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 - Strobe Light Animator
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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!
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 needed for the build, from wooden components and cardboard pieces to acrylic figures, a color wheel, rivets, battery packs, wires, 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 getting it assembled. The instructions were clear and easy to follow, allowing him to attach the motor and assemble the cardboard pieces without any issues.
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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 move on to the next steps.
Next, he added the germ pieces along with the top cardboard panel. Everything attached easily, and the project was finally starting to look like a real projector!
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The next part of the project focused on the animation. To create it, Charlie took the wooden disc and attached the acrylic image pieces. He matched up the numbers, then secured the images in place by adding the small rubber bands to the underside of the disc.
Once everything was assembled, he attached the disc to the carousel, placed the top on, and gave it a test run. Although I didn't manage to get a picture, you could actually see the squirrel running!
There was also a second animation option that used assembled acrylic figures. Charlie put those together and tested them out as well. It wasn't quite as exciting as the running squirrel, but it was still a lot of fun to experiment with and see 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 animation, 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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