Crafts for Kids {and Busy Parents}: Kiwi Crate

My family LOVES to create. Matt was an artist during college, and I?ve always loved to decorate. It?s no wonder that we passed along the ?creative bug? to both of our boys. I have a little craft table along with a closet and cupboard filled with craft supplies for them to create on their own whenever the mood strikes. However, when it comes to ?planned? crafts for kids, I have to admit that I?m not the type of mom who loves to set up a craft. It takes time to plan and coordinate, and although I have ?pinned? some cute craft ideas they haven?t actually happened yet. This is why I think Kiwi Crate is brilliant!

Kiwi Crate is a subscription craft service that delivers creative crafts right to your front door. Here is how it works. You sign up at Kiwi Crate for a monthly subscription which costs $19.95/month (or an annual subscription which saves you the cost of one month). Each month, you receive a themed ?kiwi crate? filled with craft supplies (which includes everything you?ll need to create the craft) along with an easy to follow lesson plan. Then, you create the crafts with your kiddos! That is it! Crafting with kids has never been easier.

When our crate arrived, Asher and Zephan were ecstatic to open it! Who doesn?t like receiving packages in the mail? I knew the theme could be anything from dinosaurs, colors, or gardening but was secretly hoping for space exploration.

Inside the box we saw the two crafts that we would be creating, a space mobile and a rocket launcher. Do you know how incredibly PERFECT this theme is for my boys? Asher and Zephy are on a huge?space exploration kick?right now. Asher just turned 8 and even requested a space themed birthday party and I?m doing a bit of a science/space theme in their bedroom makeover.?It is as if they read our minds . Thanks Kiwi Crate!

On the top of the box were our lesson plans and underneath were all of the craft supplies that we needed. Kiwi Crate included a ?sibling add on? in my pack which was fantastic and costs an additional $7.95 per crate. There were enough elements of the craft to keep each of them busy without the add on but it saved us from having any fights!

Each lesson plan let?s you know the level of messiness and parent involvement required, so you know what to expect. I admit I was a bit nervous to see the ?high? meter on messiness but was relieved to learn that it was just because it involved paint. I?m used to my guys painting in the house and they are fairly careful painters .

Here is an inside peek at the lesson plan. I loved that they even included some educational questions to ask about the planets.

Asher is 8 and Zephan is 5, so they really didn?t need much help from me at all. I got them set up and provided some instructional help as needed.

And by the way, this is as bad as the ?high messiness? got at our house .

While the boys waited for their paint to dry, they began working on the second craft.

Asher was able to read and follow all of the directions and help his little brother complete the rocket launchers. If you have younger kiddos, this craft would have required a lot of adult help but was very simple to create.

This rocket launcher craft was awesome because it was a craft and toy in one. My guys made up Rocket Launching Games and played with these things ALL afternoon! Major score. It?s hard to keep my boys busy, and as a full-time work-at-home-mom I need them busy .

Finally, once all of the planets were dry we put them together to create our mobiles. This part of the craft required a lot of help on my part. The fine motor coordination required for all of the tying was excellent practice for Asher but Zephan needed a ton of help.

Just look at that proud and sweet smile . We hung the mobiles in their bedroom, and they loved being able to help decorate their room with their own creations!

So here are my true thoughts on the products:

Pros: The crafts were convenient, adorable, and educational and kept my boys busy and entertained. The time together creating something they were proud of was priceless.

Con: Could you create similar crafts for your kids on your own for less money? The answer is yes. However, I know myself and it just isn?t happening. I love the convenience and ?in your face? commitment that the boxes provide. (I plan on asking the grandparents to chip in for a few months subscription as a Christmas gift ).

Do you want to try Kiwi Crate for yourself?

If you want to purchase Kiwi Crate as a gift for a loved one you can do that too! (I think it would make an awesome gift for grand babies. Click here?and then click on the ?gifts? tab to learn about the various offers for gift subscriptions.

Disclosure: Kiwi Crate sent me a crate to review and compensated me for this post; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Source: http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/2012/08/crafts-for-kids-and-busy-parents-kiwi-crate.html

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