KiwiCo Atlas Crate Review – Holding the World In His Hands
KiwiCo Atlas Crate Review – Holding the World In His Hands
Disclosure: I received this product for free in return for providing my honest and unbiased review. I received no other compensation. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
I was really excited about this opportunity. Maybe more excited than my son, Isaiah.
First a Little Background on KiwiCo
KiwiCo provides age-appropriate subscription crates (boxes) for children with projects and other educational items.
All the boxes are STEAM oriented.
STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.
Each month your child receives a project and related learning material to help them better understand a topic.
The crates are all age-appropriate. You tell KiwiCo what age group your child falls into. Depending on the age group you can also choose to focus on certain topics.
Here’s a list of the different crate types:
- Cricket 0-36 months – Explore and Discover
- Koala 3-4 Years – Play and Learn
- Kiwi 5-8 Years – Science, Art & More
- Atlas 6-11 Years – Geography & Culture
- Doodle 6-16+ — Art & Design
- Tinker 9-16+ — Science & Engineering
Isaiah received an Atlas box on Wednesday but because of his schedule, we didn’t get to it until Friday night.
That’s right, our Friday nights involve learning and quality family time. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The box included pieces to put a globe together, pieces to a related book (I will get to that shortly), a world map and an Atlas pin.
The Globe:
It was in two halves, conveniently divided along the equator. It came with felt stickers that represented each of the continents, a stand, and instructions. The equator has to line up with 0 degrees on the stand at the end of the instructions.
Isaiah was able to follow along with the instructions and put it together in about 45 minutes. He needed minimal help from me. He mostly needed help with some of the steps that required a little more finesse.
The great thing about this part of the crate was he learned about the different continents and where they are in the world in relation to where we live.
There was a tiny felt heart that Isaiah was instructed to place where we live on the globe. He needed a little guidance with this. Most 8-year-olds would.
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The Book:
The book came with a few pages and rings that act as a binder. This also had to be put together.
Isaiah loves to read and already finished reading the few pages that were included in the crate.
He was amazed at some of the facts that were included in the book.
- The smallest country in Europe (The Vatican) is .2 square miles.
- The longest staircase in Europe is 2 miles long (somewhere in Spain).
- There is a bird in South America that can mimic 20 other birds and a chainsaw.
He really loves stuff like that. He is already talking about telling his friends at school. Sure, send them to this page!
The Map:
For a while now, we have been talking about getting Isaiah a map of the world to put in his room. Well, thanks to KiwiCo now he has one.
Now I must get some red pins, so he can mark the places he has been in the world. That’s only Haiti, Jamaica and the East Coast of the US at this point but there will be more.
He has been fascinated with New Zealand for some time now. While most kids want to go to Disney or someplace like that Isaiah wants to go to New Zealand. He finally understands where it is in relation to where we live.
It’s not close at all. It really can’t be much further away in case you’re wondering.
The map is now hanging up in his room along with his favorite Yankee players and a few other baseball related posters. Did I mention he loves to watch and play baseball?
The Results:
It’s not a state secret that kids learn from doing and interacting. It’s also not a secret that kids develop confidence in the topic when they learn this way.
Isaiah is a very smart young man. I know you’re probably thinking that every dad says that about their children, but I am not just saying that.
He’s in 3rd grade and reading 6-8th-grade books. He is very inquisitive, and most school subjects come very easy to him. Even this crazy new way of making math more complicated than it is.
I could tell immediately that Isaiah received a confidence boost from completing this project on his own. He took pride in his accomplishment.
Isaiah truly enjoyed the project. I enjoyed watching him completing this project.
The globe now sits on his dresser next to all his game balls, trophies, favorite books, travel souvenirs, and baseball memorabilia. These are all the items he takes great pride in. The things he does not want anyone else to touch (except me).
That’s how I know the KiwiCo Atlas Crate is a winner in Isaiah’s eyes. That’s good enough for me.
My children don’t believe in sleeping in. The next morning sometime before 7 am Isaiah was in my bed reading me facts from the book and trying to identify places on the globe. An 8-year-old reading interesting facts to his dad, while he tries to get 5 more minutes of sleep is what raising children, is all about.
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Have heard about STEAM hundreds of times but it’s the first time I have read what it is really!
Glad to have taught someone something!!!
Might get the kids this for Christmas! Looks amazing 🙂
It would make a fun Christmas gift..and they will learn something
My son would love the globe because he loves to learn about new things. I think I should have a subscription box like this for him to at least keep him busy.
Yes, I would recommend it if he loves to learn new things…and most boys do love to learn new things.
I had them when I was a kid. It gave me the feeling that I’m touring the world.
This atlas crate looks quite interesting for kids. My son is also inquisitive like your son Isaiah and I think he would love it.
Definitely check it out as long as you don’t mind him driving you crazy with facts!
OH it was so much fun to see this crate! My sons used to do Tinker Crate (LOVED it!) and Doodle Crate (loved it too!). Some of the projects actually even helped them earn Cub/Scout badges!
That is awesome to hear. Congrats to him on his badges.
I can you this map for my self also for my travel plans. I think I am gonna get one.
That’s funny. My son is already planning trips using the map.
This is a must have for all kids, it broadens their knowledge beyond their scope of understanding about the world.
It will enable them stand out among their equals. Will get it for my first son as his B-Day gift.
Agreed. Any and every way a child can learn is so important.
Those look fun. My boys love all the educational activities they can get.
I would definitely recommend this one then. It’s enough to challenge them and teach them.
Other than mental growth, it seems so much fun to do all this. I don’t have kids and I am not a kid but I love to do all this fun. I wish there is also a crate for 22years+ lol. I enjoyed this read.
I bet there are somewhere out there. I did try to take it from him a couple of times to work on it myself but he was persistent about doing it by himself!
Subscription box for kids. My oldest has been obsessed with Australia since she was 5… We live in Canada. So I’m not sure why she has become so fascinated with Australia? But this subscription box sounds like it would be a great tool for her to learn more about Australia
I am in the same boat with New Zealand and we are on the East Coast of the US. It is a cool way to learn.
What an awesomely educational toy! I would actually want to play with it! ha!
This looks like so much fun! I am always looking for fun, educational activities for my son to do. I’ll definitely have to look into this for him, thanks for sharing!
Looks like an interesting subscription box! It’s always fun to receive a box and discover what’s inside
Awesome that he has that map in his room. I want one for mine.
We would love this! Sometimes, though, we don’t like what we get from subscription boxes. That is why we don’t subscribe anymore. But this particular box is awesome!
Looks like a great product. Would definitely give this a try.