Paddington's Postcards (UNICEF)

Paused.The website says new subscriptions are paused for now.

What's in the box: A personalised monthly pack themed on one country, with a postcard from Paddington, activities, stickers, a short story and fact cards, after a welcome pack containing a travel journal and world map.

Paddington's Postcards is not taking new subscribers right now: UNICEF UK says sign-ups are paused because of delivery issues, and it is still working through existing orders. When it ran, the scheme was a charity donation dressed up as a monthly post club. Families paid £8 a month, or an annual sum, and a child aged roughly 6 to 10 received a personalised pack from Paddington each month for up to 12 months. The packs followed the bear around the world, one country at a time, with activities, stickers, postcards, short stories and fact cards, plus a monthly email to parents with ideas for using each pack. A welcome pack with a travel journal and world map came first so children could log where Paddington had been. UNICEF says 100% of the payment counts as a donation to its child protection work. Shoppers should note one important detail: once the 12 months of packs end, the donation carries on unless you cancel it. That is clearly stated, and cancellation is allowed at any time, but it is easy to miss when buying it as a gift. UNICEF itself admits recent deliveries fell below its usual standard. Until sign-ups reopen and that is sorted out, there is nothing to buy here, and anyone with an existing order may want to check on its status.