KiwiCo

Hands-On, Project-Based, STEAM

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Available in OpenEd Marketplace

Grade level:

Pre-K - 12

Educational philosophy

Hands-On, Project-Based, STEAM

What Families Love

Parents consistently praise KiwiCo for delivering engaging projects that capture children's attention and enthusiasm:

"My kids adore these crates. They barely arrive and the kids already have them ripped open and started." KiwiCo User Review

"My kids love them... We've never had a dud." Parent on Reddit

The educational value of KiwiCo kits is frequently highlighted by homeschooling families who use them to supplement their curriculum:

"I feel that each box is worth the money and plan to continue to add this as an addition to our homeschool education." Life on Misty Acres

"We've had success with every box in terms of the kids getting excited and involved in their homeschooling." Isis L., Homeschool Mom of Two

Parents particularly appreciate the convenience of having pre-planned activities with all necessary materials included:

"Everything comes in the box for me! I could not come up with these projects on my own." Life on Misty Acres

"This has the pieces all ready to go and I do not have to do the work of printing, planning, gluing, etc. I think the creativity it inspires and my sanity is well worth the $20 a month." Homeschool Parent Reviewer

The quality of materials in KiwiCo boxes consistently earns praise:

"I was genuinely surprised at the quality of the items... and how long they were able to keep the kids engaged." BROhaha Review

Many parents highlight how KiwiCo fosters independence and confidence in their children:

"[My son] has now figured out how to follow the instructions and ask us for help if he is unsure." Life on Misty Acres

"My 11-year-old can do these mostly independently, which was a BIG help for me because I can work with my younger children while he completes his box." Homeschool Mom Reviewer

Common Concerns

While enthusiasm for KiwiCo runs high, parents do note several limitations to consider:

Cost is the most frequently mentioned drawback, particularly for families with multiple children:

"For the price I wish they were a little more involved. We've never taken more than an hour to complete [a crate], usually closer to 30 minutes." Reddit User

"[The cost can] add up fast with multiple kids in different age ranges." BROhaha Review

Some parents worry about accumulating too many finished projects:

"Do we keep all of them? Mostly, but I do wonder about the clutter." Nature Homeschool

The level of parental involvement required, especially for younger children, can surprise some parents:

"Parents of 5-6 year olds should be prepared to be very involved." My Subscription Addiction

The random nature of the monthly themes means parents can't perfectly align KiwiCo with other educational plans:

"If you like to have control over the educational themes your children are learning, these may not be for you... the crates will be a surprise for you too." Life on Misty Acres

Not every crate will perfectly match every child's interests:

"I don't enjoy the Atlas Crates nearly as much... my kiddo hates handicrafts, and Atlas crates are handicraft-heavy." Reddit User

Who Thrives with KiwiCo?

Based on parent feedback, KiwiCo works particularly well for:

Children who enjoy hands-on learning and creating things
Busy parents who want educational activities without extensive preparation
Homeschooling families seeking STEAM enrichment
Families looking for screen-free entertainment options
Children who need support developing following directions and problem-solving skills
Gift-givers seeking educational presents with lasting value

Families might want to consider alternatives if:

They're on a tight budget and need more economical options
They prefer to align activities with specific curriculum objectives
They have limited storage space for finished projects
Their children strongly prefer digital learning over physical crafts
Parents of very young children have limited time for guided activities

Making KiwiCo Work For Your Family

Parents who get the most value from KiwiCo often implement these strategies:

Sharing one subscription among siblings close in age
Purchasing individual crates instead of subscriptions for occasional treats
Looking for discounted boxes on resale sites
Setting aside dedicated "KiwiCo time" when the box arrives
Using the included magazines and online resources to extend the learning
Being selective about which completed projects to keep

As one parent summarized: "The projects are always interesting and engaging... I love that after we build them, my son will play with it for hours." For many families, this combination of immediate engagement and lasting educational value makes KiwiCo a worthwhile investment despite the cost considerations.

Subjects covered

Subjects Covered:
STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math
Geography & Culture: World cultures, geography
Cooking & Food Science: Culinary science, family-friendly recipes
Early Childhood Themes: Sensory play, motor skills, cognitive development
Grade Level / Age Range: Infants to teenagers (0-104 years)
Teaching Format: Hands-on kits, offline learning, supplementary online resources
Educational Philosophy: Hands-on, project-based learning, secular and inclusive
Pricing Model: Subscription-based, one-time purchases available
Parent Involvement Level: Varies by age; high for younger children, low for older kids

Teaching Format

Hands-On Kits (Offline): KiwiCo primarily delivers a tactile learning experience through physical packages containing all materials needed for projects.

Supplementary Online Resources: Optional digital content includes video tutorials for many projects and a wealth of free DIY activities on the KiwiCo blog and YouTube channel.

Pacing: Crates are generally delivered monthly, with each box containing multiple activities designed to take 15–60 minutes each.

Implementation choices:
- Parent-led involvement for younger children, with more independence for older kids
- Projects can be done all at once or spread out over time

Assessment: No formal assessments; learning is evaluated through engagement and completion of projects.

Structure: Each crate includes an instructional booklet or magazine, guiding children through the projects with extra enrichment activities.

Pricing

Subscription-Based: KiwiCo operates on a subscription model with options for monthly renewal or prepaid plans of 3, 6, or 12 months.

Cost per kit: Generally, most KiwiCo crates cost around $19.95–$24.95 per month (with free shipping in the U.S.) if paying month-to-month.

Premium Lines Pricing: The Eureka Crate (engineering gadgets for teens/adults) is about $29.95 per month; the Panda Crate (baby/toddler line) is priced around $39.95 per crate, shipped bi-monthly.

One-Time Purchases: Individual crates and project kits are available as one-time purchases, often $24.95–$29.95 each.

Cost-saving options: Families can share one subscription among siblings, purchase individual crates for occasional treats, look for discounted boxes on resale sites, or watch for promotions for new customers.

Parent Involvement

High involvement required

Toddlers/Preschool (Panda & Koala Crates): Parents will be directly engaged the whole time - guiding children through activities and ensuring safety (high involvement)

Early Elementary (Kiwi Crate 5–8): Moderate involvement needed; parents help with instructions and tricky steps, especially for younger kids

Older Kids (Tinker, Doodle Crate 9–16+): Low to moderate involvement; many projects become largely self-directed, but parents may need to supervise for safety

Daily commitment: Regular participation needed, especially for younger children

Preparation: No prep work required for parents; all materials included in the crate

Structure benefit: Kits provide a structured playtime, but parents must still be present to assist young children