Curiosity Box is a subscription box from VSauce - a popular YouTube channel featuring topics such as science, philosophy, technology, gaming, and culture. As of 2022, they have joined forces with MEL Science, maximizing their impact on brain health. This limited-edition box ships quarterly, and once it sells out, you can't get it again.
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First Impressions
I am a complete science nerd. With a degree in medical technology, I sought out all of the science classes I could as a student and enjoy helping out in those classes as an ISA at my school! Because I have such a passion for science, I am always on the lookout for ways to incorporate it into my daily life (along with my boys' lives). So when I stumbled upon Curiosity Box I just had to see what it was all about! Awesome for adults, a typical box includes premium science toys, experiments, and collectibles. What did I think about this summer curation? Read below to see!
What's Inside The Box
Up first, we received a postcard with all of this month's contents presented. Utilizing real life photos of each item, it includes a short descriptive blurb and fun phrasing.
Also included was a booklet containing in-depth info on each of the included items. With short bursts of information followed by scientific explanations, this guide is packed with really good stuff!
Camera Lucida
The first item we received this month was also the largest! Packaged in a sea creature–themed box, it contained everything we needed to build our very own camera lucida.
"What is that?" you might ask. Well, I didn't know either, so I had to read the manual!
A camera lucida is an optical drawing device that projects the image of a person, place, or object onto a sheet of paper, allowing you to trace it and create a detailed drawing. It has been used by artists and illustrators for centuries, and this version even includes polarizing filters to help adjust for different lighting conditions.
With summer here, our local county fairs are just around the corner, and we always enjoy submitting our artwork. The boys were especially excited to try out the camera lucida as a new art tool.
Featuring a sturdy clamp, it didn't fit on my countertop or table, but it attached securely to my son's laptop. Once it was set up, we focused on a few different objects and were able to see their projected outlines, making them easy to trace.
Is this cheating? The included booklet actually addresses that question, explaining that famous artists throughout history—including Jan van Eyck, Caravaggio, and Vermeer—used optical devices like these to aid in their work.
Overall, this "camera" was easy to assemble and turned out to be a fun, unique tool that the kids and I really enjoyed experimenting with!
Ambigram/Zoetrope Coin and Stand
The next item I received was an ambigram/zoetrope coin and stand. You can spin the coin on the stand to decide whether heads or tails wins, or remove it and spin it directly on a tabletop.
Not only is the coin an ambigram—so it can be read as both "heads" and "tails" depending on its orientation—but it also features a zoetrope animation around the edge. When viewed with the strobe light effect on your phone, the border comes to life with a cool animated illusion. It really is a neat little item!
Spectropia, or Surprising Spectral Illusions Showing Ghosts Everywhere by J H Brown
It made me laugh when we received Surprising Spectral Illusions: Showing Ghosts Everywhere in this season's Curiosity Box. Bound in a beautiful cloth cover, this new edition of the classic 1864 book is both high-quality and fascinating. Originally published to help explain and debunk supposed ghost sightings, it features a collection of optical illusions and illustrations.
The premise is simple: stare at one of the illustrations for about 30 seconds, then look at a blank white wall. The image appears to linger in your vision, creating a ghostly effect. It really works and is such a neat experience!
Hank tried it a few times before just shaking his head at me. I guess he didn't need any more ghostly encounters after watching his first scary movie! 🤣
Dog Safety Shirt
This subscription typically includes a T-shirt, and this season's design was absolutely hilarious. Bright orange in color, it features a dog with the phrase, "No Bones in Here." Beneath it, in green text, it says, "JK I'm full of bones actually."
When I showed the shirt to my husband, he didn't get the joke at first. I explained that the humor comes from the fact that dogs can't distinguish certain colors the way humans can, so the green text is essentially invisible to canine vision. The included booklet even explains the electromagnetic spectrum and how dogs perceive color, which makes the joke even better.
My husband eventually rolled his eyes—but he did laugh.
Stickers Dogs Can't Enjoy
Stickers are always a hit in our house, and these dog-themed ones are especially funny. Sticking with the electromagnetic spectrum theme, they feature colors that dogs can't distinguish, so to them they're just sticker-shaped blobs. To us, though, they showcase some of a dog's favorite things!
Numeral Puzzle
The last item I received this month was a numeral puzzle. Featuring the numbers 0–9, the pieces fit together to form a neat little pattern—but actually completing it is incredibly challenging!
I really wish it came with an answer key because I can't seem to get it back into the box the way it originally fit. This one is definitely going to my puzzle-loving sister-in-law, who is always up for a good challenge.
Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $75
Curiosity Box is a deep-thinker’s dream, and this quarter’s curation was especially fascinating. Featuring six intriguing and high-quality items, this box never leaves me bored! While it didn’t seem to follow a specific theme, the blend of functional, fun, and educational items made for a well-rounded experience. Though it’s geared toward adults, my kids absolutely loved this month’s inclusions and had a blast learning about optical illusions and electromagnetic spectrums. My son especially loved the book and the camera, and I appreciated the stickers and spinner. Overall, this was a great curation, and we enjoyed every single inclusion. I really appreciated how each item was paired with scientific context, making the experience both enriching and entertaining. This box is such a fun adventure—I can't wait to see what’s in store for the fall quarter. Bring it on, Curiosity Box!
More You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Possibly. Only a certain number of boxes are created, so once they are gone, they are gone!
What do you think about Curiosity Box?
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