Reviews
KiwiCo Tinker Crate, Tinker Crate box
KiwiCo Tinker Crate, example crate: Mega Hand build
KiwiCo Tinker Crate, example crate parts laid out
KiwiCo Tinker Crate, crate magazine and instructions
KiwiCo Tinker Crate, example crate: Animatronics Studio build
KiwiCo Tinker Crate

Images: KiwiCo

Researched

KiwiCo Tinker Crate

A monthly engineering crate for ages 9 to 12, with a new build each month.

$30.00/mo at KiwiCo · Price checked Oct 6

See it at KiwiCo

Prices at other stores may differ · Links go to the retailer

Our verdict

Tinker Crate is KiwiCo’s monthly engineering subscription for ages 9 to 12. Each crate has the materials and instructions for a build, such as a radio-controlled delivery robot, a giant jointed hand or a motorized marionette, plus a magazine and online videos. KiwiCo sells past Tinker crates for $30 each, and its help center says most subscription lines start at $24 a month on longer plans. Shipping is free in the US for subscribers.

It averages 4.7 from 11,235 reviews on KiwiCo, with 75% five stars. Parents say kids look forward to each crate and can often build on their own. The complaints we read mention projects that could be sturdier, missing or broken pieces, and billing or renewal problems.

It suits a 9- to 12-year-old who likes building gadgets and enjoys a monthly surprise. Skip it if you don’t want a recurring charge or your child prefers art over engineering.

Key details

  • Ages 9–12
  • STEM kits
  • KiwiCo
  • Available

More info

  • Ages: 9–12
  • Single crate price: $30
  • Plans: from $24 a month on longer plans (KiwiCo help center)
  • Shipping: free in the US for subscribers
  • Rating: 4.7 from 11,235 reviews
Best for and who should skip it

Best for

  • Kids aged 9 to 12 who like building gadgets
  • Families who want a planned project each month
  • Gift givers who want to prepay several months

Skip it if

  • You don’t want a recurring subscription charge
  • Your child prefers arts and crafts to engineering
What we like and what to keep in mind

What we like

  • Everything needed for the build comes in the crate
  • Free US shipping for subscribers
  • Thousands of reviews with a high average

Keep in mind

  • Plans renew automatically
  • Some owners say finished builds could be sturdier
  • The newest reviews we could read were from early 2024
How we reviewed it

Researched, not hands-on tested. This review is based on the sources listed below. We have not tested this product ourselves. Check the current product listing and packaging before buying.

Based on the maker's specifications and public owner reviews, checked Oct 6, 2026.

KiwiCo Tinker Crate, Tinker Crate box

KiwiCo Tinker Crate

Researched · Ages 9–12

$30.00/mo

Links go to the retailer

See it at KiwiCo

KiwiCo Tinker Crate

$30.00/mo · Links go to the retailer

Check price

What owners say.

  • 1 positive
  • 1 mixed
  • 1 negative

Paraphrased from public owner reviews. Each one links to where it was posted.

Positive
A teacher and mom subscribed for her 2nd grader who loves engineering, and is impressed by how engaging each month’s content and activities are.
KiwiCo customer reviewFeb 3, 2024
Mixed
Her son gets excited when the box arrives and the projects are great, but she thinks the builds could be sturdier.
KiwiCo customer reviewFeb 14, 2024
Negative
Some crates arrived with missing or broken pieces, and some finished projects did not work.
KiwiCo customer reviewJul 21, 2020

Sources.

What we read for this review, and when we last checked it.

  1. 01 KiwiCo. Tinker Crate kiwico.com · Checked Oct 6, 2026
  2. 02 KiwiCo Help Center. How much do subscriptions cost? support.kiwico.com · Checked Oct 6, 2026
  3. 03 KiwiCo. Tinker Crate customer reviews kiwico.com · Checked Oct 6, 2026

How it compares.

This toy next to the alternatives we suggest, using the maker’s details.

Detail KiwiCo Tinker Crate, Tinker Crate box This reviewKiwiCo Tinker Crate CrunchLabs Build Box, Build Box shipping boxes CrunchLabs Build Box MEL Science MEL Chemistry Subscription, example set: Tin MEL Science MEL Chemistry Subscription
Price$30$29.95$29.90
Maker’s ageAges 9–12Ages 8–13Ages 10+
CategorySTEM kitsSTEM kitsSTEM kits
Good forKids aged 9 to 12 who like engineering buildsYoung engineers aged 8 to 13 who like Mark RoberKids aged 10+ who want hands-on chemistry
StockAvailableAvailableAvailable

Prices are the list prices we saw on the maker’s site and change often.

If this isn’t quite right.

CrunchLabs Build Box

CrunchLabs Build Box

Another monthly build box for ages 8–13

See review
MEL Science MEL Chemistry Subscription

MEL Science MEL Chemistry Subscription

Monthly chemistry kits for ages 10+

See review

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