If you’ve been reading this site for awhile, you know we’re big fans of KiwiCo.
This innovative STEM-centered company (created by a mom-slash-engineer) delivers science magic directly to your door via carefully curated crates of goodies.
KiwiCo is designed to help your child jump into fun, hands-on STEM learning activities, with minimal prep and cleanup on your end.
In the past, we’ve touched on how a KiwiCo subscription is an excellent way to spark your child’s curiosity in STEM.
The all-inclusive crates can also help you feel less intimidated as a parent to get STEM activities rolling in your home.
KiwiCo has only improved their products since our last mention, so we wanted to take a closer look at the company’s new offerings and provide you updated info on their new line of clubs.
Below, you’ll learn all about how KiwiCo Clubs work, plus what we liked and disliked about this new format.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about KiwiCo Clubs!
KiwiCo| Tinker. Create. Innovate. With hands-on projects that make learning fun!
KiwiCo makes STEM learning fun and exciting for kids, while taking the prep and planning off your plate. With themed crates that arrive at your doorstep every month, three months, or six months.
What’s Different About KiwiCo Clubs?
If you’re a longtime KiwiCo fan, you know that this company is based on sending exciting, age-appropriate STEM projects to your door.
In the past, subscribers would choose from nine different “lines” of crates (based on your child’s interests) and receive a box including everything your child would need to create something fun and educational.
However, each KiwiCo crate was sort of a standalone project.
With new KiwiCo Clubs, each project your child accomplishes is now part of an interconnected journey.
This isn’t to say that each crate doesn’t hold up on its own. It’s more about each one building your child’s skill and confidence as they make more in-depth connections in their club.
So, what exactly does that look like? Let’s break it down.
What KiwiCo Clubs Can I Choose From?
KiwiCo now allows families to choose from five different clubs, based on your child’s age and interests, and makes it simpler than before.
Here’s an outline of each of the five:
- Panda Crate: For the youngest crowd, the Panda Crate provides engaging, sensory-building activities and toys for babies and toddlers ages 0-3+, plus resources for parents.
- KiwiCo Sprout: This club is for the preschool and Kindergarten age range, ages 3-6. With an emphasis on pretend play and foundation-building activities, KiwiCo Sprout projects help your child use their imagination while learning STEM concepts. Each crate not only includes activities, but now also includes a ready-to-play toy.
- KiwiCo Labs: This is the club that I’d think of when someone says “STEM.” KiwiCo Labs is a great fit for kids ages 6-12+, with tons of fun projects on everything from simple machines to robotics and coding. They’ll explore science, then advance into engineering with more challenging builds.
KiwiCo Labs includes brand new rebuildable projects, so your child can keep tinkering and playing long after their crate arrives on the doorstep, and even after they complete the project.
- KiwiCo Studios: This is a more arts-themed option for the budding painter or graphic designer in your house.
Aimed at kids ages 9-18+, KiwiCo Studios focuses on visual and artistic projects while tying in design concepts to each masterpiece your child creates.
- KiwiCo World: Perfect for sparking curiosity in kids about places and people, KiwiCo World provides projects themed around different countries around the world.
STEAM concepts mingle with new knowledge about different cultures, landforms, and natural wonders in KiwiCo World activities.
What We Like About KiwiCo Clubs
Now that you’ve got the gist of what each club is about, let’s dive into the five things we really love about this new format.
- A Connected Program. KiwiCo Clubs create an interconnected program, rather than just a one-time fun experience.
Because each project is related to the one that came before it, kids can build their knowledge and connect to the bigger picture.
They’ll also be able to fine-tune skills as projects become increasingly complex and exciting over time.
- Improved Digital Resources. KiwiCo Clubs also include fun digital resources that kids can unlock as they complete their projects.
This increases buy-in and motivation, while also helping your child connect to a larger online community around them.
After all, we know our kids are often clamoring for more screen time. Allowing them to engage with KiwiCo Clubs digital resources is a great way to make their screen time meaningful (and educational!).
- Deeper Understanding. KiwiCo Club projects are interwoven, so your child can build a deeper knowledge of the field they’ve chosen.
Whether they’re immersed in coding with KiwiCo Labs or researching a fascinating rainforest species with KiwiCo World, these connected programs really foster a broader understanding of key STEM concepts.
- Same Great Quality. As always, all activities from KiwiCo are high-quality, engaging, age-appropriate, and educational.
From the kid-friendly directions to the all-inclusive materials, you know you’re getting good value for your money with KiwiCo projects.
Plus, the expertly designed club programs are genuinely fascinating (even for parents!) and can open the door to lots of outside research, questions, and curiosities.
- Less Clutter Than Ever. KiwiCo Labs specifically creates projects to be rebuildable, so your child can keep learning from their activities even after they’ve completed them.
This is a great improvement, since it means less clutter and more learning time for your child. Plus, you can even have kids swap projects to get more bang for your buck!
Who Are KiwiCo Clubs Good For?
Clearly, we’re big fans of these thoughtfully designed, educationally enriching activities.
Read on to learn more about who might be a good fit for a KiwiCo Club subscription.
- Homeschool Families: KiwiCo Club subscriptions are ideal for homeschoolers, as the clubs create a learning program you can expand and build upon at home.
While the crates have always been a fun option for homeschoolers, the enhanced clubs form something closer to an in-depth curriculum that can make a great foundation for your child’s at-home STEM studies.
- Folks Looking For Less Screen Time: KiwiCo Clubs may include digital resources, but the bulk of the activities kids are doing are hands-on, and there are always paper instructions included.
Whether they’re building, cutting, drawing, or designing, KiwiCo provides your kids with a chance to really use their brains… instead of just clicking on a screen.
KiwiCo Clubs are a great way to give your child a break from screens, as well as from monotonous worksheets and textbooks, and let them actually have fun while learning.
- Reluctant Learners: It goes without saying that KiwiCo subscriptions will be a big hit with kids who already love science.
These experiences are also an excellent choice for kids who don’t love STEM, however.
Because the interconnected, engaging projects are tested to be fun for kids and gradually build on one another, your reluctant learner can improve their skills while having a good time.
Even students who don’t love STEM will feel proud of their accomplishments and discover new skills with each completed KiwiCo experiment.
- Busy Parents: If you’re crunched for time, KiwiCo Clubs are a great way to ensure your kids are getting fun STEM activities without a ton of prep work on your end.
Each club is carefully curated and prepared with everything your learner needs to get started right away, with minimal help from you.
This is a great way to foster their independence and critical thinking… and a great way to save yourself some time and energy!
Are KiwiCo Clubs Worth It?
Now that we’ve touched on how the clubs work, what we like about them, and who they might be good for, let’s get into the cost.
KiwiCo crates used to be somewhat varied in price, but KiwiCo Clubs come with a more simplified billing structure. (Simple is always a plus, in our book.)
All clubs for kids 3+ have a flat rate of $30 a month, and you can choose to pay monthly, every three months, every six months, or even every twelve months. The quarterly, semi-annual, and annual payments plans have greater savings per box.
The flexible payment plans make it easier to budget your KiwiCo Club investment.
Plus, the high quality experience (and, in many cases, rebuildable finished products) make a KiwiCo subscription a strong value for the money.
Overall, joining a KiwiCo Club is an excellent option for anyone who’s looking to help their child(ren) grow as learners, creators, and critical thinkers.
Final Thoughts on KiwiCo Clubs
KiwiCo has been doing great things for kids and STEM since they started in 2011.
Their newly redesigned KiwiCo Clubs are a thoughtful and innovative way to enhance their already much-loved STEM crates.
By making each project a bit deeper and more connected, KiwiCo Clubs are helping our kids see the bigger picture and connect even further with the world around them.
Which is really what STEM is all about.
Are you a KiwiCo fan from way back? Have any thoughts or questions about their new line of KiwiCo Clubs? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
