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 this was the perfect box for him.
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 - Duck Game
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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 light reflection, animation, fun real-world applications, and even ideas for using your engineering superpowers to keep 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. 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 excited 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 needed for the build, from wooden components and duck pieces to hinges, rivets, a DC motor, a battery pack, rollers, and more!
Charlie eagerly emptied the bags of parts and got started right away after reading through the instruction booklet. He was especially excited to begin with the motor and had no trouble assembling it. The instructions were clear and easy to follow, allowing him to attach the motor and assemble the cardboard pieces without any issues.
Charlie loved that this build was actually a game and even included party blowers! He's currently into anything fun and interactive, so this project was right up his alley. As you can see from the photos, the ducks were easy to assemble, and the step-by-step illustrations made the process simple to follow. If you can read basic instructions and follow pictures, you should have no trouble completing this kit.
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Before moving on, Charlie tested the build to make sure the motor was working properly. He had assembled everything correctly, and when the motor ran as expected, he was ready to continue with the next steps.
The remainder of the build was just as straightforward, and everything came together smoothly. By the time he finished, the game looked and functioned exactly as it was supposed to, which was very satisfying after all of his hard work.
Charlie had a lot of fun creating this build and putting together the duck game. Once it was complete, it really felt like a miniature carnival game! Using the party blower to knock down the ducks added an extra layer of excitement, and he had a blast playing with it after finishing the project.
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 an absolute blast to build and play with. The kit was thoughtfully designed, made with high-quality materials, and has held up remarkably well through days of enthusiastic play.
Along the way, Charlie learned about timing belts, gravity, and other scientific concepts, all while having a fantastic time experimenting and playing the duck game. While the build itself was fairly quick to complete, it has provided countless hours of creative, hands-on engineering fun.
Overall, this was a huge hit in our house, and we can't wait to see what next month's build has in store!
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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