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SeaStar
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| Posted: Jan 16 2015 at 7:11am | IP Logged
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Kiwi Crates is now offering an art Doodle Crate for tweens and teens.
It looks fun, and there is also a Tinker Crate (science) for older kids.... but I have never tried Kiwi Crates ( most reviewers love the crates but some have had customer service issues when they try to cancel a subscription).
I thought I would come here and see if anyone has had experience with Kiwi Crates or has tried the Doodle Crate. I have heard you can also buy them at Target, but I have not seen the Doodle Crate there.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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pumpkinmom
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| Posted: Jan 16 2015 at 7:38am | IP Logged
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My 10 yo old ds got a Tinker Crate for Christmas (3 month subscription) and I have mixed feelings about it. I think they are over-priced. Of course, they had them on sale the week after I purchased it.
The first kit was a motor and he couldn't build it himself and it didn't work at first when dh built it. He had to re-do it and then it worked but it really does nothing and it just boring. Kind of makes you ask what was the purpose of that afterwards.
The second kit was a catapult, which has gone over better. Ds built it himself but made a mistake and he hasn't gone to rebuild it yet. I'm curious to see if it actually works after that. Ds enjoyed building this one though.
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Cassie
Homeschooling my little patch of Ds-14 and Ds-10
Tending the Pumpkin Patch
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Jan 16 2015 at 7:47am | IP Logged
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We get Kiwi Crate for my 7 and 10 yo. {There is an option to add enough materials for a second child to the Kiwi crate} My kids LOVE them!! My 10 yo is a little old for Kiwicrate, but he doesn't seem to mind at all because they're not babyish, and he loves crafting. Both my 7 and 10 yo love crafting and my time is limited and that's why I ended up trying them - because everything you need is assembled and in the box that lands in your mailbox once a month.
And, I just got Tinker Crate for my 14 yo. as an Epiphany gift. He really enjoys it!
The idea is that once a month a box arrives on your doorstep. Each Kiwicrate box has a theme, which is usually seasonal - so the December theme was centered around wintertime activities. Then, there are a couple of crafts, sometimes a recipe, in each box. Everything needed (EVERYTHING) for the craft is included in the box. Right down to glue, markers, scissors. Also in the box is a small book which has a few neat little readings that pertain to the craft, sometimes a couple of puzzles. It's fun Friday work. And, it's a time saver for me in that it's ALL IN THE BOX.
Tinkercrate boxes also have themes. The December box was all about a motor, and came with all the parts and instructions necessary to build a small motor.
We don't get Doodlecrate yet, but I definitely will when my current 7 yo is a little older. It will be right up her alley!
I've not seen them at Target, but I might look to have one on my gift shelf to give. And, I haven't had trouble with customer service...not yet anyway.
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Jen Mackintosh
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Wildflowers and Marbles
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Jan 16 2015 at 11:15am | IP Logged
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Thanks for the input! I am very tempted... I know my dc would enjoy both the Tinker and the Doodle crates.
Is the three month subscription the best way to go? Just wondering if three moths is enough and after that the novelty/fun wears off (or not?)
Anyway, I quickly checked Target on line and found they offer Kiwi Crates, though not the ones for older kids. With free shipping over $50, you could order a crate to have on hand as a gift in with a bigger order.
Nice gift idea... I will also check to see if Amazon carries them...
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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pumpkinmom
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| Posted: Jan 16 2015 at 3:54pm | IP Logged
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I have to go back and revise my review from earlier. I was cleaning up a pile in the kitchen and found the book that came with the motor kit and it was full of activities to do with the motor and other activities. I didn't look at this before and I guess Dh didn't know about it either (he was the one that said the activity was pointless). I mentioned it to Ds and he said he hadn't gotten around to doing them yet but was excited to do them soon. I guess it has turned out better than I had thought! I plan to schedule this into one of his afternoons (since older Ds takes longer to get his school done) so that is actually gets done.
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Cassie
Homeschooling my little patch of Ds-14 and Ds-10
Tending the Pumpkin Patch
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SeaStar
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| Posted: March 26 2015 at 5:37am | IP Logged
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Bumping this up... Amazon now carries some of the Kiwi crates for younger kids for $9.95... they look really cute.
I also came across the Geek and Company kits on Amazon. There are science and craft kits- even one for gardening- that look along the same lines as Kiwi crates. Prices per crate range from $15-24.
There is a cute crate for decorating your own flip flops 
Also saw some Myth Buster science kits....
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: March 26 2015 at 7:40am | IP Logged
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I was thinking of suggesting this to grandparents as a gift idea. Are the crates such that each child would need their own or could they share?
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Booksnbabes
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| Posted: March 26 2015 at 10:03am | IP Logged
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The crates are really set up for one person. It would be difficult to share. Kiwi Crates offer the option of including parts for a second sibling (not sure if you can do more than that, I only needed for two). Tinker Crate did not have that option, and I ordered one for each (have not received those yet). When I ordered, there was a special going, so the kits were half-price. We're just trying a month, we'll see after that.
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SeaStar
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| Posted: March 26 2015 at 10:22am | IP Logged
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Please let us know how you like them!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: Anyone try Doodle Crate?
