If you’re looking for a unique, fresh, and fun gift for a child in your life, it can be difficult to find. Sure, it’s easy to just run to the local toy store and grab the latest trending toy, but you know that interest for that will likely fade as quickly as it peaked. Maybe you want to find a more meaningful item that educates as much as it entertains. Enter subscription boxes for kids.
Our Editors' Favorite Subscription Boxes For Kids
The gift that keeps on giving
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How do subscription boxes work?
Just like their adult counterparts, subscription boxes arrive in the mail each month and are filled with new and exciting products, projects, and pieces for kids to explore and discover. With a subscription box, you can give your child the excitement and joy of receiving snail mail and opening a brand new gift every single month. What child (or adult, for that matter) doesn’t want that?
As far as subscription boxes for kids are concerned, the offerings are widely varied and diverse. You can get almost anything from educational boxes to clothing and food boxes. There’s something to suit almost any child’s interests and hobbies. We’ve taken the liberty of sorting through dozens of different subscription box options and have listed our favorites and why we like them. Selections are based on the content of the boxes, price, and the company’s reputation for delivering high-quality items that really give you some bang for your buck.
What should you know before signing up for a kids subscription box?
- Price: There is a subscription box to suit almost any budget. Prices can vary between $17 per month upwards of $100 per month, depending on what you get.
- Renewal terms: Some subscriptions renew annually and some renew quarterly, so be sure to check particular terms prior to signing up.
- Theme: When choosing a great subscription box for a child, consider their interests and hobbies to ensure you’re getting something that he or she will truly love. Don’t buy a clothing subscription box for a kid who loves reading.
- Frequency: Consider the added level of clutter that items in a subscription box could add to your home; getting products in the mail every month can accumulate quickly.
For more gift ideas for kids, check out our recommendations for the best science kits, kitchen playsets, family board games, and educational video games for PS4 & Nintendo.
Our Top Picks
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Pros
- Suitable for a wide age range
- Promotes outdoor activity
- Plenty of billing options
Cons
- Somewhat pricey
- Not all activities are suitable for all climates
Product Snapshot
Each box from Think Outside comes with a theme that’s designed to get your child outside exploring and off the couch. New members receive fun perks like a free backpack and water bladder. Each subscription starts with a special “Intro Box” that offers key first aid, navigation, weather preparedness, wildlife information, and more. Each monthly box features 3-5 outdoor gear items, activities, outdoor education, reference cards, and more.
Specs
- Age
- 7-16 years old
- Billing Frequency
- Monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually
- Shipping Cost
- Free inside the U.S
Where to Buy
Pros
- Great variety
- Affordable
- Several different subscription terms
Cons
- Somewhat limited age range
- Some crafts may be too young for older kids
Product Snapshot
Kids can explore and develop their creative and artistic skills with monthly themed boxes from KiwiCo. Themes include crafting boxes, faux leather projects, handmade soaps, and much more. Boxes also come equipped with full-color instruction booklets that include history and design inspirations, as well as online videos and tutorials all meant to expand and hone creative ideas and skillsets.
Specs
- Age
- 9-16 years old
- Billing Frequency
- Monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually
- Shipping Cost
- Free inside the U.S
Where to Buy
Best Food Exploration Subscription Box For Kids
America’s Test Kitchen Young Chef’s Club
Manufacturer :
America’s Test KitchenWhere to Buy
Pros
- Promotes confidence and skill development in the kitchen
- Encourages children to explore different foods that they may not be exposed to otherwise
- Affordable
Cons
- Boxes don’t come stocked with food; you have to purchase it separately
- Food preparation requires adult supervision and can be time-consuming
Product Snapshot
Themed boxes from America’s Test Kitchen arrive the first week of each month and include recipes and meal suggestions that have been hands-on tested by more than 5,000 other kids across the country. Boxes include recipes, grocery lists, kitchen technique how-to’s, creative and hands-on projects, activities, and games, and fun and useful physical kitchen-related items. Boxes encourage cooking creativity with the “Make It Your Way” challenge for kids. You also get unlimited access to a vast online library of recipes and educational materials.
