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If you have been reading Mac Kid Rockville for a while, you know I am a HUGE fan of subscription boxes. I think deep down, we all love getting mail, no matter how old we are. And, most of us love surprises. My son gets so excited whenever he sees a box at the front door...and if it happens to have his name on it, well that is even better! This week I'd like to share some new subscription boxes I have had a chance to check out. I have also got some discount codes to share as well that can save you money if you choose to sign up for any of these.
If you have been reading Mac Kid Rockville for a while, you know I am a HUGE fan of subscription boxes. I think deep down, we all love getting mail, no matter how old we are. And, most of us love surprises. My son gets so excited whenever he sees a box at the front door...and if it happens to have his name on it, well that is even better! This week I'd like to share some new subscription boxes I have had a chance to check out. I have also got some discount codes to share as well that can save you money if you choose to sign up for any of these.
First up, Space Scouts Club! For those of you with kids who love anything having to do with space, this is for you! My son tends to like the more educational boxes, so this one was right in his wheelhouse. They also get that kids want to have fun while learning so they incorporate fun characters and activities as well as a toy in the shipment each month. Space Scouts costs $14.95 per month (free shipping). Longer discounted plans are also available.
Space Scouts Club was gracious enough to send up samples of their first two months of the club shipments. My son and I were both immediately drawn to Space Scouts. We went through each shipment separately and both of us felt that each month's package held its own and was worth the $14.95 fee. The Space Scouts lunch box is both fun and functional! My son started acting out scenes with the magnets and then decided to add some additional space magnets we had on our fridge. The activity sheets were age appropriate and had several fun, short activities to help hold a child's short attention span.
My son, like most kids, loves when there are characters he gets to explore with (think Little Passports, which we also get). I think it makes everything more relate-able since he gets into the mode of going on a space adventure with Roxy and Jett versus just being a kid sitting around looking at an activity sheet. We have not had a chance to use the constellation cards yet, but I know B is really looking forward to that as well. Overall, I think the 6+ age rating on Space Scouts is just right! If you are looking for a fun and educational subscription box for an early reader, I would say this is a great one! Oh, and if you travel a lot like we do, here is a tip, save the sticker scrambles for when you need a quiet activity on the plane or train!
My son, like most kids, loves when there are characters he gets to explore with (think Little Passports, which we also get). I think it makes everything more relate-able since he gets into the mode of going on a space adventure with Roxy and Jett versus just being a kid sitting around looking at an activity sheet. We have not had a chance to use the constellation cards yet, but I know B is really looking forward to that as well. Overall, I think the 6+ age rating on Space Scouts is just right! If you are looking for a fun and educational subscription box for an early reader, I would say this is a great one! Oh, and if you travel a lot like we do, here is a tip, save the sticker scrambles for when you need a quiet activity on the plane or train!
Here is some more info from the Space Scouts website:
When you choose the Space Scouts club, Roxy and Jett take your child on a scouting expedition through the solar system. The adventure begins with a Space Scouts lunchbox magnetic backdrop, a poster of the solar system, and a constellation collection startup set. Each monthly adventure includes an exploration plan, a magnet to add to the lunchbox, a sticker to add to the solar system poster, an activity sheet loaded with puzzles and games, a sticker scramble, a souvenir toy to use in learning activities, a constellation card to add to the ringed collection, and a constellation activity sheet that includes the mythological story and other learning activities. For ages 6+. (They also offer Animal Trackers Club for ages 3-6.)
In addition, the creators of Space Scouts also know the importance of engaging parents in STEM discussions with their children. Through social media and electronic communication, they offer parents tips and topics to engage in kid-friendly discussions about space exploration and astronomy with themes like “Get your family talking about the night sky!” and “You can be an astronaut too!”
You can follow Space Scouts on Facebook and Twitter as well.
You can follow Space Scouts on Facebook and Twitter as well.
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Next up, we decided to site down with a Peekapak. Peekapak kindly provided us with a sample of their The Peekapak Pals and The Magic Hat box to review. It was a very different type of box then I was expecting. I was a little concerned that the activities might be too young for B who will be turning seven next month ... however, after watching him dig in, I realized I was very wrong.
I would say this box is actually good for 4-8 though I can imagine the way the child interacts with the characters and stories will change over time. At my house, my son wanted to read the storybook, The Peekapak Pals and The Magic Hat, to himself and then asked me to help make the stick-puppets.
B had a great time acting out the story for me, and loved making the beeswax candle! The open-ended instructions for the bridge were a pleasant surprise. I love when kids are given an opportunity to think outside-the-box (no pun intended) and problem solve on their own. I would definitely recommend this box for anyone with trying to develop a young reader and for those interested in helping your child become a natural problem solver.
I would say this box is actually good for 4-8 though I can imagine the way the child interacts with the characters and stories will change over time. At my house, my son wanted to read the storybook, The Peekapak Pals and The Magic Hat, to himself and then asked me to help make the stick-puppets.
