10 Surprising Benefits We’ve Noticed Since Starting Craft Boxes With Our Kids

We didn’t start craft boxes to be Pinterest parents. We started them because the days were long, the messes were constant, and our kids had more energy than the sun. We wanted something screen-free, low-stress, and genuinely fun, and somehow, that's what we ended up building with The Busy Box.

What started as a few handmade crafts at our kitchen table has now become a full-blown family business. But even before it was a business, it was just us, cutting up tissue paper, getting glue on our elbows, and trying to hold our coffee while our toddler made “a caterpillar house for Boxy.”

Looking back, we’ve realised it wasn’t just our kids who benefited, we did too. And we’ve heard the same from other families.

So here are ten genuinely surprising, very real benefits we’ve noticed from doing regular craft activities with our kids, the kind that come in a box, show up at your door, and don’t involve scrolling Pinterest at 9pm.

1. They actually focus (like, for real)

We were shocked the first time our three-year-old sat down and spent twenty minutes working on a craft. Quietly. Willingly. No snacks required.

The hands-on nature of our Little Explorer Box (Age 1–3) and Curious Creator Box (Age 3–6) helps little ones engage their hands and minds at the same time, which honestly feels like magic.

2. It’s sneaky STEM

We didn’t set out to make STEM boxes. But the more we explored, the more we realised our activities were ticking the STEM boxes naturally, building, problem solving, testing, predicting, designing. (We also didn’t realise “glueing things to other things” could count as engineering, but it turns out it can.)

Even our Party Bags, which are just one craft per child, sneak in STEM skills without kids even noticing.

3. They’re proud of what they make

There’s something really powerful about seeing your child hold up a finished craft and beam, “I made this.” Not every activity is perfect (some end up a bit wonky, some mysteriously sticky), but the sense of ownership and pride is real.

Especially in the Sibling Box, where each child gets their own set of activities, no sharing, no squabbling, they can make something that’s all theirs.

4. It builds confidence in quiet ways

We’ve noticed our kids trying things they’d usually get frustrated with, cutting, threading, even just waiting their turn. Because the crafts are short and varied, there’s always something they can do. It’s a little confidence boost that carries over into other parts of their day.

5. There’s a story pulling it all together

This was a big one for us. When we created Boxy’s Sticker Quest, we didn’t realise how quickly kids would connect with the idea of their crafts helping Boxy on an adventure. Suddenly, the paper boat wasn’t just a boat, it was Boxy’s way across the Lava Lagoon.

Each activity ties into that month’s story, and there's a sticker reward too. Plus, there's an audio version for each chapter, and families can listen to all past adventures no matter when they join. It’s become part of our bedtime routine now, a chance to wind down and imagine together.

6. They start playing differently

After the craft is done, we often see our kids incorporating it into their play. A painted fairy door gets used in doll games. A jellyfish becomes a “sea pet” that needs feeding. A paper crown stays on for the rest of the week.

Crafting sparks creativity that lasts longer than the glue takes to dry.

7. It helps with early learning (and ticks homeschool boxes)

We’ve spoken to a few homeschooling parents at fairs and online, and it’s been lovely to hear how The Busy Box supports their early years goals. Many of our activities link to areas covered in the EYFS framework, Expressive Arts and Design, Physical Development, Understanding the World, and Communication.

We’re not a curriculum. But we are a creative, open-ended way to support learning at home, which makes us a great fit for families who homeschool or just want to support learning through play.

8. It gives us all something to look forward to

We didn’t realise how nice it would be to have a box arrive every month with something lovely inside. Our kids get excited, we get a break from planning, and there’s a buzz around opening it together.

And because each box is themed, from jungle safaris to mythical creatures, it always feels fresh.

9. It reduces screen time (without guilt)

We’re not anti-screen. But we are big fans of giving our kids other options. The Busy Box has become our go-to for rainy afternoons, quiet weekend mornings, or days when we just need a creative reset.

No app. No batteries. Just cardboard, glue, and a bit of imagination.

10. It gives us more than we expected

What started as a way to keep our kids busy has grown into something much more meaningful. It’s helped us slow down, reconnect, and enjoy time with our kids in a way that doesn’t feel like work.

And hearing from other families who feel the same, that’s the best part.

If you're curious, you can browse some our current and past sctivities at www.thebusybox.co.uk. We’re always here if you have questions or want to chat about what box might be best for your little one.

Thanks for being here. And whether you’re crafting with toddlers, wrangling preschoolers, or just hoping for 20 minutes of peace, you’re doing great. We see you.