Reviews of current subscription services
A couple of weeks ago, I went through a bunch of subscription services to see what was available in the DIY/Crafts/Education categories.
Here are some kits that are available, and what I think a new product could improve on what is already available.
“Groovy Lab in a Box”
(http://www.groovylabinabox.com)
This subscription service focuses in on a younger demographic to teach STEM skills through mini experiments.
From the website: “With a subscription to Groovy Lab in a Box, you will receive boxes full of everything you need to learn about and do hands on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) experiments for ages 8+.
Because children are natural engineers, Groovy Lab in a Box blends Scientific Inquiry and the Engineering Design Process which allows children to create ingenious inventions, enhance critical problem solving skills, and have FUN!”
Pros: The packaging comes with everything needed to complete the experiments, they come in an attractive retro box, parents will be willing to spend money to further their kid’s education, focuses on learning in an exciting way, connected to social media/online
Cons: Experiments seem to be pretty standard (nothing new, similar to the kits I used to get when I was a kid), I wonder if the experiments and approach to them is different enough than from what a child that age would learn in school about science and engineering, and of course what about STEM-STEAM? (http://stemtosteam.org)
“CandiGirlBox” (http://www.candigirlbox.com/#!about/c15ri)
It’s not entirely clear what comes inside each subscription box, however it is targeted towards younger girls. I assume that the boxes come with little projects/ products your child may like.
Pros: Your child can become a part of a community through the website, the website is geared to parents as a gift to their kids
CONS: I find this box to be extremely problematic for young girls because of the options of subscriptions. You are either a “sporty/tomboy” girl, “girly” girl, or “book worm”. Girls at this age should not categorize themselves by these terms, or feel like less of a girl depending on their interests. I think it is still a good idea to try and customize the boxes towards the consumer’s interests, however without these labels. Girls need to be taught to explore all of their interests, and not to be ashamed of falling way on the “girly” side or the “tomboy” side, as if these things really exist. Empowering young girls is the priority, not selling them and their parents things they don’t need.
“Genius Box” (http://www.geniusbox.me)
gen·ius box, (n) /ˈjēnyəs bäks/: For curious young minds, genius.box delivers a monthly themed box of STEM activities right to your door packed with projects & learning opportunities
(See my review for Groovy Lab in a Box)
“Quarterly Co.” (https://quarterly.co)
I have to admit, I’m totally a sucker for this subscription service even though it does not align with my interests in terms of education. I think if you have the money (the subscription is on the expensive side) it’s a fun and well designed experience. The founder of the company based his service on the happiness factor of receiving a “curated” care package from someone you love. (http://quarterlyco.tumblr.com/post/7849330591/why-im-starting-quarterly-co) With these packages, you receive items, along with a letter from a celebrity/blogger/influential person you admire.
Pros: Really well targeted for a specific audience, ties together a really appealing story with the product, sells a one-of-a-kind experience, you feel as though you are receiving something personal, fun and exciting
Cons: The kits can be expensive, luxury service, at the end of the day still a subscription that sends you various products/knick knacks
“Cultured Crate” (http://www.culturedcrate.com/index.html)
“We search the world over to supply your Cultured Crate member with fun items that have a story. Items with reason. We strive to bring them items that they will be proud to show, wear or own. We strive to keep the boxes a surprise every month and we change up the boxes so that your Club member can feel special with their wares. We use the idea of philantropy within the teachings in their crate. How they can help and change the world. How they can be everything they want to be while remembering the World is a large place. They will smile, gain knowledge and be proud of the things that they learn through their Cultured Crate Delivery.”
The message of the company is one that seems to take in account this sense of empowerment at a young age thats linked to knowledge.
They have a really great partnership program if you’d like for your items to appear in their boxes.
“Cultured Crate started out of a passion for Art and Creativity. This is a family business ran by 4 artsy members. Two grown kids, my husband and I…Then we have our amazing 15 year old Aspie writer and our 12 year old guitar player, singer and artist. Both grew up in theater as I directed and even acted with them through the years. My husband is a professional Musician and we own a large preschool based on the arts. This is what we do! We understand small business and how important relationships are to both of us! Cultured Crate is dear to us. We would love to have you be a part of our crates. ”
Pros: Targets a wide, young audience, owners of the company seem to be genuinely interested in giving kids opportunities to learn more about the world around them in a more responsible way, gives the message that kids can make a difference and change the world
Cons: I wasn’t able to preview what kind of products come in the boxes, something that I am concerned about is trivializing other cultures and creating a very narrow view of a culture.
“Goldie Blox” (http://www.goldieblox.com)
Goldie Blox has gotten a lot of attention for it’s mission to create an experience for girls in which they can learn concepts of engineering through a game. Using the pieces given in the kit, young girls can create their own “inventions”.
“At GoldieBlox, our goal is to get girls building. We’re here to help level the playing field in every sense of the phrase. By tapping into girls’ strong verbal skills, our story + construction set bolsters confidence in spatial skills while giving young inventors the tools they need to build and create amazing things.
In a world where men largely outnumber women in science, technology, engineering and math…and girls lose interest in these subjects as early as age 8, GoldieBlox is determined to change the equation. Construction toys develop an early interest in these subjects, but for over a hundred years, they’ve been considered "boys’ toys”. By designing a construction toy from the female perspective, we aim to disrupt the pink aisle and inspire the future generation of female engineers.“
Pros: Creates a strong and important message about gender quality and getting young girls interested in engineering concepts. The product successfully combines a game with elements of learning. Your child can submit their own innovation to be showcased on the website. Narrative based building
Cons: The main character, goldie has long flowing blonde hair and pale skin, I wonder about diversity within the field not only in gender but also race
"Kiwi Crate”: (http://www.kiwicrate.com/our-crates)
A subscription service based more on art education/ design principles for young kids. Uses research about child development to create craft based projects that teach young kids important developmental skills.
“Kiwi Crate was created to fulfill that wish and to celebrate kids’ natural creativity and curiosity. We want to make it fun, easy, and delightful to spend time building, exploring and creating together. Since its inception, the Kiwi Crate team has grown. We’ve added creative parents who dream up the projects, valued experts who review them, and a community of kid testers who keeps us on our toes and ensures the projects are fun and engaging.”
(http://www.kiwicrate.com/picture-gallery)
Pros: Gives kids a wide variety of projects for many different interests, non-gendered, uses arts and design based learning versus purely STEM, lets parents know how messy the kits will be, kits are complete, social media interaction
Cons: The projects look fun and creative, but I wonder what makes them so different from all other arts and crafts kits that taps into a child’s development, though it seems like they have some kits to learn about gardening and simple machines.
“Whimsey Box” (https://whimseybox.com/shop)
An arts and crafts subscription service for women in their early 20’s that focuses on crafts like jewelry making, sewing, scrapbooking, etc.
Pros: You can buy kits/supplies separately or get them sent to your house, projects look fun and modern, you can make your own clothes/jewelry/gifts/and even learn to cook, sense of ownership through social media.
Cons: The projects all have a very similar aesthetic, how much customization can you get from these projects, what makes this unique?, how much do you really learn about creating an object/piece of art?
In my next post, I’ll summarize what all this research means to me, and how I can create a product that is unique and uses the pros of these products to further the success of the project.