KiwiCo Tinker Crate review

KiwiCo Tinker Crate is the science and engineering line of KiwiCo's subscription boxes, aimed at ages 9 to 12. Each month brings one build with instructions, ways to play and bonus challenges, plus videos and activity ideas online. KiwiCo's current examples are a Mega Hand with jointed fingers that moves when you gesture, a Delivery Bot radio-controlled robot and a Bottle Rocket Blaster that uses chemistry for launch. KiwiCo describes its projects as low threshold, high ceiling: quick to start, with room to go further. The regular price is $30 per crate, and KiwiCo advertised a code that brings the first crates as low as $19.20 when we checked. Members get free shipping on any U.S. order and 10% off every order, and the plan can be switched or cancelled anytime. The trade-offs are cost over a year and the format itself: each crate is one finished project, not a toy that grows like a robot, and there is no coding.

Who it is for

children aged 9 to 12 who like a new engineering build every month

Price

$30 per crate regular price on kiwico.com.

Start for as low as $19.20/crate (reg. $30) with code WONDER
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• One STEM build per month for ages 9 to 12
• Each crate includes instructions, ways to play and bonus challenges
• Example builds: Mega Hand with jointed fingers, Delivery Bot RC robot, Bottle Rocket Blaster
• Videos and activity ideas extend each project
• Switch or cancel anytime

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Regular price of $30 per crate, the lowest entry price on this list
• Strength: Free shipping on any U.S. order for members
• Strength: New topic every month keeps the toy fresh
• Weakness: A subscription, so the yearly cost adds up
• Weakness: Each crate is one project rather than an open-ended toy
• Weakness: No coding component

Key facts

• Ages: 9 to 12
• Format: Monthly subscription
• Regular price: $30 per crate
• Member perks: Free U.S. shipping, 10% off every order
• Cancel: Anytime

Where it ranks

KiwiCo Tinker Crate is No. 2 in our Best STEM Toys verdict.