kiwico news

It’s been a long year of unexpected challenges and changes, but through it all, the pint-sized problem solvers in our KiwiCo community have inspired us with their creativity and resilience. As we hunkered down at home at the start of quarantine, we shared a series of fun challenges as a way to stay connected with one another. With each challenge came clever, colorful, and curious creations that not only made us smile but also pushed us to work harder and think bigger. Thank you for sharing these moments of delight and wonder with us! As we round out 2020, we’re celebrating the creativity of our kid community and looking forward to another 12 months of inspiration in 2021.

2020 KiwiCo Look Back: A Year of Creativity & Resilience

KiwiCo news

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It’s been a long year of unexpected challenges and changes, but through it all, the pint-sized problem solvers in our KiwiCo community have inspired us with their creativity and resilience. As we hunkered down at home at the start of quarantine, we shared a series of fun challenges as a way to stay connected with one another. With each challenge came clever, colorful, and curious creations that not only made us smile but also pushed us to work harder and think bigger. Thank you for sharing these moments of delight and wonder with us! As we round out 2020, we’re celebrating the creativity of our kid community and looking forward to another 12 months of inspiration in 2021.

parent tips

behind the design

3 Tips for Building Your Kid's Kitchen Confidence

Parent tips

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birthday

birthday party activities

activities at home

We all want our kids’ birthdays to be magical and memorable, but let’s face it, planning a party for your child can sometimes be a bit of a struggle. There’s the sending of invitations, collecting supplies, searching for fun activities, and do we even have to mention the making of goodie bags? Oof. Well, some parents in our KiwiCo Community have shared how they managed to combine all their birthday party needs in one place — or rather, one crate!

How to Throw an Awesome Birthday Party with KiwiCo

Birthdays

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We all want our kids’ birthdays to be magical and memorable, but let’s face it, planning a party for your child can sometimes be a bit of a struggle. There’s the sending of invitations, collecting supplies, searching for fun activities, and do we even have to mention the making of goodie bags? Oof. Well, some parents in our KiwiCo Community have shared how they managed to combine all their birthday party needs in one place — or rather, one crate!

STEM

biology

We want every child who opens a KiwiCo crate to light up with excitement for the new adventures and activities ahead. That’s why each of our products undergoes a unique design journey and are tested by kid experts before they’re delivered to your door. We know we’ve created something really exciting when we hear the words, “whoa, awesome!” echo across our office. This reaction has become a litmus test for everything we do, and it’s our goal to spark the same excitement in your home. The KiwiCo community plays a huge role in the success of our products, so we want to give you an inside look at how each crate is designed to deliver “whoa, awesome!” moments.

Behind the Design: How We Deliver “Whoa, Awesome!” Moments

Behind the design

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We want every child who opens a KiwiCo crate to light up with excitement for the new adventures and activities ahead. That’s why each of our products undergoes a unique design journey and are tested by kid experts before they’re delivered to your door. We know we’ve created something really exciting when we hear the words, “whoa, awesome!” echo across our office. This reaction has become a litmus test for everything we do, and it’s our goal to spark the same excitement in your home. The KiwiCo community plays a huge role in the success of our products, so we want to give you an inside look at how each crate is designed to deliver “whoa, awesome!” moments.

camp kiwico

koala crate

art how to

tinker crate

family activities

imaginative play

arts & crafts

explore at home

everyday materials

space crafts

outdoor project

handmade

plants

craft

experiment

indoor project

painting

outdoor experiments

outdoor science projects

printable

art project

science experiment

science project

art-science projects

at-home learning

family activity

outdoor game

indoor game

party game

game

baking soda experiments

rocket

animals

nature science

garden

nature crafts

birthday party games

astronomy

summer

backyard science

solar system

egg experiment

summer crafts

backyard games

plant science

nature

egg projects

outdoor activities

food science

summer fun

space

adventure

bubbles

Summer has arrived, and with it comes a lot of downtime. But KiwiCo delivers awesome activities and exciting experiments all summer long!

