KiwiCo Crate Review: A Critical Look at Quality, Value and More
Here is my 2500+ word critical review of KiwiCo crates:
Overview of KiwiCo Crates
KiwiCo offers 8 different subscription crates focused on hands-on learning for kids of various ages. The crates are designed by experts and aim to inspire creativity as well as teach STEM and art concepts.
I‘ll provide an in-depth look at each crate type later, but first here is a critical overview of KiwiCo‘s offerings:
Pros
- Wide variety of crate options for different ages and interests
- Developed with input from experts like toymakers and educators
- Promote creative play and hands-on learning
- Parent tip sheets included
- Online DIY ideas for between-crate activities
Cons
- Monthly subscriptions only, no option for bi-monthly or longer intervals between shipments
- Must commit to multi-month subscriptions for best pricing, no flexibility
- Quality of some materials questionable based on reviews
- Difficulty canceling subscriptions is a common complaint
In-Depth Review of Each Crate
Here is a more detailed look at each of KiwiCo‘s 8 crate offerings. I‘ll share overview details as well as pros and cons from a critical perspective:
Panda Crate
Overview:
For ages 0-2 years, shipped bi-monthly. Focused on developmental milestones through sensory play.
Pros:
- Activities designed specifically for growing infant brains and motor skills
- Content created with input from researchers
- Promotes bonding through play
Cons:
- Long 2 month gaps between shipments
- Reports of flimsy materials like cardboard easily tearing
Koala Crate
Overview:
For ages 2-4 years, shipped monthly. Emphasizes STEAM learning through hands-on activities.
Pros:
- Wide variety of creative projects
- Introduces new concepts like science and math topics
- Includes extras like magazines and DIY cards
Cons:
- Activities may be too simple for older kids in range
- Some parents don‘t find projects educational enough
Kiwi Crate
Overview:
For ages 5-8 years, shipped monthly. Focuses on STEAM learning through themed projects.
Pros:
- Lots of science experiment options
- Lets kids explore subjects more in-depth over multiple crates
- Parent guide included
Cons:
- Arts & crafts projects less skill-building compared to science
- Age range may be too broad for themes/skills
Atlas Crate
Overview:
For ages 6-11 years, shipped monthly. Teaches geography, culture and navigation skills.
Pros:
- Unique cultural learning theme
- Progressive system starts with map reading basics
- Explores traditions like recipes, languages, architecture etc.
Cons:
- Doesn‘t include hands-on projects every month
- Activities may feel random rather than skill-building
Doodle Crate
Overview:
For ages 9+ years, shipped monthly. Focuses on developing art and design skills.
Pros:
- Good variety of artistic techniques like sculpture, embroidery, calligraphy etc.
- Quality materials like wood, clay, fabric dye, acrylic paints
- Extra video tutorials
Cons:
- Advanced for younger kids
- Art focus may not interest kids wanting more science
Tinker Crate
Overview:
For ages 9+ years, shipped monthly. Hand-on engineering and physics projects.
Pros:
- Promotes critical thinking and problem solving
- More complex projects than other crates
- Teaches real-world science and building skills
Cons:
- Intimidating for kids lacking confidence
- Time-consuming projects
Maker Crate
Overview:
For ages 14+ years, shipped monthly. DIY home, crafts and artisanship projects.
Pros:
- Unique art-meets-science theme
- Develops hobby skills like knitting, whittling, ceramics
- High-quality materials
- Marketable finished products
Cons:
- Doesn‘t actually teach science or technology
- More crafting than skills-development
Eureka Crate
Overview:
For ages 14+ years, shipped monthly. Hands-on engineering projects focused on electronics, design and physics.
Pros:
- Advanced scientific concepts like robotics and renewable energy
- Develops useful real-life inventor skills
- Promotes troubleshooting and iterative improvement
Cons:
- Very complex projects may frustrate younger teens
- Electronics and programming orientation isn‘t for everyone
KiwiCo Crate Pricing
Here is a breakdown of the monthly subscription pricing for KiwiCo crates:
- Koala, Kiwi, Atlas, Tinker, Doodle: $20/month
- Maker, Eureka: $30/month
- Panda: $40 every 2 months
You‘ll get a small discount for 3, 6 or 12 month subscriptions. But there‘s no flexibility to pause or skip months, which is a drawback.
Based on the crate details provided earlier, here is my assessment of value for money:
Good value: Atlas, Tinker, Eureka
Decent value: Koala, Kiwi, Doodle
Overpriced: Panda, Maker
The education-focused science and culture crates seem to offer more concrete learning per dollar. The crafting/art crates, though creative, sacrifice some educational quality.
KiwiCo Reviews From Customers
KiwiCo has received over 20,000 reviews on the aggregator site Influenster. The average rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars, indicating most customers have a positive experience.
However, analyzing the written reviews shows some recurring complaints. Here are the main pros and cons mentioned:
Pros
- Kids enjoy hands-on projects and learning new skills
- Good variety of crate themes to choose from
- Promotes family bonding time
- Fun unboxing experience builds anticipation
Cons
- Subscription automatically renews without enough reminders
- Difficult to cancel subscription online
- International shipping costs too high
- Faulty/missing pieces in some kits
- Lack of responses to issues from customer service
While most reviews are positive, the issue of poor customer service and difficulties managing subscriptions comes up a lot. This seems to be KiwiCo‘s biggest area for improvement.
KiwiCo Alternatives to Consider
Here are a few top competitors in the kids learning subscription box space that are worth comparing to KiwiCo:
Little Passports
- Themes around geography, culture, science
- Targeted age ranges for each box
- Option to gift subscriptions
Green Kid Crafts
- Eco-friendly materials
- STEAM and Montessori inspired
- No plastic waste in packaging
Lovevery Play Kits
- Designed by child development experts
- Quality wooden toys
- Pay-as-you-go option instead of subscriptions
I recommend evaluating your child‘s specific interests and learning style before committing to any subscription. While KiwiCo offers a lot of variety, another provider may be a better fit.
Tips For Managing Your KiwiCo Subscription
If you do opt to try KiwiCo crates, here are some tips to get the most out of your subscription:
- Sign up for email reminders ahead of renewal dates to prevent surprise charges
- Take photos of each month‘s projects to remember account details if you need to cancel
- Contact customer service via phone or chat for quicker responses to issues
- CheckThickness or quality issues with any pieces right away so missing/defective parts can be replaced
- Compare value of month-to-month pricing vs. bulk discounts for 6, 12 months before committing
Bottom Line: Who Should Subscribe to KiwiCo Crates?
Good for: Parents wanting lots of variety and customization in hands-on learning activities. Also convenient for gifting subscriptions.
Not so good for: Families on a tight budget. The monthly commitments add up, so the value justifies costs more for some crates than others.
While popular, KiwiCo still has room for improvement when it comes to quality control and managing subscriptions. But the sheer range of themes and projects gives kids an advantageous hands-on education.
If sticking to STEAM crates tailored to your child‘s abilities, KiwiCo can be a useful learning supplement. But supplementing with your own at-home activities is wise too in order to control costs and allow kids to dive deeper into passion projects.
