• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

July 15, 2013

Creativity, Imagination and kiwi crates

Kiwi Crate review from atthepicketfence.com

Do you remember when you were a kid and a box was delivered to your house? There was always that chance…that small chance…that there was something exciting inside. And then you glanced at the label and saw that it was addressed to you! Frankly, I’m still a kid at heart because every time I get a box delivered to my doorstep I’m giddy with the possibilities of what it might hold.

Now imagine being a kid and getting a box every month filled with games and activities based around a certain theme. Dinosaurs, gardens, pirates, fairies, music, robots, bugs and on and on and on. The anticipation of knowing that box will be arriving any day and wondering what adventure awaits you this time.

That’s exactly how my kids felt when they found out they would be receiving their very first kiwi crate in the mail.

kiwi crate nature explorer1

Created and founded by a mom of two, the philosophy behind kiwi crates is simple…celebrating children’s creativity and curiosity.

And that is exactly what happened when I sat down with my own kids and opened our ‘Nature Explorer‘ themed kiwi crate.

I wish there was some way to capture the energy and excitement that was in the air as we unpacked the box. You know how people talk about inventing “smell-a-vision”? Well I wish I could create “feel-a-vision” so you could full appreciate how eager my kiddos were!

And, while kiwi crates are geared towards younger children (7 and under) my 10 year old son was just as excited as his almost-6-year-old sister!

kiwi crate nature explorer2

The first thing they wanted to make was the starlight lantern and let me tell you, these instructions were AWESOME! So many kids crafts turn out to be too difficult for them and I end up having to do the bulk of the work while they watch discouraged and disheartened. Have you experienced that too? The kiwi crates are completely geared towards kids being able to be engaged and active throughout each craft or project.

My 10 year old read the instructions and really the kids did the entire thing on their own with very little involvement on my part.

kiwi crate review1

I have to tell you, the thing that I was most impressed by about this kiwi crate was just how many different activities were packed into one little box. In fact, even the box itself had a game on it! There were so many little surprises that I actually set a few aside to do another day.

kiwi crate review2

They were so proud of their starlight lantern and since night-time was too far away, they insisted we all pile into the bathroom together with the door closed to see the stars glowing!

The next thing we tackled was the ‘collection box‘ which was super easy to assemble and came with all sorts of extra stickers and crayons so that they could personalize their box.

kiwi crate review3 atthepicketfence.com

Armed with their chosen card they set out on a nature scavenger hunt searching for items which matched the colors in each section. They had SO much fun going around the yard trying to find the items and worked together to complete the “assignment”!

kiwi crate review3

Following along after the kids I noticed something interesting happening. It was like we were seeing our yard for the very first time. Every nuance and color was exciting and worthy of being celebrated. And as they worked together to complete their “mission” I could hear them talking about how they could come up with their own versions of this.

As a mom, one of my greatest joys is seeing my kids laughing and playing together. And when it involves imagination and creativity? Well, that is a HUGE bonus!

And, as moms, we have a special radar. We can tell when something has been created with love, attention to detail. thoughtfulness and a desire to celebrate all the best parts of childhood.

kiwi crate nature explorer

As soon as the lid was lifted on that kiwi crate, my radar went off!

I knew this was something special…different…created for those memory-making moments. And lots of other people have recognized just how special kiwi crates really are too. It has been the recipient of the Parent’s Choice Gold Award, Winner of Dr. Toy’s top 100 Best Children’s Products as well as Oppenheim’s Gold Seal Toy award. It’s been featured in magazines like Redbook, Parenting, Family Fun, InStyle, Parents and Country Living.

Kiwi crates can be welcomed into your home too through a variety of neat options!

You can sign up to receive a different kiwi crate each month, buy an individual kiwi crate and choose your own specific theme, purchase small party favor sized kiwi crates and really just customize it to your needs.

2-spacehero-contentsall-1400x1056

 

The afternoon we spent together with our first kiwi crate is one I will treasure always.

As my oldest is now 10, I feel those moments are becoming even more important. I remember the day…the moment…when I lost my imagination. I was playing with Barbie dolls and just couldn’t come up with another story-line for them. It was so bittersweet.

color_02

The memory of that moment gives me even more motivation to do all I can to foster the imaginations of my own children and keep those imaginations alive and well as long as possible!

kiwi crate nature explorer review atthepicketfence.com

I hope you will take some time and visit the Kiwi Crate website to find out more about this amazing product and how you can have your little ones eagerly anticipate receiving that mystery box in the mail…that one that holds the key to a new adventure!

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

 

*I was provided product to review for this post but the opinions here are 100% my own.*

10 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Kids, Reviews Tagged With: crafting with kids, kiwi crates

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Shopping with At The Picket Fence
Next Post: Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover Reveal! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says

    July 15, 2013 at 7:10 AM

    Oh wow this looks so cool! I’ve never heard of them, thank you for sharing 🙂 I think my son would love this!

    Reply
  2. bonnie@uncommon designs says

    July 15, 2013 at 7:19 AM

    My kiddos would have loved this when they were younger….I am thinking they still might! 😉 What a wonderful product, thanks for sharing about it!

    Reply
  3. classic•casual•home says

    July 15, 2013 at 7:32 AM

    Adorable post!

    Reply
  4. Thistle says

    July 15, 2013 at 7:54 AM

    Super cute post, Vanessa! What a wonderful way to share creativity! Totally pinning!

    Happy day to you!
    karianne

    Reply
  5. Laura Strack says

    July 15, 2013 at 8:45 AM

    This is awesome! I too still get excited when a package arrives for me. When I was a kiddo, many moons ago, I would get letters or a Birthday card from my Grandma. That was so exciting. I can only imagine how excited a child might get to receive a box with goodies inside! Fabulous idea.

