Little Passports OR Steve Spangler Science: Which fits your family best?

As a busy mom, I can NOT tell you how much I appreciate subscription boxes full of hands-on learning landing at my doorstep each month.

We are currently using both Little Passports Science Expeditions and Steve Spangler STEM Deluxe boxes as supplements to our science program.

For our main science course, we are using Easy Peasy Chemistry, which is a free online program, one of many. I chose this one as it works great for my kids.

But there is a major downside for me.

Many of the science experiments in the program use “everyday items you have in the house” unless you are like me, and you don’t keep every single toilet paper roll. For the record, they make a great fire starter for the woodstove.

Other things we never seem to have are copper wire, marshmallows (hot chocolate is the culprit this time), or a red cabbage or…well ya know. Life.

Needless to say, if it depended on me, my poor children would never actually DO any hands-on learning, which I truly believe in.

So I had a choice. Accept that I would never remember to buy, collect, and save all the things needed OR find something else better for my family.

And because not finding a solution just isn’t in my genes…

Why Use Science Subscription Boxes In Your Homeschool

I’m a busy mom. I work full-time, and I homeschool full-time. To do both, I need to be super intentional about where I spend my time. This is where science subscription boxes come in.

Using science subscription boxes just makes sense. Everything arrives in one box on my doorstep. Sure, I may need to pick a few things up, but most lessons use what we have on hand.

All the planning is done for me. I get to sit back and have fun learning with my kids!

As I said we’ve been using both boxes and I thought it would be fun to compare the two boxes and share what I didn’t like about them and what I do!

Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Little Passports Science Expeditions – Science Experiment Subscription Box for Kids | Ages 9+Steve Spangler’s Big Bucket of Science, DIY Science Experiment Kit for Kids and Classroom

 

This is a detailed breakdown of both STEM subscription boxes, including unboxing videos and candid thoughts from those who use them! AND tips on how to help you pick the right one for your family.

⇒If you are short on time, here is a side-by-side chart, but for all the details, keep reading! *Please note the prices may have changed, depending on when you are reading this.

[su_box title=”Science Expeditions VS STEM Lab Deluxe Comparison: ” box_color=”#001979″]

[su_row class=””]
[su_column size=”1/3″ center=”no” class=””]STEM Box

Price
FREE Shipping
International Shipping
Experiments
Activities + Bonuses
Ages
Completion bonus [/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/3″ center=”no” class=””]Little Passports Science Expeditions
1 box $21.95
YES USA Only
YES
3-4 per box
YES
9+
Badge (a Sticker)
[/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/3″ center=”no” class=””]Steve Spangler STEM Lab Deluxe
1 box $29.99
YES USA only
YES
Up to 10
YES
5-10+
Certificate
[/su_column]
[/su_row]
[/su_box]

Both of these are considered STEM Boxes, STEM= Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

Little Passports Science Expeditions Product Overview:

I was VERY excited when Little Passports designed a subscription box for older kids called Science Expeditions.

Before we dig in, here is a quick overview of ALL the different learning subscription boxes provided by Little Passports.

They offer 4 subscription boxes:

• World Edition: Ages 6-10, explore a new country each month with souvenirs and hands-on activities.
• Early Explorers: Ages 3-5, discover a new world theme each month, like Oceans, Music & Dinosaurs.
• Science Expeditions: Ages 9 and up, reveal mysteries of the world through science experiments & activities. 
• USA Edition: Ages 7-12, learn about two new states each month, with activity-packed State Journals. 

I’ll be focusing on the Science Expeditions Box.

This hands-on learning box encourages children to solve real-life scientific mysteries through science experiments, hands-on STEM activities and more! Aimed at children ages 9+.

What’s inside each monthly package and our thoughts on them:

To begin with here is our latest Science Expedition Box, unboxed!

Or watch all of our unboxing videos for Science Expeditions on YouTube! 

As you can see each box comes with:

• A 16-page comic book with glossary and bonus activities
• Solve a new mystery each month with Sam & Sofia
• Hands-on science experiments
• Achievement badges for each monthly theme
• Access to bonus online videos and science content

The first month includes a Science Case and Lab Notebook to keep track of what you learn!

This STEM box is perfect for one child or children who share well. In fact, Little Passports encourages you to buy one box per child. This is a great idea if you have children of all ages and they want to learn different things.

