Art subscription boxes - any advice/experience?

[Dobby123456]

My dd (8) really likes art and I'm wondering if it's worth taking out a subscription to one of those arts and craft boxes that you get in the post. My kids really liked the toucan boxes, but they're getting a bit simple now. Make and Wonder have good reviews and aren't as pricey as some other boxes, but the age range says 4-10, so is 8 already getting a bit old, or is that about right? I'm wondering if perhaps the 4 is only with adult help, or is it aimed at the littlies? There's also LOLA, but that's quite a bit more expensive. I imagine you get better quality supplies in the more expensive ones.

LoLA is really good but it is really expensive - it's by far the best quality box we've ever subscribed to though and the quality hasn't dropped off either like happened a couple of times with other boxes. We tend to do a 3 month subscription to cover the summer holiday months.

Not art but Curiosity Box was also really good when we subscribed to that (it's science based) but that was on the more expensive side as well.

Thanks Hettiethehare, that's just what I wanted to know. If that art materials in LoLA are good quality and reusable, might be worth paying a little more. I'll order a box and have a look.

Didn't know about Curiosity Box. The letterbox size isn't too expensive. Might move on to that when my youngest has got tired of toucan.

I used to think they were a cop-out, but now I really like kits and subscription boxes because by the time you've bought all the bits for a project you always end up with hundreds of googly eyes, about 200 lolly sticks and you've spent more than a box would cost anyway - not to mention time and organisation.

Scrawlr do art boxes with really nice materials. Possibly for a slightly older age - art rather than craft. They're currently selling off old boxes buy one, get 2 free. Think I read they're changing their subscription model, but worth picking up 3 boxes for £20 (or more!)

scrawlrbox.uk/collections/previous-boxes

We really enjoy LoLA. The ideas are really cool, leave lots of scope for variation and repetition, and the materials are great and last for ages. There are ideas for older and younger children in each one and adults can join in too. They really helped us in the long winter lockdown and we are still using the materials and ideas now.

Thanks for the tip! Probably still a bit young for these, but 3 boxes for the price of one was too good an oportunity to miss!

Make and Wonder are great - I wasn’t really aware of the age range but we’ve enjoyed at various ages including about 11 years old.

Thanks. That sounds about right, then. She really loves Toucan boxes, which are aimed at 4-8. I think for home projects she prefers the easier levels as she wants to have fun and relax, rather than being presented with something too challenging - more like a school project!

I have just been researching this. Sad that make and wonder and no longer going.

Decided I will sign up to sign up to Lots of lovely art- Lola as it looks well thought out and fun.

You can get your first box for £20 with this referral code ref4662408

Was hoping I could find one to use for my order but maybe it's a new thing they have introduced as I can't find anyone sharing theirs.