Is a Kids Craft Subscription Better Value Than Buying Craft Supplies Yourself?
When it comes to keeping children creatively engaged, many parents and grandparents find themselves choosing between a kids craft subscription or buying individual craft supplies from retailers like Hobbycraft and similar stores.
At first glance, shopping for craft bits yourself can seem cheaper and more flexible. You pick what you need, when you need it. However, once you look closely at the true cost of recreating multiple structured activities at home, the numbers often tell a very different story.
This article provides a clear, real world comparison to help you decide which option genuinely offers better value.
What You Get with a Craft Subscription
A monthly craft subscription such as a Busy Box delivers four complete, themed craft activities, all designed specifically for children. Using a recent Space themed box as an example, the activities include:
Making a textured planet using air dry clay and a foam sphere
A sensory star matching activity using crochet, wooden, and foam pieces
A rubber band powered cup rocket introducing early STEM concepts
A mixed media space scene using paint, chalk, foil texture, and threading
Each activity arrives fully prepared with pre cut components, the correct quantities of materials, illustrated instructions, and simple learning explanations for grown ups.
Subscription cost: £19.99
Number of crafts: 4
Cost per complete craft: approximately £5.00
The Cost of Buying the Same Craft Supplies Yourself
To recreate these same four crafts by shopping independently, you would typically need to purchase the following items from a craft retailer.
Typical UK High Street Prices
Air dry clay multipack: £6.00
Foam balls pack: £4.00
Crochet or fabric stars: £4.00
Wooden star shapes: £3.00
Foam star stickers: £2.50
Glue dots: £3.00
Glue sticks: £2.00
Acrylic paint set: £5.00
Paintbrush pack: £3.00
Chalk: £1.50
Black card pack: £3.00
Paper cups multipack: £2.00
Rubber bands: £1.50
Matchsticks: £1.00
Tin foil and cotton buds: approximately £1.50
Estimated total spend: £43.00
This does not include fuel, delivery charges, or impulse purchases, which are common when shopping for craft supplies.
Direct Cost Comparison
Option Total Cost Crafts Completed Cost per Craft
Craft subscription £19.99 4 £5.00
Buying supplies yourself £43.00 4 £10.75
Immediate saving: £23.01
Percentage saving: approximately 53 percent
The Overlooked Cost: Story and Engagement
One major element often missing from cost comparisons is storytelling.
Craft subscriptions do not simply provide materials. The activities are designed to sit within an ongoing illustrated story that children follow. Each craft has a purpose within that narrative, helping characters, solving problems, and encouraging imaginative play beyond the crafting session itself.
If you wanted to recreate this experience independently, you would need to source or create a story to go alongside the crafts.
Typical Story Costs
Short illustrated children’s story or activity book: £4.99 to £7.99
Digital story download: £2.99 to £4.99
Printed activity booklet: £3.00 to £5.00
Using a conservative figure, £4.99 is a realistic additional cost for a story that supports multiple activities.
Updated Comparison Including Story
Option Total Cost Crafts Story Included Cost per Craft
Craft subscription £19.99 4 Yes £5.00
Buying supplies only £43.00 4 No £10.75
Buying supplies plus story £47.99 4 Yes £12.00
Saving compared to supplies plus story: £28.00
Percentage saving: approximately 58 percent
When the story element is included, the effective cost per activity in a craft subscription drops below £5, as each craft is supported by narrative, motivation, and continued engagement.
Time, Convenience, and Waste
There is also a time cost to consider.
Planning four crafts independently involves researching ideas, checking age suitability, preparing templates, and gathering materials. For busy parents and grandparents, this can quickly become overwhelming.
Craft subscriptions remove this burden entirely. Everything arrives ready to use, with exact quantities provided. There is no excess waste, no half used packs, and no cupboards filling up with mismatched supplies.
Final Recommendation
Buying individual craft supplies can work well for those who already have a fully stocked craft cupboard and enjoy planning activities from scratch.
However, for most families and grandparents, a craft subscription offers better value, less waste, and far greater convenience. With savings of over 50 percent when compared fairly, plus the added benefit of storytelling and structured learning, it provides a complete kids activity experience that is difficult and expensive to recreate independently.
In short, a craft subscription is not just about craft materials. It is about delivering meaningful, engaging creative time without the hidden costs.
