Although you’re always looking for more family time, between work, school, and extracurricular activities, it can be hard to figure out how to bring your loved ones together for some quality bonding experiences. Remember: You don't need to drop a pretty penny and jet off to a different country or take a deluxe trip to spend time together as a family. To show you that fun activities can be simple and stress-free, we're coming at you with gift ideas that make serving up daily QT easier than ever!
No matter what your family looks like, whether you’ve got little ones who are bouncing off the walls, game-obsessed teens, or a "family" of friendly roomies, we’ve got some of the best subscription boxes that specialize in bringing fun for all age groups right to the front door. From mystery challenges and DIY craft boxes to international candy clubs and baking kits filled with pre-measured ingredients that are perfect for foodie families, these subscription services are perfect for gathering the whole family together for screen-free fun.
Try an Adventure-Based Subscription Box
You may be aware of the more typical subscription boxes, which come every month stocked with games, foods, or crafts of various kinds. However, when it comes to engaging the whole family, adventure-based kits are becoming more and more popular.
Adventure boxes, true to their name, are set up to take your family on an adventure of some sort, meaning rather than playing with the items in the box, it’ll encourage you to explore, create, create, and maybe even solve a mystery. Escape the Crate, which gives you the tools to create your own escape room at home, and Finders Seekers Junior Explorers, which encourages children to explore the natural wonders of the world, are both excellent examples of adventure boxes that the entire family will enjoy.
Handmade Dice Mystery Box
Vintage-loving families can geek out over popular games and jigsaw puzzles in all their original designs with Red Star Vintage. Right from the first month, you'll get a special delivery of retro board games or jigsaw puzzles from days gone by, all thoroughly checked and verified to make sure it's original and complete. Promote both wellness and friendly competition by making games a key part of family time!
Shipping: Boxes ship within the U.S. the first week of every month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “Red Star Vintage has been really great. I love getting the vintage games that I remember from my childhood and can share with my kids. This shop owner has been fantastic to work with answering my question super quick and super friendly. I couldn't ask for a better experience. I highly recommend this subscription!” – Nona M.
Reading Bug Box for Babies & Toddlers
Make sure there's a constant flow of chapter, story, and board books for the bookworms in your home with a subscription to the Reading Bug Box. Designed for newborns up to 13-year-olds, get a curated mix of three to four children's books (five to six books for a sibling box) that are personalized to every child’s age, reading level, and interests. Allow some of the finest book-loving experts to fill a book box and stock your home library with colorful tales.
Shipping: All subscriptions ship between the 15th and 20th of the month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “This is a FANTASTIC box and value. I am so, so impressed at how well these books have been selected for what my girls liked. Really fantastic box!” – Sarah A.
Seasonal Crafts, Games + Family Fun!
Instead of turning to Netflix, keep Craft + Boogie on hand to combat the inevitable boredom that visits on rainy days and on long Sundays. Designed for the 3 to 8 age range, every box brings a mini party in the mail, sending themed boxes packed with holiday fun for the whole family. Celebrate popular and lesser-known holidays with a mix of stress-free DIY craft projects, a Spotify playlist, snack recipes, party supplies, and even games for everyone to enjoy.
Shipping: Boxes ship on the 25th of each month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “We were so excited to get our first Craft + Boogie kit this month and it was better than I even imagined. We’ve had lots of fun creating the Leprechaun themed crafts together and I’m very impressed by the additional ideas in the kit- like the recipes booklet. You basically get a full themed box of ideas (with supplies) for the month— such a great value. Can’t wait to make memories with Craft + Boogie!” – Hannah B.
The Conundrum Box - Escape Room Game in a Box
With The Conundrum Box, you can enjoy an escape room experience without ever having to leave home! Not only does that mean you can all stay in your jammies if you choose, but you can create the ultimate game night with your loved ones—roommates count too!—each and every month. A great choice for game lovers, this monthly box is packed with fun and challenging puzzles and clues, along with music suggestions and food and drink recs to round it all out. This box will have the whole house anxiously awaiting game night every single month!
Shipping: First box ships within 5 business days of your order. Following boxes ship around the 7th of each month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “Conundrum box deliveries truly clever and unique puzzles every month. I am always impressed by the fun themes and props and everything they do to increase the immersive experience.” – Christopher B.
