Knowledge Crate Review 5: Summer Bundles Review (with Amazon Dupe Prices)
September 10, 2024
Disclaimer
This Knowledge crate is supposed to be for children who are preschool aged, meaning 3+. Aryi is now 2 as I write this. I thought I would get it anyway. I did get the one WITHOUT water beads. I know Aryi won’t be able to do everything that comes in the crate, but I think we could do enough that would make it worth the purchase. I also thought, whatever we don’t use, I can keep it for mommy preschool when he is actually 3.
The Three Bundles I Did Not Purchase: Crafting Kids Bundle, Under The See Bundle, and STEM Dough Bundle
The Three Bundles I Did Not Purchase
I didn’t purchase these mostly because they seemed to have a lot of duplicates and overlap and a few duplicates of things I got in the ocean kit.
The STEAM dough bundle seems unnecessary if you have play dough, you can make cards online and print them out. I also thought Aryi was a little young to make and assemble the pieces like intended.
However, the prices are great and hard to beat.
The Three Bundles I Did Not Purchase
STEAM Dough Bundle $9.99
Amazon Dupe Prices
STEAM Playdough Cards – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
STEAM Playdough Tools – $7.19
Mini Playdough x 8 – $7.99
Colored Spoons – $4.99
2 Basket Weaving Kits – $12.49
Total – $32.66 + tax
Under The Sea Bundle $24.99
Amazon Dupe Prices
‘Finding a Friend’ by Traci Swain – $12.70
‘Dolphins’ Level 2 Reader from National Geographic Kids – $4.99
Summer Themed Bonus Book – ‘On the First Day of Summer Vacation’ – $8.59
Ocean Zones Science Learning Journal – $25.36 (24)
Whale Roll and Cover Mat – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
2 Dice – $4.99
Tempera Paint Set of 4 – $5.49
Crayola Model Magic Glitter 5-pack Set – $11.49
Whale Animal Fact Cards – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
Whale Figurines – $9.99
Summer Crafting Kit – $8.99
3D Wooden Fish Craft – $11.79
Magic Sand – $8.07
Kinetic Sand – $10.99
Mini Playdough x 4 – $5.29
Seashell Sensory Play Accessories – $9.99
Sand Dollar Dough Accessory – I did not see this in the picture and do not know what to look for so I am skipping this one.
Colored Spoon – $4.99
Bamboo Tongs – $4.99
Water Beads (optional) – I wouldn’t want these so I am not counting this.
Total – $148.70 + tax
Crafting Kids Bundle $29.99
Amazon Dupe Prices
‘Cliford the Big Red Dog’ by Norman Bridwell – $7.99
‘Clifford and the Beanstalk’ by Daphne Pendergrass and Norman Bridwell – $8.95
Crayola Model Magic Glitter 5-pack set – $11.49
Crayola Glitter Crayons x 24 – $7.99
Crayola Colored Pencils x 12 – $5.79
Crayola Oil Pastels x12 – $7.86
Tempera Paint Set of 4 – $5.49
Summer Crafting Kit – $8.99
Mini Playdoughs x 4 – $5.29
Water Beads (Optional) – I wouldn’t want these so I am not counting this.
Sidewalk Chalk – $6.81
Rainbow Craft Sticks – $4.99
Paper Mosaic Pieces – $4.99
3D Wooden Fish Craft – $11.79
2 Basket Weaving Kits – $12.49
Jungle Animal Scratch Art Sketchers – $12.99
Whale Animals x 10 – $9.99
Total – $133.89 + tax
Backyard Bugs Bundle
Backyard Bugs Bundle
This bundle is super cute. I love using bug toys and games with Aryi especially in the spring. There were so many cute bug things included in this bundle. The Fly catching game is so much fun. The bee books are great. Bees really are amazing creatures. I ADORE the life cycle cards and counting cards, although these are things you could make on your own. I like that everything you could possibly need is included. They have clips for the cards and a bowl for the sensory sand. I also love the mini play dough. They are great for throwing in your bag or making a mini sensory bin.
Backyard Bugs Bundle $19.99
Amazon Dupe Prices
‘Fly Guy Presents: Insects’ by Tedd Arnold – $4.99
‘Explore My World: Honey Bees’ from National Geographic Kids – $5.99
‘Bees Level 2 Reader from National Geographic Kids’ – $5.39
Catching Flies Math Mat with Flies – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
2 Dice – $4.99
Count and Clip Card Set – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
Clips – $5.99
Find the Color Nature Scavenger Hunt Jar CArds – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
2 Basket Weaving Kits – $12.49
Mini Playdoughs x 8 – $7.99
Kinetic Sand – $10.99
Water Beads (Optional) – I wouldn’t want these so I am not counting this.
