Most of you, like me, want to be connected with your kids, want be great parents, but often feel exhausted and a bit overwhelmed.
I spend a lot of time looking for and sharing simple activities here for this reason.
So I am delighted to tell you about the BabbaBox.
I got to review one of these this month and I tell you what, any company that manages to package the feeling of, “I am a good mom.” And SEND it to me. Yeah. They’re onto something.
BabbaBox Quick Details:
- What it is: Monthly Themed Activities Box with a story book plus all you need for the activities. You could do an activity a week, plus more if you visit the exclusive online content that goes with each box.
- Ages: 3-6, but could easily be adjusted up or down a year. Activities and book are chosen by childhood experts.
- Siblings: You can use the box for two kids, each project has enough supplies for at least two creations, but if you’d like to add a sibling you can call BabbaCo and add a sibling pack for just a little extra.
{Create + Explore + Storytell + Connect}
Ok, Babbaco had me intrigued right from the beginning with those promises. They’re just the kinds of things I’m passionate about here on Creative With Kids so I was very excited to get a chance to review one of their boxes and see how their ideas worked in my home.
Honest truth- I can do activities with my kids, and I can think of a theme but I flounder when I try to put the two together. Sometimes I just long for things to be EASY instead of having to make it all up myself.
Another truth: I spend far too much time dreaming up activities that we don’t do because I don’t have all the stuff together for them in one place.
Final AND IMPORTANT truth: My kids would rather do something simple with me that I can totally be focused on than some complex project that has me stressing out about the details. (As much as I blog about simple activities here, this is still something I totally struggle with. I get all wrapped up in thinking I need to do MORE. ::Sigh:: when will I learn??)
“Most of the best childhood memories are simple to make.” Click to Tweet
What I love about the Babba Boxes:
- When we opened our Babba Box we found everything (really, EVERYTHING) we needed for the activities including a cool folding set of binoculars (for moon watching) and a hardback storybook, plus access to online content that included more at-home activity ideas, a digital activity (learn to play a song on the digital piano) and interesting facts about the theme. (Our box was the Sun, Moon and Stars Box)
- I know that at a moments notice I have a range of activities we can do. If we get super inspired I can add a more books from the library or another activity, but if not, no big deal. If we manage to do the activities in this box we’ll be doing PLENTY and I didn’t have to organize it all.
Great investment. My time can be spent enjoying being with my kids instead of hollering, “I said JUST A MINUTE I’m trying to find ____________ and then we can get started!!”
- The Babba box instructions are extremely clear- they’re illustrated and they give parents facts about what the kids are learning and reassure me that I’m doing a good job by thinking ahead of any questions I might have and answering them right there.
- Someone else has already done the work of coming up with themes and pulling together developmentally appropriate activities. The activities appeal to various learning styles so my fact obsessed 7 year old enjoys all the trivia they provide about the subject, while my mess-loving 5 year old is happy to dive into a craft with a sensory aspect. We get to connect as a family because BabbaCo has thoughtfully included an activity that can be done throughout the month. For instance, this month each night we go and check the phase of the moon.
This touches on what might concern some folks, but what I really love about these boxes: this is a company that gets it and is not afraid to include simple activities for parents to do with their kids. (BabbaoCo founder Jessica is a mom of three.)
The moon chart, for instance, you may look and think, ‘But that’s too simple.’
It sure doesn’t take much time each night to look at the moon and draw what it looks like… No it doesn’t take much, but now we ARE looking at the moon each night and creating that memory of being together under the Summer sky. That’s what’s magical. Babba Boxes give you the tools to connect and then gets out of your way.
Even the least crafty among us can do an activity and look like a super mom or dad because you manage it so well. You’ve got all the pieces you need ready to go, ALONG with fun little facts you can mention.
OHHHH, you want something a little fancy. OK. Grab your smart phone and scan the QR codes sprinkled through out the instructions. You can explore extension activities, interesting tid-bits and more.
If you’d like to enjoy more time connecting and less time stressing out with your kids check out BabbaCo.
- Get 20% off of your first box. Use the code CWK20OFF at check out.
- Sign up for the Creative With Kids Newsletter and get notified of seasonal sales on quarterly Babba Box memberships.
At the BabbaCo website you can learn more about the company and find out about subscription options. I’m excited to share this company with you because I think they really care and I think you’ll enjoy having activities like this all ready to go.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I recently saw one of these in the UK – Toucan Boxes – and kind of thought it was too expensive – but your post has made me think again. Quality time with the children rather than frantic searching, and my son being able to make what he has seen is also a good point. He often watches art and craft programmes on TV – then gets mad at me for not having the stuff he needs NOW to copy something. Hmmmm. Food for thought.
We tried this but found it too hard with unclear directions. Also, our star thing didn’t work at all.
Glad to hear you had a better experience.
Oh, interesting! I thought the instructions were great, but I know how different something like that can be for different people, so I guess that’s a good caveat. Our experience was very positive, but perhaps that’s partly because I’ve been pretty frazzled this month, so I’ve just been happy to have something I can pull out as a “Hey we can do this…” type thing.