What Reviewers Say

KiwiCo is widely regarded by reviewers like Cathy Duffy and users on The Homeschool Mom as the premier subscription service for hands-on STEAM learning. Parents consistently praise the high quality of materials and the convenience of having every necessary component included in the box. While Atlas Crates are popular for geography and Tinker Crates for engineering, reviewers like those on the Well-Trained Mind forums emphasize that these are supplements rather than comprehensive core curricula. A common trade-off mentioned is the price point and the 'one-and-done' nature of some projects, which can lead to clutter or a lack of long-term academic depth if not paired with additional reading. However, for engaging reluctant learners or providing a 'fun' break from traditional workbooks, it remains highly recommended.

How It Works

Once a month, a kit arrives at the door containing all necessary materials, a step-by-step visual instruction booklet called a 'blueprint,' and a magazine with supplemental facts and extension activities. The parent typically sets out the materials at the kitchen table and provides supervision, while the child follows the illustrated guide to build a working machine, piece of art, or science project. A single crate usually takes between 45 minutes and two hours to complete, though the included magazine offers several additional hours of reading and DIY experiments. Because everything is pre-measured and included, the parent's role is primarily to facilitate and troubleshoot rather than to prepare or teach a formal lesson.

Switching to This?

KiwiCo does not offer formal placement tests because it is a supplemental subscription rather than a sequential grade-level curriculum. Families typically choose a 'line' based on the child's age and specific interests, such as the Tinker Crate for engineering or the Atlas Crate for geography, and can start or stop the subscription at any point in the year. If a child's age falls on the boundary between two crates, the community rule of thumb is to choose the more advanced crate for kids who enjoy complex builds or the younger crate for those who want to work completely independently. When switching from a textbook-heavy science program, parents should expect a shift away from traditional testing toward experiential learning where the 'test' is whether the final machine or project functions correctly.

Curriculum Details

Price

$18 - $340

Pricing ranges from approximately $18.50 to $33.95 per month depending on the crate type and subscription length (monthly vs. annual). Individual 'Store' crates can be purchased for $24.95-$49.95.

Grades

PRE-K - 12

Available As

Print Hands On Materials

Coverage

Supplement

Subjects

Science History/Social Studies Art Computer Science Logic & Critical Thinking

---

Pacing

Self-paced

Parent Time

5-20 min/day

Parent Involvement

None

Student Independence

Semi-independent

---

Academic Level

Grade level

Worldview

Secular

Teach Multiple Ages

Yes

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

When compared to MEL Science, KiwiCo is generally more accessible for younger children and focuses on mechanical engineering and art, whereas MEL Science offers more advanced chemistry and physics kits that often involve VR components. Parents looking at Little Passports for geography often choose KiwiCo’s Atlas Crate because it provides a functional, high-quality craft related to a specific country rather than just stickers and paper-based souvenirs. Compared to Mark Rober’s CrunchLabs, KiwiCo offers a much wider variety of subjects across its different lines, while CrunchLabs stays strictly focused on complex mechanical 'builds' for aspiring engineers. If deciding between KiwiCo and Generation Genius, parents should note that Generation Genius is a video-based subscription where you must source your own experiment materials, while KiwiCo delivers every component needed to the door. Finally, while generic craft kits are often cheaper, KiwiCo is frequently preferred by homeschoolers because its projects are specifically designed to demonstrate a scientific principle or historical concept rather than just creating a decorative item.

Getting Started