Best STEM Subscription Box in the UK for Kids in 2024

If you’re looking for supplemental materials to enrich your children’s education during this unprecedented time, a STEM subscription box in UK may be the perfect solution. With COVID-19 in effect, remote learning has become a daily reality for many families. With that in mind, we’ve broken down the best STEM subscription boxes in the UK.

The Best STEM Subscription Box in the UK: KiwiCo

With over 15 million crates delivered, KiwiCo is the world’s most successful STEM subscription box.

The company offers 8 different subscriptions to choose from, each geared toward a different age group. There are boxes for young children, teens, and even new-borns. Each box is the culmination of 1,000 hours of research and testing, and no two boxes are alike.

Why We Love It: KiwiCo projects are fun, creative, and educational. As your child builds a working pinball machine, constructs their own miniature windmill, or designs a personalised robot, they can’t help but feel a sense of wonder, excitement, and accomplishment.

Tips for New Subscribers: If you’re looking for STEM boxes, make sure to choose a subscription that’s STEM-oriented, as KiwiCo offers a diverse variety. For instance, the Doodle Crate and the Tinker Crate are both geared toward 9- to-16-year-olds, but the Doodle Crate emphasises crafty projects while the Tinker Crate is more science- and engineering-based. The Kiwi Crate, Atlas Crate, and Eureka Crate are also perfect for young science and engineering lovers.

The Cost: Crates start at just £11.87 per month when you pay for a 12-month subscription. Month-to-month subscriptions are also available.

Deals to Look Out For: Sign up for their newsletter to get 30% off your first order!

Click here to visit KiwiCo and get started. You never know what the next exciting project will be.

2nd Best STEM Subscription Box in the UK: MEL Science

The MEL Science experiment box contains everything that kids need to complete simple but amazing science experiments. Experiments are designed for kids ages 9 to 14, and each box contains 2 to 3 unique, safe, and fun projects. Every new subscription comes with a free VR headset and Starter Kit, and UK shipping is always free.

Why We Love It: You won’t find any boring volcanoes made with bicarbonate of soda. These are some of the coolest science experiments you’ll ever encounter, including glowing minerals, home-grown crystals, and hydrogen soap bubbles made from fire. Each experiment looks amazing but also comes with a handy guide that teaches you the science behind it. Ignite your child’s sense of wonder.

Tips for New Subscribers: Although all MEL Science experiments are safe (complying with European safety norms EN 71-4), we recommend that children and parents do the experiments together. These projects are designed for family bonding.

The Cost: The MEL Science box starts at £29.90.

Deals to Look Out For: Check the website often, as they’re constantly running new promotions. Right now, for example, you can get three months for free if you pay for a one-year subscription up front.

Click here to check out MEL Science, and start enjoying one-of-a-kind science experiments with your young ones.

3rd Best STEM Subscription Box in the UK: toucanBox

Young arts-and-crafts enthusiasts will love our favourite arts-centred STEAM box: toucanBox. Whether your child is building googly-eyed bugs with pipe cleaners or assembling 3D castles, there is never a dull moment. Designed for children aged 3 to 8, toucanBox has been the recipient of numerous awards including the MadeForMums Toy Award 2016 and Junior Design Award 2016. Each toucanBox includes two craft activities and is packed with stickers, crafting materials, colourful instructions, and a surprise collectible. Also included is toucanBox magazine, which is filled with STEAM-inspired games, puzzles, recipes, and much more.

Why We Love It: Each box is designed to foster a child’s creativity, help them to hone their fine motor skills, and develop their critical thinking abilities. All of the necessary materials are included with each craft, and they are all 100% child-safe. Best of all, each toucanBox comes personalised with the child’s name, so your little one will feel a surge of excitement each time their new delivery comes through the letterbox. It’s no wonder more than 5 million toucanBoxes have already been delivered.

Tips for New Subscribers: There are no commitments or contracts, so you can try it out for a month and decide if it’s right for your child. If you’re looking for a fun gift idea, toucanBox also offers 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month gift subscriptions.

The Cost: A toucanBox subscription is just £8.95 per month plus £2.95 for delivery.

Deals to Look Out For: Visit the toucanBox website using our link, and get 50% off your first order!

Click here to claim your deal and get started with toucanBox!

Honourable Mentions for Other Great STEM Subscription Boxes

The following STEM subscriptions also have plenty to offer:

Space Journey: Rather than providing science experiments, Space Journey provides children with educational space kits that are filled with information about the planets and cosmos. Kids get to follow Geo the owl and Atlas the puppy as they journey around the solar system. Each box includes a letter, colourful photos, stickers, fact cards, and a unique souvenir from each planet. Pay just £25 to start and then £12 per month; cancel anytime.

Letterbox Lab: Ideal for children ages 6 to 12, Letterbox Lab is a chemistry box similar to MEL Science. The experiments are easy to complete, and each box comes with fun illustrated instruction booklets featuring Meg and Pico the lab assistants. There are two boxes to choose from: The Explore Box (£8 +£2 postage) and the Investigate Box (£22 + £2 postage). The Explore Box includes 3 to 4 projects and is recommended for children as young as 6; the Investigate Box includes 6 to 9 projects and is recommended for children as young as 8.

Creation Crate: Perfect for technology lovers ages 12 and up, Creation Crate is all about building electronics. Each box has both a hardware and software element: build the experiment, and then program it on your computer. Each crate is more challenging than the last. Shipping is free, and subscriptions start around £23 per month.