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When it comes to technology and entertainment, kids these days have got it good. They get Beyoncé in their Disney movies, have access to dozens of great apps at their fingertips, can stream their favorite shows from anywhere, and have the option to sign up to receive some of the coolest subscription boxes every single month. Where we had to drag ourselves to a crowded mall to get our hands on the latest fashions, toys, books, and crafts, today’s youth can find thousands of quality items with just a few clicks — and the best part is that companies will curate a package and send it straight to kids’ doorsteps. For a generation that may have never licked an envelope, snail mail treats them well!
There are perks for parents, too. Many subscription boxes plan out themes per month (or shipping cycle of your choosing) so that you don’t have to spend countless hours combing through options. And, yes, there’s a box for every kid: the coder, the chef, the gamer, the reader, the crafter, and the perpetually curious. Simply find the package that works best for you and your kiddo, select your delivery frequency, and get ready for boxes of fun. Your kids will never be so happy to see the mailman.
Ahead, check out the best subscription boxes for kids that’ll make their holiday (or any other time of the year).
For The Little (And Big!) Learners
KiwiCo
Whether you have a newborn or a teenager, KiwiCo has the perfect developmental-based crates made just for them. You can gift them one of nine hands-on science or art-based kits including the Doodle Crate, which comes with all the art tools they need to get their inner Picasso on, and the Eureka Crate, which is ideal for your older, aspiring engineer.
All the kits are kid-approved and tested, so you know your little or big kid will love it. You can choose to gift a crate monthly or every three, six, or 12 months (and you can cancel anytime!).
Little Passports
Expand your little one’s worldview with these cute boxes. The concept is that the Little Passport mascots, Sam and Sofia, go travel around the globe and send your child back a package each month, just for them. Inside, it contains fun games and educational activities. They’re all bundled in an adorable case that your child will want to hang onto.
There’s a Little Passports box for each age group starting from Early Explorers (age 3-5) to Science Expeditions (age 8 and up). You can also get fun standalone kits if you want to take ‘er for a spin before you commit.
Bitsbox
Coding is an especially useful skill to have these days. But if you’re a bit tech-savvy-challenged like us, your computer skills may peak at Ctr+Alt+Delete — which is to say you’re of no help to a kid who wants to create her own apps. Thankfully, with Bitsbox, you don’t have to know the first thing about coding.
Each month, Bitsbox subscribers receive up to 12 different coding projects based on the app of their choosing. Kids then log online and copy the code provided to create and customize an app they can access on most devices through the Bitsbox website. Over time, kids will become more confident in their coding skills and can start writing their own.
For The Fashion-Forward
KidPik
Every KidPik box — shipped every one, two, or three months — contains three complete mix-and-match outfits, as well as a pair of shoes and an accessory, based on your kids’ fashion profile. Each of the seven items costs approximately $13.50 (the entire box is about $95 after the discount is applied), and you have a week to decide which items you’d like to keep. If you choose to keep everything, the company offers a 30% discount on your total order. Returns are easy, and there’s no charge if you decide to send back an entire box.
LeMel Stud Club
Jewelry company LeMel has an earring subscription box for kids called the — wait for it — Stud Club. How cute is that?! Each month, subscribers will get a new pair of genuine, hypoallergenic 14-karat gold studs in fun styles like the purple stars above.
Stitch Fix
Stitch Fix has outfitted thousands of adults, and now the company offers a service geared towards children sizes 2T-18. Each box contains 8-12 items that vibe with your kid’s aesthetic hand-selected by a stylist. Because the prices range from about $10-$35, Stitch Fix gives parents the option to select their price points, as well, allowing you to set — and stay true to — a budget. Unlike the other boxes listed, Stitch Fix does charge a $20 styling fee; however, they credit that fee to your overall purchase. You also have the option to send back unwanted items free of charge. If you do choose to keep the entire box, the company will provide a 25% discount on your order.
It’s technically not a subscription box since it’s not delivered on a schedule. But it’s nice that you have full control over how often you’d like deliveries throughout the year without having to pay a monthly fee.
For The Foodie
Raddish
Little foodies everywhere can cook to their hearts’ content with Raddish, a cooking subscription service geared toward kids. Unlike other meal delivery services, Raddish doesn’t send a box of refrigerated goods; instead, customers receive recipes, a shopping list, activity cards, kitchen tools, and discussion starters all centered around a monthly theme. The company also posts recipe modifications online for families with different dietary needs, so no kid should feel excluded from the fun.
The service is also about more than just cooking and aspires to teach children about a variety of topics, including history, math, and geography, to give them a broader understanding of food and culture. As an incentive, Raddish also rewards learning by sending patches kids can proudly wear on their aprons.
Raddish offers three different memberships: monthly ($24/month), six months ($132 upfront), and 12 months ($240 upfront).
Baketivity
If your kid has a sweet tooth (and honestly, what child doesn’t?), they’ll love this monthly baking subscription that turns making dessert into a fun, delicious and educational activity. You can also buy single kits for special occasions.
Bake Eat Love
You can also subscribe to Bake Eat Love which has some more advanced recipes and different sweets-inspired “series.” They just finished up their chocolate series. Up next? Playing with fire! So little bakers should get ready for a little flambé.
