Note from Liz: I’m so happy to introduce our newest reviewer to the MSA team! Welcome, Elizabeth!
Koala Crate is the preschool subscription box offering from KiwiCo, designed for hands-on learning and fun every month!
KiwiCo offers boxes for different age groups: Cricket Crate is for 24-36-month-olds, Koala Crate is for 3-4-year-olds, Kiwi Crate is for 5-8-year-olds, and Doodle Crate and Tinker Crate are for 9-16+-year-olds. There really is something for every age with this company.
This review is of the $19.95 a month Koala Crate, for 3-4-year olds. Disclaimer: my son is not yet two, so I simplified some of the steps to accommodate his age (I will note anything I did to accommodate him).
This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Koala Crate
The Subscription Box: Koala Crate
The Cost: $19.95 a month + free shipping
COUPON: Save 40% off your first month with coupon code MSA40!
The Products: 2-3 fun DIY projects for you to do with your preschooler!
Ships to: US
Koala Crate February 2018 Review
This month’s theme was RAINBOWS!
Koala Crate sends a magazine every month called “imagine!” It’s full of activities and stories for little ones. My son is a bit young for the magazine, but he still loved flipping through it, as it is both colorful and nicely illustrated.
This is the inside of the instruction booklet. There were three projects this month: Stained Glass Art, Rainbow Tote Bag, and Cloud Pillow. The instructions are clear and easy-to follow, with pictures to go along with the words. I found them incredibly helpful and very easy to figure out.
Project 1: Stained Glass Art
This was my favorite project. Here are the supplies. All I had to do to prepare was take the black cutouts off the card and get half the rainbow squares from the pouch. My son loved this activity!
I broke it down to one step at a time to accommodate his age. I think this would be a great activity to promote sharing as kids could easily do this with a sibling or friend. I also enjoyed discussing the color with him.
The final product was very cool! He held it up to the light and marveled at the result. I think a child who is 3-4 (the intended age) would love this and understand the connection to rainbows and perhaps even be intrigued by the idea of stained glass and want to see it in person.
Project 2: Rainbow Tote Bag
This project required the child to stick the super sticky felt colored pieces, to the white cloud, to form a rainbow.
I stuffed the cloud with the provided stuffing. The only part I didn’t like was that the stuffing got on the velcro which holds the pillow closed, so the pillow doesn’t stay as closed as I would hope. My son didn’t notice since it closed about 80%.
Project 3: Rainbow Tote Bag
This was the messiest project as it required water and using these rainbow papers to dye the bag (and as a result your fingers got colored too). With the proper thing put down on the table to prevent color transfer, and a good hand wash, we ended up with no mess.
After wetting the bag, the child puts the pieces on. This was tricky as the paper gets a bit sticky. I helped my son, but I think a 3-4 year old (intended age of the crate) could do this on their own.
After putting all the pieces on, I wet the pieces using the provided dropper. The bag then air dries for 24 hours.
The result was this (add the cloud felt stickers after it dries).
Verdict: I love everything that KiwiCo makes, and my son really loved this Koala Crate! Like KiwiCo’s other offerings, Koala Crate does require adult involvement and supervision. It varies from month to month, but some supervision is always needed.
If you want to hand your child something to keep them busy, this is not the activity for that. This is more about bonding with your child, crafting and learning together. It’s very well put together, and it’s a pretty amazing value at $20 a month, as thinking of these projects, getting all the supplies, and prepping them would take a LONG time. I loved doing this project with my son and cannot wait for the next Koala Crate.
To Wrap Up:
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, sign up now for the March box.
Coupon – Save 40% off your first month! No coupon required, just use this link
Check out all of our Koala Crate reviews and the Kids Subscription Box Directory!
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What do you think of Koala Crate?
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