KiwiCo alternative in the Netherlands

Looking for a KiwiCo alternative in the Netherlands?

Creative building, experimenting, and discovering the world through play. The KiwiCo concept (known for Kiwi Crate and Tinker Crate) is incredibly popular worldwide. As a result, many Dutch parents and grandparents are searching for these challenging craft and discovery boxes.

But in practice, families in the Netherlands and Belgium often face the same obstacles: manuals that are entirely in English, long shipping times from the United States, and unexpected customs and import fees.

Zappie is the answer. We are the premier Dutch alternative to KiwiCo, specially designed for curious children aged 5 to 9. The same quality and 'wow-experience', but completely tailored to your child's world and language.

Why Dutch parents choose Zappie over KiwiCo

KiwiCo makes beautiful boxes, but they are designed for the American market. For a Dutch child, this creates unnecessary barriers. Zappie solves these frustrations directly.

The key differences at a glance:

The 3 biggest benefits of Zappie compared to KiwiCo

When choosing an educational subscription, you want your child to enjoy it to the fullest—and you want to be unburdened as a parent. This is why Zappie is the better choice for Dutch-speaking families:

1. No language barrier: True independent building

With KiwiCo, your child receives a wonderful project, but the instructions and scientific explanations are entirely in English. This means that, as a parent, you have to sit next to them constantly to translate and assist.

Zappie has been specially developed at B1 language level, inspired by the accessible style of the Jeugdjournaal. The manuals are clear, visual, and entirely in Dutch. This allows a 5 to 9-year-old to work truly independently. That not only boosts their self-confidence but also gives you, as a parent, a moment for yourself.

2. No unexpected costs or long delivery times

Ordering from the United States means waiting. A KiwiCo box is often in transit to the Netherlands or Belgium for weeks. Furthermore, you may face unexpected import VAT and customs clearance fees upon delivery.

Zappie is shipped locally. Order a box or start a subscription, and the first Zappie box will be on your doorstep within 2 days. No shipping costs and no surprises afterward.

3. Perfectly tailored to primary school age (5-9 years)

KiwiCo offers boxes for all ages, from babies to adults. Zappie consciously chooses to focus. Our full attention is dedicated to the magical age of 5 to 9 years. The projects, experiments, and play elements connect seamlessly with what children learn and find interesting during this crucial developmental phase in primary school.

What's in a Zappie box?

Every month, your child receives a brand-new adventure in their mailbox. Each box is a complete experience:

• All necessary materials: You don't need to hunt for glue, batteries, or specific screws yourself. Everything is included in the box.

• A wooden project of their own: Children build a functional toy they can continue to play with for hours afterward.

• Clear Dutch instructions: Explained step-by-step with clear illustrations.

• Learning through play (STEM): Cool, accessible experiments that explain how air pressure, gravity, or electricity works.

Experiences from other parents

Many of our loyal Zappie members switched after a previous experience with KiwiCo. This is what they say about it:

"We had a Kiwi Crate for a while. The projects were fun, but I noticed I was doing all the work as a parent because my 7-year-old son didn't understand the English text. With Zappie, it's very different. He takes the Dutch manual and builds the projects almost entirely by himself now. It's a relief!"

— Annelies, mother of Mees (7 years old)

"I wanted to gift my granddaughter a subscription, but found the hassle with American shipping costs and dollars way too complicated. Zappie is reliable, shipped quickly, and the customer service is simply in Dutch. Highly recommended."

— Grandpa Gerard, proud grandfather of Saar (6 years old)

Start discovering today

Do you want to stimulate your child's creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills without the frustrations of international orders and language barriers?

Zappie is flexible. You aren't tied down to anything: you can pause or cancel your membership monthly whenever you want.