Best Science Subscription Boxes

This post contains affiliate links and we may earn a commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

If you are looking to supplement your kids’ homeschool lessons with a subscription science box, you’re in luck. There are a number of fantastic science-based subscription kits to choose from. Here are our top picks. Scroll down farther to read more about them

Best All-Around: Kiwi Crates

We are huge fans of Kiwi Co., which offers a variety of STEAM-centered monthly subscription boxes for kids of all ages. They include all the materials necessary to make an awesome STEM project(s). In total they offer eight different subscription options, which vary by age and subject focus. Those best for science-minded kids are:

Kiwi Crates for ages 5-8

Kiwi Crate, which includes creative and convenient STEM projects for kids age 5-8 each month. Sample projects include building your own arcade claw and discovering the science of trees by performing a capillary action experiment and making a balancing tree game.

Tinker Crate for ages 9-16

Tinker Crate is designed for kids age 9-16+. Project examples include a hydraulic claw, a walking robot, and a trebuchet that will launch ping-pong balls 10 feet in the air!

Eureka Crate for age 14+

Eureka Crate is designed for teens 14+ and is fantastic for STEM-minded students who are ready to move beyond Tinker Crate. Like the other crates, Tinker Crate comes with easy instructions and all the materials necessary to create an amazing STEM project. Example crate projects include an articulated desk lamp, an electric pencil sharpener, and a wooden eukele (that will really play music!).

Other Kiwi Crate Options

If you have younger children who would benefit from a combined science/art
subscription box, consider Kiwi Company’s Panda Crate (ages 0-24 months) and Koala Crate (ages 2-4). The company also produces a geography-themed Atlas Crate (ages 6-11), the cooking-based Yummy Crate, and two arts and crafts based boxes, Doodle Crate (ages 9-16+) and Maker Crate (ages 14+).

Best Science Curriculum Substitute

Mel Science

If you are looking for a focused science subscription box that can be used on its own or in combination with another homeschool science curriculum, check out Mel Science. These boxes are unique in their focused approach and use of virtual reality, and kids really love them! Mel Science offers the following four subscription lines:

Mel Chemistry

Each monthly Mel Chemistry box includes 2-3 chemistry experiments. The first month, you will also receive a starter kit and virtual reality headset that will be used in future boxes. Example projects include building a “galaxy in a bottle” and growing your own copper coral on an iron clip! Designed for all ages, this kit is also a great supplement to homeschool chemistry courses for junior high and high schoolers.

Mel Physics

Designed for kids 8-14+, the Mel Physics box delivers all the materials needed for 2-3 new experiments per month. Use of the mobile and virtual reality apps will make physics come alive even more. Example projects include building your own vacuum chamber (and inflating marshmallows inside it) and making a corn syrup kaleidoscope. This box is an especially great supplement to homeschool physics courses for junior high and high schoolers.

Mel STEM

Designed for 5-10 year olds, Mel Kids offers a new experiment each month. The
accompanying app allows your little ones to have augmented reality experiences with the kit. Example projects include building a hydraulic lift, making a seismography, and building a launchable space rocket.

Mel Medicine

Designed for kids 14+, Mel Medicine is the only medical-themed subscription box available, and it’s an awesome choice if your teenager is hoping to be a doctor one day! Each box includes an experiment kit with real medical tools, allowing students to explore topics such as surgery, dentistry, and pharmacy.

Best for Computer Science

Bitsbox

If you are looking for a computer-science subscription box, we can’t recommend Bitsbox enough. Don’t worry if neither you nor your child has any previous coding experience – this box is designed to teach you from the ground up! Designed for kids ages 6-12, each monthly box introduces a different computer science concept. Ultimately, kids will build and share tons of fun apps on the Bitsbox website. These apps will work on any mobile device. Bitsbox offers three subscription levels: Basic Bitsbox, Deluxe Bitsbox, and Digital Bitsbox.

Other Great Science Subscription Boxes for Homeschooled Kids

Spangler Science Club

Created by the famous and fun science guy Steve Spangler, a Spangler Science Club subscription will definitely be a hit with your kids. Designed for ages 5-12, the monthly science box has all the materials for simple but exciting projects, such as science-fueled magic tricks or colorful fizzy lab experiments. Multiple kids can work on the experiments together. The club offers two subscription levels: STEMlab includes up to five experiments per box, while STEMdeluxe contains up to 10.

Green Kid Crafts

If your child enjoys combining science and art, we recommend a Green Kid Crafts subscription. Each monthly box contains materials for 4-6 science and art projects. We love that Green Kid Crafts includes a subscription option for preschoolers as well as older kids. The Junior Box is designed for kids ages 2-4; past box themes include “All About Amphibians” and “Rainbow Science”. The Discovery Box is for kids ages 5-10+; past box themes include a “Human Body Lab” and a “Slime Lab”.

STEM Discovery Boxes

A great option for STEM-minded kids is the STEM Discovery Box. Designed for kids ages 7-teen, younger kids can also do these projects with a bit more parental help. Each monthly box comes with all the materials necessary to make three STEM-themed projects. Examples include building a remote control elevator, making a vegetable-powered clock, and growing crystals.

Little Passports

Little Passports offers a number of great educational subscription boxes for kids. Two of their subscription boxes are geared specifically toward science:

Science Junior

Designed for kids 5-8, the Science Junior box delivers a collection of fun items and materials to complete a science-oriented project each month. Your first box will include the Introductory Kit and materials to make your own Weddell seal walker, along with other Antarctica-themed materials. Other themes include volcanoes, chimpanzees, and music.

Science Expeditions

Designed for ages 9 and up, the Science Expeditions box arrives every month with fun items, experiments, and materials to solve a new scientific mystery. The first box is “Forensic Science” themed and includes a large tote bag for storing materials as well as a lab notebook. Examples of other box themes include “Caves & Crystals” and “Optics & Vision”.

Crunch Labs Build Box

Another awesome option for teaching engineering skills is the Build Box by Crunch Labs. Each box includes a build-it-yourself toy with video instruction by famous STEM You-Tuber Mark Rober. Example projects include a strobe light, a domino catapult, and a boomerang car. 

Conclusion

There are many great science subscription boxes out there. Try one as a supplement for your homeschooled kid’s formal science instruction. Students will look forward to the day they receive their boxes, and their interest in science will soar!