Researched
CrunchLabs Build Box
Mark Rober’s monthly build-it-yourself toy box for ages 8 to 13, with a video each month.
$29.95/mo at CrunchLabs · Price checked Oct 6
Prices at other stores may differ · Links go to the retailer
Our verdict
Key details
- Ages 8–13
- STEM kits
- CrunchLabs
- Available
More info
- Ages: 8–13
- Annual, billed monthly: $29.95 a box
- Annual, paid up front: $27.45 a box ($329.40)
- Quarterly: $32.95 a box
- Rating: 4.8 from 1,833 reviews
Best for and who should skip it
Best for
- Kids aged 8 to 13 who like launchers and gadgets
- Mark Rober fans
- Families happy with a 12-month plan
Skip it if
- You want to try one box without a long commitment
- You prefer phone or email support from a person
What we like and what to keep in mind
What we like
- A new toy and explainer video each month
- Spare small parts in the box, owners say
- High average from many reviews
Keep in mind
- Plans renew automatically; turn off renewal at least 3 days before the term ends
- Some owners report broken motors or wrong boxes
- The lowest price requires paying a year up front
How we reviewed it
What owners say.
- 2 positive
- 1 negative
Paraphrased from public owner reviews. Each one links to where it was posted.
Their son started at 5 with parents helping and now builds every project alone, with more confidence; not cheap these days, but the parent says it is worth it.
After a year of boxes the family has loved every one; the videos are fun and the parent likes that spare small parts are included.
A birthday box went unused because the motor broke during assembly, the first box was the wrong launcher, and the support bot could not get a replacement sent.
Sources.
What we read for this review, and when we last checked it.
- 01 CrunchLabs. Build Box
- 02 CrunchLabs. Build Box Subscription – Pay Monthly
- 03 CrunchLabs. Build Box customer reviews
How it compares.
This toy next to the alternatives we suggest, using the maker’s details.
| Detail |
This reviewCrunchLabs Build Box
|
KiwiCo Tinker Crate
|
Thames & Kosmos My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon 620507
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.95 | $30 | $54.95 |
| Maker’s age | Ages 8–13 | Ages 9–12 | Ages 8+ |
| Category | STEM kits | STEM kits | STEM kits |
| Pieces | – | – | 133 |
| Good for | Young engineers aged 8 to 13 who like Mark Rober | Kids aged 9 to 12 who like engineering builds | Robot fans aged 8+ ready for a long build |
| Stock | Available | Available | Available |
Prices are the list prices we saw on the maker’s site and change often.