B had a great time acting out the story for me, and loved making the beeswax candle! The open-ended instructions for the bridge were a pleasant surprise. I love when kids are given an opportunity to think outside-the-box (no pun intended) and problem solve on their own. I would definitely recommend this box for anyone with trying to develop a young reader and for those interested in helping your child become a natural problem solver.
Here is some additional info from the Peekapak site:
Peekapak helps busy parents transform their child’s play with imaginative stories, crafts, and interesting learning. Oh did we mention we deliver right to your door? Peekapak is creative play made easy! Take your child on a new journey each month and fly through space, or view the world through the eyes of an insect! The adventure extends from the pages of their storybook into real life when kids create the items in the story!
Peekapak helps busy parents transform their child’s play with imaginative stories, crafts, and interesting learning. Oh did we mention we deliver right to your door? Peekapak is creative play made easy! Take your child on a new journey each month and fly through space, or view the world through the eyes of an insect! The adventure extends from the pages of their storybook into real life when kids create the items in the story!
Peekapak costs $24.99 per month including free shipping. Discounted 3, 6 & 12 month options available. Sibling pak available for $12.99 per month.
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For those with older children, I am thrilled to introduce you to Groovy Lab in a Box! Groovy Lab in a Box sent me their "Here Comes the Sun" box to review. Since my son is not quite seven, and the Groovy Lab is recommended for children ages eight and up, I knew this one might be a bit tricky for him. We sat down and went through the lab notebook together. This box is truly a scientific box! My husband and I even learned a thing or two while working through the experiments. The Lab Notebook includes several science projects including Solar Balloon, Solar Oven, Conductivity Sensor and a bonus sun prints project. There was also a section in the Lab Notebook for brainstorming and coming up with design alternatives to investigate.
I think the Groovy Lab in a Box would be fabulous for pre-teens, and could see it being a wonderful activity box for a Boy Scout meeting. Everything you need is included in the box. Groovy Lab in a Box bases their themes and boxes around the STEM concept to help kids learn and participate in hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics experiments.
At six, my son enjoyed the sun print paper and making the solar oven the most. I do not recall ever learning about a solar oven and thought it was really cool. We will definitely be making a few more multi-colored crayon disks this summer! When my son gets a bit older, I definitely plan on ordering this subscription for him!
From the Groovy Lab in a Box website:
Because children are natural engineers, Groovy Lab in a Box blends Scientific Inquiry and the Engineering Design Process which allows children to create ingenious inventions, enhance critical problem solving skills, and have FUN! Our monthly box activates thinking, questioning, inquiring, and original creation as we guide children through the “SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY & ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS.”
STEMists also receive access to our special “Beyond…in a Box” online learning portal. This is a unique feature of Groovy Lab in a Box because it gives STEMists a deeper understanding of that month’s topic. “Beyond…in a Box” has videos and more interactive activities to supplement what they are learning from the box projects, which also helps the STEMist even more when completing the design challenge.
While the investigation activities have step-by-step directions, STEMists won’t have detailed directions to complete the Engineering Design Challenge. Instead, they must rely on their critical thinking skills, and what they’ve learned through the investigation process from the Lab Notebook and online activities. The Engineering Design Challenge is the culmination of your STEMist’s learning experience – the ultimate project where he/she must apply the knowledge gained from that month’s activities.
Groovy Lab in a Box costs $26.95 per month including free shipping. Discounted 3, 6, & 12 month options available. Right now, you can use the promo code GROOVYNOW20 to save 20% off your first box.___________________________________________________
Another great box for moms or anyone else who is into great fun, pampering products is the quarterly FabFitFun box. FabFitFun was awesome enough to not only send me a box to review, but they are also extending a $10 off coupon to all of my readers! Just use code "lani10" when you check out.
FabFitFun is a mystery box filled with all kinds of hand-selected items in beauty, fashion, fitness, and wellness from Giuliana Ranic and the FabFitFun team. As I mentioned, FabFitFun is a quarterly subscription which is delivered to your doorstep 4 times per year and costs $49.99 per box which includes free shipping.
The summer box had a retail value of about $245 (though you can score this beauty for $39.99 using my $10 off discount code). The summer box is currently on sale and includes some amazing items like a full-sized Sonya Dakar Flash Facial ($95), a full-sized Pur-lisse SPF 30 Daily Essential Moisturizer ($55), FabFitFun Water Infuser BPA-Free Water Bottle ($15), a Thursday Friday Mini Clutch ($35), a full-sized Balanced Guru No Frizz Oil ($25), a full-sized Zoya Nail Polish ($9), KISSTIXX Lip Balm (Chocolate / Strawberry) ($5.99), an individual-sized bag of POP Chips ($1.29) and several sponsored products from Always, Skintimate and Slimfast.
I will use everything in the box, and for me, it is just what I want in a subscription box...an introduction to great products I might not have found on my own. I am looking forward to seeing what is in the Fall FabFitFun box!
As mentioned above, FabFitFun, Groovy Lab in a Box, Space Scouts Club and Peekapak all sent me complimentary sample boxes in order to provide my honest review. No compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
