Tinker Crate Subscription Box Review + Coupon – July 2016

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 projects based around a central theme. Unlike Kiwi Crate, however, these projects are less crafty and more based on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning and enrichment.

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (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 and the Kids Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your Wish List or Subscription List!

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 all about speed! I do this box with my ten-year-old son.

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 a rubber band race car! So cool! My son and I are almost always thrilled with Tinker Crate's project selections!

Here's a peek inside the instructions this month. They may look a little intimidating, but they are always 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 except scissors. Sometimes Tinker Crate includes some supplies for the smaller projects in TinkerZine, too.

This is our completed race car! We assembled it according to the package directions, and then we tied a rubber band to the undercarriage of the car. There is a knob on the rear axle to hook the rubber band over, and then we rotated the tires backwards until the rubber band was taut. Then we just let it go! Here it is in action!

Verdict: We love Tinker Crate! This month's project was really fun, although I will say this is not the first rubber band car we have ever worked with before. My son and I still had a blast with it, but I wonder how interesting someone, say, 14 would find it. Otherwise, Tinker Crate always picks out fun projects, sends quality materials, and provides loads of educational content. It's a huge value for $20!

What do you think of Tinker Crate?