KiwiCo Eureka Crate Review + Coupon – Mechanical Globe

Eureka Crate (from parent company KiwiCo) is a subscription box for teens and adults ages 14-104. It arrives every month with all the materials and instructions needed to create a functional, lasting object with a focus on engineering. The goal of these projects is to use science and math to solve real-world problems while inspiring the recipients to become creative innovators.

KiwiCo offers boxes for a variety of different age groups: 

• Panda Crate for 0-24-month-olds, 
• Koala Crate for 2-4-year-olds, 
• Kiwi Crate for 5-8-year-olds, 
• Atlas Crate for 6-11-year-olds, 
• Doodle Crate and Tinker Crate for 9-16+-year-olds, 
• Eureka Crate and Maker Crate for ages 14 and up. There really is something for every age with this company.

This review is of the $29.95 a month Eureka Crate, for 14-year-olds and up.

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 Eureka Crate

The Subscription Box: Eureka Crate

The Cost: $29.95 per month + free shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.

COUPON: Save 40% off your first box. No coupon needed - just use this link.

The Products: Detailed instructions and all of the high-quality materials needed to create a unique, lasting, and functional engineering project as well as a Maker’s Guide that explains the science and technology behind it.

Ships to: The US for free, Canada for $3.95 per month, and worldwide from $4.95-$6.95.

KiwiCo Eureka Crate “Mechanical Globe“ Review – November 2020

The project for this month was to create our own Mechanical Globe, which is such a cool idea! This Maker’s Guide is full of educational information related to our project and on the “Behind the Design” page, they noted that they went through 35 map projection prototypes. It’s so fun to hear about what goes into the process!

Our directions are separated into various sections which makes it so much easier since it breaks it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. The instructions are always clear and easy to follow with detailed, colorful pictures to reference. They even include information on troubleshooting, which can be very helpful!

Part A: Build the Navigation Wheel

The first step was to build the navigation wheel. This set came with a lot of hardware and several rubber rings. I sorted out my hardware in preparation.

Part B: Finish the Gear Box

Part C: Assemble the Globe Frame

Next, I grabbed two of the cardboard pieces and fit them into one of the wooden discs. Then I added in the other disc layers.

Then it was just a matter of adding the rest of the cardboard pieces into the slots around the edges.

Part D: Add the Globe Panels

Part E: Make the Magnifier Arm

Part F: Put It All Together

I placed the entire unit on the base and then added some screws at the bottom and one at the top and the globe was just about complete.

The last step was to add this magnifier they included which sits at the back of the globe when not in use.

Here is the finished globe and a closeup of the wheel at the bottom that spins it. You can spin the globe around by hand.

This page provided some information about how to use our globe and how the magnifier works.

They even included a box full of pins for us so that we can mark the places we’ve been, or maybe considering the state of things in 2020, we’ll just mark those places we hope to visit one day!

In our booklet, there is always a design challenge. This month they encourage us to do some geocaching which is a fun idea! My husband and I used to enjoy doing this and I love the idea of introducing this to younger kids!

Verdict: I thought this month’s Eureka Crate project was really cool and I love that we have a globe complete with a magnifier to use in our home. This globe is just the right size to store on a shelf, but since it is so detailed and we can spin it and use the magnifier, it’s really useful as well. I thought the directions were great and as always, everything was organized and the design itself was pretty neat to put together!

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? It is possible you might get this crate, but it is not a guarantee. From KiwiCo:

Crates are assigned each month based on availability and your crate history – not all subscribers receive the same theme each month.

COUPON: Save 40% off your first box. No coupon needed - just use this link.

Check out all of our KiwiCo reviews and the best boxes for teens!

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

What do you think of Eureka Crate?