The links in this best subscription boxes guide are affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link. 

Everyone loves getting mail but mail is even better when it’s a box filled with goodies you get on a regular basis. Just like there’s an app for everything, there’s a subscription box for every age and interest and it’s been a pleasure seeing the wide variety of creative boxes out there.

Best Subscription Boxes for Kids, Teens & Adults

I’ve curated my best subscription boxes for toddlers and preschoolers, elementary ages, teens, and adults into a nice sized list to help you find a gift for someone you love that reminds them how much you care about them on a regular basis throughout the year. You can also use this guide to gently nudge someone else in the direction of a perfect present for you!

Best Subscription Boxes for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Playful Learning Do-It-Together Kits ($120 every 3 months)

Playful Learning brings education to life by sharing inspiring little lessons through their Do-It-Together (DIT) subscription kits. Each kit is delivered right to your door every 3 months and features beautiful hands on experiences, resources, and materials so you can explore, learn, and engage in hands-on experiences with your kids. Membership includes online units and additional resources, including what you need to do a deeper dive into the topic. Join virtual workshops and the virtual playful learning community to connect with other parents and educators from all over the globe. Best for ages 3+

Little Passports Animals Wild (from $24.95/MONTH)

Animal loving explorers will love receiving a new science-based adventure every month through a Little Passports Animals Wild subscription. Every month kids will unpack a new box that features lift the flap facts, activities, and hands-on games that teach about animals and habitat sand engage physical learners through a variety of fun hands-on learning experiences. The firest activity kit is an Amazon rainforest adventure. The box includes a pop-up playset with lift-the-flap surprised featuring fascinating animals in the rainforest’s four layers, the Rainforest Romp game, a 3D pop-out macaw, jaguar, emperor tamarin, and poison dart frog to use with the enclosed playset, and a matching game, maze, and other activities filled with rainforest facts. Best for ages 3-5 Get 20% off sitewide with the code November20 during the pre-Black Friday sale

Koala Crate by KiwiCo (3, 6, 9, and 12 months available starting at $19.95/month or $18.50/month for 12 months)

I love Kiwico’s Koala Crate because they have a different subscription box tailored to each age and developmental stage and Koala Crate is just perfect for ages 2-4. Koala Crate delivers monthly crafts, inspiration and high-quality products that encourage creativity and wonder through open ended activities that are designed for you and your toddler to do together. Best for ages 2-4 Use the code HOLIDAY to save on your subscription. Shipping is always free to addresses in the US.

Little Passports Early Explorers (from $24.95/month)

This year give them a gift of adventure by teaching them about geography in an age appropriate way each and every month. Every month your preschooler will get a package from Little Passports filled with fun activities, educational toys, stickers, trading cards, and learning games based on a theme like art, music, or food that teaches them about the world. For example, the Oceans package contains an educational fishing game that teaches children about different sea creatures, contains materials to conduct a salt water science experience, and a beautifully illustrated booklet filled with fun facts about each of the world’s oceans. Included stickers, trading cards, and other bonus materials in each package to make learning fun and engaging for young toddlers and preschoolers. Best for ages 3-5 Get 20% off sitewide with the code November20 during the pre-Black Friday sale

Best Subscription Boxes for Elementary Ages

Bitsbox ($29.95/month)

 

Hooray for a subscription box that teaches real coding! Each month Bitsbox sends a box with a mix of coding projects, ranging from simple to more advanced. Kids start with the code from the materials in the box and then customize it to make it their own. Bitsbox apps run on any computer, tablet, or phone with a web browser, so kids can see and share their creations. Other materials that come with a monthly subscription include an Apper-Keeper to keep Bitsbox materials organized and easy to use, coding super cards featuring app projects to inspire and guide you, Grownup Guide with information about the month’s new coding concepts and commands, and also stickers and chart to track progress. Best for ages 6+ but tweens will enjoy being able to complete the more advanced projects independently. Get 15% off with the code STEMGIFT

Guide Dots ($93 for materials and $29/month for 2 guided lessons per month)

Guide Dots is for elementary ages who want the freedom to explore art in the comfort of their own home, in their free time, and at their own pace. The first month your child will receive the Guide Dots Starter Kit, a kit that’s stocked with high quality supplies that will last for years and the months that follow, your child additional art supplies, video tutorials that utilize the supplies from the Starter Kit, and projects that keep their creative side engaged. I love that Guide Dots has two different kits, each designed for a specific age in mind to help foster skills in a developmentally appropriate way and with materials that are perfect for each age group. Level 1 ($93 materials purchase) is designed for ages 4-7 and comes with everything they need to get started including dual tip markers, chalk pastels, kneadable eraser, the light tablet, and 2 initial art projects. The Level 2 Starter kit for ages 8-12 comes with more materials and is $107.  Discover Art is designed for ages 4-6 while Art Confidence is perfect for ages 7-9 Get $10 off the starter kit with the code ARTSY_KID

