26 Subscription Boxes That’ll Help Anyone With Bored Kids At Home

Let the fun and learning begin.

1. Green Kid Craft sends educational, environmentally sustainable, do-it-yourself STEAM projects right to your door, to encourage kids to love science and the earth as much as Bill Nye does.

Cratejoy

What you get: Each box is packed with educational, do-it-yourself STEAM magazine science and art projects your kids will adore; and every project uses sustainable materials to encourage healthy recycling habits.

Promising review: "The Ocean Science box we got was full of fun surprises! The kids loved creating the 'ocean in a bottle' project and the 'glowing jellyfish' especially. I liked that so many kits were included and it was a good mix of craft and science kits. The fact that a full-sized map and STEAM magazine were also included made the kids happy and I happy. There are projects that use the entire empty box — in this care into a felt fishing project — is really interesting and spurred discussions on recycling. I love that these unique boxes encourage kids to be creative, think about sustainability, and let parents connect with their children too!" —Patty B.

Get it from Cratejoy for $19.98+/month (available for two age groups).

2. KiwiCo offers activities and projects for kids of all ages, so no matter how young or old your child; they'll have everything they need to play and learn.

KiwiCo

What you get: Each box is curated to focus on specific age groups, and comes with an engaging activity to help your kiddo learn something new. Plus, a portion of every Panda Crate purchase is donated toward child development research.

Get it from KiwiCo: the Panda Crate for ages 0–24 for $39.90 (one crate every two months) or the Maker Crate for ages 14+ for $29.95/month.

3. Slime brings a month's worth of high-quality slime to your door for hours of endless fun!

Cratejoy

What you get: Your child will get three or four high-quality slimes depending on what size you choose, plus themed items and candy.

Promising review: "I bought this as a gift for my daughter who loves all things slime! These boxes are so cute and full of extra little goodies. We've bought slime from everywhere and made our own, so I must admit we are pretty picky, BUT we are THRILLED! There is a description and name of each slime, and not only is the slime amazing, it smells wonderful! My kids have already played for hours and hours, and look forward to many more! I also want to say that the customer service is superb. They are so helpful and quick to reply. I could NOT possibly be happier!" —Brandy

Get it from Cratejoy for $13+/month (available in three sizes).

4. Sensory TheraPLAY is designed for kids on the spectrum and those with sensory needs; so they can have safe, soothing playtime.

Cratejoy

What you get: Each box comes with five to seven sensory items, thoughtfully curated for children ages 5–9 on the autism spectrum, and those with sensory needs.

Promising review: "Finding sensory toys that appeal to autistic children can be difficult. My son enjoys going through each box and playing with the toys we receive. He is never let down as he always finds several toys which he really loves. To add to the wonderful toys provided, information is given on each of the items provided and where to purchase them. Such a wonderful program... highly recommended for all parents." —Jose P.

Get it from Cratejoy for $36.95/month.

5. Elephant Books ships out hardcover books to kids ages 0–6. Your little one(s) won't be able to put these books down, and they'll learn to look forward to their new books each month!

Cratejoy

What you get: Choose from picture books or board books for kids 0–6, and you'll receive two to three recently published hardcover children’s books destined to become childhood favorites!

Promising review: "This gift is fantastic! I'm so happy to have found something that I can send new babies and little kids for their birthday that is truly a special gift and not something that will be outgrown in a month or broken in two days. Books are simple yet sophisticated....and the packaging is way cool. I love this subscription!" —Katherine F.

Get it from Cratejoy for $17.99+/month.

6. Find Your Wings is a monthly subscription for pre-teens packed with nail art, face masks, sparkly toys, and all sorts of goodies they'll adore and look forward to all month long.

Cratejoy

What you get: Each box is packed with craft activities, bath, beauty, and on-trend fashion accessories your tweens will absolutely adore — think nail art kits, face masks, glitter zipper pouches, and more! This subscription packs 10-12 items per box, for wayy below retail value.

Promising review: "My kids LOVE their boxes! I made it a surprise for them so they had no idea they were getting them. When they opened them they had no idea all the fun goodies they would get. This is such a wonderful idea and great concept for a special treat for your kiddos; if they do well on a test you can hold on to it and make it special in that moment! Or a grandparent that wants to send this every month to let them know they are thinking of them. Thank you for making this so cool for my kiddos! Can’t wait till next month!" —Lauren T.

