Inspiring play, making memories and having fun—this is what most of us want when looking for gift ideas for the kids in our lives. From early explorers to tweens, this gift guide features kids' subscription boxes available on the Cratejoy marketplace that include DIY craft kits, high-quality toys, science expeditions, and even intellectually engaging and stimulating STEM projects. And although both boys and girls can enjoy all of the boxes on this list, some were designed with certain children in mind.
Consider the Messy Play Kits box: Although both STEM learning and making a mess are often associated with little boys, this box will be perfect for any child in your life with a wealth of curiosity who doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty. Likewise, the Unicorn Dream BOX is a perfect gift for many of the young girls in your life, but could also make an excellent subscription for any child obsessed with fantasy. Likewise, although the VIP Box of Sensory Toys is designed for children with sensory and processing issues, such as ADHD, the toys can appeal to many different types of children looking to engage with an interactive toy.
In addition to supporting small businesses that make it their mission to create fun and engaging experiences for kids of all different ages, sending monthly mail is a surefire way to make any little one feel special!
DIY Kids Crafts Kit – Award Winning Kids Art and Craft Box
One of the best subscription boxes out there to promote spending quality time with your favorite kiddos is the We Craft Box. Designed for kids ages 3-9 and ideal for siblings, leave the craft prepping to the pros and free up more time to make and create! Easy and stress-free, each monthly box centers around a fun story and a coordinating theme, bringing up to 4 craft kits complete with materials, supplies, and step-by-step instructions.
Shipping: Ships to the U.S. and to select countries starting on the 1st of the month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “I send this as a gift to my great niece and nephew. Reports are that they love this box and can't wait for it to arrive each month. I am so appreciative of crafts and entertainment away from screens. My niece says that the supplies alone are worth the price.Thank you.” – Donna H.
The Preschool Box
Make learning fun and exciting with each monthly delivery of The Preschool Box. Designed for the 3-6 age range, your little ones can get a head start to prepare for school success, while developing the basic building blocks for learning through hands-on tasks, stickers, activity books and more. An instructional learning guide helps parents and caretakers teach them all about phonics, numbers, shapes and colors.
Shipping: Holiday orders ship by December 15th and all additional boxes will ship by the 6th of each month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “This is a phenomenal preschool curriculum! The projects are great, and the box is very well organized and easy to follow. I love it!” – Coleen J.
My First Reading Club
Dedicated to sending age-appropriate books to newborns on up to 12-year-olds, My First Reading Club helps to foster a love of reading while helping kids gain confidence and skill. The product of passionate readers, this book box is filled with a handpicked selection of board books, hardcover picture books, or chapter books, plus an age-appropriate activity book and a small gift for mom, too!
Shipping: Only ships within the U.S. within 2 business days of ordering, with renewals shipping on the 1st of every month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “For the past year, every month we have gotten a box, without fail, and it has been wonderful. My kid loves it and it's a nice variety that is helping us reach that 1000 book goal before kindergarten between library trips. I have recommended this box to everyone I know with little ones.” – April Q.
DIY Kids STEM & Crafts Kit – Award Winning Kids Science and Art Box
Give the kiddos a hands-on craft experience with Green Kid Crafts, a monthly box that brings DIY STEAM projects made from eco-friendly and sustainably sourced materials. One of the best ways to teach kids about science through crafting and creating, Green Kid Crafts offers the Junior box for early learners or the Discovery box for kids between 5-10, for a themed box containing up to 6 activities that feature everything from backyard science to aviation.
Shipping: Ships worldwide from the U.S. within 1 to 4 days of your first order and then monthly after that.
Why Subscribers Love It: “First box was a complete delight for the two 3-year-olds in my care. They were completely engaged with the art/science/exploration materials for several hours. The families appreciated that everything included is recyclable. I loved that everything I needed was in the box and I could see them learning as they played. It's just what I hoped for.” – Tyra M.
Reading Bug Box for Babies & Toddlers
Explore life under the sea, outer space, different countries and so much more through stories from the Reading Bug Box. Early literacy experts have designed a book box for 0-13 year olds that makes sure there's a constant flow of new reading material in their home library. Your little book lover gets a curated mix of 3-4 books (or 5-6 in the sibling box) that has been personalized to your child’s age, reading level and interests.
Shipping: Subscription boxes ship from the United States between the 15th and the 20th of every month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “This is a FANTASTIC box and value. I am so, so impressed at how well these books have been selected for what my girls liked. Really fantastic box!” – Sarah A.
