KiwiCo
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Educational toys, STEM education |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Sandra Oh Lin |
| Headquarters | Mountain View, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | STEM and STEAM activity kits, educational toys |
| Website | www |
KiwiCo, Inc. is a U.S.-based enterprise located in Mountain View, California. Established in 2011 by engineer Sandra Oh Lin, the company specializes in creating and distributing STEM and STEAM activity kits—referred to as crates—as well as educational toys designed for children ranging from infants to teenagers. KiwiCo’s core objective is to nurture curiosity and innovation skills while broadening the availability of experiential STEM learning.
The company is well-known for converting educational material into interactive, play-centered experiences. By October 2024, KiwiCo had achieved over $1 billion in cumulative revenue, underscoring its significant footprint in the educational subscription and e-commerce sectors.
History
Sandra Oh Lin, after a career at Procter & Gamble, PayPal, and eBay, began developing science and art projects for her own children. Motivated by encouragement from her social circle, she founded KiwiCo in 2011 with a focus on curated STEM kits for young learners.
The initial product offering was the Kiwi Crate—a monthly subscription box aimed at children aged 5 to 8 that emphasized hands-on science, creativity, and imaginative activities. Over time, the company broadened its catalog to include additional crate series catering to a wider range of ages and interests.
In 2024, KiwiCo expanded beyond direct-to-consumer subscriptions by entering retail partnerships with Target and Barnes & Noble, boosting its presence during the holiday shopping season. A notable portion of their product range features wooden toys inspired by Montessori methodologies.
Product lines
KiwiCo provides a variety of subscription plans designed to suit different age groups and educational focuses.
Panda Crate (0-36 months)
The Panda Crate is tailored for infants, providing sensory toys and developmental tools designed to support early growth stages. It also includes printed expert guidance and resources to help parents understand and nurture their baby's progress.
Koala Crate (3-6 years)
Created for preschool-aged children, the Koala Crate encourages creativity and fine motor development while introducing topics such as zoology and camping. Its activities emphasize learning through imaginative role-playing.
Kiwi Crate (6-9 years)
The Kiwi Crate delivers science and art projects that inspire independent, creative exploration and promote screen-free engagement with STEAM subjects.
Atlas Crate (6-12 years)
Introduced in 2018, the Atlas Crate immerses children in geography and world cultures through hands-on experiences. Each box highlights a different country, helping kids connect with diverse places and peoples around the globe.
Doodle Crate (6-12 years)
Doodle Crate centers on arts and crafts that cultivate design thinking skills. Projects include creating stained glass sun-catchers, geometric candles, felt succulent arrangements, faux leather accessories, and handmade soaps.
Tinker Crate (9-12 years)
Designed to foster problem-solving and innovation, Tinker Crate kits build science and engineering abilities through engaging projects such as constructing toy motorcycles or biomimetic grabbers. The focus is on STEM education with an emphasis on practical science and engineering concepts.
Eureka Crate (12+ years)
Launched in 2018, Eureka Crate offers engineering projects aimed at teenagers and adults. Covering topics like robotics and electronics, these kits explore the scientific principles behind everyday items such as pencil sharpeners and wooden ukuleles.
Maker Crate (12+ years)
Debuted in 2019, Maker Crate features arts and crafts supplies for advanced projects including punch-needle pillows and terrazzo clay tile organizers. These kits are popular among parents seeking collaborative creative experiences with older children.
Education programs
KiwiCo Education partners with schools, after-school programs, camps, and community organizations, collaborating with over 10,000 institutions by March 2025, including homeschooling networks. Their resources encompass lesson plans and student materials aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), with a mission to broaden access to hands-on STEM learning.
Research on classroom use
A 2024 mixed-methods investigation conducted by Johns Hopkins University assessed the use of KiwiCo learning crates within a large suburban school district in the western United States. The study surveyed 91 elementary educators across 30 schools and conducted interviews with teachers implementing the crates in summer or academic-year STEAM programs. Findings indicated that educators regarded the kits as effective tools for enhancing student motivation, interest in STEAM subjects, confidence, and critical 21st-century competencies such as collaboration and problem-solving. The research highlighted the strong esteem these crates hold among teachers for their educational merit and classroom applicability.
Reviews of crates
Economist and parenting specialist Emily Oster commended KiwiCo's activities as “thoughtful,” emphasizing their support for skill development and fostering independent play. Parents frequently report that the crates stimulate imagination while encouraging learning through play.