Get it from Cratejoy for $22/month.

7. Little Dreamers Club sends you fun crafts, books, and the supplies you need for one-on-one quality time with your little one.

Cratejoy / Via cratejoy.com

What you get: Each box includes themed craft projects, a top-rated book, a themed badge, extra projects you can make with everyday household items, and all the art supplies to complete your craft projects.

Promising review: "I bought this box for my niece for Christmas — perfect timing for quarantine! I've been getting frequent pictures and she's enjoying all of the crafts. Plenty to keep her busy. I bought a three-box subscription but plan to extend! Thanks Little Dreamers!" —Erica G.

Get it from Cratejoy for $29.99+/bimonthly (available in two age groups).

8. My Box of Magic is a sequential subscription that'll take any budding (or practiced) magician's tricks to the next level.

Cratejoy

What you get: Each month you'll receive a box packed with three to five pieces of quality apparatus, plus bonus tricks online, unique tricks and routines, info on the history of magic and magicians, and secret links to performance and tutorial videos presented by world-renowned magicians!

Promising review: "These boxes of magic are carefully considered and thought out. The packaging is beautiful. The magic is stunning (so much so that I have used some of the pieces in my professional act) and the creativity is overflowing. These boxes are for kids. These boxes are for adults. The magic is STRONG. The ideas are brilliant. I just love, love, love these boxes! They are perfect as a gift for someone that is interested in magic or for the pro that wants to have a shot of creativity injected into their arsenal of magic." —Jonathan L.

Get it from Cratejoy for $70.83/month.

9. Food Stirs delivers family-friendly baking kits with a theme that changes each month so you can make new memories with your kids and enjoy some cookies.

Food Stirs

What you get: This subscription includes organic baking mixes, cutouts, sweet treats, activities, and detailed recipe/instructions so you can make monthly themed goodies that look just like the pictures.

Promising review: "Very nice! It looked just like the pictures when it was done, and it tastes really really good. I have Down syndrome clients and let them do the kit. It was very easy for them to accomplish what the picture showed, and they were ever so proud; so this kit is kid-friendly and good for people with special needs." —Rosie

Get it from Foodstirs starting at $15.26 per kit (choose from one-, three-, six-, or 12-month plans).

10. UnboxBoardom sends out the coolest and newest games to squash boredom from your child's day.

Cratejoy

What you get: Your child will receive a brand-new board game unlike other board games you have at home! Plus for every 10 new subscribers, a game is donated to kids who can't afford their own.

Promising review: "We are a family of board gamers and have owned hundreds of board games so I was skeptical about this box, but the curation was fantastic! We had a choice of three games and none of them were already in our game collection. All five of us had a great time playing the game we chose and we are all looking forward to the next box." —Shann S.

Get it from Cratejoy for $29.99/month.

11. Veggie Buds Club just might get your kids loving and eating their veggies via a fun monthly box of veggie-themed toys, recipes, and activities.

CrateJoy

What you get: Each monthly box is filled with things like arts and crafts supplies, a growing project with seeds, cooking activities, stickers, veggie-themed toys, and more!

Promising review: "We love veggie buds! My son looks forward to their monthly box in the mail. There are games, recipes, crafts, seeds to plant, and more! We love the books that come with it too. He loves watching his veggies grow, and he loves eating them!" —renee

Get it from Cratejoy for $26.99+/month.

12. Girls Can Crate (for ages 5-10) offers your little one a whole month of inspiring learning and fun activities to do that are centered around a new role model each month!

Cratejoy

What you get: Each box includes a new fearless female role model each month, a 20-page Girls Can activity book featuring a woman's story, games, experiments, and more; two to three hands-on activities per box, and creative play props.

Promising review: "I can't begin to tell you the quality of the items in this box. They teach us historical events, geography, math, science experiments, and ways to encourage our girls to achieve by boosting their confidence through knowledge. You need a whole month to dive into all the materials they included in the workbook. My granddaughters were inspired to create and learn and so was I. I will be a long-term Girls Can Crate subscriber." —Lynn

Get it from Cratejoy for $18.50+/month (available in three sizes).

13. Think Outside Boxes is perfect for kids in need of more outside activities and outdoor adventures.

Cratejoy

What you get: This subscription is based on a year-long outdoor curriculum, delivered to your door monthly. Each box comes with a 24+ page education and activity booklet, resource cards, outdoor challenges, and quality gear to help your child blossom.

