Reviewed by
Roxie
ToucanBox is a flexible subscription service that encourages little fingers and minds to stay curious, creative and busy, which is especially important during this uncertain and confusing time. The box is aimed at children aged 3-8. Penny is now 4 and although she often finds a few of the activities challenging, she always has fun playing and experimenting with the materials. Every box brings a different opportunity to explore different textures, colour and materials, as well as develop her creativity, independence and knowledge of the world around her.
Each letterbox-friendly box (personalised with your child’s name) contains two activity packs full of inspiration and materials, a colourful magazine with stickers and a very small surprise gift. Each activity has a rating to give you an idea of the level of grown-up assistance needed, messiness and whether of not drying time needed.
Kente Cloth & Paper Bead Necklace
Contents: double-sided tape, black foam, white ribbon, pipette, watercolour crayons, frame, rainbow string, watercolour paper & straws
Kente is a fabric made of interwoven cloth strips, native to the Akan group from South Ghana. Each colour has a symbolic meaning. This activity involved weaving ribbon through the foam background and using special watercolour crayons along with the pipette provided to create unique shapes and patterns with the swirling paint.
Chinese Lion Puppet
Contents: Circle template, card, foam, cupcake liners, sticky back eyes, feathers, streamers, clay, double stick tape & glue stick
This activity was inspired by the colours and traditions of Chinese New Year, Spring Festival and the Lunar New Year, the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Penny loved decorating her puppet with feathers and streamers. We watched a video of the huge dragons in parades and she copied the movements as the long steamers floated in the air. One of Penny’s favourite parts of the box was the small sachet of clay provided. We’d never received anything like this so far and she loved using it to creat her lion’s eyes and nostrils.
By Evelyn 
