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Open Sesame Subscription Box Review – June 2017

Haley Faye
ByHaley FayeJul 6, 2017 | 8 comments

Open Sesame June 2017 Kids Subscription Box

Open Sesame
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Open Sesame is a new pre-K subscription box that is inspired by educational lessons from Sesame Street and other children’s shows. Its goal is to inspire excitement and discovery. They also work with Montessori teachers to help choose the best pre-K toys and activities every month.

Open Sesame June 2017 Kids Subscription Box

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.)

Open Sesame June 2017 Kids Subscription Box

The Subscription Box: Open Sesame

The Cost: $34.99/month with free shipping

The Products: All boxes include a toy, activity, educational component, and instructions for engagement between parent and child.

Ships to: U.S. and Canada

Check out more activity and educational boxes in our Kids Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

Open Sesame June 2017 Kids Subscription Box

My box came with an information card, as well.

Open Sesame June 2017 Kids Subscription Box

Open Sesame June 2017 Kids Subscription Box

The info booklet included details about each item and ideas for engagement while going through the box together.

Open Sesame June 2017 Kids Subscription Box

Take Along Elmo Plush – Value $10.11

This plush is 12” tall and is a nice size to, well, take along with you. We haven’t watched a lot of Sesame Street yet (Gideon’s obsessed with Little Einsteins) but he knows the character. He pulled this out of the box and exclaimed, “Melmo!” 

Open Sesame June 2017 Kids Subscription Box

Play-Doh, 0.4 oz - Value $0.74 (buy a 4-pack for $2.96)

Gideon loves Play-Doh and I love that it’s a great creative outlet with sensory benefits, too. We can always use another of these mini play-doh tubs! The info booklet says to make handprints out of “the red play doh” after reading about Clifford the Big Red Dog with Red Elmo, but this is pink instead of red. It’s just something I noticed – it’s really not an issue.

Open Sesame June 2017 Kids Subscription Box

Open Sesame June 2017 Kids Subscription Box

Clifford the Big Red Dog Hardcover Book – Value $5.78 on Amazon (retail price $8.99)

I have fond memories of Clifford books growing up and Gideon thinks dogs are the best things ever, so I’m happy to add another Clifford book to our collection! This one is vintage-style.

Open Sesame June 2017 Kids Subscription Box

Open Sesame June 2017 Kids Subscription Box

Melissa & Doug Lace and Trace Shapes – Value $9.99

This item is what I’m most excited about from this box! I’ve actually been thinking about buying some buttons and shoelaces or something to make Gideon a little lace-up/threading project. These are exactly that! It comes with 5 shapes (stop sign, cracker, pizza, kite, and an orange) and five matching-colored shoe laces. This is recommended for ages 3-5; Gideon can lace them up some on his own but still has room to practice to master this skill.

Verdict: This was the first Open Sesame box, and I thought it was a cute assortment of items! I like their mission of focusing on some level of educational/skill-building products and activities, too. As far as value goes, however, everything adds up to $26.62, which is almost $10 less than the cost of the box. I like the products, but even before adding up the value, when I was just looking at the items included, I didn’t feel like I received $35+ in items. I like the idea of this box but I hope to see a higher value you from them in future boxes.

What do you think about Open Sesame?

Starting at $34.99
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Haley Faye
Haley Faye
Haley Faye first discovered the wonderful world of subscription boxes in 2012 and began writing for MSA in 2014. Over the years, she has found many subscriptions to love. Now a mom of three, her favorite boxes are ones that dress her kids, help her get organized, feed her family, send her snacks, and offer educational fun for her children.

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8 comments

AAC

The review has the retail values wrong. Just clicking on the links shows different pricing for me. You can’t base retail value on the Amazon sale price of an item because they fluctuate so much. The Elmo retails for $15, single can Play-Doh is $0.99 at Toys R Us (not sure why pricing is based on a 4 pack in the review), the book is $8.99, and the lace set is correctly priced at $10. Adding this up, it’s a break-even box at $35, not $26.62.

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Dana

Love the idea of this box, but the price is a little high. Will be watching to see if future boxes at least break even in value.

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Bluebillie

I’m torn in this one. My 2yo daughter doesn’t have sesame Street toys (except a mini set of the classic characters like big bird, Bert and Ernie, snuffleupagus, the Count). But stuffed animals seem like a less educational way of promoting Sesame Street values. I think they could really have some other nice things as activities. The lacing cards are great and actually a good value for the amount you get as compared to typical Etsy prices. It would be nice to have an option on the book, since we already have many of what would be sent, I expect. I think the true value of the box is the Montessori collaboration. For non Montessori families, this is curated advice that can sometimes be hard or overwhelming to find on the internet. That said, moms on a budget could easily wait for reviews and just buy the activity of the month and look up AMS or AMI certified teacher blogs for suggestions on how to implement them.

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Sharon in SE TX

I wonder if a portion of the sale goes to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Sesame Street merchandise usually donates a portion of their sales to that organization to fund their programming.

Anyway, super cute stuff here!

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Julie

I was excited when I first saw this . My son would love it but $35 is too much. If they would offer it for $20 I think a lot more people would order. I know I would.

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Jenny

I agree this is great idea and I definitely think there is a space for this type of box in the sub world. With that said, the price is too high for what you got…I will be keepingan eye on this box and hope the value gets more in line.

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Kim

This kind of box I would be comfortable with essentially breaking even. Saving the drama of the toy department, and my kids LOVE to get mail, worth it to have someone do the shopping for you. I think charging a few bucks less or putting one more item in there would make it great!

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Sara

I want to love this box, it’s well curated; but the price is way too high. Maybe at $20, but that seems still a little too high.

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