Specs
- Age
- 6-12 years old
- Billing Frequency
- Monthly, semi-annually, annually
- Shipping Cost
- Free inside the U.S
Where to Buy
Pros
- An in-depth questionnaire helps the company learn about what your child really likes
- No subscription required
- A great opportunity for kids to try clothing they might otherwise overlook
Cons
- Can be quite pricey
- Kids may end up keeping items they don’t actually wear, but you still pay for
Product Snapshot
Kids receive highly customized boxes of clothing and accessories from Stick Fix every 1, 2, or 3 months, depending on your preference. You have three days to review and return any unwanted items. Boxes include anywhere from 8-12 hand-picked items. You can set your desired cost range for each item and only pay for what you choose to keep.
Specs
- Age
- 2-18 years old
- Billing Frequency
- Every 1, 2, or 3 months
- Shipping Cost
- Free inside the U.S
Where to Buy
Pros
- Well-rounded content
- Encourages exploring different book genres
- Children can choose to gift or share books with their friends
Cons
- Somewhat pricey
- Several books may not appeal to all readers
Product Snapshot
Themed monthly boxes from OwlCrate include multiple books geared toward a somewhat higher reading level. Books are thoughtfully chosen with the intention of making your young child a confident and independent reader. Boxes also include fun accessories such as bookmarks, stickers, pins, interactive activity books, and more. There’s also an option for older children who are ready for more young adult themes.
Specs
- Age
- 8-12 years old
- Billing Frequency
- Monthly, quarterly, semi-annually
- Shipping Cost
- $8.99 per box within the U.S
Where to Buy
Compare
Best Overall Subscription Box For Kids
Best Artsy Subscription Box For Kids
Best Food Exploration Subscription Box For Kids
Best Clothing Subscription Box For Kids
Best Reading Subscription Boxes For Kids
Pros
Pros
Pros
Pros
Pros
Pros
- Suitable for a wide age range
- Promotes outdoor activity
- Plenty of billing options
- Great variety
- Affordable
- Several different subscription terms
- Promotes confidence and skill development in the kitchen
- Encourages children to explore different foods that they may not be exposed to otherwise
- Affordable
- An in-depth questionnaire helps the company learn about what your child really likes
- No subscription required
- A great opportunity for kids to try clothing they might otherwise overlook
- Well-rounded content
- Encourages exploring different book genres
- Children can choose to gift or share books with their friends
Cons
Cons
Cons
Cons
Cons
Cons
- Somewhat pricey
- Not all activities are suitable for all climates
- Somewhat limited age range
- Some crafts may be too young for older kids
- Boxes don’t come stocked with food; you have to purchase it separately
- Food preparation requires adult supervision and can be time-consuming
- Can be quite pricey
- Kids may end up keeping items they don’t actually wear, but you still pay for
- Somewhat pricey
- Several books may not appeal to all readers
Age
Age
Age
Age
Age
Age
7-16 years old
9-16 years old
6-12 years old
2-18 years old
8-12 years old
Billing Frequency
Billing Frequency
Billing Frequency
Billing Frequency
Billing Frequency
Billing Frequency
Monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually
Monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually
Monthly, semi-annually, annually
Every 1, 2, or 3 months
Monthly, quarterly, semi-annually
Shipping Cost
Shipping Cost
Shipping Cost
Shipping Cost
Shipping Cost
Shipping Cost
Free inside the U.S
Free inside the U.S
Free inside the U.S
Free inside the U.S
$8.99 per box within the U.S
FAQ
Can I cancel a box subscription?
Many customers may shy away from the commitment of a subscription box for kids. What if they don’t like it or use it as much as you thought? Most companies offer short-term subscriptions that allow you to try them out without having to commit to a full year of box delivery. With monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual commitment options, most subscription box services offer a hassle-free way to explore their offerings.
Some companies have even begun to offer a one-time box purchase that lets you get a feel for the product and see whether you feel it’s really worth the investment or not without locking yourself into a subscription at all. This is a great way to assess several different companies if you’re unsure which one will suit your child best.