toucanBox Review And Why I Love It!

*Please note, this is not a sponsored post or paid advertorial. I just really love these boxes and wanted to share my views with others. Make sure you check out the discount code at the end of this post!*

It’s no secret, I love doing arts and crafts with my little one. We love colouring, painting, sticking, using tissue paper, stickers, glitter, you name it. What I don’t love, however, is trying to think up all the fun things to make and do. I don’t love trying to find all the products and crafty bits that go with making whatever thing I’ve found on the internet. And then, when we sit down to make it, finding out that I’ve forgotten something. And this where toucanBox comes in to save the day!

What Is A toucanBox?

In basic terms, a toucanBox is a monthly arts and crafts subscription service. It is sent directly to your door and is aimed at children aged 3-8. However, it is so SO much more than that. They are inspired by Montessori learning and advocate STEAM, which stands for Science, technology, engineering, arts and maths.

Every month you receive a box that contains two art and craft activities, a magazine with colouring, activities and stickers(!) and a collectable surprise!

One of the best parts about the art and craft activities is the fact that they include EVERYTHING that you need and provide easy to follow instructions. The only things that I have needed so far is a pair of scissors and some water.

What’s great is that they have just added a new feature where you can pick the two crafts that you receive each month from a long list of options. After each activity, it tells you the age range, how messy it is and how much adult assistance is needed. It also includes information on the activity, such as nature, decoration, animals, role play, sewing, painting and mindfulness so you really can make an informed decision on what crafts to pick for your little one.

And the VERY BEST part about these boxes is the fact that they are only £8.95 plus £2.95 for delivery per month.

Spring Pin Bowling

We have been having so much fun with this one!

What was included:

• 6x bowling pin halves
• Bowling ball halves
• Bowling lane
• 3x tissue paper
• Ramp
• Pin decorations
• Glue
• Double-sided sticky pads
• Paintbrush

All we needed to add was some water!

We started by sticking the ball halves together with the glue and leaving it overnight to dry. We used the double-sided sticky pads to stick the bowling pins together. Then we ripped the tissue paper up into strips and mixed the leftover glue with a small amount of water.

Next, we painted the pins with the glue mixture and stuck the tissue paper all over them, making sure none of the white parts remained (that was mummy’s job). These had to dry overnight so I popped them in the airing cupboard where I excitedly checked on them every few hours!

The next day, we stuck the faces and ears on, I made the ramp and we were ready to play! Which we have been. A Lot!

Flower Press and Nature Banner

What Was Included:

• Wooden top and base
• Buckles
• Straps
• Wax paper
• Car
• Suede cord
• Banner hanger
• Magnet strips
• Animal banners
• Blank banners
• PVA Glue
• Suction cup

All we needed was a pencil, scissors and some flowers and leaves. I had some tulips that were starting to droop so I thought that it would be nice to use those.

I love that this came with wax paper to help dry the leaves and flowers out but stops them from decaying, keeping them looking colourful. The flowers will need to be pressed for around 5 days. After that, we will cut them to match the animal banner template that was provided.

Our flowers and leaves are still being pressed at the moment, but keep an eye out on Instagram as I’ll post our finished product on there!

Magazine Fun!

Once you have finished the craft activities, you also have the magazine which offers a lot more fun and ideas! Each of the activities and ideas in the magazine relates to STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, arts and maths.)

As it’s an Easter edition, there are bunny ears that you can cut out and colour. We didn’t do this one as we have already made our own!

There is an Easter egg basket that you cut out and colour. We actually combined two of the activities here, as they also gave us the idea for cottontail painting, where all you need is some cotton wool balls, paint and a clothes peg. What do you think?:

This will come in handy for our Easter egg hunt!

Next is a maze, where you have to collect the eggs and mark on the paper the correct route for each egg. You also have a counting challenge and instructions on how to make a bunny catapult (don’t worry, no bunnies will be hurt!)

After that, there is a little science experiment, involving an egg, water and salt and if that wasn’t enough, there are also instructions on how to make Easter egg Baubles!

To finish of the magazine, they provide a simple recipe for ‘Yummy Bunnies’, an interview with a Professional Chocolate taster (how do I get this job?!) and a page of photos from other toucanBox subscribers and their makes!

Little J’s favourite part was the scene where he was able to stick all of his stickers:

Conclusion and Discount Code!

And there you have my toucanBox review! We have had so much doing these activities, especially as the weather has been completely hit and miss the last few weeks and we haven’t been able to get in the garden. I love the fact that everything you need is included and I don’t have to go on the hunt for products that, let’s face it, I probably don’t have! You can tell that all of the activities have been well thought out, with kids in mind.

And if I haven’t convinced you already to sign up, then here is a special gift for you from the lovely people at toucanBox – 50% off of your first box! Just make sure that you use the code: procrastinating50 when you sign up. You can sign up here.

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