If you’re stumped on how to keep your kids entertained or just want a variety of toys and activities delivered straight to your door, subscription boxes can offer a hassle-free solution for busy parents and curious little ones. These tailored boxes for kids are available in a range of themes, from toys and books to DIY craft and STEM kits. The best subscription boxes for kids keep your little ones excited, sneak in a bit of learning and have flexible subscription models. After all, if the box or theme doesn’t pique their interest, it’ll sit unused or pile up in the corner of the playroom (true story). My best overall pick is KiwiCo Crates, because they come in such a diverse range of options and themes, offering something at every age level from babies to teens, and a nice variety of subscription lengths and buying options.
“Subscription boxes can be incredibly helpful, especially for busy parents who want to provide meaningful, screen-free activities without constantly planning them,” says Alanna Gallo, a former educator and founder of Play Thrive Learn. “The right box can spark curiosity, build new skills and support independent play.”
We’ve watched this come true with our own children, too, and some of it depends a bit on personality where a more self-directed kid might rapidly put a subscription box’s contents to use and another child needs more parental prompting to open it and get started on the project within. But if you can find the box that matches your child’s interests, you’ll have exciting, screen-free entertainment on hand for rainy days and other downtimes. After watching our kids play with and explore several types of subscription boxes for kids, find our top picks below.
Our Top Recommendations
- Best Subscription Box For Kids Overall: KiwiCo
- Best Book Subscription Box For Kids: Bookroo
- Best Cooking Subscription Box For Kids: Baketivity
- Best Art Subscription Box For Kids: We Craft Box
- Best Subscription Box For Babies And Toddlers: Lovevery
- Best Subscription Box For Preschool-Age Kids: Little Passports Early Explorers Subscription
- Best STEM Subscription Box For Kids: CrunchLabs
- Best Educational Subscription Box For Kids: Highlights
- Best Baking Subscription Box For Kids: I'm The Chef Too
- Best Clothes Subscription Box For Kids: Stitch Fix Kids
Best Subscription Box For Kids Overall
Boxes For All Ages And Interests
Age ranges: 0 to 18+ | Subscription period options: Monthly, 3 months, 6 months, yearly | Price: Starts at $24 per box
Pros:
- Caters to a wide range of ages and interests
- Lots of STEM learning opportunities
- Can order boxes individually
Cons:
- Projects can be time-consuming
Chances are high that when you ask any other parent about which subscription box to get a child, KiwiCo will be at the top of that list. With a wide range of versatile subscription boxes for every age range and every interest, there’s something for every kid.
Parents we spoke to said they had really engaging sensory toys for the baby and toddler years in the Panda and KiwiCo Koala Crates, while older kids enjoy STEAM-based KiwiCo boxes with increasing more advanced crafting and engineering projects like fiber arts and 3-D Design. Each box comes with easy-to-follow instructions and all the supplies they’ll need to finish each project.
I’ve subscribed to these multiple times for each of my three kids, as have other team members, and all have enjoyed the activities that showed up at our doorstep each month. The only problem is really finding the time to sit down and finish a project from start to finish, so keep that in mind when deciding what frequency you want them to arrive at. If you’re not ready to commit all the way, they also sell crates individually, so you can gift just one here and there. You can also skip months or set up a different cadence of delivery by reaching out to their customer service.
Best Book Subscription Box For Kids
Keep The Joy Of Reading Alive
Bookroo
Age ranges: 0 to 12 | Subscription period options: Monthly, 3 months, 6 months, yearly | Price: Starts at $20 per box
Pros:
- Helps kids discover new books
- Beautifully-designed books look nice on the shelf
- Geared toward specific age/reading level
Cons:
- You could get a book they’ve already read
Whether you have a reluctant reader or a child who devours books, the Bookroo subscription box can help inspire the joy of reading. Each month, kids get a box of beautifully-designed books that are tailored to their age range. Choose from the Board Book Club for ages 0 to 3, the Picture Book Club for ages 3 to 6, the Junior Chapter Book Club for ages 7 to 10 and the Middle Grade Book Club for ages 9 to 12. Each box comes with two books, with the exception of the Board Book Club, which comes with three.