Raddish Kids (monthly, 6 and 12 months available starting at $23.95/month)

Get kids in the kitchen with Raddish, a monthly cooking kit for kids ages 4-14+. With a mission to deliver culinary experiences that nurture kids’ confidence in the kitchen and beyond, Raddish provides education, family-time, and fun. Kids are encouraged to explore and experience new foods and global flavors while they learn to chop, sauté, whisk, and measure with each Raddish kit that includes 3 illustrated and laminated recipe cards, collectible apron patch, conversation starter cards, a kitchen tool to add to your arsenal, complete grocery list, and dietary modifications, playlists and lesson plans, and more. Best for ages 5-10  Use code BESTDEAL for 1 Month FREE on 6 Months or 2 Months FREE on 12 Months

KiwiCrate (3, 6, and 9 months available starting at $19.95/month or $18.50/month for 12 months)

 

Full of high quality materials and kid-friendly instructions, KiwiCrate is a fun way for ages 5-8 to explore art, science, and engineering. Each box contains explore! Magazine that includes comics, experiments, games, and more plus all the materials needed to inspire kids to see themselves as scientists, artists, creators, and makers. Best for ages 5-8 Use the code HOLIDAY to save on your subscription. Shipping is always free to addresses in the US.

Little Passports World Edition (from $24.95/MONTH)

For families trying to teach their kids geography as you raise young global citizens, Little Passports is a fun way to start because the subscription is a ticket to an exciting global adventure. Kids ages 6-10 will enjoy traveling with fictional friends, Sam and Sophia, who find a magical scooter in a garage that takes them all over the world. The first month comes in the blue Explorers’ Kit suitcase filled with a passport, wall sized map of the world, welcome letter from Sam and Sophia, stickers, photos, and activity sheets, plus access to online games through the Boarding Zone. Each month a new country is featured and kids will love collecting stickers to affix on their suitcase and in their passports. Best for ages 6-10

Best Subscription Boxes for Tweens 

Little Passports Science Expeditions (from $24.95/MONTH)

Mail-loving tweens who enjoy solving real scientific mysteries will enjoy getting a Little Passports Science Expeditions subscription. Each month’s experiments give kids a head start by fostering a lifelong interest in science, technology, engineering and math through themes like forensic science, caves & crystals, hydrology, optics & vision, rockets, and more! Each box contains everything your tween needs to get started including the signature Science Expeditions tote bag, a 16-page comic book, and a special lab notebook to jot down their findings. Best for ages 9+ Get 20% off sitewide with the code November20 during the pre-Black Friday sale

Doodle Crate (3, 6, and 9 available starting at $19.95/month or $18.50/month for 12 months)

For DIYers who love art, design, and STEM subjects, Doodle Crate is right up their alley. Each month kids get a box full of goodies that features a project plus all the items that are needed to complete it. They also get step-by-step instructions to complete their projects, Inspiration Sheets that provide design inspiration, and access to video tutorials with tips and tricks. Best for ages 9-16+ Use the code HOLIDAY to save on your subscription. Shipping is always free to addresses in the US.

SketchBox ($25/month for the Basic Box, $35/month for the Premium Box)

Creatives who swoon over art supplies will love SketchBox, a monthly subscription service that provides artists with supplies and a way to showcase their work. The Premium Box makes is an ideal subscription box for tweens and teens who love to draw. While the Basic Box is more affordable, it seems like the quality and quantity of art supplies in the Premium Box is well worth the money. No recommended age but I think this would be perfect for ages 10+

Best Subscription Boxes for Teens

Dear Holmes (starting at $49.99 for 3 months)

 
Get teens away from screens with a mystery that will appeal to their inner detective! Dear Holmes is a mail-based monthly mystery delivered straight to your door. Detectives are mailed letters and clues from a month-long mystery and tasked with using their wits and deductive reasoning skills to form a solution to the case!

