Best STEM Subscription Boxes for Kids: Hands-On Reviews

STEM subscription boxes are a fun and engaging way for kids to learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. You can think of these subscription-based kits as mini classrooms sent straight to the home, giving children a hands-on approach to learning. Each month, they receive a new box filled with STEM activities and projects designed to pique their curiosity and develop critical thinking skills.

Why subscription boxes? Well, I’m glad you asked!

It isn’t easy to plan regular STEM activities with your family. Maybe you’ve tried different science experiments, or planning and shopping for all the material is too time-consuming. Well, STEM subscription boxes are the easiest way to bring fresh STEM activities or experiments into your home.

As you probably know, there’s no shortage of subscription boxes! My kids have put together dozens of subscriptions in our search for the best one.

Here’s what you can look forward to. You’ll find general STEM activities, robotics, coding, science boxes, and more. In this article, I’ll go over the best STEM subscriptions out there for each category.

Best Overall STEM Subscription Boxes for Kids

These boxes switch it up every month! They are a great way to find activities that range from engineering to science to technology. If you’re looking for a box packed with various STEM activities, all of these are a great option!

1. Kiwi Crate

At just $20/month, Kiwi Crate is GREAT! Hands-on STEM activities arrive at your doorstep every month. Plus, every box includes a lesson so your kids understand the skills or principles taught through the activity.

The activities vary each month so that you won’t get bored. You’ll find some more focused on engineering (like building a catapult) while others have a science (like replicating constellations with fiber optic lights.)

KiwiCo offers eight different subscriptions for different ages. Our family received KiwiCrate, which is designed for ages 5 to 8. But you can find a subscription for every age – they have 8 different subscriptions, each with a different age & activity focus.

Use code SHARE30 for 30% off your first box!

I can’t say enough good things about KiwiCo, and they offer so many STEM experiments for every age. I can’t cover it all here, but If you want a deeper look into KiwiCo, please check out my full hands-on review of KiwiCo here.

Age: 3+

2. Mel Science

Mel Science is on top when it comes to straight science subscriptions. This, along with KiwiCo, are the last two subscriptions my family would ever put on pause.

Mel Science is for kids who absolutely LOVE science!

This might be a little too “hardcore” for kids who lean towards artistic interests instead of science. The experiments are in-depth and a little more involved when setting them up. But if your child’s interests lean toward science, Mel Science is perfect for them.

Along with the STEM subscription, you’ll get access to their detailed instructions and online resources when you sign up.

They have something for everyone, with a wide range of interests and age groups. You can find my full review of Mel Science here.

Take a look at everything Mel Science offers here.

3. Green Kid Crafts

This is the STEM subscription box for your nature and art-loving kid! 

It’s the perfect combination of science and art delivered to your door every month. I have a hands-on review here, so you can see how my kids integrated with this Green Kid Crafts subscription.

Example projects include making bird feeders or a safari-themed box. 

What makes them especially awesome is that they plant a tree too, for every purchase. It’s a win-win for everyone! 

Get 50% off your first month with the code GET50.

Age: 4-12

4. Curiosity Box

Curiosity Box provides a different take on STEM subscription boxes.

In these subscription boxes are mesmerizing science toys, brain-busting puzzles, and exclusive T-shirts made for Curiosity Box customers.

Every item is hand-selected by the creators of Vsauce, the award-winning science education network with over 3 billion video views.

It is NOT a monthly subscription like most STEM boxes. They are seasonal.

You can find our hands-on review here. Or you can check out the Curiosity Box site for more information here.

Make sure to use coupon code BRAINFOOD for 10% off a quarterly or annual subscription. 

5. lovevery

Lovevery is an educational subscription to help your child develop their brain through stage-based play. Experts design these kits for young children.

There are many subscriptions for kids of all ages, but I like that they focus on babies to toddlers; that’s their specialty.

