Pandacraft

What's in the box: Each monthly issue includes a themed magazine, a hands-on activity and an activity guide matched to your child's age.

Pandacraft is a French subscription for children aged 1 to 12. Each month brings a themed issue that pairs a magazine with a hands-on activity. There are four age bands (1 to 3, 3 to 5, 5 to 8 and 8 to 12), and each gets its own issue, so the content is written for that age instead of being stretched to cover a wide range. Plans start from US$18 per month with shipping included. The themes are broad and educational. Recent issues cover filmmaking, the human brain and Inuit life, and the 8 to 12 tier has just moved to a new format. The company says everything is designed in house in Paris. Its journalists consult experts and researchers for the magazine features, and its designers test the activities with children. It says each kit takes nine months to develop. All proceeds from one recent kit go to ALS research through the charity Les Invincibles. The content is in French. That suits French-speaking families and could help language learners, but children who don't read French will get much less out of the magazine. The main page doesn't explain cancellation terms or which countries it ships to, so check those before you subscribe. Overall it's a thoughtful, carefully made choice for kids who like to read and build things alongside a parent.