    Reply
  6. Beth at Unskinny Boppy says

    July 15, 2013 at 7:30 PM

    Awww, that makes me wanna cry about you remembering when you lost your imagination. 🙁 You’re so right– reading this makes me want to help G keep those creative juices flowing as long as possible. I LOVE listening in on his stories that he makes up with his toys. It’s like getting a season pass to the best play ever written.

    These boxes look like something he would LOVE! Definitely putting this one on the birthday gift wish list!

    Reply
  7. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    July 16, 2013 at 6:24 AM

    Oh, my girls would flip for that. I love that it’s something they can do with minimal adult help!

    Reply
  8. Laura @ Finding Home says

    July 16, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    Too cute – sound like such fun!

    Reply
  9. Debbie says

    July 16, 2013 at 11:53 AM

    This would have been right up my alley as a mom. I’m really impressed with the moms who came up with it. I’ll remember that if and when I’m a grandmother. (From my mouth to God’s ears, as my mom would say.)

    Reply
  10. agree with says

    August 26, 2014 at 5:34 PM

    Hi there to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more
    from this web page, and your views are fastidious for new people.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Take the Quiz

Stay updated!

Get all the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • A New Gig! April 16, 2021
  • Lessons From Growing Out My Bangs March 12, 2021
  • Painted Staircase Handrail Makeover March 4, 2021
  • A New French Country Dining Table February 3, 2021
  • Open Now December 17, 2020

Get all the latest straight to your inbox

Footer

Instagram

I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 y I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 years now and every year I ohhhh and ahhhh over the blossoms like it's the first time I've ever seen them. I gush and I take photos (that look exactly like the ones I took the year before and the year before that) and I make my family come outside and look at them with me which you know they just LOVE to do. 😉 I think that is one of the main reasons why I love spring so much. On the one hand, it's predictable and yet, on the other hand, it still feels like such a surprise after the long months of barren branches.

And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
Are you living with great expectation friends? Bec Are you living with great expectation friends? Because He is risen!

Happy Easter from my home to yours!
Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to be a different kind of Easter for sure but some things don’t change. Have you been baking and getting ready for tomorrow? What’s one thing on your menu that you have to have every year?
If this is Good Friday, why doesn’t it feel so “good”? It all seems backward doesn’t it?

What could be good about the unspeakable pain he suffered? What could be good about the shame and betrayal?

Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

But, I don’t know how to rejoice over His resurrection, unless I have felt the pain of His death. I have realized that in life the sweetest victories are the ones which were realized after a pain-filled journey.

And, so it is with Good Friday. I know there will be victory over death, but I can’t skip ahead in the story.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what he would experience. And he knew why he would go through it. He did it for me. He did it for you.

Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
Sometimes it makes me squirm a bit. Why would anyone do that for me?

Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

There is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love and mercy.

That is why it is called GRACE.

His grace is freely given. We don’t have to pay for it. He paid the price for us already.

Do you remember that movie from years ago called “Ransom”? A couple’s young son was kidnapped and the parents went to hell and back trying to find him and pay the “ransom” demanded by the kidnappers.

Well, Jesus is our “ransom”. (1 Timothy 2:6) His life was the payment.

Why is it called “Good Friday”? Because that wasn’t the end of the story….
.
…It was just the beginning!
Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house that’s become the landing zone for ALL THE THINGS! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤪 I’ve never been more thankful for our rarely used dining room table as it’s become command central for school books and laptops and games.

Where are things collecting in your house right now?
“Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every si “Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every single one of these emotions has made their way through our home in recent days and, my guess is, they have in your home too.

I SO needed this reminder today from the new book ‘Adore’ by @sarahagertywrites.

Adoration isn’t just sitting at His feet gazing longingly with stars in my eyes. It’s bringing my fears and my sorrows and gray roots in my hair that desperately needs to be colored and my messy house and all of the things that threaten to send me over the edge right now and laying them down before Him, soaking up His word and His presence so that when I stand back up, I am changed for having spent the time adoring the ONE who is... Healer, comforter, peace-giver, deliverer, redeemer.

What do you need to bring to Him today? I’ll share mine in the comments and I’d love to hear from you too!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

It feels the most...normal. Daytime is strange and foreign right now. My husband has taken over our home office, I’m suddenly taking over the responsibility of managing my kids’ distance learning and let me just say that teaching 7th grade algebra to my daughter is hugely ironic since I struggled with math all the way through school. I’m trying to do my own work but it feels utterly futile with the constant interruptions which take precedence right now. In the daytime, I’m constantly reminded of how upside down life feels.

But, in the evening, I cook dinner like I’ve always done and we gather around the table like we’ve always done and we laugh and tell stories and then clean up and play games or go on a walk or watch a show. And that feels SO gloriously normal.

So now I love evenings even more than I ever did before and I’m so grateful for this little chunk of time where the rhythms we established years ago are helping to sustain us now when so much of life feels outside of our control.

What feels ‘normal’ to you right now? Whatever it is, keep doing it. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

If you don’t absolutely HAVE to make a decision right now, I want to encourage you to wait until life gets back to normal. If you are finding yourself over-analyzing relationships and family dynamics, I want to encourage you to remember that everything seems more dramatic when looked at under a microscope. And, let’s face it, being homebound with our loved ones non-stop makes us all feel like lab rats in an experiment.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

If you’re able to find flour in the stores (for the love people please stop overbuying!) and you’re doing more baking at your house too you need to add this apricot bread to your list of new recipes to try!

Normally I’d point you to my blog for the directions but I’m going to do you a solid and leave the full recipe in the comments.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
Follow
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
There has been a problem with your Instagram Feed.
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 At The Picket Fence