Promising review: "My son is almost 11 and we love these boxes. He is a bit too introverted for Scouts, but likes to hike with me. We're both learning together with each of the boxes, and look forward to each delivery. They've been a godsend now that we've been stuck at home during mandatory school closure for coronavirus. The booklets have good info with games and projects we do together. He enjoys adding to his backpack every month." —Jessica T.

Get it from Cratejoy for $38/month (available in three backpack colors).

14. My First Reading Club is here to give you loads of fun books and everything else you'll need to get your little one(s) stoked about reading! Any subscription that helps get kids reading is a win in ~my book~.

Cratejoy

What you get: Choose from books from your selection of five different age groups; you'll receive books your little one will absolutely adore, plus an additional activity book every month!

Promising review: "My husband and I gave a six-month subscription of this box to our niece and nephew. They loved it so much we gave them another six months! The books are great, very good variety, and they ship out and arrive in a timely fashion. I would absolutely subscribe again!!!" —Sophie W.

Get it from Cratejoy for $16.99/month.

15. Memories in Moments is an ideal subscription for craft-loving kids who could use a little more pre-planned fun.

Cratejoy

What you get: You'll receive beautifully curated DIY decor, crafts, activities, tabletop supplies, and recipes every other month! Everything you need to complete your activity or craft is inside.

Promising review: "I loved these boxes! I‘ve gotten the Halloween box and the Winter box. They had super manageable, well-prepped and organized activities that were adorable. The recipes and digital plans were amazing resources as well. The style and theme are just what we were looking for to add some fun family time to our holidays! Will definitely buy it again." —Sara H.

Get it from Cratejoy for $41/month.

16. Violette Sticker Club will keep your child well-stocked with bright, beautiful, and fun stickers for the month.

Cratejoy

What you get: Your kid will get full-sized sticker sheets featuring florals, butterflies, animals and all types of contemporary artwork! Each monthly delivery also includes brand-new releases that'll put a smile on any sticker aficionado's face.

Promising review: "You receive an envelope full of sheet after sheet of beautiful, well-detailed stickers. I can't wait to use these on my cards and scrapbooks. Kids are excited to write letters and decorate them too. This is a fun little subscription with so many uses." —Wendy F.

Get it from Cratejoy for $10+/month.

17. Matter is a monthly science subscription that delivers the world's most interesting matter to your door for the whole family to explore. It's part museum, part lab project, and it will keep older kids pleasantly occupied.

Cratejoy

What you get: You'll get four to six items every month (worth $50-60), such as computer chips, fossils, minerals, and detailed explanations for all the objects in the crate. Plus the packaging is 100% recyclable/compostable!

Promising review: "We are beyond satisfied with our subscription. Every box has a handful of real, interesting, educational, stuff. We all love it, from my 5-year-old to my 46-year-old." ⁠—Richard F.

Get it from Cratejoy for $25/month.

18. Black Girl MATHgic aims to increase math confidence and decrease math anxiety in girls on a third- through eighth- grade math level, through positive representation, math lessons, and more.

Cratejoy

What you get: Each month, your child will receive a box containing real-world math lessons and activities, fun educational items, a math affirmation, profile of a woman mathematician, and three to five themed items.

Promising review: "I love this box. I got it for a few months as a gift for my best friend's daughter. They both love it. Not only is it educational and promotes positive racial identity development, but all of the materials are fun and keep her attention really well! She's learned so much!" —Sherin G.

Get it from Cratejoy for $39.95/month.

19. Little Passports will be a blast for adventurous tykes — it'll help kids (and their parents) learn about the world around them.

littlepassports / Via instagram.com

What you get: Each box features two characters that'll "accompany" your kiddo on an exciting worldwide adventure. There are various monthly boxes that coordinate to different age groups (3–5, 6–10, 7–12, and 9+) and come jam-packed with activities to help your little one learn something new about the world.

Get it from Little Passports: World Edition for $17.95 a month or Early Explorers for $19.95 a month

20. The Preschool Box comes filled with monthly interactive preschool activities to keep your kiddo happy and learning at home.

Cratejoy

What you get: Each month you'll recieve fun, simple activities that focus on teaching your child beginning phonics skills, counting, shapes, colors, and writing; with a variety of hands-on activities and games.

