Amanda Prahl
Now that we’re well into summer, that first wave of activities for the kids has likely been done to death. Enter, the subscription box. Every month, a new one arrives with fresh activities to keep your young ones both entertained and educated.
No matter what your kids’ interests are—books, science, art, cooking, or you name it—there’s a subscription box out there for it. It can provide them (and you) with a constant stream of new activities and knowledge.
These are among the best on the market for elementary-age children, so check them out and see which ones would suit your family best!
Table of Contents
Best for Music Lovers: Music Library
Music Library is a subscription service that’s exactly what it sounds like. A box for ages 4 and up, it’s designed to introduce young kids to music. Each box includes a book, fun coordinating activity packs, and even some small instruments they can play and use to grasp certain concepts.
Along with the physical contents of the monthly package, each box also includes access to bonus materials online. These supplementary activities include “musical storytime” activities, playlists and worksheets that coincide with each month’s theme, and more.
Best for Book Fans: Literati Kids
Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean kids can’t keep learning and reading! The Literati Kids box is a beloved book subscription service, curated with entertaining and helpful titles for kids. There are six different reading levels for the boxes, so you’re sure to find just the right one for all of your young readers.
You’ll get five books per box, all curated for your child’s areas of interest and with an aim to enhance the learn-to-read experience at appropriate levels. The first level, Club Neo, is for infants and up to age 3, then each successive level covers a three-year age range, all the way up to the final 13+ box.
Best Arts and Crafts: We Craft Box
Arts and crafts are a classic activity, no matter the season. But it’s much easier to take your family’s crafting game to the next level with the We Craft Box. This subscription delivers new themes and activities every month.
It’s the perfect choice to help kids learn new skills, while also giving them enough room to have fun and get creative.
Each box includes all the materials necessary (except for the basics, like scissors or water) for that month’s craft projects. There’s also a fun story to go with each month’s projects and theme, photo instructions for easy how-to’s, and enough supplies for two.
Best Science Experiments: Loop Lab Box
If you’ve got a budding scientist in your home, the Loop Lab Box is the perfect subscription box for summer and beyond. Geared for slightly older kids (around 8 and up), these boxes give them a chance to learn science through doing, with different-themed activities and experiments every month.
Designed to be safe and hands-on, each box’s activities focus on different themes, like “aqua” or “spy” science. They also include guides to learn the principles behind each experiment. All of the experiments are safe enough that minimal adult supervision is required. The supplies all come ready to go, making it super easy to get started any time.
Best for Creativity: KiwiCo
If you’re familiar at all with subscription boxes for kids, you’ve probably heard of KiwiCo, and with good reason: Their crates offer a ton of options with high-quality activities and products. The STEAM-themed boxes for a variety of age groups all focus on that intersection between fun and learning.
The company offers a variety of unique crates for different age groups and interests. For instance, elementary-aged kids might go for an “Atlas Crate” to pique curiosity and exploration. However, ages 9 and older might choose an engineering-themed “Tinker Crate,” or an artistic “Doodle Crate.” There are options for early childhood all the way through high school.
Best for Cooking: KidStir
Get them involved in the kitchen from a young age with these kid-friendly cooking kits from KidStir! With a new theme every month, young chefs will learn the basics of cooking and baking. Plus, they’ll be able to collect recipes and kitchen tools they can continue using after they’ve completed each month’s tasks.
Each box includes three recipes, a shopping list, a kitchen tool or gadget, a magazine, and other fun goodies. This subscription can instill both a love of cooking and curiosity about different flavors. It’s a fun (and delicious) way for kids to get involved in the kitchen.
Best for Techies: BitsBox
Kids today are growing up in a world that’s more technology-saturated than ever before. Give them a chance to explore from a young age with BitsBox. These tech kits for kids ages 6-12 allow them to experiment with coding and produce fun, age-specific apps.
No prior experience is necessary, and each box introduces new technology concepts and projects that allow them to build their own mini-apps that actually work! The Basic option includes coding cards and instructions, but the Deluxe box comes with fun coordinating goodies.
Best for Young Explorers: Little Global Citizens
For kids who are curious about broadening their horizons and learning about the world, look no further than the aptly-titled Little Global Citizens subscription box. Kids can “travel” the world and learn about new cultures via hands-on, authentic activities and books.
Each month’s box includes activities focused on a different country. They come with books, crafts, travel guides, family-friendly recipes, and other projects. All are specifically designed to introduce kids to the authentic history and culture of other countries, without having to leave home.
Subscription boxes are an easy way to keep your kids’ creative juices flowing all summer, and beyond! Wanna get in on the action yourself? Maybe you can solve a mystery!
