An alternative to CrunchLabs in the Netherlands?
Is your child also fascinated by Mark Rober’s videos for hours on end? There is a good chance that inventor boxes from CrunchLabs or KiwiCo are high on their wish list. However, the reality of ordering from the United States is often less rosy for Dutch parents: high international shipping costs, unexpected customs fees, and manuals that are entirely in English.
Fortunately, there is now Zappie: the ultimate Dutch alternative for creative and educational subscription boxes, specifically developed for children aged 5 to 9.
Why Dutch parents choose Zappie
Although American boxes are fantastic for older children who are already fluent in English, many Dutch families run into practical barriers. Zappie brings the exact same "wow experience" and love for science and technology to your living room, but fully tailored to the Dutch market.
The main differences:
| Feature | CrunchLabs | Zappie |
| Language of the box & videos | Entirely English | 🇳🇱 100% Dutch (accessible level) |
| Shipping & Delivery time | Long delivery time from the US | 🚚 Within 2 days in NL & BE |
| Extra costs | High shipping costs + import VAT | 😎 No surprises at the door |
| Build time | Done in less than 30 minutes | At least 45 - 60 minutes of building |
What makes a Zappie box unique?
With Zappie, we turn children from passive screen-watchers into active creators. While American boxes are often too complicated for primary school children, Zappie ensures successful experiences that boost self-confidence.
-
Independent building in Dutch: Every month, your child receives a box containing all the materials needed to build their own project. The instructions and scientific explanations are written entirely in Dutch, and are clear and visual (inspired by the style of the 'Jeugdjournaal').
-
Learning through play (STEM): No dry theory, but cool experiments. Children discover how the world works by creating, testing, and failing themselves—and then trying it again.
-
No hassle with subscriptions: Flexibility is key. You can pause or cancel your Zappie subscription monthly whenever you like.
What do other parents say?
You are not the only one searching for a local alternative to American engineering boxes. Many of our members came to Zappie after a search for KiwiCo or Mark Rober's box:
"My children are crazy about inventor videos, but the English manuals of American boxes were really still too difficult. Zappie is the perfect solution: the assignments are challenging, but they can actually do it independently in Dutch." – Sanne, mother of Tim (7) and Sophie (5)
Turn your child into a real inventor
Do you want to give your (grand)child’s creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills a boost? Without the frustration of international shipping times or language barriers?
