Atlas Crate is a subscription from KiwiCo that specializes in geography and culture for children between ages 6 to 11 years old that sparks kids’ sense of adventure and curiosity, inspiring them to see themselves as citizens of the world. This box lets kids see and connect with the rest of the world, helping them grow beyond their own experience as they explore the globe.
KiwiCo also offers Kiwi Crate, Koala Crate, Doodle Crate, Tinker Crate and Cricket Crate (soon to be Tadpole Crate!). Atlas Crate is a great addition to the KiwiCo family as geography and exploration is always a favorite activity!
DEAL: Save 30% on your first month with this link on any KiwiCo line, no coupon code required!
This journey begins with this first crate. We are going to meet the characters Anya and Milo as we will explore the world map together and learn basic navigational skills.
It emphasizes learning through creative play as they provide in this box everything the kids might need. It builds a sense of adventure, an appreciation of other cultures, builds a sense of global citizenship and opportunity for parents and grandparents to bond with the children.
Upon opening, we are welcomed by the cards and pamphlets that are essential to the activities.
Some are nestled in brown paper and the materials for the activities are kept at the bottom of the pamphlets and cards.
Everything in the crate! The theme for this box is WORLD and it will be your first box in a subscription!
This is the first thing we opened because the envelope said Hello in different languages.
The envelope has a string closure.
Voila! Every flap of the envelope has information about the box. We are also given a beautiful surprise of trivia cards filled with fascinating facts and photos.
There’s a card that lists all five tasks we need to accomplish in this crate.
We are finally introduced to our new Adventure tandem Anya the cricket and Milo the sandpiper.
They gave us our very first essential which is the World Map.
We posted it on the wall for the kids to check it out.
Atlas Crate Activity
The Atlas Crate activity helps immerse your child in the crate’s theme!
We also received a pamphlet that teaches us how to properly use the world map.
There’s the map key or legend, and a compass rose too!
On this sheet, there are illustrated trivia about geography and culture. There are also on-sheet activities/challenges that the kids need to answer, including answering trivia questions and finding cool animals around the world using the provided world map.
First, they learned about latitude and longitude.
The lines that run side to side are called latitude lines. On the top half of the map, latitude lines are labeled with an N, because they are in the Northern Hemisphere. On the bottom half, they are labeled S for Southern Hemisphere.
The lines running up and down are called longitude lines. On the left half of the map, longitude lines are labeled with W for Western Hemisphere. On the right half, they are labeled E for Eastern Hemisphere.
Now, my kids are testing their newly acquired knowledge by using the map…
…to answer every question on the given info sheet. I gave them different colored markers and the race was on! They loved this activity and I have to say my kids are solid on latitude and longitude now (something they probably wouldn’t learn for a while yet otherwise!). Along the way we learned tons of fun facts, just what the Seven Wonders are, and all about the Seven Summits!
We can even locate these famous shipwrecks using longitude and latitude!
Atlas Crate Adventure Book
The Atlas Crate adventure book provides information and facts to help make the crate an educational experience.
These cards can be collected so the kids can make their own travel book. Exciting!
As we accomplish activities in every month’s box, we can add on the cards. We are given two metal rings to join the cards together.
This story sure is inspiring for kids to explore and become curious about what’s out in the world!
The other cards have a lot of information and illustrations on them about the different continents. Did you know that the mortar in some of the sections is made of (at least in part) sticky rice?! I sure didn’t!
See the difference of two metal clasps can make? It looks like a fun travel book indeed!
Atlas Crate Recipe
The Atlas Crate recipe provides a taste of culture!
The kids were persistent that we make this trail mix and I’m glad that we did because it’s so fun!
We gathered all our ingredients and mixed them all in a big bowl and divided it evenly between ziplock bags, one for each member of the family.
No one wants to miss out on the bag of scrogginlicious goodies!
Atlas Crate Project
The Atlas Crate project is a fun DIY that matches the crate’s theme!
We move on to the next project, which was making our own spinning globe.
These are the materials needed for the activity: felt land masses, wood stand, glove halves, wood base, dowel, wood connectors, felt heart, foam pieces, and clear rings. The little parts are neatly wrapped in clear plastics.
They have a page wherein you can double check the materials needed and if they are all available in the pack. We get to learn a few pointers on how to attach the globe correctly.
The green felt masses are the continents and the kids stuck them one by one to make a globe.
The kids put the red felt heart on where our home is.
The images that show the instructions on how to make the globe stand are detailed and easy to understand.
As they make the globe, they also read more additional facts about the Equator and how it can be a good starting mark for locations.
We are making this spinning globe to resemble how the Earth spins and revolves around the sun. Cool right?
They did a good job! They were able to spin the globe on its stand.
After an accomplished task, they receive a bonus Atlas Crate pin!
The crate is an amazing start to learn about geography, social studies, and culture by seeing the world as a whole. This box covered the basic knowledge that is needed before studying specific countries. The activities in the WORLD crate are a good reference point as juds can always check the world map and globe when they get curious about other countries’ locations (best way to start the next box – find the country on the map!). The supplemental trivia and fact cards are easy to understand. The instructions for the activities are clear and the questions are challenging; the activities themselves were varied from map work, to trivia, to a snack, to a DIY globe. This box is perfect for curious kids that want to find out more about the world. It’s a fun family activity to take a trip around the world from home and for homeschoolers, too! We can’t wait to explore global culture through this subscription!
What do you think of KiwiCo’s newest Atlas Crate?
Comments
This looks really interesting! Was the trail mix supplies included or was that something you had to buy separate?
Just the recipe is included! I noted “gathering” the supplies for it in the review, sorry I wasn’t more clear! I think it’s best this way so they don’t have to worry about allergies etc.