15 Activities to Fill Summer Downtime with Discovery

Activities at home

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child development

ask an expert

Socialization: Some of us miss it, some of us don’t, but regardless of how we feel, our kids need it. When the pandemic put playdates on hold, many parents thought it would be temporary. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case for many families.&nbsp;“Well, it’s been five, six months and it’s going to be, I hate to say it, at least another six months, a year, a year and a half. That’s too much time for our children to not be around other children in a real and physical way,” Dr. Dimitri Christakis tells us.

Ask Dr. D: How Can Parents Help Kids Safely Socialize?

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Socialization: Some of us miss it, some of us don’t, but regardless of how we feel, our kids need it. When the pandemic put playdates on hold, many parents thought it would be temporary. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case for many families.&nbsp;

You may have seen the phrase “Whoa, awesome!” in our emails or on the KiwiCo website, and that’s because “Whoa, awesome!” is at the heart of everything we do!

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You may have seen the phrase “Whoa, awesome!” in our emails or on the KiwiCo website, and that’s because “Whoa, awesome!” is at the heart of everything we do!

The Wonder of Whoa Awesome

This year has brought a stressful stream of uncertainty to households across the world. As parents, we’ve had to rearrange our lives in order to adjust to the times. The pressure of constant problem solving is heavy, but we aren’t the only ones feeling the weight. KiwiCo talked to our go-to child development expert, pediatrician Dr. Dimitri Christakis (aka Dr. D), to learn how outside influences affect our children and what we can do to help them manage anxiety. Learn more about Dr. D’s child development expertise and research here (<a href="https://www.kiwico.com/blog/2020/10/15/meet-dr-d-childhood-development-expert/" target="_self">link</a>).

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This year has brought a stressful stream of uncertainty to households across the world. As parents, we’ve had to rearrange our lives in order to adjust to the times. The pressure of constant problem solving is heavy, but we aren’t the only ones feeling the weight. KiwiCo talked to our go-to child development expert, pediatrician Dr. Dimitri Christakis (aka Dr. D), to learn how outside influences affect our children and what we can do to help them manage anxiety.

How to Help Your Child Cope with Anxiety

online resources

Host Dylan Dreyer put Camp KiwiCo to the test with her own son to see what the buzz is about!

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Host Dylan Dreyer put Camp KiwiCo to the test with her own son to see what the buzz is about!

KiwiCo on the TODAY Show

engineering

For the last decade, KiwiCo has designed over 1,500 projects, inspiring the next generation of creators, scientists, artists, and makers by disrupting traditional playtime and spending 1000+ hours developing each crate. KiwiCo has got awesome down to a science—mastering the innovation, products, and most importantly, the science, so families can focus on having fun. Here are some of the exciting ways we’re engineering awesome just for you!

How KiwiCo is Engineering Awesome for Kids (& Grownups)

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For the last decade, KiwiCo has designed over 1,500 projects, inspiring the next generation of creators, scientists, artists, and makers by disrupting traditional playtime and spending 1000+ hours developing each crate. KiwiCo has got awesome down to a science—mastering the innovation, products, and most importantly, the science, so families can focus on having fun. Here are some of the exciting ways we’re engineering awesome just for you!

Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present in the moment, and with all that’s going on, it is especially important to find ways to slow down. Science has shown that mindfulness can have a bunch of benefits for kids and grownups. <ul><li>Reduces stress and anxiety&nbsp;</li><li>Increases attention and focus&nbsp;</li><li>Promotes positivity, kindness and empathy&nbsp;</li><li>Strengthens self-control&nbsp;</li><li>Develops problem-solving and decision-making skills</li></ul> Basically, all the things we need right now. Mindfulness activities have made their way into many classrooms, and you can adopt some of the same practices home with the whole family!