Escape the Crate: An Escape Room Adventure shipped straight to your door.
Escape the Crate is another great subscription that allows you to escape the day-to-day routine and change things up with a monthly adventure. Fun, exciting, and mentally stimulating, this bimonthly box brings everyone together to decode letters and solve difficult puzzles and clues on the way to unraveling the mystery. Get your head in the game and make a quick escape!
Shipping: Boxes ship out within a week of being ordered, and then bi-monthly after that.
Why Subscribers Love It: “I play these games solo and I just cannot get enough. The production quality of the materials, the videos, and the puzzles themselves are enough to suck me in and let me just sort of disappear in the puzzles. I am a happy subscriber and look forward to more!” – Jamie B.
Finders Seekers Junior Explorers
Designed for families with kids between the ages of 5 to 10, Finders Seekers Junior Explorers provides hours of family fun. Grab your little passports and head out to explore new cultures, while examining natural wonders, getting creative, and solving mysteries. Made by one of the top sellers on Cratejoy, this monthly subscription box brings a 4-day itinerary filled with age-appropriate STEAM activities that will leave your child thinking outside the box.
Shipping: Boxes ship on the 23rd of each month for orders placed by the 21st.
Why Subscribers Love It: “We love Finders Seekers! Each box is a new adventure. My family loves doing them together. They are challenging and interesting. A great way to learn about a new place. It’s always super fun, and customer service is great!” – Elizabeth Q.
Gaming Guru (Monthly)
UnboxBoardom is a monthly subscription box that is dedicated to delivering friendly competition for the whole crew! Available in 3 different subscription levels that ship out either monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly, this game delivery service is all about providing top-quality options at a great price point. Featuring strategic board games, challenging card games, and lively party games, you can pick your favorite from three featured selections or opt for a surprise! The options abound, and you can personalize them to you and your family’s tastes.
Shipping: Holiday orders ship by December 20, and the following boxes ship around the 15th of each month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “Excellent selection of games! Everything from fast, fun family games to award-winning Eurogames. There's always something I want in each mth's choices--sometimes it's hard to decide! Probably about 30-50% of the time they offer a game that's actually on my wishlist! Really enjoy this subscription❤👍” – Susan S.
Finders Seekers Mysteries
Family time becomes “fun time” when you get Finders Seekers involved! This monthly mystery game arrives on the front steps ready to immerse all players into a new culture and setting, complete with an intriguing cast of characters. A perfect gift for a family with tweens and teens, get the gang together to dive into the mystery and show off their puzzle-solving, clue-cracking skills.
Shipping: We ship on the 23rd of each month for orders placed by the 21st.
Why Subscribers Love It: “I have been getting Finders Seekers boxes for over a year, and I cannot lie, I'm obsessed. The mysteries are a lot of fun, and they are so much fun to do with friends, especially those that haven't done something like this before. Occasionally, the puzzles are evil (I'm looking at you, Paris box!), but the fact that after a year they can still challenge me is a good thing.” – Rachel C.
Terra Create Craft Subscription
There's plenty of research that shows that screens lead to overstimulation and can decrease the amount of joy we get from other activities. Rather than fretting about your children’s screen time, use this subscription box to take action. The Terra Create Craft Subscription can help you get hands-on with your tweens and teens for a little creative crafting. Every month brings all you'll need to make 1 trendy, gender-neutral project, including natural materials, an illustrated step-by-step guide, and high-quality tools.
Shipping: First box ships within 5 business days of your order, and subsequent boxes ship the first week of each month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “We received our first box this month. We had enough materials to make 4 windchimes - not just 2! Beautiful craft - great quality items. My daughter and I had so much fun with this one and are looking forward to many more!” – Susan H.
DIY Kids Crafts Kit – Award Winning Kids Art and Craft Box
Craft Box is a monthly subscription that makes craft time with the kids easy and stress-free. Rated as one of the best subscription boxes of the year, each box is designed for kids ages 3 to9 and centers around a fun children's book. No need to spend your time planning and shopping! Just unbox craft kits filled with high-quality materials and supplies, and get straight down to making memories.