Getting a regular delivery of new books can keep reading fun and new, and it takes some of the mental load off of parents to continually help their kid find new books. Rather than sending classics that you likely already have in your home library, Bookroo focuses on sending hidden gems that you—and your kids—probably haven’t read before.
Best Cooking Subscription Box For Kids
No Last-Minute Run To The Store For Ingredients
Baketivity
Age ranges: 4 to 10 | Subscription period options: 3 months, 6 months, yearly | Price: Starts at $29 per box
Pros:
- Comes with premeasured ingredients
- Option to join a live chef demo
- Requires minimal parental help
Cons:
- Some ingredients not included
Cooking with kids sounds great in theory until you consider all the ingredients, supplies and kid-friendly recipes you need to gather beforehand. Baketivity boxes solve that for you by mailing (almost) all the premeasured ingredients your kid needs to finish a recipe from start to finish. The ones that aren’t included are often things you likely already have in your pantry. The recipes come with full-color step-by-step pictures to make it really easy for them to follow along. There’s also a monthly live online demo they can join to follow along with a real chef.
My 6-year-old and 11-year-old love making these kid-friendly recipes with minimal parental help—which I love—and the end result has always been delicious. Each box also comes with fun activities and trivia that they also fight over. From cake pops to cinnamon rolls to pretzels, each recipe has been creative and engaging.
If you’re looking for more international flavors, BaKIT Box is another excellent option that offers a quarterly subscription or per box purchase that my kids also enjoyed.
Best Art Subscription Box For Kids
Includes Photo Directions
We Craft Box
Age ranges: 3 to 9 | Subscription period options: Monthly, 3 months, 6 months, yearly | Price: Starts at $36 per box
Pros:
- Each box comes with enough for two crafters
- Comes with everything you need to complete the crafts (minus scissors)
- Photo and video instructions included
Cons:
- You can’t choose the themes of your boxes
I love setting my kids up to create cute seasonal crafts, but sometimes it takes a lot of work and preparation. The We Craft Box sends your kids around five crafts that are based on a singular themed story each month. A huge benefit of this box for families with more than one child is that each box comes with enough supplies for two kids to complete the crafts.
With photo and video instructions, it’s possible for kids to complete the crafts independently, though the brand recommends helping younger children. With the exception of scissors, the box comes with everything kids need to complete the included crafts. Each month is different, and past themes have included owls, dinosaurs and Thanksgiving. A wide range of types of crafts and art projects ensures kids won’t be doing the same thing all the time. Some projects in the boxes have included painting, blow art, masks, necklaces and seasonal decorations.
Best Subscription Box For Babies And Toddlers
Beautiful Developmentally Appropriate Toys And Books
Age ranges: 0 to 60 months | Subscription period options: Every two months | Price: $80 per box
Pros:
- High-quality toys that don’t break easily
- Designed to help babies and toddlers meet milestones
- Included caregiver’s guide helps adults support kids during play
Cons:
- More pricey than most other subscriptions
Beautifully curated, filled with developmentally appropriate sensory toys and activities (mostly made of real wood), the Lovevery Play Kits were a hit with every parent with which we spoke. My youngest child used the baby and toddler version of their subscription boxes for the first three years of her life, and we still have some around the house, and others have been lovingly handed down several times over. Likewise, coauthor, Alicia Betz, has a variety of toddler Lovevery boxes that her 7-year-old still plays with.
I love that all of the toys are not only curated by developmental experts, but made with materials like sustainably-sourced wood, organic cotton and water-based paints, free of any chemicals, durable and intended for open-ended play. All of the objects are designed to help them with age-appropriate developmental milestones, and I found them high-quality and aesthetically pleasing. I also appreciated the caregivers’ guide that arrives with each delivery, suggesting ways to engage your baby with the items inside. The addition of a board book covering social-emotional topics in a baby-friendly way in each box was an added bonus.
Both our experts are also fans: “For 0- to 2-year-olds, I’m a big fan of Lovevery. They provide interesting toys with a focus on exploration and sensory play and are developed by developmental experts,” says pediatrician Dr. Whitney Casares.