Mindfulness Activities for Kids and Parents

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Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present in the moment, and with all that’s going on, it is especially important to find ways to slow down. Science has shown that mindfulness can have a bunch of benefits for kids and grownups.

Have you ever been intimidated by your kid’s math homework? Well, you’re not alone. For a lot of grownups, STEAM subjects aren’t exactly front of mind, and that’s okay! You don’t have to remember how to do long division to help your kid get excited about STEAM. The <a href="https://www.kiwico.com/" target="_self">KiwiCo</a> team is made up of all kinds of experts—from engineers to artists—and it’s their job to make STEAM-learning fun and accessible for you and your kids. They design hands-on projects that inspire exploration and discovery for kids of all ages. We asked a few of our stellar product designers to share their STEAM superpowers and secrets to help set you up for success!

Expert Tips for Making STEAM-Learning Fun for Kids (and Grownups)

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Have you ever been intimidated by your kid’s math homework? Well, you’re not alone. For a lot of grownups, STEAM subjects aren’t exactly front of mind, and that’s okay! You don’t have to remember how to do long division to help your kid get excited about STEAM. The KiwiCo team is made up of all kinds of experts—from engineers to artists—and it’s their job to make STEAM-learning fun and accessible for you and your kids. They design hands-on projects that inspire exploration and discovery for kids of all ages. We asked a few of our stellar product designers to share their STEAM superpowers and secrets to help set you up for success!

Does your child insist on reading the same t-rex book every night before bed? Or wearing their stegosaurus shirt to every family event? Or sharing dinosaur fun facts with every stranger on the street? You’re not alone. Next to planes, trains, and automobiles, dinosaurs are one of the most popular obsessions for kids. And while you might be feeling dino-overload, your child’s passion for prehistoric predators is actually benefiting their brain!

How a Dinosaur Obsession Benefits Child Development

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Does your child insist on reading the same t-rex book every night before bed? Or wearing their stegosaurus shirt to every family event? Or sharing dinosaur fun facts with every stranger on the street? You’re not alone. Next to planes, trains, and automobiles, dinosaurs are one of the most popular obsessions for kids. And while you might be feeling dino-overload, your child’s passion for prehistoric predators is actually benefiting their brain!

Earth Day

recycling

Teaching kids about recycling and reducing waste will not only help keep your house clean, but it can also save you money! Check out these recycling tips for kids and start saving!

Recycling Tips for Kids | How to Reduce Waste at Home

Outdoor Activities

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Teaching kids about recycling and reducing waste will not only help keep your house clean, but it can also save you money! Check out these recycling tips for kids and start saving!

Christmas

Hanukkah

gift

Holiday shopping can be stressful, especially with shipping delays! Follow our tips to make sure your gifts get delivered on time.

3 Tips for On-Time Holiday Delivery This Season

Holiday

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Holiday shopping can be stressful, especially with shipping delays! Follow our tips to make sure your gifts get delivered on time.

When it comes to picking out KiwiCo holiday gifts, we always turn to the experts—our own employees! Scroll down to see our team's tried and true crates for gift-giving and learn why they're always a huge hit.

12 Holiday Gifts for Kids That Never Fail

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When it comes to picking out KiwiCo holiday gifts, we always turn to the experts—our own employees! Scroll down to see our team's tried and true crates for gift-giving and learn why they're always a huge hit.

food

food experiments

The holidays are here which means many of us will be spending more time in the kitchen. Cooking and baking offer awesome opportunities for hands-on learning for both kids and grownups! STEAM is all about observing and exploring wonder happening around us. So we’re challenging you to turn your kitchen into a chemistry lab and whip up wonder while your kids watch science unfold around them this holiday season.