Shipping: First box ships within 5 business days of your order, and the following boxes will ship on the 1st of each upcoming month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “I bought these for my moms birthday and they were so cool I’m glad I did, and will keep this in mind next time I need a gift for someone. These plants are like nothing I’ve seen before. They are all unique and not something you could just pick up at a local nursery (at least not here in Nevada). All of the plants came were healthy and very green. They also come with cute ceramic pots and instructions on where they like to live. My mom has lots of plants all over her house now. She absolutely loved every one of them.” – Brenda K.
DIY Kids STEM & Crafts Kit – Award Winning Kids Science and Art Box
Teaching kids all about STEAM disciplines doesn't have to be hard work when you have a monthly subscription to the Green Kid Crafts Discovery Box. Curated by a scientist-mom, every box is packed with a mix of themed STEAM activities and crafts, eco-friendly supplies, and a 12-page magazine. It's the perfect way to help them explore what's around them, inspire a love of nature and learn together through hands-on fun!
Shipping: Your order will ship from our facilities 1 to 4 days of being placed, and subsequent boxes ship monthly from your first order.
Why Subscribers Love It: “The Ocean Science box we got was full of fun surprises! The kids loved creating the "ocean in a bottle" project and the "glowing jellyfish" especially. I liked that so many kits were included and it was a good mix of craft and science kits. The fact that a full-sized map and STEAM magazine were also included made both me and the kids happy. I love that these unique boxes encourage kids to be creative, think about sustainability, and let parents connect with their children too!” – Patty B.
The Hikers Compass New Jersey Nature Guide
Get the family to turn off the screens and head out into nature with The Hiker's Compass. A perfect gift for those living in and around New Jersey, every monthly delivery is an invitation to explore, hike, and learn something new by sending forest information, various maps, plant identification, tools cards, and nature-themed goodies, such as healthy trail snacks, and limited-edition pins, and stickers.
Shipping: Your first order is shipped out within 5 business days. Future subscriptions are mailed out on the 15th of each month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “I have (so far) gotten 3 months of shipments. The photos used are always so beautiful and the pins and other items are so cute! Ally is so creative and each month’s package is so fun to open. It’s an affordable subscription as well.” – Courtney R.
Celebrate States!
Celebrate States is a travel and food subscription box that's perfect for families who like to hit the road together. Now, instead of piling into the car, the destinations come to you! Fellow travel lovers curate each box around a different American city, sending you on a cross-country trip that will have you sampling artisanal goodies, local foodie favorites, trying out small-batch skincare and beauty products, lighting new candles, and so much more.
Shipping: Boxes ship worldwide between the 11th and 22th of each month.
Why Subscribers Love It: “I have been getting this subscription for myself for a long time. I got my son a three month sub for him to try out after a not very good experience with a different "state" box. He is LOVING this box just as much as I do. I am sure I will be renewing this for him since he has liked it so much. I highly recommend this box for the fun variety and value of gifts, the uniqueness, and the amazing customer service. My son loves trying new snacks and has liked the other included gift items special to each state, so this was the perfect gift for him.” – Jacqueline F.
Board Game Beginner (Quarterly)
Pull Mom, Dad, kiddos, aunts, uncles, cousins, and anyone else who wants to join in the fun together for a game night featuring family games, strategy games, and party games, too. UnboxBoardom is here with the quarterly Board Game Beginner subscription to help you start building a collection of go-to games that are guaranteed to be entertaining and challenging! Choose from featured games or sign-up to get a surprise every 3 months.
Shipping: Boxes ship around the 15th of each month. Only available within the U.S.
Why Subscribers Love It: “Loved getting games each month this winter! It gave my husband and I something to look forward to and it was fun trying out new games we wouldn’t typically pick out!! Great customer service as well!” – Christine S.
SnackSack Classic
While we did mention something about powering down the screens, we're not about to ditch family movie night. Now, instead of another round of popcorn in front of the flick, treat the whole family to some healthy and nutritious snacking from SnackSack. With classic, vegan, and gluten-free options, this snack box brings a little bit of everything, salty and sweet, with a monthly assortment of between 11-15 full-size goodies, and keeps them coming on auto-pilot as long as you like.
Shipping: Ships within the U.S. every month on the 10th.
Why Subscribers Love It: “The snacks were tasty and healthy! I also give 5 stars for great customer service. They responded to my inquiry timely and were very helpful. Great subscription box!” – Diana O.
