Tinker Crate is a subscription for kids ages 9-14 from the makers of Kiwi Crate. Like Kiwi Crate, it comes with everything you need to complete multiple projects based around a central theme. Unlike Kiwi Crate, however, these projects are less craftsy and more based on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning and enrichment.
Tinker Crate kindly sent us this box for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Tinker Crate
The Cost: $19.95 per month (free shipping)
The Products: STEM-based crafts and DIY projects for kids, with supplemental learning kits, booklets, and activities. Projects are designed to enhance children's critical thinking and problem-solving skills through activities that are exciting and fun!
Ships to: Anywhere in the United States, including Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and APO addresses
Check out all of our Tinker Crate reviews!
Every box comes with a copy of TinkerZine magazine, which includes articles about that month's theme, as well as smaller projects and experiments. This month's theme is Starlight! My kids' favorite projects are always the ones that involve light. I do this box with my nine-year-old son, and he loves Tinker Crate!
Here's a peek at the table of contents from this month's TinkerZine. In addition to the large project that Tinker Crate sends, the magazine has several articles plus smaller projects you and your child can undertake to gain a deeper knowledge of the scientific principles of that month's topic.
This month's big project is fiber optic stars! I have to hand it to Tinker Crate, they always know how to pick a project that will make my nine-year-old super excited!
These are the instructions for this month's project. They are pretty detailed, but they are very clear, complete, and easy-to-follow.
These were the materials Tinker Crate supplied for the project. With Tinker Crate, sometimes you have to supply a few things, but they are always items you have at home, like scissors or water. This month they included everything we needed for the project.
This is our completed project, powered down. On the left is the Big Dipper, on the right, is Orion, and the blue box in the middle is the "illuminator," which is basically where all the technology to make this thing work is housed.
Here's our project in action! Behold Orion, hunter of the night sky!
The verdict: We love Tinker Crate! I think this is still my 9-year-old's favorite subscription box! When we finish one of these super cool projects, I have to step back and think, wow, we both just learned so much, and spent some great time together, and it was only $20. That's a huge value! I actually wish they had Tinker Crate when I was a little girl. This subscription would be a great way to get more girls in the STEM career fields when they grow up!
What di you think of November's Tinker Crate?
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