Promising review: "I wish I could give more than 5 stars. My daughter was so excited to learn and do all of the activities. Everything is perfectly organized and explained on what to have your child do. I love this so much!" —Shandelle C.

Get it from Cratejoy for $29.16+/month.

21. Unicorn Dream Box is hands down the best box out there for unicorn-lovers of all ages! I feel more sparkly just looking at it.

Cratejoy

What you get: Your child will get up to 15 (depending on your box size) unicorn-themed (think unicorns, rainbows, sparkles) items such as stuffed animals, stickers, unicorn educational flashcards, coloring books, jewelry, and tons more!

Promising review: "I get this box for my youngest daughter and she is always so thrilled when she gets it in the mail! Stuffed animals, pens, stickers, headbands...she has received so many things that she just absolutely loves!" —Alysha W.

Get it from Cratejoy for $22+/month (available in three sizes).

22. Escape The Crate offers a monthly "escape the room" game that'll keep teens and kids as entertained as can be. Goodbye, boredom!

Cratejoy

What you get: Each box comes with ciphers, letters, sleuthing tools, puzzles, and other items to build the vibe of an escape room at home. Every other month comes with a different traveling adventure.

Promising review: "Escape the Crate is incredible. The production value, the feel of being in an escape room, the amount of content, the labor that must go into creating each box...it is absolutely worth the cost. I'm continually impressed with the creativity that goes into making each box unique. And the fact that they made them reusable is an added bonus. I love this product. I could not recommend more highly." —Don T.

Get it from Cratejoy for $26.50/bimonthly.

23. Prime Book Box encourages kids of all ages to love reading with hardcover children's books for under $20 a box!

Amazon

What you get: Each box includes two hardcover children's books. The books are 40% off list price, and you can choose the age group — from baby books all the way to age 12 — for a fabulous story time!

Get it from Amazon for $16.99 a box.

24. STICKII Club is a highly adorable and affordable subscription that kids won't be able to get enough of.

Cratejoy

What you get: Choose from cute, retro, or pop stickies, and your child will get five or more sticker sheets, one bag of sticker flakes, and sometimes an extra stationery item per box.

Promising review: "I have been a member for over a year now. I really enjoy receiving my Retro pack, and I can also send an email to change my pack when I want to try the other packs each month. This is a great company to work with, and they send you a spoiler in advance to see if you want to select other packs you may want. Great customer service also." —Ellen

Get it from Cratejoy for $10/month.

25. Superpower Academy makes learning fun with their monthly missions, narratives, games, and projects for your little one(s). They'll look forward to this box every month!

Cratejoy

What you get: Your kiddos will get a fun and engaging box that combines SELL (Social-Emotional Learning and Literacy) with monthly secret missions! These hands-on missions include projects, comic books, and stories of real heroes. This box promotes a mindfulness mindset and helps kids build skills like resilience, courage, and empathy.

Promising review: "BRILLANT! I had high expectations when I purchased this as Christmas gifts for my two nieces (ages 5 and 6) and nephew (6). I wanted to give them something different. The lessons are deliberate and packaged as fun they can identify with. Who wouldn’t want to be their own superhero? The kids (three different families) constantly send me videos of their projects and their parents all tell me it is the one gift they have been going back to after all the Christmas excitement has settled. The boxes are fun and unique. I love the learning that it's given the kids. As they’ve told me, 'Superheroes have feelings too!' This is a perfect product for modern times and will be my 'go-to' gift from here on out." —Celeste C.

Get it from Cratejoy for $29.58/month.

26. And Little Bookish Wardrobe is an adorable book club for little ones who want to play dress up in accordance with their new favorite book.

Cratejoy

What you get: Your little one will get age-appropriate books, an accompanying dress-up costume and accessory, and hands-on games that they will love! This subscription encourages reading, crafting, and using the imagination.

Promising review: "I bought a subscription for my 5-year-old granddaughter and she is thrilled every month when her box arrives. She loves dress-up and books and this is a wonderful combination of the two. I am very impressed with the high quality of the items in the boxes. My granddaughter continues to act out the stories over the next few weeks and insists on saving the props in the original box! I've been an early childhood educator for over 30 years, with a special interest in play-based programs. The Little Bookish Wardrobe celebrates children's imaginations while promoting literacy and a love of books. I highly recommend it!" —Laura S.

Get it from Cratejoy for $30.24/month.

When your kid opens up their subscription box:

@spongebob / Via Giphy

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.