Tinker Crate
KiwiCo's monthly science and engineering crate for ages 9–12. Each box has the materials to build a working project, such as a radio-controlled delivery robot or a giant jointed hand, plus a guide that explains the science.
What is Tinker Crate?
Tinker Crate is KiwiCo's science and engineering subscription for kids ages 9 to 12. KiwiCo calls it a laboratory for hands-on STEM projects. Every month a box arrives with everything needed to build a working gadget, and the guide explains the engineering behind it.
Recent projects include a radio-controlled Delivery Bot that teaches robotics and radio control, and a Mega Hand, a large jointed hand that shows how linkages work.
How it works
You subscribe through KiwiCo, choose monthly billing or a prepaid plan, and a crate ships each month. A typical project goes like this:
- Unpack the parts and open the illustrated guide.
- Build the project step by step, often in an afternoon.
- Try the play ideas and extra challenges.
- Watch the online videos to learn the science behind it.
Most kids in this age range can build on their own, and a parent can step in for tricky parts. You can pause one month at a time or switch to another KiwiCo line in your account.
What it covers
Tinker Crate leans on physical science and engineering:
Recent and upcoming projects show the range:
- Delivery Bot: a radio-controlled robot that teaches robotics and radio control.
- Mega Hand: a large jointed hand that teaches linkages and robot engineering.
- Animatronics Studio: a motorized marionette built around mechanical engineering, listed as coming soon in October 2026.
It doesn't follow a grade-by-grade scope and sequence. Each crate stands alone, so kids can join at any point.
Who it's best for
Tinker Crate fits kids who love building and want to know how things work. It's a good monthly add-on for homeschoolers in 4th to 7th grade, especially alongside a structured middle school science program.
Kids under 9 usually do better with the Kiwi Crate inside KiwiCo. Kids who prefer chemistry experiments may like MEL Science more.
Pricing at a glance
Tinker Crate uses KiwiCo's plans: monthly, or prepaid 3-, 6- or 12-month terms that lower the per-crate price. As of October 2026, prices show in checkout, US shipping is free, and the official deal is 40% off a first crate for email sign-ups. Prepaid plans can't be canceled mid-term.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
It depends on your program. Some education savings accounts allow educational kits and supplies; others restrict spending to curriculum or approved vendors. Each program decides. See how scholarships and ESAs for homeschool families work and check your state, for example Arizona. Save Tinker Crate to your wishlist, then apply once on Edulist.
How it compares
Within KiwiCo, Tinker sits between Kiwi Crate and Eureka Crate; see the full KiwiCo listing for every line. MEL Science is the main rival for experiments, and Osmo suits younger kids who like tablet-linked play. To build real science knowledge around the projects, pair it with Generation Genius.
See the best science kits for kids for more options.
Who Tinker Crate is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- 9- to 12-year-olds who love building and taking things apart
- Kids who can follow illustrated steps on their own
- Homeschool families adding monthly engineering projects
Look elsewhere if
- Kids under 9; try Kiwi Crate instead
- Families who need a full science curriculum
- Kids who prefer art or crafts over mechanisms
Tinker Crate pros and cons
Pros
- Projects use real engineering ideas like linkages, motors and radio control
- All materials in the box
- Kids can usually build with little adult help
- Clear guides plus online videos explain the why
Cons
- Prepaid plans can't be canceled mid-term
- Price per project adds up over a year
- One project a month won't cover a science year
- Narrow age band of 9 to 12
What’s included
- One engineering build a month with all materials included
- Illustrated instructions with play ideas and extra challenges
- Online videos and activities that explain the science
- Free US shipping; pause, switch or cancel from your account
How much does Tinker Crate cost?
Tinker Crate is billed like every KiwiCo line: monthly, or prepaid for 3, 6 or 12 months, with the per-crate price shown in KiwiCo's checkout and falling on longer terms. US shipping is free. Some past Tinker projects are also sold individually in the KiwiCo store.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
On KiwiCo's own Tinker Crate page, parents rate it around 4.7 out of 5 from more than 11,000 reviews, mentioning confidence, less screen time and a just-right challenge. Independent reviews of KiwiCo overall echo the fun projects but flag subscription terms and occasional shipping problems.
Common praise
- Just-right challenge for upper elementary
- Less screen time, more building
- Kids gain confidence finishing a real build
Common complaints
- Prepaid plans can't be ended early
- Occasional duplicate or lost crates
- Some feel the materials are pricey for what's included
Sources: kiwico.com · tinker · trustpilot.com · kiwico.com
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Tinker Crate FAQs
What age is Tinker Crate for?
KiwiCo designs Tinker Crate for ages 9 to 12. Younger kids usually do better with Kiwi Crate for ages 6 to 9, and older kids can move up to Eureka Crate for ages 12 and up.
What comes in a Tinker Crate?
Each box has the materials for one build, an illustrated guide with play ideas and extra challenges, and online videos. Recent projects include a radio-controlled Delivery Bot and a Mega Hand that teaches how linkages work.
Does Tinker Crate need parent help?
Most 9- to 12-year-olds can build with little help by following the illustrated steps. A parent may still help with tricky steps on some projects.
How much is Tinker Crate?
It's priced like other KiwiCo lines: monthly or prepaid 3-, 6- or 12-month plans, with the per-crate price shown at checkout. Longer plans cost less per crate, and US shipping is free.
Is Tinker Crate the same as KiwiCo?
Tinker Crate is one of KiwiCo's eight crate lines. You manage it in the same KiwiCo account and can switch to another line at any time.
Is Tinker Crate better than MEL Science?
Tinker Crate focuses on mechanical and electrical builds for ages 9 to 12. MEL Science leans toward chemistry and physics experiments with an app and VR lessons. Kids who love building gadgets usually prefer Tinker; kids who love experiments often prefer MEL.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: