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 three boxes to chose from with different recommended age ranges:
- Creative Kit - Fostering creativity, this build kit is gears towards kids 6-10
- Build Box - Toys designed for kids ages 8-12+
- Hack Pack - Robots designed for teens 14+ and adults
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 11 year old son is obsessed with Mark Rober and all of his Crunch Lab videos, so he was thrilled to check out just what this kit might contain!
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 - Domino Catapult
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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! The intriguing illustration on the front hinted at what was inside, and Charlie couldn’t wait to discover what creative adventure awaited him!
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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, great illustrations, and plenty of opportunities for creativity, this project was both fun and stress-free. Similar to LEGO instructions, the pamphlet was easy enough for my 11-year-old to follow with very little help. Not only did the booklet include step-by-step directions, but it also featured information about projectile motion, fun real-world applications, and even ideas for using your engineering superpowers to keep building!
Charlie loves Mark Rober and has watched nearly every CrunchLabs video ever released. He was absolutely thrilled to receive this creative kit and was so excited that we ended up opening it way too late at night—just to check it out (and then of course build)!
Parts and Pieces
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As I mentioned above, the parts and pieces in this kit were neatly packaged in separate bags. Although they weren’t labeled, it was easy to tell them apart. Everything needed was included, and the pieces were high quality and fit together beautifully. From my first glance, I was impressed—and Charlie was thrilled to see how many pieces there were. This kit is seriously jam-packed!
Build
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This kit was packed with high-quality parts and pieces. It included everything from wooden pieces and trigger plates to bases, foam feet, nuts, bolts, O-rings, and foam balls. Charlie emptied the bags of pieces and got right started on the build. He got a little stuck at the beginning because the wooden pieces were difficult to hold together while tightening the bolts, so I stepped in to help. After that, he was able to assemble the rest of the kit on his own.
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Using rubber bands and dowels, the trajectory is controlled to help launch the catapult. He had to make three of these small contraptions for the project, and after a little help from me at the beginning of the build, he was able to complete the rest on his own.
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This was such a fun project! Once everything was built, you placed the balls in the baskets and launched them onto the trigger pads. It took some adjusting, but after watching the video, Charlie learned a few helpful tricks. He was able to get all three catapults to trigger one another and watch the domino effect in action. Best of all, he got to have fun while learning about science at the same time!
Final Thoughts - Was This Box Worth It?
Absolutely! Not only was this box created by one of Charlie’s favorite YouTubers, but it was also a blast to build and play with. The kit was thoughtfully designed, made with high-quality materials, and has held up through many days of Charlie’s daily play. Not only did he learn a lot about projectile motion, but he also had an amazing time experimenting and having fun. While the build itself was fairly quick, it has provided countless opportunities for creative engineering play. 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 the Build Box? Let us know below!
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