CHIC & UNIQUE
From stickers and stationery to school supplies and eclectic accessories, Chic & Unique is a fun, themed monthly subscription box with one-of-a-kind goodies that encourage your tweens to express themselves. An exciting gift that can help inspire young girls to find what makes them unique, each box brings an assortment of entertaining (and useful) products, all handpicked to let their true selves shine!
Shipping: The first box will ship within five days of your order, with all following subscriptions shipping monthly after that.
Why Subscribers Love It: “Love that they have a theme each month & all the items in the package match the theme are great quality!” – Dinah E.
Little Learners Busy Box
No need to comb the aisles with a shopping list in hand when you can add the Little Learners Busy Box to your cart and send it directly to their front door. Great for on-the-go toddlers (and their parents, too), each monthly box sends a mix of pre-prepped busy boxes, all packed in reusable containers, to create hours of hands-on, interactive play! Be sure to enter in the coupon code for extra savings at checkout.
Shipping: Holiday orders will ship by December 15th, with all following subscription boxes shipping between the 5th and the 8th of each month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “I wish I could leave 10 stars - for each category! We opened our box yesterday & he was asking for it within 10 minutes of being awake this morning! I only gave my 2.5-year-old two of the activities to start with and he LOVED IT! He actually stayed engaged, learned new skills & facts & build confidence. I'm so grateful for all the effort and thoughtfulness the seller puts into each box, they really are helping me be the best Mom I can be.” – Savannah
Toy Box Monthly - 4 to 8 Year Old Kids - Kids Toy Subscription 2023
Anyone who has children in their lives knows just how important play is. For kids, play = life! At the heart of everything from refining their fine motor skills to developing emotional intelligence, send a gift that gives them plenty of playthings to help them learn and grow. Toy Box Monthly ensures that older toddlers and young children have new toys by sending a mix of name-brand goodies that are perfect for 4 to 8-year-olds.
Shipping: Subscription boxes ship from the United States between the 15th and the 20th of each month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “This is a FANTASTIC box and value. I am so, so impressed at how well these books have been selected for what my girls liked. Really fantastic box!” – Sarah A.
VIP BOX OF SENSORY TOYS 💛 4-9 years
Kids with autism, SPD, and ADHD will enjoy the VIP Box of Sensory Toys right from the very first month. Parents, occupational therapists and teachers know that sensory-focused play is beneficial in helping them remain calm, manage mood swings and have fun! Your favorite kiddo can unbox a curated selection of tactile squeeze toys, fidgets, games, and brain teasers that are selected for kids between 4 and 10.
Shipping: The first box ships within 4 business days of your order, and all additional subscription boxes are shipped within the first 10 days of the month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “I have been getting this box for a while now - my now 3-year-old son was diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder and this box has been a game changer for him! He looks forward to his “toy box” every month!” – Kirbi Z.
Messy Play Kits monthly subscription
What is childhood even if it isn't about pouring, fizzing, melting, squishing, and getting things wet? Prepare to let your favorite young kids loose with Messy Play Kits. Those between the ages of 3 and 8 will discover the fun of STEM, sensory play, and arts & crafts with a curated assortment of activities and supplies that encourage imaginative tactile play. FYI, some cleanup is required, but their smiles will be worth it!
Shipping: Holiday orders ship by December 18th, and all additional boxes ship around the 8th of every month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “My son loves this subscription! When we got out of the first box he was so excited to start playing. I ordered this based on the suggestion from someone that he might be acting out because he was sensory seeking. I honestly never thought of the connection, but he seems to not be hitting as much. He plays with it almost daily, and it’s actually kind of fun. He’ll sit in my lap and stick his feet in it, he’ll use the tweezers or get a measuring cup/spoon to scoop out the little treasures, he’ll pour it and run his hands through it. We have the alphabet box and so we’ll discuss the letters and the sounds they make or he’ll pick up a pom pom and we’ll talk about the colors of them and what two colors make another color. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next box holds!” – Tiara B.
Bitsbox
Like a little passport to a world beyond screens, Bitsbox helps get kids involved with the creative side of technology through age-appropriate coding projects. Kids ages 6-12 are walked through the process of creating and building apps all by themselves, using colorful guides and thought-provoking progression. They'll also get a sticker sheet to chart their progress and fun extras!
Shipping: Your first box will be shipped immediately–within 1 business day of receiving your order. All the following boxes will ship monthly.
Why Subscribers Love It: “My son loved it and he really enjoyed the activities in the box! Looking forward to the next box.” – Deann H.
