Frequently Asked Questions

What is Panda Crate?

Developed especially for infants and toddlers, Panda Crate is grounded in the science of early childhood development, made helpful, practical, and convenient for parents.

Each delivery includes age- and stage-specific products designed by experts and backed by researchers at Seattle Children’s Hospital to help babies learn by doing what they do best - play & explore their world! We also include a magazine and activity cards to provide parents with the most effective strategies and helpful tips to promote healthy childhood development.

How are the crates designed?

Panda Crate is designed by our team of in-house experts, which include former educators and child development professionals, along with our partners at Seattle Children's Hospital who specialize in child health, behavior, and development.

Additionally, every crate is rigorously tested with babies and parents to ensure the crates are age-appropriate, engaging, and universally appealing. Our products meet (or exceed!) safety testing standards and pass our high quality requirements.

Which line is appropriate for my child?

We offer seven different product lines to suit children and teenagers — and kids-at-heart:

1. Panda Crate delivers age-appropriate learning toys, inspiration, and information that support healthy development and lifelong learning for children ages 24 months and younger.
2. Koala Crate encourages play-based learning through fun and enriching hands-on activities just right for kids ages 2-4.
3. Kiwi Crate was designed specifically for children ages 5-8 and includes science experiments, art activities, imaginative play and more.
4. Atlas Crate inspires appreciation for world cultures and encourages kids ages 6-11 to act as global citizens.
5. Doodle Crate builds confidence and creativity through art and design projects for kids ages 9-16+.
6. Tinker Crate encourages hands on learning and experimentation in science and engineering for kids ages 9-16+.
7. Eureka Crate guides budding engineers ages 14-104 to appreciate the science and math principles, along with the design process, of everyday items.

We take a lot of care to design our crates in a way that is open-ended so that although children across the age range may have different outcomes, they will all enjoy interacting with the projects and materials. Choose the line that most appropriately fits your child, and remember that you can switch lines at any time.

What countries does Panda Crate ship to?

Currently, Panda Crate ships anywhere in the United States, including Hawaii, Alaska, and APO addresses. Shipping is free in the U.S.

Each delivery includes age- and stage-specific products designed by experts and backed by researchers at Seattle Children’s Hospital to help babies learn by doing what they do best - play & explore their world! We also include a magazine and activity cards to provide parents with the most effective strategies and helpful tips to promote healthy childhood development.

Outside of the U.S.? Sign up for our international waitlist here.

What age ranges is Panda Crate available for?

Panda Crate is perfect for babies and toddlers up to 24 months.

When does Panda Crate ship?

We will try to ship the first crate of a new subscription within 2-3 business days of purchase (U.S. only). If the recipient already has an active subscription, their current term will be extended.

Afterwards, crates will continue to ship every other month for the duration of your subscription. Customers can check the status of shipments on your My Account page once a crate has shipped.

How is Panda Crate tailored to the age of my child?

Panda Crate is tailored to correspond to the child’s age and stage. We request the child’s birthday upon enrollment, and then we ship an appropriate crate corresponding to the date you select to start sending the crates. US customers can check the status of shipments on their My Account page once a crate has shipped.

Can I give Panda Crate as a gift?

Yes, Panda Crate makes a wonderful gift! When you purchase you can select that it is a gift and have the opportunity to write a gift message (optional). Additionally, we include a message with the first crate with details of their Panda Crate subscription so they know how many crates they will be receiving. You can choose to have the first crate sent to your address, so you can present it in person and then have the subsequent crates sent directly to the gift recipient. Of course, you can also choose to have all of the crates sent to the gift recipient. Either way, your gift will be enjoyed for months to come!

What is your cancellation policy?

We hate to see you go, but you can cancel a crate-by-crate subscription anytime after the first crate ships by using our online "manage subscription" tool. Auto-renewing subscriptions (pay every 2 or 6 or 12 months) are only eligible for cancellation after the initial prepaid term has been completed.

Can I get Panda Crate delivered before a baby's due date?

Yes! The default month for your first crate will be the month of the baby's due date, but you can also select a different month for the subscription to start in order to receive Panda Crate earlier, perfect for a baby shower or any other gift-giving occasion. Any remaining crates in the subscription will ship according to the child's age.

After choosing the type of subscription that you'd like to purchase, there will be an option to select the subscription start month on the "Personalize It" screen. Click "edit" to the right of "Subscription Starts". Select the month of your choice from the drop-down box.

Can I have the first crate shipped to me so I can present it as a gift?

Yes, at checkout we offer an option in which you can have the first crate of a new gift subscription sent to a different address so you can present the recipient with a physical gift. Subsequent crates will be sent to the shipping address provided.

After filling out the recipient’s information, you will "proceed to checkout", which will bring you to the Shipping Address page. Fill out the recipient’s shipping address and check the box at the top that says "Ship the first crate to a different address." The First Crate Address form will open directly below.

My due date isn't for a few months. Can I order Panda Crate now and receive it later?

Yes! The default month for your first crate will be the month of the baby's due date, so you can order now and eagerly await the arrival of both your baby and your first crate!