5 Ways to Use Holiday Cooking to Teach Kids STEAM

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The holidays are here which means many of us will be spending more time in the kitchen. Cooking and baking offer awesome opportunities for hands-on learning for both kids and grownups! STEAM is all about observing and exploring wonder happening around us. So we’re challenging you to turn your kitchen into a chemistry lab and whip up wonder while your kids watch science unfold around them this holiday season.

the science behind

fall

winter

This is a common question we parents get asked when November rolls around. So, this year, we decided to dive into the Daylight Saving Time details to impress our kids with all the answers.
Daylight Saving Time is confusing no matter how old you are. (Even the name itself is confusing. No matter how much we want to add an ‘s’ to the end of saving, it is in fact, singular.) The concept of saving time doesn’t really make sense since the process doesn’t save time rather it shifts time. In many places in the world, Daylight Saving Time is called Summertime which is a more sensible alternative. So, with all the confusion that comes with tinkering with time, we set out to find the answers to all the kid questions to come.

Why Does it Get Dark Earlier in the Fall and Winter?

The science behind

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This is a common question we parents get asked when November rolls around. So, this year, we decided to dive into the Daylight Saving Time details to impress our kids with all the answers.

gratitude project

Thanksgiving

This time of year, we’re frequently reminded to give thanks for the good things in our lives. But when decorations come down and school starts back up, the prompts to practice gratitude fade away. So, how can we rewire our brains to recognize goodness year-round? To find out, we collected tips from gratitude guru and fellow parent Maryam Abdullah.

5 Ways to Practice Gratitude with Your Kids

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This time of year, we’re frequently reminded to give thanks for the good things in our lives. But when decorations come down and school starts back up, the prompts to practice gratitude fade away. So, how can we rewire our brains to recognize goodness year-round? To find out, we collected tips from gratitude guru and fellow parent Maryam Abdullah.

Every year, we celebrate teachers for all the amazing work they do in inspiring the next generation of innovators. This year in particular, we wanted to recognize teachers who have gone above and beyond for their students, while navigating new challenges that come with distance learning. So, we launched the Awesome Teacher Award as a way for our community to share stories about the incredible teachers in their lives.
We received hundreds of applications for our Awesome Teacher Award, and after careful consideration, we selected five exceptional winners! These teachers are not only awesome, but they also embody KiwiCo’s mission and values. They will receive awards of $2,000 in KiwiCo products and $500 in cash.

Meet 5 Teachers Making a Difference in the KiwiCo Community

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Every year, we celebrate teachers for all the amazing work they do in inspiring the next generation of innovators. This year in particular, we wanted to recognize teachers who have gone above and beyond for their students, while navigating new challenges that come with distance learning. So, we launched the Awesome Teacher Award as a way for our community to share stories about the incredible teachers in their lives.

kiwico store

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. But when it comes to holiday shopping, the unexpected isn’t always a good thing. So to help make your holiday prep easy and reliable this year, we pulled together some insider KiwiCo tips to take the stress out of shopping. With a variety of product and shipping options, you’ll be able to count on KiwiCo to meet all your expectations. Since this year has been uniquely complicated, be sure to order early and pay extra attention to shipping cutoffs!

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If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. But when it comes to holiday shopping, the unexpected isn’t always a good thing. So to help make your holiday prep easy and reliable this year, we pulled together some insider KiwiCo tips to take the stress out of shopping. With a variety of product and shipping options, you’ll be able to count on KiwiCo to meet all your expectations. Since this year has been uniquely complicated, be sure to order early and pay extra attention to shipping cutoffs!

Your Guide to 2020 Holiday Shopping

group project

We’re so excited to share this epic community project with you! During quarantine, we challenged kids to build marble runs at home and then share them with us. The goal was to connect our community around the world one marble run at a time. In just a month, we ended up receiving over 700 marble runs from kids in over 20 countries. After lots and lots of editing, we’re capping the challenge off with an awesome hour-long video!

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We’re so excited to share this epic community project with you! During quarantine, we challenged kids to build marble runs at home and then share them with us. The goal was to connect our community around the world one marble run at a time. In just a month, we ended up receiving over 700 marble runs from kids in over 20 countries. After lots and lots of editing, we’re capping the challenge off with an awesome hour-long video!

