T is for Tot is a monthly children's subscription box for ages 3-6. Each themed kit contains supplies and activities for play-based learning both project-based and open-ended. The box is curated by a mom and kindergarten teacher to prepare your little one for K with arts and crafts projects, simple STEM experiments, learning materials, a quality children's book, and more.
The Cost: $38.95 per month + free US shipping with annual subscription; $42.95 per month + free US shipping monthly.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
Opening The Box
T is for Tot arrives in a white box with a sticker indicating the month's theme on the flap. The box is stuffed with possibilities on the month's theme, and on top is a trifold information card with descriptions and ideas for play.
Here's What's In the Greenhouse Kit
Info Card
As always, the T is for Tot info booklet gives a description of various activities in the box, but it's just as suited to open-ended, child-led play. There are tons of options for what families can do with the materials. On the back of the card here is a sticker badge that coordinates with the theme of the box—this time it's Junior Geologist—and a QR code you can scan to buy a mystery kit before your next box arrives.
Welcome Scroll
Our welcome scroll is perhaps the prized possession of our box. My kids love a treasure map, and this one came with a stick to use for scratch-off opportunities after you complete each of the box's activities. So simple, yet so brilliant.
Binoculars
These binoculars were immediately taken onto the nearest trail to search for coyotes. While indeed coyotes can be heard in our woods at night, they've never been spotted during the day, so this was more an imagination-filled hike than an actual hunt. The binoculars made it feel more real, though.
Wooden Nature Hunt Board
I noticed a nature search board just like this at our city's botanic gardens and made a mental note of it as a potential stocking stuffer. And then it arrived in our box the very next day! It's extremely cute. I love that it can be reused endlessly, and my kids enjoyed trying to find a leaf, twig, and rock tiny enough to fit in the small provided space. It's a bit shallow for a windy day search, so I ended up carrying it to keep our findings from blowing away. This will be a fun one to use through the seasons.
Air Dry Clay & Wooden Roller
We'd never turn down an opportunity to mold with air dry clay! I love that this stuff arrives soft as can be for small hands. My kids, now ages 4 and 7, made all sorts of nature-inspired trinkets including the pictured bird, a nest, and a mushroom.
Listen (Going Outside) by Amy Huntington — Retail Value $1.35
This little board book is a sweet exploration of the sounds of nature. I always appreciate when children's books depict kids embracing the outdoors in all seasons!
Notepad, Nature Bingo, & Activity Cards
As per usual with T is for Tot, the activity booklet is chock full of sweet ideas. The notepad can be used long after the initial novelty of the box wears off, and the activities can be done either with a parent's help, or in the case of my older kid (who is a year beyond what this box suggests as the age range but still lights up when she sees it on our porch!), they can be enjoyed independently. We opened our box on a rainy day so we got started on the notepad activities indoors, which was just as fun.
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This small tin is great to keep in the car or in an adventure bag, or to take camping. Its cards span four categories of engaging with nature, offering ideas for using all five senses to enjoy your environment. The first one we pulled suggested using the included playdough to make a tree bark imprint. My four-year-old thought that was so cool!
Having these bingo cards packaged in an envelope really upped the element of anticipation. Just one of many expert teacher/parent touches that are a hallmark of this box! There are three bingo cards included, so it can either be used as three different bingo outings, or for a little friendly competition among siblings.
Nature Playdough Roller + Homemade Playdough
Every T is for Tot kit comes with homemade playdough and a 3D-printed tool to use with it. This month it's a cool roller that leaves a scene of mountains and trees. On the end there's a moose stamper. So fun!
Value - Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $38.95 per month + free US shipping with annual subscription; $42.95 per month + free US shipping monthly.
Value Breakdown: The Outdoor Explorer T is for Tot box contains 8 activities, but each one contains lots of opportunity for exploration and play. The activity booklet comes with page after page of themed ideas. The scavenger hunt board and binoculars can be used endlessly. The clay tools will be added to our art supplies, and the book to our shelf. There's both initial novelty and staying power to these boxes. The value is absolutely accounted for.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No*, your first kit will be the Human Body box (see review here) and will ship within 1-2 business days after ordering. Expect the following kits to ship by the 10th of each month.
*If you want to buy this Outdoor Explorer kit as a gift or one-time purchase, it is currently available here in the T is for Tot shop for $48.
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