Even in this age of phone notifications and email inbox alerts, we still love getting packages in the mail. The sound of the UPS truck pulling up or the sight of a cardboard box outside the door gets us excited every time. Subscription boxes cater to this thrill of the package and keep us wondering—What’s inside? What’s inside? What’s inside?
We’ve combed the subscription box offerings for babies, toddlers, and kids to bring you our top picks. The subscription services on this list will keep your toy shelf fresh and deliver age-appropriate crafts and activities to your home. Keep reading if you’re ready to invest in your child’s play, education, and book collection.
The best subscription boxes for babies, toddlers & kids
Lovevery Play Kits
For Montessori-based toys, check out the Play Kits from Lovevery. Kits start at birth and go up to 24 months. We love how granular the age ranges are with developmentally targeted toys and books. The Looker Play Kit (0–12 weeks) includes high-contrast objects to help your baby’s eyes focus and develop. By the time your little one’s Companion Play Kit arrives (22–24 months) your toddler will be sorting objects and developing fine motor skills.
We appreciate that all Lovevery products are crafted with sustainably sourced wood and organic cotton fabric. These high-quality toys are an investment in your child’s future. For expecting parents, you can create a registry on Lovevery and allow gifters to contribute towards the purchase of a Play Kit.
What you get: 1 box every 2–3 months
Price: $80/two-month, $120/three-month
Cratejoy Subscription Boxes
Cratejoy is like the Etsy of subscription boxes. Cratejoy’s selection of boxes for babies and toddlers has everything from books, to crafts, to clothing and accessories. If you frequent small shops in search of oddities, are looking for creative ways to engage your little one, or love surprises, then a subscription box from one of Cratejoy’s merchants is for you.
We love how there are options for every budget with subscriptions starting at $10 per month. BabyQuip Quality Provider Nikki Mahoney recommends the Little Learners Busy Box. For frequent travelers, the Savvy Snack Box would be the perfect addition to your carry-on. We love the hand-made, felt board activities created by Two Pink Balloons (pictured above). For tools that help simplify your life and help you spend more quality time with your kiddo, check out the Mommy Hacks box.
What you get: Varies by merchant
Price: $9.99–$79.95/month
Little Fun Club Monthly Book Subscription
Winner of a 2019 Parents’ Choice Award, Little Fun Club offers adventurous books delivered monthly from birth through age 12. You can choose a subscription with two or three books per month and a monthly, three month, or six month commitment. Each box will include hand picked books that are geared towards your child’s age.
Little Fun Club is based in California and was inspired by the founders’ son. For one-time purchases, check out the themed Adventure Boxes. Each box includes a book and related activity that will encourage role playing and inspire you child’s imagination. We think these Adventure Boxes make excellent gifts.
What you get: 2–3 books per month
Price: $15.95–$24.95/box
Think Outside Boxes
Got older kiddos? A monthly subscription box from THiNK OUTSiDE is full of outdoor gear and resources to inspire your kid to get outside and explore nature. This subscription box is perfect for anyone looking to reduce screen time and spend more time outside. In their first box, your child will receive a backpack for carrying the month’s gear and activities.
Box themes include navigation, wildlife, and first aid. Each box includes outdoor gear, resource cards, an education booklet, and hands-on activities. In addition to outdoor skill building, your child will learn about our National Parks and empathy. You can choose a subscription that’s right for your family with monthly, quarterly, and annual billing options. With parental guidance, this subscription is appropriate for the 4–8 crowd, while kids 9–14+ can explore the box independently.
What you get: 1 box per month with outdoor gear, resource cards, education booklet, hands-on activities, and family challenges
Price: $33.95–$39.95/month
Related articles:
- Eco-Friendly Baby Products
- Top 5 Baby Products We Can’t Live Without!
- BabyQuip Baby Gear Rentals: How it Works
Literati Book Club
Members of Literati’s Book Club are treated to a box of five books each month, plus a few extras like a nice letter, stickers, and artwork by world-famous illustrators. With Literati, you get a week to decide which books to keep and which to send back. Returns are always free and you just pay for the books you love enough to add to your home library.
There are five book clubs to choose from, for kids from birth to 12 years old. BabyQuip Quality Provider Karri Morrison recommends Literati. She especially loves that book prices match Amazon list prices.
What you get: 5 books per month plus extras
Price: $9.99/month plus the cost of whatever books you keep
toucanBox
The founder of toucanBox believes creativity is the number one skill for the future. Which is why each box is curated to get your kid making things, asking “why?”, and stretching their creativity muscle. With a focus on science, technology, engineering, art, and math, your child will observe, design, invent, express themselves, and problem solve.
Each box includes a magazine with activities, experiments, and games, crafts with all the necessary instructions and materials, and stickers. Your little one will learn about animals, countries, art, and more. Subscription boxes are geared towards kids 3–8 years of age. For littles, there are toddler boxes available for one-time purchase.
What you get: 1 box per month with crafts, magazine, and stickers
Price: $14.90/month
Kathy is a freelance writer, an Independent Quality Provider with BabyQuip and the mother of a very active one-year-old boy. When she’s not changing diapers, developing engaging content for clients, or helping families travel with little ones, she enjoys reading, gardening, yoga, and naps.
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I’ve never heard of subscription boxes! What a great idea, especially for stay at home moms such as myself. I struggle to find the time to come up with fresh and creative activities for my toddler.
I love these choices!! I am a big fan of the Highlights for Kids boxes as well!
Highlights has been a staple for our family since I was a child. We love their magazines. Think Outside is a cool concept as well.
I had only ever heard of one of these. I’m really interested in the cratejoy boxes. There are a few that look cool.
This is a great list and I really had no idea of any of these!
Great ideas, and perfect timing right before the holidays!
Thanks for the great suggestions! The Literati Book club sounds amazing for a great price! Reading is so crucial for little ones.
I have been looking for a subscription box for my toddler – thank you for the great suggestions!
I am saving this for Christmas. I am always looking for experience gifts. Or gifts that keep goving all year. Any of these would be perfect for the grandparents to get my kids!!!
Subscription boxes make the best birthday presents for my niece and nephew who live across the country. They love getting mail and I hope it helps them remember how much I love them at least once a month when their box comes! :)
So many great options! We’ve been interested in the toucan box so I was thrilled to see it made the list!