The Making of KiwiCo’s Mega Marble Run

panda crate

Since there isn’t an instruction manual for parenting, sometimes we have to turn to experts for answers. And when it comes to childhood development, Dr. Dimitri Christakis is kind of like a walking how-to guide.

Meet Dr. D: KiwiCo’s Go-To Childhood Development Expert

Child Development

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Since there isn’t an instruction manual for parenting, sometimes we have to turn to experts for answers. And when it comes to childhood development, Dr. Dimitri Christakis is kind of like a walking how-to guide.

We’re pairing creative challenges with tips from experts! Last week’s challenge was to draw an undiscovered dinosaur, so we <a href="https://www.kiwico.com/blog/2020/04/23/how-to-draw-a-dinosaur/">collected tips from the illustrator of the Tiny T. Rex books</a>. This week, we’re challenging you and your kids to write a haiku. Navigating this new normal can be an emotional roller coaster. What better way to express all these feelings than through poetry? And not just any poetry — the short and sweet kind! KiwiCo editor Iris Law happens to be a published poet, so we asked her tips for writing a haiku about the times.

How to Write a Haiku  Tips from a KiwiCo Poet

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We’re pairing creative challenges with tips from experts! Last week’s challenge was to draw an undiscovered dinosaur, so we collected tips from the illustrator of the Tiny T. Rex books. This week, we’re challenging you and your kids to write a haiku.

Every year, as I shop for the tiny humans in my life, I reminisce on Jimmy Kimmel’s video montage of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4a9CKgLprQ">kids opening “terrible gifts”</a>&nbsp;(e.g. Canned beans, bruised fruit, and my personal favorite, a half-eaten sandwich). Most of the kids react as you’d expect — an Oscar-worthy meltdown. But every couple of videos, there’s a rare little one who expresses pure joy after receiving a slightly browning banana or travel size deodorant. As parents, these are the tender (and hilarious) moments we love to see from our kids. So, how do we help teach them to receive gifts graciously and genuinely even when they don’t like what they get?

How to Teach Your Kids to Receive Gifts Graciously & Genuinely

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Every year, as I shop for the tiny humans in my life, I reminisce on Jimmy Kimmel’s video montage of&nbsp;kids opening “terrible gifts”&nbsp;(e.g. Canned beans, bruised fruit, and my personal favorite, a half-eaten sandwich). Most of the kids react as you’d expect — an Oscar-worthy meltdown. But every couple of videos, there’s a rare little one who expresses pure joy after receiving a slightly browning banana or travel size deodorant. As parents, these are the tender (and hilarious) moments we love to see from our kids. So, how do we help teach them to receive gifts graciously and genuinely even when they don’t like what they get?

KiwiCo is nine years old! The company has come a long way since the humble beginnings in our founder and CEO’s garage. Today, KiwiCo is delivered to doorsteps around the world! And each dropoff is jam-packed with hands-on projects, activities, and content so kids can learn as they do. That’s in part thanks to our brilliant team of product designers. Collectively, they’ve helped design more than 1,500 KiwiCo projects. To mark this milestone, we want to introduce you to some of our product designers and give you an inside look at how they deliver a sense of wonder in everything they create!

How KiwiCo Product Designers Deliver Wonder with Every Crate

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KiwiCo is nine years old! The company has come a long way since the humble beginnings in our founder and CEO’s garage. Today, KiwiCo is delivered to doorsteps around the world! And each dropoff is jam-packed with hands-on projects, activities, and content so kids can learn as they do. That’s in part thanks to our brilliant team of product designers. Collectively, they’ve helped design more than 1,500 KiwiCo projects. To mark this milestone, we want to introduce you to some of our product designers and give you an inside look at how they deliver a sense of wonder in everything they create!

Cailyn Bradley

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