Dough Accessories Frogs and Stones – $5.99 + $9.99
Honey Dipper Sensory Tool – $4.99
Bonus Art Butterfly Stickers – $6.74
Bamboo Plate – $12.36
Total – $98.80 + tax
Smartypants Schoolroom Bundle
Smartypants Schoolroom Bundle
This kit is great. The Napping House has easily become one of Aryi and his dad’s favorite books we own. He loves to say how grandma broke the bed. I saved the little learning journals, addition map, writing map, fractions, and counters for a more appropriate age. The magnet letters also seem super fun, but I put those away for safety and will bring them out later. I love all the tracing mats included. We are currently working on bigger numbers and letters. I love the color words and shapes especially. They put a fun spin on tracing. We love art, so the art supplies are a great add in. More playdough, because there is never enough playdough.
Smartypants Schoolroom Bundle $24.99
Amazon Dupe Prices
‘The Napping House’ by Audrey Wood – $6.16
I Can Measure Math Journal – Not able to find.
I Can Identify and Write Numerals Math Journal – Not able to find.
Make a Story Writing Journal – $16.36
Practice Numbers Printing Mat – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
Basic Shapes Printing Mat – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
Printing Colors Mat – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
Story Map Mat – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
2-sided Dry Erase Board – $7.88
Mini Rekenrek Counting Frame – $8.19
Fraction Tiles Set – $7.99
Beginning and End Sound Spelling Card Set – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
Magnetic Alphabet and Wand Set – $13.68
Foam Alphabet Set – $13.99
4 Mini Play Dough x 4 – $5.29
Crayola Colored Pencils x 12 – $5.79
Crayola Oil Pastels x12 – $7.86
Total – $93.19 + tax
Four Seasons of Fun Bundle
Four Seasons of Fun Bundle
This is the bundle I was the most excited about. So many art supplies, so many sensory bin supplies, so many learning activities. There really is so much included in this bundle. All of the books that came in this bundle were super cute. We love every book they send. I am so excited about all of the ISPYs, flash cards, and the fall yoga that I will bring out at appropriate times of the year. I love that it comes with a Christmas and Valentine’s Day craft as well. All season and holiday appropriate activities are set aside for that time to come. More playdough, because there is never enough playdough.
Four Seasons of Fun Bundle $34.99
Amazon Dupe Prices
‘Polar Bears’ – $5.39
‘The Littlest Easter Bunny’ – $4.99
‘On the First Day of Summer Vacation’ – $8.59
2 Basket Weaving Kits – $12.49
Winter Flashcards – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
Winter ISPY – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
Valentine’s Day ISPY – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
Spring ISPY – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
Fall Measuring – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
Fall Yoga – These could be made for free or found online and printed.
Winter Craft Kit – $8.99
Spring Craft Kit – $8.99
Summer Craft Kit – $8.99
Fall Craft Kit – $8.99
Snowman Craft – $4.95
Valentine’s Cards Craft – $9.99
Pen – $7.99
Pencil – $4.48
Polar Bears – $8.79
Playdough set x 4 – $7.99
Winter Playdough Accessories – This has a few of a lot of different things making it difficult to dupe.
Flys – $4.78
Playdough Frogs and Rocks – $5.99 + $9.99
Easter Craft Kit and Playdough Accessories – This has a few of a lot of different things making it difficult to dupe.
St. Patrick’s Day Craft Kit and Playdough Accessories – This has a few of a lot of different things making it difficult to dupe.
Paint – $5.49
Woodland Animals – $14.83
Worms – $4.69
Playdough Seashells – $9.99
Fall Playdough Accessories – $7.99
Penguin Stickers – $6.69
Fall Leaves Stickers – $8.99
Crayola Pencils x 12 – $5.79
Play Dough – $5.29
Peg People – $6.99
Honeycomb dipper tool – $4.99
Tweezers – $4.99
Spoons – $4.99
Popsicle Sticks – $6.99
Oil Pastels – $7.86
Total – $203.93 + tax
Worth it?
To me, yes, all of the bundles were worth it, even the ones I chose not to get. You can see based on the dupe prices to make a single bundle will cost a lot more money than getting any of the bundles themselves. The art supplies we got will last us forever. We will have playdough forever. I absolutely adore every single book we got. We Will use them for years to come. You guys know I am all about a sensory bin and we have so many supplies for sensory bins I had to make an entire cabinet in my kitchen dedicated to art and sensory supplies. I love what Knowledge Crate has done and intend to be their customer for years to come.
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