, and boost creativity.
For example, one box may contain a detailed STEM activity with different tasks, a book, an activity book, and an extra like a tote bag. Another might contain a playset that kids can put together and then play with. I’ve used Little Passports with my daughter, and she has had a lot of fun completing the activities on her own and playing with them after putting them together.
But Take Note
A lot of the pieces in these boxes are made of cardboard, which may make them feel a bit flimsy. Some completed items are not super durable. My daughter would’ve played with them more if they didn’t get destroyed so easily.
The Details:
- Age ranges: 3 to 10 years old
- Starting price: $20/month
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Why We Like It
Baking with your little one can be a fun bonding experience and a good way to teach them some responsibility. Baketivity subscription boxes are delivered monthly, and each comes with a step-by-step recipe that is easy for kids to follow, the prepackaged dry ingredients needed, a fun activity and STEM lesson, and access to video instructions to make the process even simpler.
Perks of being a subscriber include fun first-time gifts like an apron and chef’s hat, monthly stickers to collect, and access to live baking classes online. The recipes are also fun for kids, and include things like rainbow bagels or cake pops that they’ll actually want to eat.
But Take Note
With prices up to $35 a box, if you pay month-to-month, this can feel a little expensive. Plus, you still have to account for the perishable ingredients you need to buy to complete each recipe. Baketivity is not nut-free.
The Details:
- Age ranges: 4 to 10 years old
- Starting price: $29/month and up
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Why We Like It
Simple and inexpensive, Highlights Puzzle Buzz Club delivers two 32-page puzzle books to your door each month. Each book contains a variety of activities meant to be fun and educational, like word searches, matching games, and sticker puzzles. The puzzles help kids learn new skills, encourage screen-free activity time, and boost self-esteem.
These books are lightweight and easy to tote around, making them travel-friendly: great for long car rides or flights. When the book is completed, you can always get rid of it so it doesn’t add to clutter. At about $5 each month, this is one of the most budget-friendly subscription options out there.
But Take Note
This is only available for a small age range, so it’s pretty limited.
The Details:
- Age ranges: 4 to 7 years old
- Starting price: $5/month
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Why We Like It
Vibe Alley makes a great gift for tweens and teens. Each box contains four to five items that can include almost anything a teen girl would love: stickers, patches, reusable water bottles, makeup brushes, sunglasses, towels, snacks… the list is pretty endless. Boxes are often themed seasonally or according to holidays, which makes them more fun.
You can choose between two boxes—one for tweens and one for teens. Each box also contains inspirational messages meant to help lift self-esteem and make teens feel good about themselves.
But Take Note
Vibe Alley boxes aren’t educational and are aimed at girls only.
The Details:
- Age ranges: 12 to 17 years old
- Starting price: $37/month
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Why We Like It
Whether your child loves the outdoors or you want to encourage them to enjoy it more, the Think Outside box is a fun subscription option. When you start a monthly subscription, you’ll receive an intro box with a bunch of items you’ll need down the line, like a backpack, a bear bell, a carabiner, water-resistant reference cards on a binder ring, and more.
Each subsequent box is themed and includes three to five pieces of quality outdoor gear, reference cards, an educational booklet, hands-on activities, family challenges, and more. The activities focus on getting kids outside and exploring. The regular subscription is created for kids aged 7 and up, but there’s a junior version aimed at ages 4 to 7.
But Take Note
At over $40 a month, it’s a bit more expensive than some other activity-based subscription box options out there.
The Details:
- Age ranges: 7 years +
- Starting price: $46 for intro box, starting at $42 per month after that
Our Review Process
When looking for the best subscription boxes for kids, we researched a wide variety of options while keeping these criteria in mind.
- Contents: We paid close attention to what each subscription box offered for every delivery, looking at how many things were included in each box and considering how useful or entertaining they might be over time.
- Entertainment Value: We looked for subscription boxes kids would genuinely be excited to receive and interested in using. We focused on finding interactive options that keep kids busy for longer periods of time, holding their attention span and acting as something they might want to come back to, or something that could foster their existing interests.
- Educational Value: While we wanted fun subscription boxes, we also wanted something that helps kids learn something new, boosts their skills or development in a specific area, and ignites curiosity. We considered Bianchette’s advice to find boxes that provide hands-on activities that help nurture problem-solving, analytical thinking, and creativity.
- Cost: Subscription boxes can range in cost from $5 to $100 or more per month. We looked at a variety of price points and kept cost in mind when assessing what’s offered in each box and weighing the overall value.
- Customer Reviews: We read through tons of customer and shopper reviews on popular subscription boxes for kids to see what real families think. We also talked to parents and caregivers who’ve used subscription boxes with their kids and mined our own experiences.
Our Experts
We also consulted educational experts to get a better idea of exactly what to look for in a great subscription box.
- John Bianchette, vice president of education and training at Mathnasium
- Molly Lynch, first grade teacher, founder of Lucky Learning, and creator of Centers in a Snap, a subscription box of math games for grades K-2
Factors to Consider in a Kids’ Subscription Box
- Child’s age: Keep your child’s age in mind when looking for the right subscription box. Something too young for them may be boring, while something that skews too old can lead to frustration. Bianchette recommends looking for sensory boxes for babies, interactive toys that introduce basic math concepts or sensory experiences for toddlers, STEM kits with experiments or building challengers for preschoolers and early elementary kids, and more complex projects for tweens. Lynch prefers subscription boxes that offer something for a variety of ages since they can grow with your child more.
- Child’s interests: “There are lots of boxes out there that may look really cool to us as parents, but it’s important to stop and think, ‘Will my kid think this is cool too?’” Lynch says. If they love reading, a book box can be a great way to introduce them to new stories. If they’ve started to show an interest in helping around the kitchen, a cooking or baking box can be a fun option that allows them to experiment. For tweens just getting interested in makeup and skincare, a self-care-themed box can be a manageable way to get into that.
- Longevity and durability: Some subscription boxes come with activities meant to be completed just once. Others may come with toys or items that kids can use over and over again. Think about what you’re looking for, whether you want a lasting/reusable item or something you can toss (or eat!) so it’s not creating clutter. As Lynch points out, a great box will consist of high-quality items that stand up to wear and tear and play.
- Ease of cancellation: Be sure to carefully check the cancellation and billing policy for subscription boxes before you sign up for one. While some can be canceled at any time, others may require you to pay upfront for six to 12 months with no refunds accepted.
- Educational value: Bianchette stresses the importance of finding a subscription box that enriches your child’s life in some way. “Consider the types of activities that promote active participation and inspire critical thinking,” he says. “Look for boxes that engage kids in coding, engineering, or math through hands-on projects and experiments.”
Who We Are
Jessica Booth is a freelance writer who covers parenting, shopping, wellness, entertainment, and wedding content. She has been freelance writing since 2017 and before that, worked as an editor at an online publication for seven years. She has written for sites such as Brides, People, Insider, Bustle, Romper, Refinery 29, Cosmopolitan, Delish, The Daily Beast, Reviewed, She Knows, Scary Mommy, The Knot, and What to Expect. She also has two young daughters who are obsessed with their Lovevery subscription box.
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