Please note: Currently, it comes with one notebook in the first box and each box has one sticker/badge for completing the assignments.

My kids get along very well (for once!). They share the badges, and one claimed the notebook until we got the second one. This came in a review box.

Even though I searched all over the site I was unable to find either the badges or the notebook for individual sale. Can you tell me if you find it, please?

Quick rundown of the pros and cons for Science Expeditions:

Pros:

• Perfect if you have one child or two close in age that share well
• Easy-to-follow instructions with explanations for mom/dad
• Provides all the sciencey items needed.
• Great way to explore and learn
• The more you buy the more affordable it gets, starting at $21.95 / month. Six months are $20.95 a box and the best deal of all is 12 months at 18.95 a box.

Cons:

• Aimed at one child/per box, this can add up if you have multiple children.
• Although there is one subject in the box, for example, our box right now is about solar energy, it seems to jump around a bit. My kids were not crazy about it that fact. This could be a pro or con depending on your child. For us, it is a con.

Steve Spangler STEM Lab Deluxe Product Overview:

I heard about this box from other homeschool moms, which is the best place to learn in my opinion. After all, those using it are gonna know what’s up!

They kept saying how it was the best box ever so I had to get my hands on a box and test it out.

Steve Spangler Science boxes focus on STEM for all ages.

They currently offer 3 different subscription types:

• STEM Snack – Bitesize science snack. The perfect introduction to STEM. Ages 5 -12 Minimal adult assistance is required with easy-to-follow instructions.
• STEM Lab – Up to 5 STEM experiences each month. Collect all 24 months to build your own STEM lab. Ages 5 -12. Minimal adult assistance is required. Experiment cards with step-by-step instructions and easy-to-understand scientific explanations. 
• STEM Lab Deluxe –  Up to 10 STEM experiences each month. Dive deep with STEM experiences designed for children and parents to explore together. Ages 5 -12. Designed for children and adults to work together. Comprehensive experiment guides for both the young scientist and the adult science helper. (this is the one I’m unboxing below)

What was inside our STEM Lab Deluxe Box and our thoughts on them:

You can watch the unboxing here!

Watch it on Facebook here.

As you can see a ton of stuff came in our box.

Each box comes with:

• Free shipping (USA Only)
• Up to 10 STEM Experiments
• Comprehensive experiment guides for both the young scientist and the adult science helper
• Everything you need for the experiments

To see an example, this is what came in our Electricity Box (as you saw above)
Science Club Items:

• Student Activity Book (my name for it)
• Adult Top Secret Book
• Steve Spangler Energy Stick
• 3 Test Tubes with Covers and stand
• Red and Black Probes
• 1 Clear Plastic 1 Liter Bottle with Child Lock Cover
• 3 Pipe Cleaners
• Small Bag of Foam Beads (very small beads)
• 1 Latex Balloon (Latex warning included)

We had everything we needed for 6 experiments but the household items such as a spoon, water, milk, etc. (Read about all our hands-on fun here!)

This box is perfect for all families. It is designed to be done as a family no matter how many children you have, which I love! In fact, they flat-out say, “Designed for children and adults to work together” right on the page!

We really appreciated how each activity builds on the one before it. You learn a foundation and then dig deeper. This was a highlight for my kids. However, if you like to jump around this may not be to your advantage. 😉

A quick rundown of the pros and cons for STEM Lab Deluxe :

Pros:

• Easy-to-follow instructions with explanations for mom/dad
• Provides all the stuff you need except household items
• Perfect for multiple children
• Great way to explore and learn
• Many experiments build on each other

Cons:

And this is where this post goes off the rails a bit, hang in here with me for a second!

For the record, I had a really hard time thinking of a con.

So I turned to my teenagers because if anyone is going, to be honest, it is going to be a kid, right? BUT Neither of the kids had anything they didn’t like about the box.

My next step was to reach out to other moms I knew who bought the box and tried it out with the kids.

One said she could probably gather all the stuff, search YouTube and figure it out…but she won’t. I agree…hello easy. As a busy mom, I like the “done for you style” of this box.

The next one said she had no complaints but wasn’t crazy about her topic in the box. If I remember they had just done another box on the same topic. She did point out that her child would dig out the box later, which you can totally do since none of the items are perishable.

Why did I ask several friends and poll the kids for something they didn’t like about the box?