Each month readers are invited to submit their solutions to the case so that Dear Holmes can choose a featured detective and highlight their work. Submissions are a great way to practice writing skills because teens will not only need to figure out who did it but identify how the crime was done and why other suspects and witnesses behaved in the way they did. This is a perfect gift for fans of the True Crime Network or True Crime Podcasts. Gift givers can download a letter to send in advance of recipients receiving their first Dear Holmes letter by mail. Best for ages 13+

Ipsy Glam Bag ($13/month)

Ipsy subscribers start by filling out a profile to help match your skin color, makeup style, and more to the deluxe samples and full sized beauty products that come in your monthly Glam Bag. Glam Bags are perfectly sized zippered cosmetic pouches featuring a different design each month. It’s a perfect subscription for YouTube makeup loving tutorial tweens and teens who live their lives in the beauty aisle, especially since it’s nicely priced at $10/month. Each month’s bag is automatically charged to your credit card but you can cancel at any time. Best for ages 13+

Best Subscription Boxes for Grownups

What do you get the adult who has everything? A subscription box that matches their interests, desires, and makes them smile. Here are a few favorites that I’m always happy to find at my doorstep.

NPR Coffee Club (3, 6, or 12 month subscriptions starting at $17.50/month)

As an NPR listener and fan of Counter Culture coffee, I think a NPR Coffee Club subscription is a perfect gift! Visit the Subscription page to select the coffee, frequency, and quantity. Then add to your cart and check out. It’s that easy to get Counter Culture coffee delivered to your door each month and support NPR at the same time. NPR has a long-standing tradition of creating a more informed public through quality reporting, expert analysis and thoughtful commentary that connects us to our communities and the world we live in. Supporting the NPR Coffee Club means you get incredible coffee and are also helping to support the shared mission of NPR and participating member stations: to create a more informed public – one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas, and cultures. If you’re not familiar with Counter Culture coffee, they’ve been pursuing coffee perfection through a dedication to real environmental, social, and fiscal sustainability and a commitment to creating cutting-edge coffee people since their founding in 1995. Every purchase through the Coffee Club supports NPR programming. Get 30% off your first coffee subscription order with code NPRCLUB30

NPR Wine Club (12 wines + a 3 bottle bonus for $79.99)

Just as NPR keeps you well-informed on current affairs, the experts at Laithwaites will let NPR Wine Club members know what’s happening in the wine world. Since NPR listeners appreciate depth and diversity, Laithwaites will introduce you to wines and characters from many different countries – a fascinating range of styles with a strong emphasis on personality and value. Tasting notes with every club case will provide the background story of each selection, as well as useful serving advice. In addition to the delicious dozen, you’ll uncork three NPR‐themed wines: Weekend Edition Cabernet, Consider This Sauvignon Blanc and Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! Zinfandel as a wine club member. Members pay an annual fee and then every case ships for free. These NPR themed wine charms ($14) would make a wonderful addition to this gift!

Carnivore Club Classic Box ($49.99/month with monthly, every other month, or every 3 month options)

There’s no better gift for meat lovers than Carnivore Club’s Classic Box. This subscription box features 4-6 premium cured meats, including exclusive access to salamis, prosciuttos, bacon, and more you won’t find in your local grocery store. Choose a single month delivery or subscription options for a box to arrive at their doorstep every other month or quarterly. 

Creatively Box ($109.50 for 3 months)

Everyone could use an unplugged activity that helps decrease negative emotions, reduce stress, and inspire confidence. Creatively Box does just that! A paint party in a box, Creatively can be purchased as a single box or a monthly subscription and comes with all the supplies you need, plus step-by-step instructions to paint, create, and have fun from the comfort of your home. Creatively is great for doing as a family or on your own. Coordinate with loved ones who are scattered around the country or girlfriends you just can’t see IRL right now and hop on Zoom to bond while you paint!

Splendid Spoon (customizable meal plans from $85)

It’s frightening to realize 80% of our meals are eaten during those hectic in-between and on-the-go moments of life. Make a resolution to eat better even on the go with Splendid Spoon whose customized meal plans feature plant-based nutrient-dense smoothies, soups, grain bowls, and noodle bowls that arrive to your doorstep ready to eat. Founded in 2013 by Nicole Centeno, mom to Caleb and Grover, an author and French Culinary Institute–trained chef who was sick of falling back on granola bars and takeout, Splendid Spoon provides meals you can feel good and taste delicious. I’ve loved the plant-based smoothies, soups, noodles, and grain bowls I’ve tried from Splendid Spoon. They’re always packed with flavor and nutrients to be filling and satisfying, even on my busiest days!

I’ve loved trying these healthy meals that feature diverse flavors from around the world. Grain and noodle bowls arrive frozen so you can keep them in the freezer until you’re ready to eat them or store them in the refrigerator upon arrival. Simply microwave for delicious, nutrient-rich meal that you can feel good about eating. And those smoothies? They’re perfect to keep you going between busy days packed with Zoom meetings and managing online school. Choose from over 50 meals and skip deliveries any time. The Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + 1 Day Soup Reset (pictured above) is normally $185 but on sale for $160. You can also get $100 off your first 4 boxes until 12/6 when you order your boxes by January 31.

