CrunchLabs is a 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 a Hack Pack. It is recommended for ages 14+. Our reviewer is a 14 year old boy who is mathematical and a mechanical thinker - he loves legos and building computers. He has previously had a year-long CrunchLabs subscription (recommended age 8-13).
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
What Came in this Hack Pack: The Robolamp
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Our Hack Pack arrived in a branded box that had the project name and illustration right on the top. So we were immediately excited about the project!
The inside cover has a QR code for those that want to access a “Build Along with Mark Rober” video
The box was well packed, with the manual right on top. While the items in the box were grouped in bags, the bags themselves were not labeled.
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The Lego-style booklet includes a visual parts display and step by step illustrated instructions. The parts are grouped into labeled baggies, making it easy to unpack and lay everything out before you start. The items are grouped together, which keeps things organized even without individual labels on each bag.
We really liked the setup: my son got straight to building! The science explanation came afterwards. After the build steps, there are “Think” pages that explain the technological components and the science behind the project, then “Hack” pages that give ideas to go further with the build.
The Build
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My 14-year-old is pretty experienced with these kits, so he dove right in using the manual. The entire process took him 2.5 hours, and he stayed engaged the whole time. He didn't want or need a break.
The directions were easy to follow, there were just 2 or 3 times he had to do some problems solving, such as using more pressure than expected to make a connection, or to double check his perspective versus the illustration.
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All the tools he needed were included, such as a screw driver and a hex key. A magnetic screwdriver would have been helpful at one point to get a screw into a tight recessed opening within the lamp shade, but we were able to problem solve that by having someone with smaller hands (mom) place the screw.
A Real Working Lamp
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And the really satisfying part? The Robolamp is a fully functional lamp! The arm and head are motorized, the color can be changed, and it comes pre-programmed with a few different "moods" right out of the box.
Everyone in our house thought this was really cool! We are still debating where it will get to live permanently.
Final Thoughts - Was This Box Worth It?
Yes! This was a fun, engaging, screen-free activity for a rainy weekend afternoon with a teen. It's less about open-ended creativity and more about assembly — this is a project where you learn by doing, following the steps and discovering how it all comes together. That's not a knock; there's real value in that kind of active, focused building experience, and the "Think" section in the manual ties it all together nicely afterward.
The build time is substantial enough to feel like a real project without being overwhelming, the directions are well-designed, and the finished product is something you'll actually want to keep around. It's a great screen-free activity and a genuinely cool result.
To Wrap Up:
The Cost: $79.95 per month, $66.65 per month with an annual subscription.
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, this box is still available as Box 12 in the subscription series. You won't get it right away if you are just starting your subscription.
What do you think of Hack Pack? Let us know below!
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