Let’s talk about DIY kits for kids! Ever since my nephew celebrated his fourth birthday, I’ve been buying him DIY kits. Robot kits. Science project kits. All that fun stuff. We like to geek out together, though I wish I had this stuff when I was young!
I recently discovered Tinker Crate. It’s a subscription service where you pay $20/month get a new toy every month to put together. Just like LootCrate for us adults!
Tinker Crates are a fantastic way to get your kid’s brain working on STEM projects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). The more exposure they have to ideas that they can create something, the more chances are that they’ll build stuff on their own later in life, right?
Tinker Crates are a fantastic way to get your kid’s brain working on STEM projects.
There are crates for ages 3-4, then 5-8, then 9-16. In the older age range, they have both the Doodle Crate for building creative confidence, as they say.
The crate comes with all the parts needed. Sometimes you might need something like scissors that they don’t include. But you won’t have to go out and buy anything. You should already have scissors. You do have scissors, right….? Anyway! It also includes directions (they call it a blueprint), a magazine full of cool information, and all the parts.
What I’m most impressed by was how well-made the directions are. My nephew is very smart (not that I’m biased), but there was never a moment of … wait, what am I supposed to do? I was also worried about getting him to sit down and focus on the project. And I’ve heard that same fear from other people who have thought about getting these crates. But that wasn’t at all a problem! I thought it might take two or three hours to get through the project, but he worked through it in about 30 minutes. This was the Drawbot, and the crates all vary for amounts of time or level of involvement.
Some of the others include Drip Irrigation, the Biomechanical Hand, a Hand Crank Flashlight, the Gravity Game, and even a Motion Sensing Spider that can detect when people are close and pounce on them!
These aren’t made of the type of material that’s going to last for years. It’s 20 bucks per package, after all. But it is a great way to keep the mind engaged on a regular basis and give your kids something to look forward to each month.
And they actually CAN look forward to getting it because the package is sent to them! Not you. It has their name on the box. Which I think is a great touch!
What kinds of things do your kids like to create? I’d love to hear! Leave a comment below.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.