Chances are, your plans for the summer of 2020 are looking very different than you hoped just a few short months ago — for you, and for your kiddos. With schools and camps closed due to the pandemic, kids need something special to do. While socially distant playdates will help them get the social connection they're craving, don't forget about the power of a good old-fashioned crayon — or a new-fashioned custom kids craft subscription box — to spark their creativity, inspire them, and fill their days.
Here are a few of our favorites to try.
Best Art Boxes and Craft Kits for Kids
1. We Craft Box
Price: Starts at $25.00/month; use code GETCRAFTY5 at checkout to get $5 off your first order
What's Included: We Craft Box's unique, monthly theme is accompanied by a story about the crafts your kids will take part in. This monthly box is a complete creative unit including all the materials needed to share between two children. Three or more crafts are included, alongside step-by-step photo instructions for a hassle-free creative experience. We Craft Box is curated for kids ages 3-9 years. It also makes a perfect present—send as a gift and the first box will include a personal message from you!
Shipping: Ships in the US on the 1st of each month
2. STICKII Club
Price: Starts at $10.00/month
What's Included: For kids who love stickers and stationery, it doesn't get any better than STICKII Club. Each box contains "the world's cutest stickers" and stationery in any of three styles: Cute, Retro, or Pop. STICKII Club also features a new theme every month. These stickers are perfect for decorating journals, cards, and envelopes or simply just to collect them!
Shipping: Ships in the US on the 11th of every month
3. Paletteful Packs
Price: Starts at $22.95/month; use code 10HOORAY at checkout to get 10% off the first month of a month-to-month subscription
What's Included: An art project waiting to happen in every box, Paletteful Packs sends you everything you need to create a work of art each month. All necessary, artist-quality supplies are included. Supplies will vary monthly—from watercolor and canvases to markers and sketch pads, Paletteful Packs promises new, fun activities every time. Perfect for all ages and skill levels.
Shipping: Ships in the US on the 1st of every month
4. ArtSnacks
Price: Starts at $24.00/month
What's Included: Want to learn a new art technique every month? Let Artsnacks inspire you with a art box of unique, high-quality art supplies accompanied by a "Menu" describing each product and how to use them. Discover new products, limited-edition tools, exclusive supplies, and useful techniques in each monthly subscription box. All products have tested extensively so they're curated to work perfectly together. Once you subscribe you will also be given an opportunity to join their exclusive online community.
Shipping: Ships in the US on the last business day of each month
5. Green Kid Crafts
Price: Starts at $21.91/month
What's Included: This monthly subscription box is the perfect mix of science experiments and kids art projects to provide educational, imaginative, and creative activities for developing the whole child. All needed eco-friendly materials are included for up to 6 projects per themed box. Boxes also include a 12-page educational magazine jam-packed with puzzles, games, book recommendations and additional project ideas related to the monthly theme. Green Kid Crafts makes a great gift and is perfect for ages 2-10.
Shipping: Ships in the US on a monthly schedule based on your initial order date
6. The Preschool Box
Price: Starts at $27.49/month
What's Included: The Preschool Box is an opportunity to get your preschooler or kindergartener excited about learning from the beginning! Each monthly box includes 16+ fun, simple, and hands-on activities, crafts and games. Each experience will teach your child beginning phonics skills, counting, shapes, colors, and writing. The Preschool Box is a perfect way to encourage learning, reading and creativity in children ages 3-6. Every box also includes stickers, a book, and a Parent Guide.
Shipping: Ships in the US on the 6th of every month
7. KidArtLit
Price: Starts at $33.95/month
What's Included: KidArtLit wants to give your kids experiences, rather than more stuff. Created by moms and education experts, each monthly box includes the best, most recent kids' picture books accompanied by thoughtful, age-appropriate projects and high-quality supplies for two kids. These projects are specifically designed for kids age 3-8 and are open-ended to make more about the experience than some specific outcome. Even better? Every project has enough supplies do twice so kids can repeat the experience with friends or siblings.
Shipping: Ships in the US on the 15th of each month
8. Terra Create
Price: Starts at $32.00/month
What's Included: Want to make gifts & keepsake projects while learning new crafting skills? Terra Create is the monthly craft box for tweens, teens and adults who want to re-discover their creative inner child. Every kit includes everything you need so you don't have to worry about set-up or shopping and can just get straight to crafting. Their artisan-quality tools and craft supplies have an emphasis on natural materials and themes. Full-color instructions provide step-by-step photos accompanied by a learning module on the cultural history of that month's art form and the materials used. Every project is gender-neutral. It's a wonderful addition to any home-school curriculum!
Shipping: Ships in the US between the 1st and 5th of each month
9. Craft + Boogie
Price: Starts at 24.99/month; use code BOOGIETIME at checkout to get a special discount
What's Included: A party in every box! Every Craft + Boogie subscription box is themed around the closest holiday and comes with 3-4 festive crafts, a family game, simple snack recipes, paper table decorations, activity pages, a matching Spotify playlist, and a guide that teaches the history behind the holiday. These thoughtfully-designed craft projects encourage self-expression and self-esteem and give parents an opportunity to connect with their children. Finally, every purchase helps fund craft kits for children in foster care, patients at children’s hospitals, and counselors in low-income elementary schools.
Shipping: Ships in the US on the 26th-28th of each month
10. Messy Play Kits
Price: Starts at $34.00/month
What's Included: Let your kids make a mess with these hands-on science, sensory, and art activity kits. Erupt volcanoes, hatch dinosaur eggs, create a grass-growing creature, melt a fizzing snowman, make your own slime, and more! Inspired by a monthly theme, these projects are STEAM-based, educational, and not to mention fun. Each kit contains 3-5 activities based on that month's theme. Play-based learning created by a preschool teacher!
Shipping: Ships in the US on the 8th of every month
11. Guide Dots
Price: Starts at $30.00/month
What's Included: A modern and contemporary take on a classic, Guide Dots is an art kit that helps your child unlock their artistic potential using "strategically placed dots" and accompanying online video instruction. Kids learn how to draw images from the dots and then fill them in with bonus markers and more! Projects are paced for an ever-evolving curriculum — and your favorite projects can also be reused, making it a perfect gift for the young artist.
Shipping: Ships in the US on the 4th of each month
12. Pipsticks
Price: Starts at $17.95/month; use code CRATEJOY15 for 15% off the first month of any new sticker subscription!
What's Included: Pipsticks is a can't-miss subscription for sticker lovers. Subscribers receive a dazzling collection of new designs monthly. Also included is a sparkly pack with reusable storage pack, a postcard, and Pippy, a zine for sticker lovers. With subscription options for both adults and kids, it's no wonder they ship to thousands of customers worldwide. Subscribers also have special online social media access and discounts to their online shop.
Shipping: Ships in the US on the 7th day of each month
