KiwiCo Studio Crate Review: Creative Fun for Teens & Tweens

If you’re searching for a creative and engaging activity for your teen, our KiwiCo Studio Crate review has all the details you need.

As a homeschool mom, I’ve found that while I enjoy tackling subjects like math and history, art and design often leave me feeling out of my depth.

That’s why KiwiCo has become a go-to for our family, turning complex projects into simple, stress-free fun.

Among the best KiwiCo crates, the Studio Crate stands out as a perfect blend of creativity and learning, making it a hit in our homeschool.

**Disclosure: I was compensated for my time to write this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I only share resources that I would use with my own family and those that I believe other homeschool families will enjoy. There may be affiliate links in this post.**

Studio Crate: Hands-On Creativity for Tweens and Teens

The KiwiCo Studio Crate is designed for kids aged 9 and up, but with a little guidance, younger kids can enjoy it too.

My 12-year-old son gave the electro-luminescent sculpture kit a try, and while he needed occasional help, the experience was still a hit.

One of the reasons we love KiwiCo is their attention to detail—everything you need is neatly packed into the box, from tools to tape. However, this particular kit does require a ruler, which isn’t included.

If you don’t have one handy, a quick estimation of 12 inches will still do the trick!

What’s in the Box?

Unlike other KiwiCo kits we’ve tried, this crate’s makers guide focused more on inspiration and the history of wire art rather than step-by-step instructions.

For this project, we turned to the video tutorial, which was clear and easy to follow.

Building the Electro-Luminescent Sculpture

With everything ready to go straight out of the box, you can dive into this project immediately—perfect for busy families like ours.

Before creating your sculpture, it’s a good idea to practice bending the wire into various shapes using the provided tool.

I recommend spending at least 30 minutes experimenting, even if it’s tempting to skip this step.

My son initially skipped the practice session, only to go back and do it later when he faced challenges.

Once you’re comfortable with the wire, it’s time to bring your vision to life. The crate includes templates for designs like a swan, “hello” sign, and leaf, but you can also create your own.

My son started with the cat design, but after some trial and error, he switched to the leaf template and loved the result.

The wire is durable and flexible, so it’s forgiving if you need to make adjustments. After shaping the wire, attach it to the wooden base and add either white or green EL wires.

Securing the EL wires to the sculpture is a bit tricky, but it thoughtfully includes plenty of zip ties to keep everything in place.

The finished sculpture not only looks fantastic but also adds a unique glow to any space. This crate offers a fun, hands-on way to explore art and design, making it one of our favorite KiwiCo projects so far.

KiwiCo Studio Crate Review: Why It Stands Out

Once again, the KiwiCo crate exceeded our expectations, offering a creative and high-quality experience. Here are the top reasons why the Studio Crate might be the perfect fit for you:

1. Each crate brings something new and exciting. One month you might try a macrame planter; the next, a punch needle pillow.
2. From wire sculpting to other creative techniques, the projects introduce skills you may have never explored before.
3. No more rummaging around for tools—they ensures all materials, even the small ones, are in the box.
4. Simply open the box and start creating. It’s perfect for busy families or those who want hassle-free projects.
5. While we used it in our homeschool, this crate is just as enjoyable for adults looking to try something creative.
6. Every item, from the tools to the materials, feels premium—a consistent trait across all KiwiCo boxes we’ve tried.
7. Even as complete beginners in wire sculpting, we appreciated the detailed guidance and extra practice wire provided.
8. The Studio Crate (formarly the Maker Crate) encourages you to try things you wouldn’t normally do—like designing a glowing sculpture!
9. It’s an excellent way to bring art and design into your homeschool, especially if it’s not your strongest subject.
10. Considering the quality and creativity packed into each crate, the cost is well worth it.

KiwiCo Crates: Fun for the Whole Family

KiwiCo offers engaging subscription boxes that cater to every age, from babies to adults.

Whether you’re looking for educational play for little ones or creative challenges for teens and adults, there’s something for everyone.

Panda Crate

Developed in partnership with Seattle Children’s Hospital, the Panda Crate is designed to nurture early learning through play, exploration, and interaction with adults.

Each box arrives every other month, packed with activities to last two months.

Read our KiwiCo Panda Crate review for more details.

Sprout Crate

Preschoolers will love the hands-on activities in the Sprout Crate, which spark creativity and curiosity through play-based learning.

Discover more in our KiwiCo Sprout Crate review.

Labs Crate

Perfect for budding innovators, the Labs Crate provides materials and inspiration for projects that explore art, science, and engineering.

It’s a great way to nurture problem-solving and STEM skills.

World Crate

Encouraging kids to see themselves as global citizens, the World Crate inspires adventure and curiosity with geography-themed projects.

Check out our review of this geography subscription box.

Looking for even more ideas? Explore the best subscription boxes for teen boys that we’ve tried and loved, or check out our comprehensive list of homeschool curriculum reviews for additional inspiration.

Last Updated on 19 November 2024 by Clare Brown