As many of you know, I homeschool my kids. We try to get creative and find various fun ways of learning in addition to other curricula. However, with the Corona Pandemic going around, many schools have canceled classes. In my area, schools are closed until April 13th currently. So while my perspective is from a homeschooling mom, I know those with kids missing school are looking for some ideas to keep their childrens education going. With that in mind, this review will appeal to you as well.

 

So what is it for? The THiNK OUTSiDE the Boxes Subscription of course! Since THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES is a year-long outdoor curriculum delivered monthly, serving a wide range of ages starting at 7, it is a perfect resource for parents, especially those who homeschool their children! Their program is designed to promote exploration and survival in the great outdoors. Each monthly kit covers a new theme from outdoor shelters and night-time discovery to first aid and nutrition. 

 

Their products and guided activities encourage adventure, promote empathy, and foster creativity, encouraging our children to become lifelong learners. Get started and build your own home library to enjoy for many years to come. The service follows a standard annual schedule that ensures learning is seasonally appropriate. Every month has a new theme covering everything from first aid and outdoor nutrition to nighttime discovery and building shelters. Your first box, the Intro box, sets the foundation for your year of learning, followed by the below 12 monthly themed boxes. 

 

 

I was excited to receive two boxes for my review which really gave me a great idea of what to expect from the subscription! 

 

For my first box, I received the 'Your Shelter Box'. This box was all about learning to build a shelter out of nature and even included an emergency shelter tent! Outdoor adventure often means being resourceful and creative with what you have: either with what's provided by nature or with what you have brought in your backpack. As you will find out in this box, learning the critical outdoor skill for safe overnight stays requires a lot of resourcefulness. throughout the included booklet you will learn how to create a safe and dry environment in the outdoors with minimal tools and equipment. We know most people don't necessarily think of building a shelter outside in the winter months, but that is the time when some of the elements can be at their worst. So give it a try outdoors- you might be surprised how much fun you have!

 

Emergency Shelter: This shelter provides effective protection from the elements for 2 people, using reflective materials to help conserve body heat. Simply unfold and tie to trees or posts to form a tent!

 

Wire Saw: This compact saw can easily cut through wood, rubber, and plastic.

 

Foldable Lantern: A good flashlight that opens up into a fun lantern with three different lighting modes is a must-have for shelter life at night! Batteries included!

 

Backpacking Shovel: Having a durable shovel allows you to cut through hard ground.

 

Resource Cards: Water-resistant reference cards around shelter building.

 

UV-Sensitive Beads: Changes color in the sun and glow-in-the-dark after enough sun exposure.

 

This box was a lot of fun! The first thing we did was set up the shelter tent in the backyard. What was neat was how you can't see inside of it, however, from inside the tent, you can see out in the area surrounding you. Now, you will need to stake the tent into the ground to have it hold up a bit better, however, if you don't have stakes or don't want to go about it that way, just use some rocks or something that can add some weight to help keep it open. My kids got a kick out of the flashlight. While it is compact in size, it also expands allowing you to have a more lit area. Of course, my 6-year-old son's favorite part of the box was the shovel. He likes to dig so of course, he would gravitate towards that item. I had some seeds I had been wanting to plant which gave him a chance to try it out! My daughter, on the other hand, really liked the hand saw, even though it was quite challenging for her to do until she got the hang of it. My husband was excited to help her with that. Although those were only a few of the activities for that box, the booklet was packed with a ton of information that showed a lot of cool things when it comes to building a shelter along with different types of shelters!

 

 

The second box we had received was the 'Your Knot Box'. This box's theme is not about how to tie paracord but will teach you how to use different knots and carabiners. The skills are activities that come with your knot box are lifelong skills you can use not only in outdoor activities, but also in many everyday situations! While most activities in this box can be done alone, I recommend having some friends over or making this a family activity to make it a more fun experience!

 

Water Bottle: A collapsible 20oz (600ml) water bottle with a carry loop that is BPA and PVC-Free.

 

Paracord Hank: 50 feet (or 15 meters) of 325 strength cord

 

Knot Cards: A great quick reference for knots on the go!

 

Paracord Gear Set: The paracord gear set includes the following carabiners and gear: 

 

Please note, that the carabiners and paracord contained in this particular box are not suitable to use for climbing! With that being said, this box was a fun father/daughter activity for my 12-year-old with her dad. We tried to get my 6-year-old son interested, but he was still stuck on digging holes with the shovel from the first box! 

 

What's neat with this set is the various knots you get to learn. If you want, you can use the box the gear came in to practice the different knows. You will learn how to make the basic knot, A bowline knot, the trucker's hitch, the figure 8 loop, the taut-line hitch, the double fisherman, the double sheet bend, the square knot, and some more cool things. There's even a game in the included booklet to play with your friends and family! Then it goes on to show you about the included carabiners and what to use them for. 

 

All in all, I have fallen in love with the THiNK OUTSiDE the boxes brand! Both boxes we received contained quality products that were fun for the family to participate in together. Even better is beyond the activities, there is learning various survival skills with a good bit of information for both kids and adults. The bottom line, these boxes are certainly worth the investment! Not only are they educational, but it's a great way to get your family together and spend time outdoors. My kids are ready to go through the booklets some more to find more ideas to try out together as a family! Very much highly recommended!

 

While supplies last, THiNK OUTSiDE BOXES is offering a Limited Time Special: 2-Box Starter starting at $65!

 

Use the coupon code CLOSET10 to get $10 OFF ANY Subscription!