CrunchLabs Hack Pack

What's in the box: A typical box has the parts and instructions to build a working toy or gadget, plus explanations of the engineering or coding ideas behind it.

CrunchLabs is the subscription company founded by Mark Rober, the YouTube creator and former NASA engineer who worked on the Curiosity Mars rover. It offers three lines for different ages. The Creative Kit is a newer line for ages 6 to 10 that focuses on creativity. The Build Box is for ages 8 to 13 and is the core hands-on engineering product: kids build a working toy and learn the ideas behind it. The Hack Pack is for ages 14 and up and moves into robotics and coding. The company's message is about teaching kids to think like engineers, with a focus on persistence and trying again after something fails. Much of the appeal comes from Rober's personality and videos. That is a real plus for families who already watch him and less of a draw for those who don't. The site shows a 4.8 average from more than 2,300 reviews, but those reviews are collected on its own platform. The company also says its toys and packaging are sustainable, which we could not check independently. We did not confirm current prices, shipping terms or promotions, so check the site before you subscribe. Overall it is one of the best known and most polished STEM boxes, and it gives kids a clear path to move up as they grow.