CrunchLabs is an STEM subscription box specially crafted for makers. The innovative brand was founded by Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer turned YouTuber, boasting more than 24 million subscribers and 130 million views on his videos, captivating audiences worldwide with his ingenious engineering and storytelling.
There are two boxes to chose from with different recommended age ranges:
Per their website, all CrunchLabs boxes include:
- Exclusive Mark Rober videos
- materials and project components
- a booklet with picture-based instructions
- STEM concept explanations
- activities and challenges that take the toy to the next level
- a gear badge that celebrates featured engineering superpower
This review is for the Build Box. My 10 year old son is obsessed with Mark Rober and all of his Crunch Lab videos, so he was thrilled to test this out!
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
Build Box - Disc Launcher
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Starting with the box — this simple cardboard package looks pretty ordinary at first, but my son immediately spotted Mark Rober’s name and the CrunchLabs logo and was thrilled! With an intriguing illustration hinting at what was inside, Charlie couldn’t wait to find out what this contraption would be.
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The box was packed well, everything fit securely without being squished. Within the box items were grouped in bags, however they were not labeled.
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The instructions were second to none. With clear tips and great illustrations, they made building this month’s project easy and stress-free. Similar to LEGO instructions, my 10-year-old was able to follow the pamphlet completely on his own without any help. Not only did the booklet include step-by-step directions, but it also featured real-life applications, fun ways to use the disc launcher, and more!
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Charlie loves Mark Rober and has watched nearly every CrunchLabs video they’ve ever released. He was absolutely thrilled to receive this box and couldn’t wait to start building!
Parts and Pieces
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As I mentioned above, the parts and pieces in this kit were neatly packaged in separate bags. While they weren’t labeled, they were easy to tell apart. Everything needed was included, and the pieces were high quality and fit together beautifully. From my first glance, I was impressed — and I still am!
Build
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This kit was very well made and went together very easily. Charlie went page to page in the instructions and was able to quickly build this disc launcher. He was really excited to see the DC motor included and had a really fun time connecting the wires. Everything went smoothly and he had no issues, so this was perfect for my 10 year old.
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We’ve tried our fair share of building-type subscription boxes, but this final product blew all the others out of the water. The disc launcher not only held all the discs at once for a semi-automatic launch, but it also really sent them flying! We tested it out indoors and quickly lost one disc under the oven, so we decided to take it outside instead. These things definitely had some power behind them and were a blast to aim. Even my husband couldn’t resist joining in on the fun!
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Along with the disc launcher, we received a QR code that links to a Mark Rober video. The video not only explains the physics and science behind the project but also walks you through it step by step. Looking back, Charlie probably should have watched it before building, but he still really enjoyed watching it afterward!
Final Thoughts - Was This Box Worth It?
Absolutely! This box wasn’t just created by one of Charlie’s favorite YouTubers — it was also so much fun to build and play with. The kit was well thought out, made with high-quality materials, and has held up through many days of Charlie’s daily play. As I mentioned before, some building kits are fun to assemble but then end up collecting dust, whereas this one has stayed exciting and relevant for everyday fun. It was also a quick build, taking Charlie about 15 minutes to complete — perfect for his age range. We definitely can’t wait to see what next month’s build will be!
To Wrap Up:
The Cost: $32.95 per month, $27.45 per month with an annual subscription.
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, this box is still available. From CrunchLabs:
Your first package will arrive within 2 weeks of registration. Subsequent monthly packages will be delivered within 2 weeks of each monthly charge.
What do you think of Build Box? Let us know below!
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