If you think you’ve already heard about every monthly subscription under the sun—think again. From boxes that will help your child decide what she wants to be when she grows up (for now) to services that will give parents back hours of time, keep reading to discover eight new, super cool subscription boxes that’ll put a massive grin on your little one’s face.
1. For the STEAM-minded
Every month, Howtoons will send crafts, activities, and lessons that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) to your doorstep. The goal is to teach kids ages 7-12 a lesson via a comic book and then wrap everything up in a real world, hands-on creation in order to help kiddos better understand what they just learned.
Good to know: The most popular subscription plan is monthly, but some of the Howtoons boxes are available for single purchase. They also sell “class kits,” which are perfect for school, parties, or extracurricular activities.
Cost: $24.99 for a monthly subscription.
Subscribe at howtoons.com
2. For the Ultimate in Convenience
You’ll never say, “Shoot, you have no pants that fit!” again. Unlike most clothing subscription boxes that focus on one member of the household, Wee Blessing’s new service stocks clothes for men, women, teens, women’s plus and even maternity—perfect for staying on top of everyone’s wardrobe while saving tons of time.
To get started, simply fill out your family’s “style file.” A package will be delivered containing four outfits for each person at a 40-60% discount. Once you assess the goods (you have 10 days), you send back what you don’t want (for free) and keep what you do. If you decide to keep everything in the box, you’ll get an additional 10% off. Sweet!
Good to know: Wee Blessing carries designers you know and love, such as Gap, J.Crew, and The Children’s Place, among others. Also, if you refer a friend, you’ll get a $50 credit towards your next box.
Cost: The cost of each box varies, as prices are determined by how many outfits you keep. Monthly and quarterly subscriptions are available.
Subscribe at weeblessing.com
3. For a Twist on Story Time
Kick story time up a notch with KidLitArt. This subscription sends families a beautiful hard-cover picture book, along with supplies for a series of related, open-ended art projects, each month. It’s the perfect way to keep everyone’s creative juices flowing.
Good to know: KidLitArt, which is geared towards kids three to seven, is also available to send as a 1-, 3-, or 6-month subscription gift—and prepaid gifts don’t automatically renew!
Cost: $46 for a monthly subscription.
Subscribe online at shop.kidlitart.com
4. For Embracing Childhood
Lola & Lark is a thematic box that encourages creativity and language development through imaginative play. The theme (think: pirates, under the sea, fairy tales, etc.) for each box dictates which toys, pretend props, activities, and book (there’s always a book!) are included. Developed by a pediatric speech-language pathologist, Lola & Lark aims to get kids 3 & up playing and talking.
Good to know: Parents don’t need to sign up for a monthly subscription (though they can if they’d like). One-off orders are always available, and the boxes come in various sizes: Mini, Classic, and Deluxe.
Cost: Starting at $39.95.
Subscribe at lolaandlark.com
5. For the Professional
It seems like kids want a new job (when they grow up) every month, which is exactly why Dream Delivered is ideal for little ones eager to learn about different professions. Each month, Dream Delivered will send kids between the ages of six to ten a “career exploration kit,” containing four to six activities, supplies, interviews, and a magazine pertaining to a specific field. And making this subscription all the sweeter is the fact that every time you purchase a box, another box will go to an impoverished child who otherwise wouldn’t be exposed to new and interesting careers.
Good to know: Dream Delivered was actually created by Dream Outside the Box, a nonprofit that connects college students in “dream deserts” with children in grades K-5. Their aim is to hone college students’ leadership skills while propelling youth toward higher education.
Cost: $29 for a monthly subscription.
Subscribe at dreamdelivered.org
6. For Instilling Good Values
Little kids don’t often grasp the concept of giving, but with Little Loving Hands, they just might get it. Each month, this charity-based subscription service delivers a fun box of crafts for your child. But the (super important) twist is that your little one will then package up his project and send it to someone in need. Along with craft supplies, each box contains information about the charity organization your kid is contributing to, a certificate of achievement, and a collectible button—and every craft pertains to that particular month’s cause.
Good to know: Each box offers information on how your family can help donate to a particular cause even more. Also, for every box you purchase, you can submit for a charitable tax deduction.
Cost: $25 for a monthly subscription.
Subscribe at littlelovinghands.com
7. For Raising Strong Girls (and Boys)
Here’s a sobering fact: In 2016, only 37% of children’s books featured females, and only 21% featured people of color. Talk about a boring—and limiting—bookshelf. The Little Feminist, a new book-based subscription service, is seeking to change that. Each month, The Little Feminist will deliver a book that features a strong female character and/or person of color, along with a hands-on art or science activity that helps the book come alive.
Also included in each box are educational activities developed by teachers, as well as family discussion questions that will show girls and boys between the ages of three to seven that females can—and will!—do anything.
Good to know: Three- and six-month subscriptions are available and will ship in February 2018. If you plan on gifting a subscription for the holidays, The Little Feminist will send the recipient a 3D activity gift card.
Cost: $35 a month.
Subscribe at thelittlefeminist.com
8. For the Explorer
If you have an animal lover in the house (or a kiddo who loves a good mission), National Geographic Kids recently launched a subscription service of “mystery boxes” that takes junior explorers ages 5-11 on missions anywhere from the Amazon to the Serengeti in order to help endangered animals in different parts of the world. Every box includes 5-10 hours worth of learning and fun via activities and exploration essentials.
Good to know: As a special bonus kids will also get access to digital mission content and games.
Cost: $19.99 for a monthly subscription.
Subscribe at pley.com/national-geographic
photo: Pipsticks
9. For kids who love stickers.
Stickers! Stickers! Stickers! Did that get your attention? This box, which contains a robust selection of stickers, certainly will. You never know what you’re going to receive — sparkling ones, puffy ones, sniffy ones — and that’s part of the fun. Start a sticker book (you know you had one as a kid) or hop over to Pipsticks’ Ideas Blog for thought-starters on craft projects you can do with stickers.
Available at pipsticks.com; prices start at $15 for one month.
Which new subscription box do you love? Let us know in the comments below.
— Nicole Fabian-Weber
All image courtesy retailers.