• Made for Learning: They design their products with a team of experts, academics, researchers, and specialists to make sure they are exactly what your child needs and loves.
• Stage-Based Play: These are award-winning play products to support brain development for each stage of learning.
• Thoughtfully Crafted: All of their material is sustainable, organic, and natural.

You can find everything Lovevery offers on their site here.

You can find my full review here and check out how my toddler integrated with everything in the box.

6. Little Passports Science Expeditions 

Little Passports’ main box offers kids a little different. This STEM box is for kids who want to explore the world! Other cultures, new regions of the world, and finding out how people live worldwide.

Little Passports offers 3 different boxes for different age groups, but if you’re looking for a box for older children, their science box is a great option! The Science Expeditions box is ideal for 9 & up.

Each month, you’ll receive a fun science or engineering activity! You can subscribe directly to their site here.

Little Passports offers a ton of options, and I show them all in my review with my kids going through them. You can also take a look at my hands-on review with my son here.

My kids still say that Little Passports and Atlas from KiwiCo are some of their favorites. You can’t go wrong with either of these, but I have a full breakdown putting Little Passports and KiwiCo Atlas head to head.

Age: 9 & up

7. KiwiCo Atlas

KiwiCo Atlas Crate is a monthly subscription service that aims to foster curiosity and creativity in children aged 6 to 11. Each crate is a world of discovery packed with immersive activities that allow children to learn about diverse cultures and countries across the globe. The activities are thoughtfully designed to be engaging, interactive, and educational, allowing children to explore, create, and learn.

From Japan to Brazil to Egypt, the activities in the Atlas Crate are inspired by the culture and traditions of different regions of the world. The diverse activities range from crafting traditional art pieces to exploring landmarks and monuments to trying out new cuisines.

My kids loved the materials’ quality, the activities’ educational value, and how they encouraged her to think and learn creatively. She still sleeps with the sloth stuffed animal on her bed frame.

All in all, KiwiCo Atlas Crate is a fun and exciting subscription service for families looking to expose their children to different cultures and countries worldwide.

You can find our full review of KiwiCo Atlas Crate here.

If you’re interested in learning more about KiwiCo Atlas Crate, including current pricing and subscription options, you can click on the following link to be redirected to their website.

Age 8 & up.

8. Womple Box

Womple Box is a culture subscription box that lets your kids explore the world without ever leaving home.

Each month, you’ll receive a box focused on exploring a country. Kids will learn about the country through activities, maps, books, and interactive session plans.

You can find my hands-on review with my kids here.

Check out more on the Womple site here.

Age: 6 & up

9. Girls Can! Crate

Girls Can! Crate boxes include an activity or STEM project alongside a book about a famous woman in history, making it a great education subscription that combines STEM & history.

These aren’t just for girls, but having a daughter who loves hands-on experiments, I love that some of these monthly subscriptions really push for girls to learn STEM.

10. Genius Box

Genius Box is a well-balanced STEM subscription for kids.

Most educational subscription boxes focus on one subject, such as science, engineering, or physics. The Genius Box approach is a practical subscription box for kids that touches on four main subjects.

If I had to fit Genius Box into a category, they lean on engineering more than anything else. The kit my son reviewed focused on making structures and engineering lessons.

You can find my hands-on review with my kids here.

Check out more on the Genius Box site here.

Age: 6 & up

11.  Preschool Box

This is another one for younger kids that my toddler loved!

What separates The Preschool Box from other educational subscriptions is the schedule. Boxes are broken down into four courses. Each lesson works into the next.

This helps keep all the STEM activities fresh for younger kids who get bored quickly. Along with letters, numbers, and other learning activities are art projects. The Preschool Box really put the “A” in STEAM education!

You can check the current price of The Preschool Box here. You can find our review here if you’d like to see all the STEAM projects my son did.

12. Groovy Lab in a Box

With Groovy Labs, kids are encouraged to think like engineers!

These hands-on activities involve following the engineering design process. Activities have included creating your own guitar or marble runner.

You can check out my full hands-on review here, with my eight-year-old son.

(You can also get 20% off your first month with the coupon code: GROOVY GLOBE.

