Outside the Box by Cheeky Days is a monthly subscription service for families that focuses on giving back to the community. From Cheeky Days:
Each month receive a curated box that comes with EVERYTHING you need to complete crafts and activities that inspire creativity, but don’t clutter your house, encourage quality time together, and meaningful conversations about the values we as parents care about! But it’s not just a craft box, it’s so much more, it inspires children to give back to their community through small acts and through the joy of play teaches kids about bullying, kindness, sharing, and why they are unique and can make a difference!
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: Outside the Box
The Cost: $49.99 a month for a subscription + $1.99 a month flat rate shipping. Save with 3, 6 and 12-month subscriptions. You can also add on Sibling box for $16.99 a month. Single purchase boxes are $54.99
The Products: Each box includes a t-shirt for the child (or a different wearable item), a children’s book, all materials required for 2-4 crafts, Community Cards that offer intentional ways of sharing Outside the Box with others, a Spotlight each month on a nonprofit, community service or give-back company and a surprise or two. A donation is made for each box purchased to a spotlighted charity or nonprofit.
Ships to: U.S.
Check out our Kids Subscription Box Directory for other fun activity boxes to try and make sure to add Outside the Box by Cheeky Days to your subscription list or wishlist!
Outside the Box includes a lot of literature in their box. The first card is printed on both sides and lists the theme “Dare to Dream”, the spotlight organization “The Birthday Party Project”, and all the items in the box.
The Challenge Card was pasted inside the box lid and itemizes the #daretodream challenge proposed by Outside the Box this month. The first two steps focus on making a birthday banner using the materials provided in the box and purchasing party supplies and/or toys to then be mailed to The Birthday Party Project. The third step is to inspire others with the included encouragement cards. The fourth step is to learn about the spotlighted organizations and speak with your child about the importance of having big dreams. The final step is to share your family’s experiences completing the challenge on social media tagging Cheeky Days.
The Weekly Suggestions card breaks down the challenge steps into weekly goals to spread the activism and goals throughout the month. Crafts, websites to check out, and discussion topics are included to help keep you inspired.
Bogo the Fox Who Wanted Everything by Susanna Isern - Value $15.36 on Amazon (retail price $15.95)
Bogo the Fox dreams of being as special as other animals he observes in the forest. He makes many inventions trying to emulate them, but none of them are successful. However, he ends up saving the forest animals from some cunning predators and finally understands that he has many unique characteristics himself. This is a story about recognizing your own value and having persistence. The illustrations are bright saturated colors filled with whimsy.
Lunchbox Love Mini Cards - Value $2.50
These small notes from Hello Happiness Card Company are perfect for slipping in the lunchbox or handing to anyone who needs a little boost. One side has a brightly colored illustration and saying while the other side offers a prompt with room for you to fill in your own thoughtful message. I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t love to get one of these surprises at school or work.
Dreamin’ Like MLK Tee - Value $32.00
This made in the USA tee is incredibly soft and is a cotton/poly/rayon blend. Wee Rascals makes t-shirts for kids and adults that are both hip and historical. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is always inspiring and so is this shirt for little future activists.
Kurandza Bangle - Value $25.00
These fabric wrapped bangles are made by women in Mozambique. They vary in colors and design and help women earn a sustainable income. Kurandza’s mission is to empower the women of Mozambique through education, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development programs. They make bracelets, earrings and gorgeous bags.
On the reverse side of the Weekly Suggestions card is the Craft Instructions card. There were directions for making both crafts, and each craft was broken down into four steps.
The first craft was to make a birthday banner to be mailed to The Birthday Party Project organization which hosts birthday parties for homeless children. The Birthday Party Project has celebrated over 3,000 birthdays with 19,000 children in attendance serving homeless families across the U.S. Outside the Box even included a printed address label to easily pack your banner and party supplies to mail to Texas.
My son and I worked together on this banner together and had a lot of fun with it. I spoke with my son about where this banner would be mailed and that it would hang at the birthday party of a child who doesn’t have a home. He thought that was very special and is excited to go shopping with me for more party supplies to send off in our box later this month.
Craft Materials - Value $5.00?
The second craft went well with the dream theme this month and was to make two small dream catchers with pipe cleaners, embroidery floss, beads, and feathers. All the materials that were needed for the birthday banner and dream catchers were provided. There were even extra sheets of paper and a glue stick.
And here's how my son’s two dream catchers turned out!
Verdict: I think Outside the Box is on to something really important here. This is the first box that I know of intended to teach children about community service and activism. The value in the box monetarily is over $79, but I feel the value of this box can’t be weighed by price alone. I feel the real value of this box is priceless in that it gave my family the chance to talk about homelessness, the importance of giving back to others, and tangible ways to actually do so. I’m so proud to be able to take part in their mission of supporting different charities and nonprofits and also having my children join me on this mission to help make the world a better place through caring actions.
What do you think of Outside the Box?
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