Because I never trust a review if there is nothing wrong with the item. Nothing in this world is perfect and I don’t like bad surprises. This is one of those times it is backfiring big time.

The ONLY downside for me, is cost. It is $29.99 USD for the STEM Lab Deluxe box, and it doesn’t get cheaper if you buy more at a time. However, I love the fact you can buy one box at a time and test it out.

Little Passports OR Steve Spangler Science: Which fits your family best?

I can’t say but I can tell you how I’d pick. Otherwise I would leave you hanging and that is just plain mean!

Let me point out that other companies do not sell everything in these boxes separately.

This brings me to my next point, I was recently asked if I would rather gather the supplies and make a learning science kit myself.

No. No, I would not, thanks.

I would never do that. I am being totally transparent here, even though it may make me look like a horrible parent! I know I would want to, but never actually take the time to gather the items listed, to research how they fit and work, the science behind the activities.

This is the REASON I invest in subscription boxes, to begin with. They fill a need in my homeschool.

Which one should you get? Let’s break it down!

Little Passports

Little Passports is perfect for one child who likes hands-on experiments or likes to bounce around picking and choosing which experiment they want to do.

There is no need to do them in order and the puzzles in the comic book are a blast to do.

It is perfect for busy moms who want to open and go with little to no prep besides ensuring you don’t eat the needed candy.

It is also the perfect gift for the long-term as you save the more boxes you buy at a time. If you are worried about the pieces you need to keep will get lost no worries. Little Passports has thought of that and provided you with a cool bag to keep them all in.

Also, if you are worried about the child being bored, you can dig out the boxes to be played with later. However, some things are consumable, like the crystal growing powder. Others are not.

Buying Tip Questions You Want To Ask:

• How many kids do I have?
• If more than one, do they like to share?
• If not, am I willing to invest in one box per child?
• Does my child like to jump around?

If this box sounds perfect for your family you can shop all the products here! 

Steve Spangler Science Boxes

STEM Lab Deluxe Boxes are perfect for families who like to learn together. They are designed to be done with a group of 2- as many as you like.

While we feel they are best done in order, it might be more tricky if you bounce around. For example, if you don’t know that electricity has a current that needs to be closed, you might struggle to build the bridges later.

A great box for the busy mom who wants that open and go. You can also do these in as little as a few minutes, as the guide points out, but we always ended up taking our time exploring and playing.

Why YES, this is still kicking around the house! You can see what I mean right on Instagram here! 

Oh! I also wasn’t the only mom who had to hide the box. One mom of 5 said her children got into the box without her and had so much fun. 😉 You know it is good when kids sneak into school boxes, right?

When I asked both my kids which box they prefer, both voted for Steve Spangler. My son didn’t hesitate. FYI: This is a miracle the child thinks for 10 minutes between two donuts at Tim Horton’s regularly!

He said both are fun, and I like getting them but if I had to pick I would choose STEM Deluxe because the experiments seem more “grown-up” and he loves the step-by-step idea.

My daughter said while both are fun, she felt you get more for your money with STEM Box. I love seeing our life skills lessons kicking in. 😉 She also preferred the step-by-step process but she is learning from both.

Buying Tip Questions you want to ask:

• Do I have multiple children?
• Do we like to learn as a family?
• Does my child learn best from building on what they learned before?

Here is a quick side by side chart that I hope will help you out:

As you can see both boxes are really great for busy working moms. I’m a big fan of anything that makes learning fun, hands-on and easy for mom!

Here is that comparison chart:

[su_box title=”Science Expeditions VS STEM Lab Deluxe Comparison: ” box_color=”#001979″]

[su_row class=””]
[su_column size=”1/3″ center=”no” class=””]STEM Box

Price
FREE Shipping
International Shipping
Experiments
Activities + Bonuses
Ages
Completion bonus [/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/3″ center=”no” class=””]Little Passports Science Expeditions
1 box $21.95
YES USA Only
YES
3-4 per box
YES
9+
Badge (a Sticker)
[/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/3″ center=”no” class=””]Steve Spangler STEM Lab Deluxe
1 box $29.99
YES USA only
YES
Up to 10
YES
5-10+
Certificate
[/su_column]
[/su_row]
[/su_box]

I hope this comparison gives you a great idea of which box would be best for your little scientist.

Does your family have a favorite? I’d love to know, so please leave a comment below!

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