Kidstir
Cooking with kids isn’t just great for getting them to help out with the workload. It’s also a good way to cultivate a healthy relationship with food. Kidstir introduces children as young as five to a variety of treats, including drinks, snacks, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert items. As with Raddish, Kidstir subscribers are responsible for buying food from pre-made shopping lists curated specifically for each theme. Each box contains three recipes, two cooking tools, educational reading material, and games and puzzles. Plus, all subscribers receive a two-year magazine subscription.
Kidstir offers monthly, three-month, six-month, and 12-month subscriptions starting at $19.99 per month. Twelve-month subscribers receive a free cooking mitt along with the free apron every Kidstir chef gets.
Universal Yums
A Universal Yums subscription box allows your family to taste the unique flavors of the world without leaving your house! A themed box — one new country every month — contains some of the most popular snacks from around the globe, along with plenty of fun and interesting information about the country and each snack’s origins. Subscriptions range from $15-$41 per box, with three different options: a Yum Box (5-7 snacks), a Yum Yum Box (10-12 snacks and bonus content like recipes, trivia, and more), and a Super Yum Box (18-20 snacks and bonus content).
For The Crafty Kid
Pipsticks
We can’t think of a more nostalgic pastime than collecting and playing with stickers, and thanks to Pipsticks‘ monthly sticker subscriptions you can now pass down the joy of scratch-and-sniff and oilies to the next generation. The service is available in versions tailored for Kids and Pros (ages 10+) in two sizes, which gets you 7 (Petite) or 15 sheets (Classic) of whimsical stickers designed in-house or in collaboration with independent artists such as Meri Cherry and The Pigeon Letters.
Each pack comes in a cool holographic pouch alongside a postcard or other paper good to stick your designs on and Pippy, the brand’s zine that’s full of activities, artist profiles and sneak peeks of next month’s mailer. In addition to the month-to-month club, Pipsticks is available in 3-, 6- and 9-month subscriptions for a gift your recipient is sure to be stuck on.
Green Kid Crafts
Not everyone is a walking Pinterest board. If you’re like us and get stuck in the same macaroni necklace rut, have no fears. Green Kid Crafts is an award-winning subscription service that sends kids thoughtfully curated projects centered around environmental and biological themes such as Save Our Oceans, Outer Space, and Human Body Lab. Through each project, kids can learn useful STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) skills while creating something fun.
Each kit includes a magazine with resources and games, craft supplies, and learning activities. Subscribers can upgrade to receive a book with each order. And, keeping in line with the company’s eco-friendly policies, Green Craft Kids has partnered with One Tree Planted to plant a tree with every order. Subscriptions start at $28.95 per month.
For The Bookworms
Little Feminist
Representation in literature matters. Men are overwhelmingly credited with writing America’s favorite books, and books by women and non-binary authors sell for approximately 45% less than books by men. The Little Feminist book subscription highlights stories about girls and women that can inspire a new generation of readers of all genders and break down harmful gender norms.
Little Feminist offers age-appropriate packages for kids ages 0-9 that come in monthly, three-month, six-month, and 12-month subscriptions starting at $19 a month. Each box contains two paperbacks (or two board books for kids 0-3) or one hardcover (one picture book for kids 0-3), as well as a bookmark and discussion questions.
Curio
Curio is an exceptional subscription box service for bilingual kids or those who want to learn new languages. Every three months, readers aged 0-10 will receive books in Spanish, French, or Chinese. Audio recordings, reading guides, word glossaries, and additional learning resources are included so families can come together and get the most out of storytime.
OwlCrate
OwlCrate is an excellent option for older readers who want to stay on top of the latest YA releases. Each month, the service ships out a brand-new novel (we’re talking published-within-45-days-of-shipping new) along with theme-related keepsakes and a letter from the author. Talk about exclusivity!
A Kids Company About
With a variety of diverse authors, the “A Kids Book About” series dives into real and relevant issues — like racism, self-confidence, disabilities, and body image — in an entertaining and easily digestible way that kids can understand. Starting at $15.95 per month for one book, $25.95 per month for two books, or $35.95 per month for three, these subscription boxes have the option of board books for 0-4 year-olds and the “A Kids Book About” series perfect for ages 5-9.
For The Toy-Lover
Loot Crate
Hardcore fans have found a haven in Loot Crate, which specializes in sending curated boxes based on iconic films, shows, anime, games, and horror. Each crate contains toys, collectibles, and clothing — and because Loot Crate has partnered with Marvel, Harry Potter, Sanrio, Nickelodeon, and more, you can bet that the items are legit.
Subscribers can select the crate of their choosing (for example, Loot Game or Loot Sci-Fi) and choose their subscription frequency. (Frequencies vary depending on the box.)
Bubbles & Joy
If bath time has become a struggle in your household, the Bubbles & Joy monthly subscription box filled with a curated assortment of BPA-free and natural bath goods is the antidote you’ve been looking for. The boxes (which can be ordered a la carte) come stocked with things like rubber ducky teething toys, color-changing bath books, bath crayons, aromatic bath bombs that dissolve to reveal animal-shaped sponges, and more. It’s all guaranteed to have kids looking forward to a soak in the tub.
Originally published Dec. 2015
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