Best Subscription Box For Preschool-Age Kids
Get Their Global Education Started Early
Age ranges: 3 and up | Subscription period options: Monthly, 6 months, 12 months | Price: Starts at $25 per box
Pros:
- Introduces kids to different customs and cultures
- Includes educational content and activities
- Additional boxes available as they grow
Cons:
- Not as many hands-on activities as some other subscription boxes
Designed for kids ages 3 to 5, Little Passports Early Explorers brings them along on an around-the-world adventure each month. Preschoolers are exposed to different places, foods, customs and more all packaged in an adorable mini suitcase. A box may contain props needed for some imaginative role playing, jigsaw puzzles, maps, stickers and more. It was fun for my preschoolers to receive these and start looking at the globe in our house to try to figure out where each new themed box was “from.”
As a former teacher, coauthor Betz loves that Little Passports kits have so many educational opportunities built-in. Her kids have fun playing with them without realizing that they’re learning about new places along the way, which is so invaluable. In addition to this kit designed for preschool kids, there are plenty of options for older kids, too, including Space Quest and Science Expeditions.
Best STEM Subscription Box For Kids
Easy-To-Follow Projects For Future Engineers
Age ranges: 8 to 14+ | Subscription period options: 3 months, yearly | Price: Starts at $27.45 per box
Pros:
- Introduces kids to engineering through play
- Includes picture-based instructions
- Kids can play with their builds once completed
Cons:
- No options for kids under 8
For curious elementary-school kids and tweens, each CrunchLabs Build Box includes a new build-it-yourself STEM project with clear step-by-step picture directions. Each completed project is designed to be something fun to play with once kids are finished. Projects include a Disc Launcher, a Drawing Machine and a Strobe Light. Kids can also watch online videos hosted by engineer Mark Rober to gain more in-depth information about their project. Older kids who are ready to take it up a notch or teens might prefer the CrunchLabs Hack Pack that ships out a new programmable robot every two months and is designed for ages 14 and up.
“CrunchLabs boxes are fantastic for kids who love to build, tinker and explore real-world science concepts through engaging experiments and engineering challenges. We use them for homeschooling, and the kids have always loved them,” says Gallo.
Best Educational Subscription Box For Kids
Brain-Boosting Activities And Books
Age ranges: 3 to 8 | Subscription period options: Monthly, quarterly | Price: Starts at $15 per box
Pros:
- A variety of options to tailor to child’s level and interests
- Strong learning component
- Helps parents and caregivers support young readers
Cons:
- Limited options for kids over age 8
Whether they’re fans of the Highlights magazines for kids or not, these educationally-themed boxes have an option for every interest: puzzle books or workbooks to supplement their school learnings or to mitigate the dreaded summer slide. The High Five Activity Box, designed for kids 3 to 6, comes every three months and includes a storybook, cognition-building activities, a craft, recipes and more.
“Highlights for Kids offers a great option for preschool and elementary-aged children whose parents want to focus on reading,” says Casares. The I Can Read! Book Club box delivers five reading level-appropriate books each month to keep kids and parents replenished with fresh reading material.
Each Learning Box is themed by grade-level and comes with workbooks they can practice their math, writing, reading and fine motor skills in. Kids who love doing the Highlights puzzles, word searches, hidden pictures and mazes, can sign up for a Puzzle Buzz or Puzzlemania subscription to enjoy more puzzles to solve each month.
Best Baking Subscription Box For Kids
Encourage Independence In The Kitchen
I'm The Chef Too
Age ranges: 4 to 14 | Subscription period options: Monthly, 3 months, 6 months, yearly | Price: Starts at $31 per box
Pros:
- Clear instructions
- Unique themes
- Includes specialty baking supplies
Cons:
- Wet ingredients not included
For aspiring bakers, I’m The Chef Too creates an opportunity to not only create something delicious but also beautiful. Each themed kit includes premeasured dry ingredients along with extras like specialty supplies and a STEM activity. To test how easy the directions are to follow, Betz tasked her 7-year-old with reading and following the directions on her own, and she was able to make the cookies that came in the first box with very little help. The premeasured ingredients helped keep the baking process simple for her. She made construction vehicle cookies, and our kit included cookie cutters, cookie stamps and wheels with cookie holders to make the cookies come to life.