Ages: 5-12

Best STEM Subscription Boxes to Teach Kids Code

Next up – let’s look at those stem discovery boxes that focus on teaching kids to code. Many of these kits aren’t simply programming on a computer. They are teaching kids the logic patterns that they would need as a programmer. These are the perfect gift for young minds interested in STEM concepts.

13. BitsBox

This Boulder, CO startup was founded by two ex-Googlers looking to teach their own children how to code.  

It combines both physical activities and the computer to give a child a well-rounded approach to how code works. Your kids will learn how to think like a programmer with this box! 

Each month you receive a box with dozens of coding projects, ranging from simple to more advanced. You then log in to the Bitsbox website to begin building the app. The app can be shared and played with on any mobile device or computer with a web browser. We loved the characters and themes of the games and kit!

If you have done other programming apps with your children, most are graphical. This eliminates any syntax errors and is generally easier for kids who are slower to type. However, Bitsbox is typing-based, which may make it frustrating for younger children who are slower to type.

Bitsbox uses JavacScript syntax. (But you, as the parent, don’t need to know anything about code to guide your kids through the activity!) 

This is my favorite STEM box with a coding focus.

You can subscribe directly to their site or manage your subscription through CrateJoy.

Ages: 6-12

14. Creation Crate

The Creation Crate is a combo programming and electronics subscription box for kids.

With the Electronics + Programming kit, you’ll be programming an Uno R-3 (essentially a slimmed-down Raspberry Pi model).

Ages: 12+

Best Science Subscription Boxes

Do you have a future scientist in your midst? These subscription boxes are focused on science experiments and activities.

14. Spangler Science Club

There are so many ideas for science experiments on Pinterest. But let’s face it. Actually, coordinating and making them happen is difficult.

Spanger Science Club is a great subscription box for monthly science experiments right to your door. Make play-dough, slime, volcanos, and so much more!

Plus — it’s affordable. You can get the starter kit for just $15/month – making it the least expensive subscription on our list. Most of the kits were for one-time use. But I’d say an afternoon of fun experimenting for $15 is well worth it!

See the Spangler Science Club kit here.

Age: 5-12

15. Club SciKidz

SciKidz subscription boxes are unique in focusing on a specific scientific career in each box. One box may focus on veterinarian sciences and another on astronomy. (You can view all of their past boxes here!)

The company also offers STEM camps, so while I haven’t tried this particular box personally, I trust they know what kids love while learning!

You can find Club SciKidz here.

Age: 5-12

16. The Young Scientist Club

Monthly science kits that are all Magic School Bus-themed. With this subscription box, Ms. Frizzle will take your kids on a scientific adventure every month.

You can find all the information on The Young Scientists Club box here.

Ages: 5-12

17. Raddish Kids

While not exactly science, there’s plenty of chemistry going on in the kitchen. At $20 a month with a subscription, this is a great kit to get your little ones interested in learning in the kitchen.

We recently did a full review with my kids, and they loved it! Each month in, your Raddish Kids subscription box will include a cooking theme. The subscription box includes kitchen tools that go along with kids’ recipe guides.

The guides are printed on trifold cards that are heavily laminated; in case anything gets spilled on them, the cards can be wiped clean, which is bound to happen when cooking with littles.

For $20 off of the 12-month subscription, use the CHEF20 coupon code.

Wrapping Up Best Educational Subscriptions for Kids

Find a subscription box your family will love! If STEM doesn’t seem like the right fit for your family right now, know that there are plenty of other educational boxes out there.

Here at STEM Education Guide, we really want to help parents, families, and teachers learn how to have a healthy relationship with technology. These boxes are great activities for “screen-free” time while still learning STEM skills.

Overall, if you’re just looking for your first STEM box and want to figure out what kind of activities your kids love most, go for a KiwiCo box. It’s an affordable option with a lot of variety.

If you know your kids love science experiments and want to focus on a science subscription box, start with Mel Science.

And most importantly – have fun!