Kiwico Panda Crate Review + Discount Code | Look With Me
DISCLOSURE: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS, WHICH MEANS I WILL MAKE A COMMISSION AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU, SHOULD YOU CLICK THROUGH AND MAKE A PURCHASE.
I love when I receive a little notification that someone has used my link to get their first KiwiCo Crate! I do a little happy dance because it is just my favorite thing to watch Evelyn get excited that her green box is on the front step, and now some of you guys will be experiencing that excitement as well!
We have almost been receiving Panda Crates for a year! This was the best birthday present for her, in my opinion. Friends and family will always get your kids toys and activities, so we love to gift experiences. The reason I say KiwiCo boxes are experiences, and not toys, is because you and your kids get to open them in surprise together, learn about the contents inside, experiment with their limitations, build creativity, and promote independence all in one little box.
WHY KIWICO?
While getting my education to become a teacher, I discovered the importance of learner-centered instruction. That is where I was introduced to the Montessori Method which is child-centered education. Both forms of education prioritize the learner, their interests, and their capabilities to support learning in a welcoming environment. This form of learning environment attempts to develop a wide range of skills for the learner, more than just their academic ability. So, with this teaching philosophy in mind, I knew I wanted something that supported Evelyn’s natural creativity and curiosity.
KiwiCo was created to do just that, all while helping parents learn how to provide their own enriching experiences. These crates are designed to be fun, easy, and a delightful way for families to spend quality time exploring and creating together. KiwiCo crates come in 8 age ranges, from 0 all the way up to 104 (fun for the whole family, I promise!). Depending on the age range, there may be multiple options for the main theme to be STEM, art, etc. Depending on the age range chosen, the crate could ship every month or every other month.
We ordered the Panda Crate (0-24 months) which ships every other month and is broken down even further into developmentally appropriate themes based on age. Evelyn’s age, which is now 21 months, puts her into the “Look With Me” crate category.
ABOUT THE CRATE
The Look With Me crate was designed to help babies and toddlers learn independent exploration and play skills. So, all of the toys, books, and items in the crate are specifically designed with that concept in mind. Independent play time is so, so crucial for a baby and toddler development because they are learning creativity, self-reliance, independence, imagination, and to learn from their own mistakes. Evelyn has always been a champ at independent play time and exploring on her own. The crate also explores cause & effect, observation, and problem solving through various tracking activities, bold colors, and experiments.
IN THE CRATE:
When you open the crate, the first thing you see are the educational resources for parents. There are activity cards for playing both with and without the toys. The cards with the toys explain each item, how to use it, and how it aids in development. The extra instructional cards help parents learn what their child is capable of, and what items around the house they can use to help develop those skills. These skills are so great for parents who might want additional resources on how to further connect and nurture their kids during play time! I just love that these crates not only provide resources for the children, but educational material for the parents to give them that extra confidence we need! The Look With Me crate helps explore the concepts of color learning, hand-eye coordination, and visual tracking. This came in just the right time because Evelyn has been working diligently on matching colors with their proper names! I’m so proud of her.
spin and slide board
Busy boards are such a wonderful way to keep children entertained and build crucial skills. The Spin and Slide board encourages children to figure out how to use the board, spinning gears, and sliding buttons along the way. This board is a great way to strengthen a child’s ability to focus and search, and it hones in the ability to track. While exploring the board, be sure to talk about the different scenes, objects, animals, and colors. Help your child build awareness by asking questions like “What color is the lady bug?” “How many clouds do you see?” “Can you find the bird?”
The spin and slide board is made from solid beechwood, so it is sturdy for repetitive play, and painted with non-toxic, water-based ink and varnish. It is perfectly travel sized and decorated with gears that spin, buttons that slide, and guard to prevent pinched fingers. The perfect toy to keep in the car!
Wood rainbow
This is also made from solid beechwood and painted with non-toxic, water-based ink and varnish. This rainbow can help further develop motor skills along with visual skills with this hand-eye coordination activity. This activity is visually appealing and also so versatile! I love the versatility of KiwiCo’s crates! You can make a path with the pieces, stand them up through sorting, or stand them up to throw a ball and knock them down! Various challenges with this rainbow can help children learn cause and effect, along with continued play.
Butterfly drop
This is probably Evelyn’s favorite piece in the crate. She love to show me the butterfly and tell me which color it is (it’s double sided!). As the butterfly bounces differently with each drop, the inconsistency will cause a surprise for your child to discover. Tracking the zigzag pattern is a wonderful exercise to develop looking skills for little eyes. This activity will help children to become a better reader, drawer, and athlete. You use it by dropping the butterfly in the slot at the top and watch it wiggle all the way to the bottom. You can change how it falls by dropping it on its side or upside down.
Ramp Racer
As much as I love KiwiCo, I do not appreciate the solid wood balls! They have now included 2 since our initial joining and they always sound like they are going to break our floors. BUT, it has been one of Evelyn’s favorite parts. Being that toddlers love anything that moves, balls are a good way for children to explore physics (early science for the win!). Allow your little scientist to place the ball at the top of the ramp, watch it roll down, and figure out why it moves, how it travels, and why it stops. You can use this ball to play with various textures and frictions, such as a smooth hardwood floor vs a thick rug. You can even set up the rainbow from earlier and try to roll the ball under the arch. Don’t forget to find items in your own home to create obstacles or experiments!
Board Book
Evelyn LOVES her Poppy Panda books more than anything (well maybe not more than Bubble Guppies). Panda Crates always include a book with a theme that’s the same as the box theme. This month’s book was called Poppy’s Duck Chase and can further help with the concept of tracking.
additional resources
KiwiCo goes above and beyond their crate by providing additional resources on their website. If you have an account, sign in, tap your username, click ‘subscriptions’, and there you can see all of the boxes you have received or may receive. Look With Me crate has a video that explains the importance of singing and storytelling to build visual imagination. They also have additional readings:
Reading for Parents:
Reading For Kids
I hope you enjoyed this review and unboxing! Maybe you were even able to learn a little about child development along the way. KiwiCo makes the perfect gift to any child at any age! They have a generous reward system and a wonderful digital gift card system as well (perfect for those who already have subscriptions). So if you know of or have any children, I highly recommend KiwiCo as the perfect gift!
If you decide to sign up or gift it, I can’t wait to share in the fun! Be sure to tag me on Instagram or leave a comment below telling me how you enjoyed it!