In addition to subscription boxes, you can also purchase themed boxes that cater to your kids’ interests, including Disney’s Frozen Cookie Dough Pops and Erupting Volcano Cakes. According to Betz’s daughter, who helps her test countless toys and products, “this is the awesomest box you’ve ever gotten.”
Best Clothes Subscription Box For Kids
Never Struggle In A Dressing Room Again
Age ranges: 2 to 18 | Subscription period options: Varies | Price: Starts at $12 per item, plus $20 stylist fee/box
Pros:
- Simplifies clothes shopping
- Can send back anything you don’t want
- Choose shipping cadence
Cons:
- If you don’t keep anything from your box, you lose the $20 styling fee
For budding fashionistas or busy parents who just don’t have time to shop for hours with a picky child, kid clothing subscription boxes can be a game-changer. With the Stitch Fix Kids box, kids (or their parents) can take an online quiz just like with the adult version to determine their style preferences, sizes and budget. Each monthly box arrives with 10 pieces of clothing curated just for them. They can try everything on from the comfort of home and send back anything you don’t want to keep and pay for what you do want.
Unlike other boxes, we like that this isn’t a fixed subscription model where you have to receive a box every month or so. Instead, you can select automatic deliveries to come at whatever cadence you want, whether that’s every three weeks or every three to six months. They carry a wide range of name brands and you can send the stylist notes after every shipment to further refine your child’s style and preferences for future boxes. The initial style quiz asks a lot of questions to learn about your child’s preferences, including what types of clothing you’d like to avoid.
To find the best subscription boxes for kids, wed used our firsthand experience as parents, talked to dozens of other parents with kids of varying ages who regularly used subscription boxes and spoke to two experts to get their insights into what parents should consider when trying to select a subscription box for their kids. We kept several factors in mind when narrowing down my list.
We tried to select a variety of subscription boxes that offered options for a wide range of ages from babies to teens (and sometimes beyond.) “Look for boxes that intentionally speak to the safety and level of appropriateness for kids,” says Casares. Be sure to order a box that fits your child’s age or developmental level so that they’re not frustrated by finding what’s inside too challenging. Additionally, for young babies, specific boxes are curated with their safety in mind, too like the toys don’t have small pieces that could be choking hazards.
As parent ourselves, we don’t like being locked into months and months of deliveries when I may already have things piling up, so we considered how flexible and easy it was to cancel, pause or change delivery cadences for each box. If your kids are generally busy with afterschool activities, a less frequent cadence may be preferable, so that unused boxes aren’t just building up around your home. On the other hand, if you have young kids who are home a lot or only attending part-day preschool, you may want a monthly delivery to have an activity to do together. Some subscription box services for kids offer summer-only plans for those weeks when kids have a lot more free time on their hands.
No parent wants to spend precious time online or on the phone trying to figure out how to pause or cancel a subscription, so we tried to pick boxes that made the process straightforward—ideally, with just the click of a button (or email.)
We also considered the learning value each box provided. Most subscription boxes that come with toys, activities or books serve some sort of educational purpose for your kids. Whether it’s helping them develop critical fine and gross motor skills as a baby, developing concepts like cause-and-effect and basic sorting and counting for toddlers, learning to read as a preschooler, or exposing them to new skills, ideas or concepts as older kids, I wanted to make sure the boxes provided some benefit and it wasn’t just a package full of junk arriving each month.
We leaned toward boxes that offered more opportunities for open-ended play or for toys or supplies that would last beyond the one project in the box, increasing the overall value.
We also considered how much each box cost. Many of the brands offer a discount if you choose to pay for a full year or six months upfront versus paying each month as you go along. We also took note of how many pieces, supplies, toys or books came in each box for the per box price that it was and whether it made sense or not.
The baby and kids gear team at Forbes Vetted is dedicated to helping parents find the best products for their kids that also help make their lives easier. As parents ourselves, we’ve spent countless hours testing and researching products, many on our own children.