I have oft lamented that I am not very "Sciencey". So I've had to come up with ways to alleviate my stress of planning science lessons and executing amazing experiments. Our favorite, by far, has been Tinker Crate and it's younger companion, Kiwi Crate. The kids genuinely love these crates and look forward to them month after month. So, here's all you need to know about a Tinker Crate and Kiwi Crate subscription.
#TinkerCrate and #KiwiCrate are highly anticipated in our house. #subscriptionbox #ihsnet #homeschool @kiwicrate
Every so often I ask the girls if they would like to cancel their crate subscriptions or try another. And, though, we have tried other crates, KiwiCo. has always remained on our subscription list. The boxes are engaging, inspiring and fun.
Tinker Crate Review
Tinker Crate is designed for ages 9 to 16. Each crate contains a detailed instruction sheet that requires little to no help from Mom. The box also comes with a small book which includes information about the topic and additional experiments. This month we were building a constellation box.
She read all the instructions and put the box together entirely by herself. The finished product involved wiring a battery to LED lights to illuminate the constellation she had chosen.
Everything she needed was provided, including the glue. This is one of the reasons Mom loves Tinker Crate -- no extra supplies to gather.
Kiwi Crate Review
Kiwi Crate is designed for ages 5-8. It also contains a detailed instruction sheet and an additional book. The Kiwi Crate is generally pretty easy to follow but does require some adult help on occasion -- especially for little hands. My youngest can usually work on it with minimal help from Mom.
This month her project was a claw and some pom-pom creatures to practice her claw-grabbing technique.
She had a blast running around the house grabbing things with the claw. I even convinced her to do her chores with the claw with no complaining.
Science + Housekeeping = Win!
Crate Days around our house are fun days. The kids usually spread everything out on the floor and spend an hour or two building. The youngest is picking up a new sense of independence and enjoying doing something that is her own.
If you don't want to commit to a subscription box at this time, I suggest trying a crate out. We have purchased several single crates. They make great birthday presents.
Update:
As the kids have grown, their subscription choices have grown as well. Sadly, we are no longer enjoying Kiwi Crate. The youngest graduated to Tinker Crate, and the middle decided to try out the art crate subscription by KiwiCo, Doodle Crate.
Doodle Crate Review
Doodle Crate is designed for ages 14 and up. It is an art studio in a box with different craft and hands-on activities.
She has learned how to make paper journals which coordinated perfectly with our ancient Egypt studies.
And, she has learned to weave which also coordinated with our ancient Greece studies. But, mostly she has had a lot of fun painting, sewing, stamping and creating.
Periscope of Kiwi Crate
Hi, I’m Dachelle. I’m a homeschooling mom of 3 in the South. I love chocolate and have been known to hide it from my children. I can often be found reading a good book (or even sometimes just an okay book) and enjoying a jar of Nutella — don’t judge. I blog, here, at HideTheChocolate.com when I’m not creating book clubs and making lists…lots and lots of lists (it’s an addiction). Learn more…
Thanks for sharing your experiences with Tinker Crate, my son really enjoys the kits as well.