Tinker Crate Subscription Box Review + Coupon– December 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)

COUPON: Save 40% off your 1st month! No coupon needed - just use this link.

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 and Canada, including Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and APO addresses. Free within the United States, $6.95 to Canada

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 drawing with math! 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 drawing machine! Fun! 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. 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! Sometimes Tinker Crate includes some supplies for the smaller projects in TinkerZine, too.

The first thing my son had to do was build the base of the machine. All the parts are pre-cut, by the way, so it was just assembling with sticky foam.

The second step was adding all the gears. They were attached with bolts, spacers, and nuts.

The last step was adding the drawing arms and securing with rubber bands. The paper is secured on to the big gear with clear stickers. The pen actually has to be inserted before the arms are secured, so the bands have to be removed when you want to change or cap the pen.

This is my son’s completed drawing machine! It’s like a spirograph! He can adjust the position of the gear, and there is an extra gear that’s a little larger that can be interchanged to change the pattern.

And here it is in action! Amazing!

This was his first piece of artwork from the new drawing machine! So cool!

Verdict: We love Tinker Crate! This month’s project was so fun! I’ve mentioned before that my eight-year-old is usually the beneficiary of the finished product, and once again, he is sitting here making art as I write this review. It’s very cool that this box is getting both boys inspired to explore engineering. 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?