The 9 Best Book Subscription Boxes for Kids

Whether you've got a bookworm on your hands or are hoping to instill a love of reading in your child, monthly book subscription boxes are the gifts that keep giving. These subscriptions vary but usually include one or more books plus related items delivered to your door each month.

Book subscription boxes are awesome because kids love receiving items by snail mail. Plus, you get the satisfaction of supporting a small business while also finding new quality books for your kids. You'll also save on the retail price of books and get bonus content like crafts that correlate with the stories.

Some things to look for when shopping for a children's book subscription box include:

• Whether or not the price includes shipping
• If you can save by buying multiple months in advance (you almost always can)
• If there is a discount for being a first-time subscriber (there almost always is)
• What the cancelation policy is
• If there is a printable card you can use if you're gifting the subscription
• Whether the company has a specific type of theme

Whatever you choose, gifting books provides so much more than literacy—it's an introduction to new worlds, curiosity, a lifelong love of learning, bonding time reading together, and screen-free quiet time. And whether your child is 6 months old, 6 years old, or 16 years old, a book subscription will surely be something to look forward to each month.

Read on to find a book subscription that's just the right fit for your child.

Bookakery Boxes

Age Range: 3-7

Price: $29.95 plus shipping per month

Frequency: 1 book (plus recipe kit) once per month

Mom Krista and her son, Sterling (the "Chief Tester"), are the bakers behind Bookakery Boxes. Each box has a hardback picture book and a cooking activity based on its theme.

While the cooking ingredients aren't included, you will find the following in each box:

• A kid-friendly recipe
• An ingredients list
• Baking tips
• A baking tool or a special ingredient for the recipe

This subscription box is unique because it provides a memory-making activity every month. Since baking is involved, adult help is required.

Bookroo

Age Ranges: 0-3, 3-6, 7-10, or 9-12

Price: $19.95-$24.95 per box plus shipping

Frequency: 2-3 books per box delivered monthly

Bookroo is customizable by age and frequency. You can change your subscription any time by slowing down to every two or three months, or you can get an alternating subscription to get board books one month and picture books the other if you have different age siblings in the home.

If you have two subscriptions going to the same address, you can get 15% off the second one. Each book comes individually wrapped in eco-friendly recyclable paper, so it feels like a special holiday for every delivery.

Jambo Book Club

Age Ranges: 0-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-9, 10-13, or mixed ages

Price: $33.50-$37.99 per month

Frequency: 2-3 books once per month

A look at over 3,000 children's books published in 2020 showed the majority were about white children or animals. However, Jambo Book Club inspires Black, Latinx, Asian, Middle Eastern, or Native American children with books that star children of color.

The books in this subscription box show BIPOC children "as the stars of their own stories" and "in situations where children's literature rarely places them—making friends, raising pets, loving grandparents, and fighting dragons." If you ever receive a book you already have, they'll send you a replacement title, and you can also mix age groups in one box.

KidArtLit

Age Range: 3-8

Price: $44.99-$59.99 per month plus shipping

Frequency: 1 book (plus art kit) once per month

This high-end "storytime-meets-art-kit" box is a bonding experience more than a book subscription. The art project is based on the hardback picture book and comes with enough supplies for two. You'll also receive a BookMarks Magazine in each box with an author's note, illustrated art kit instructions, and even a themed Spotify playlist.

LillyPost

Age Ranges: 0-3, 4-7, or mixed ages

Price: $19.95 per month plus shipping

Frequency: 3-4 books once per month

This lower-cost book subscription donates one book to a child in need for every book box bought. So far, they've donated over 200,000 books!

There is no particular theme to the books curated by LillyPost, just ones that are fun to read for the age range you choose. Choose between getting four board books, three picture books, or a mixed book box with two picture books and one board book.

Little Feminist

Age Ranges: 0-2, 2-4, 4-7, or 7-9

Price: $22.95 per month plus shipping

Frequency: 1-2 books (plus bonus items) once per month

These books highlighting intersectional diversity come with an activity idea, discussion card, and family letter to contextualize the story. The books feature voices of color challenge gender stereotypes, and celebrate all kinds of families and bodies. Books for kids in the 7-9 age group may include heavier topics, like racism and death.

OwlCrate

Age Range: 8-12 (OwlCrate Jr.) or 14+ (OwlCrate)

Price: $29.99-$32.99 per month plus shipping

Frequency: 1-2 books (plus bonus items) once per month

The OwlCrate box is an excellent choice for older kids. Each box is loaded with goodies, including:

• A new hardcover novel
• A letter and a signed bookplate from the author
• A magazine
• An assortment of "bookish goodies" from small businesses, artists, and publishers

OwlCrate Jr. boxes include a second book, activity, or game; items based on the theme of the month; a mini magazine; and a collectible trading card.

Owl Post Books

Age Ranges: 0-3, 4-7, 8-10, 11-13, or YA (14+)

Price: $14.99-$33.99 per month

Frequency: 1-3 books (plus crafts) once per month

Choose between two options depending on what price point you're looking for: The Reader's Imagination Mini subscription for $14.99 per month contains one book, while the Reader's Imagination Box for $33.99 per month contains three books. Both boxes come with a craft as well. Owl Post Books also offers a YA subscription of three fantasy books for $29.99 per month.

OurShelves

Age Ranges: 0-2, 2-5, 5-8, or multi-age

Price: $10.99-$44.97 per quarter

Frequency: 1-3 books once every three months

If monthly is too often for you, this quarterly book subscription may be more your speed. OurShelves was founded by a mom who wanted her kids—who have two moms—to see families like theirs and families of all kinds represented in the books they read.

So, the books in these boxes feature LGBTQ+ kids and families, BIPOC kids and families, and diversity of all kinds. You can choose to subscribe to either one or three books per box.