BroadwayHD ($11.99/month or $129.99/year)

Featured on my site (BroadwayHD Streams Award-Winning Theater to Your Living Room) BroadwayHD is a great family gift for parents and kids of all ages to enjoy. BroadwayHD is the premiere streaming service for live award-winning theater from across the globe. Fans can expect to see classics like The Sound of Music and Peter Pan, spellbinding productions like Cirque du Soleil: Toruk – The First Flight, the full works of Shakespeare, and a selection of the world’s greatest musicals including Kinky Boots, 42^nd Street, The King and I, and An American in Paris and more in the comfort of your own home. Classic and modern productions ensure there’s no shortage of content available for a memorable family entertainment night. Verticals such as Most Popular, Musicals, Drama, Comedy, Concerts, Romance, Award Winners, Foreign Theater, BBC, Education, and more make it easy to sort through the wealth of content available quickly so you can watch on your computer, mobile device, Apple TV, Roku, or through Chromecast. Save $30 on a gift for you or someone else until 12/8/22.

RawSpiceBar (3, 6, and 12 month subscriptions are available starting at $35 for 3 months)

For those who love to cook, there’s nothing better than the arrival of new, fresh spices to your doorstep every month. RawSpiceBar’s spice of the month club provides 2 salt-free, freshly ground spices, shipped monthly (or 6 spices, shipped quarterly), with plenty of recipes for all diets.

Bawdy Bookworms (single boxes start at $39.95 or subscribe and pay $59.95 every 3 months for the deluxe boxes)

Combining her love of books and her years of experience selling sensual adult toys at in-home parties, Thien-Kim Lam, founded Bawdy Bookworms because of her belief that every woman deserves a happy ending. Bawdy Bookworms’ quarterly boxes are shipped in plain boxes but their contents are anything but! Each box is centered around a theme found in the romantic book selection and includes some sexy surprises. The smart women who subscribe to Bawdy Bookworms also have access to an online community where they come together to talk about each quarter’s featured sexy book, share favorite reads, and chat just like your regular book club does. And if you’re worried that you’ll be stuck reading some cheesy romance novel, I encourage you to buy a single box because the books are always well written romances that will leave you yearning for your next Bawdy Bookworms box. As a bonus, Bawdy Bookworms subscribers are invited to join Bawdy Bookworms Insiders, a private Facebook that’s an active community of sexually empowered women who share favorite books, toys, and advice. Also check out the Bawdy Bookworms Facebook page where Thien Kim will post updates about her debut novel, Happy Endings, coming out in May 2021.

Pouring Over Books Box ($59.99 for a single box or $179.99 for a 3 box subscription)

Founded based on a love of books and coffee, LaShawn Wiltz’s Pouring Over Books box is a bi-monthly subscription box full of book and coffee themed goodies that makes you take time for you. Each box features a old favorite (think classic) or a new book published within the last 90 days that fits the theme of the box. Included coffee is made with love and rich notes and the box also comes with fun accessories that complement the book and coffee. Sign up for the Pouring Over Books Box newsletter to be sure you’re notified of the next box release date if you’re not already a subscriber!

2022 Holiday Gift Guides

AGE APPROPRIATE GIFT GUIDES

• Toddlers & Preschoolers
• Early Elementary Ages (grades K-2, ages 5-8)
• Tweens (ages 9-12)
• Teens (ages 13+)
• College Students (inspired by my first year college student!)

SPECIALTY GIFT GUIDES:

• STEM Gifts for All Ages (preK-tween)
• Best Subscriptions for Kids, Teens & Adults
• Gifts for Teachers
• Gifts for People Who Love Their Dogs (inspired by Goldie and Murphy, of course)

FAVORITE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES FROM LAST YEAR

Need other ideas? Here’s a look at last year’s gift guides :

• Toddlers and Preschoolers
• Early Elementary Ages (grades K-2, ages 5-8)
• Tweens (ages 9-12)
• Teens (ages 13+)
• STEM Gifts for All Ages (preK-tween)
• Best Age Appropriate Advent Calendars for Kids
• Fair Trade Holiday Gifts
• Gifts for Unplugged Family Fun
• Gifts for Teachers
• Best Gifts for Unplugged Fun
• Gifts for Outdoor Adventures
• Gifts for Gadget Lovers
• Gifts that Give Back
• 9 Gifts that Make it Easy for Families to Give Back

I hope you enjoy this year’s picks and wish you happy and stress-free holiday shopping!

Samples were received to facilitate this post and affiliate links are included. No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.