KiwiCo. Hand-Crank Flashlight Review + Coupon – January 2018

KiwiCo. has been one of my favorite subscription companies for years now due to their outstanding kid subscriptions such as Kiwi Crate, Doodle Crate, and Tinker Crate, and my kids absolutely love their projects! In addition to their subscriptions, KiwiCo. has several standalone projects available for purchase in their online store. They recently sent me their Electronics Pack, which is a trio of amazing STEM-based electronics projects for children age 14 and up! I do not have any children in that age range, but this gave me an opportunity work hand-in-hand on some fun STEM projects with my nine-year-old son!

Please note that the full Electronics Pack includes three projects. This review is of only one of those projects, the Hand-Crank Flashlight.

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).

About KiwiCo. Electronics Pack: Hand-Crank Flashlight

The Box: Hand-Crank Flashlight

The Cost: $34.95 or $99.95 for the Electronic Pack

Coupon: Get 40% off + free shipping on your first box of any KiwiCo subscription. No coupon needed—just use this link!

The Products: electronics projects for children ages 12 and up

Ships to: U.S. for free, Canada for $6.95 per month

Kiwi Co. Hand-Crank Flashlight Review

This is our instruction manual that was included in the box.

This is the table of contents. Unlike the publications that come in KiwiCo. subscriptions, this seems to be a fairly straightforward instruction manual. There are no articles or comics, etc.

Here’s a peek at some of the instructions. They are illustrated and easy to follow, but they are really pretty intense! This was a lengthier project than we are used to with KiwiCo.’s STEM-based box for 9-16-year-olds, Tinker Crate.

I did not take a separate picture of the supplies, but they can be seen above following the pictures of the box. The only thing we needed to supply from home was a pair of scissors. They even included a tiny screwdriver for us! My son liked that.

The entirety of the process was basically centered around building a circuit. It’s kind of difficult to describe the process in general terms, but in this picture, we had just attached the switch to the breadboard. This was my son’s first experience with a breadboard. He was a little intimidated, but eventually got the hang of it.

Next, we attached the LED lights to he mirrored panel and attached those to the breadboard also. Once we finished, we stuck the breadboard and other components to the inside of the flashlight body.

We then inserted the mirrored panel into the slots in the flashlight body.

Next, my son used sticky foam to put the clear window on the inside of the case. He then closed the flashlight body using screws and the little screwdriver they included. This is the completed flashlight.

This is the other side of the completed flashlight. It needs no batteries! You simply turn the crank to build and store electricity! So cool!

It works! Hooray!

The Verdict: We love everything from KiwiCo., and this project was a special treat for us. It was a little more involved and difficult than the typical Tinker Crate project, but that should be expected as the age range for this project starts at 14. It was really fun doing this together, though. I think KiwiCo. has definitely helped engender a curiosity about the sciences in both my sons and that’s quite an accomplishment. For a very reasonable price, too! This project costs $34.95 or one of three in a $100 gift set. I would say $33 for an hour of learning together and creating something special is definitely a bargain!

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, this box is not part of a subscription. It is an item in the Kiwi Co. store, which can be purchased while supplies last.

Coupon: Get 40% off + free shipping on your first box of any KiwiCo subscription. No coupon needed—just use this link!

Check out all of our Tinker Crate reviews and the Kids Subscription Box Directory!

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

What do you think of the KiwiCo. Hand-Crank Flashlight box?