Some After School Fun with Space Scouts

As part of A Geek Daddy Blog's participating in the U.S. Family Guide Network we tested out the first two month's mailers from the monthly subscription service SPACE SCOUTS the other day when my kids returned home from school.   SPACE SCOUTS lets children explore the galaxy from the comfort of their own home through sending space themed boxes filled with arts and crafts projects, educational lessons and other fun treats each month.  From our experience, each month's mailer should occupy a kid's attention for about a half an hour and provides a nice opportunity for a parent to spend some quality time with children in a manner that is both entertaining and educational at the same time.  The SPACE SCOUTS program is probably best for children 6 to 8 years old.

The first month's mailer included a metallic lunchbox (which can be used to store all your Space Scouts stuff), a solar system poster, activity pages, a sticker scramble, a constellation collector ring, and a set of wikki stix that could be used for creative building.  We decyphered a code for a secret message, completing a space themed cross word puzzle, and answering astronomy themed trivia questions.

My daughter really enjoyed the sticker scramble where you have to match numbers on sticker sheets to the ones on an index card.  If you complete the puzzle correctly you'll see an interesting space image from the unscrambled stickers. 

 

The week two mailer included a grasping hand that amused my son to no end, some astronaut figurines, magnets to place on the Space Scouts lunchbox, a constellation card to include on the storage ring provided in the first mailer.  It also included some more activity sheets, another sticker scramble and some stickers to place on the solar system map that was initially provided.    Each package provides items that supports and builds upon items previously received to boast children's knowledge of math, technology, science and astronomy.

Pricing starts out at $11.95 + $3 shipping per month with additional discounted plans for multi-month purchases.  A GEEK DADDY blog readers receive a 20% discount on their initial purchase of any SPACE SCOUT subscription plan by using promo code USFAMILY20.

For more information, visit  www.atcssc.com/space-scouts 

DISCLAIMER: A Geek Daddy Blog was introduced to this product through its participation in the US FAMILY GUIDE Blogger Program.  A Geek Daddy blog was not provided any financial compensation for this post but was provided a complimentary two month subscription to the Space Scouts to review.  A positive review is not required of our blog to participate in this promotion. The opinions in this review are my own.

Who doesn't love getting something in the mail?

Subscription Boxes are a New Trend

Hey admit it you love getting something special in the mail, maybe it is that recent purchase you made online, a present from a friend, or a Christmas Card.  Yeah a mail box full of bills and junk mail sucks, but when you get something special it really can brighten up your day.  That feel of excitement and enthusiasm is being marketed to people as numerous businesses are sprouting up that provide themed gift boxes that people can subscribe to have sent to them in the mail.  Many of these subscription boxes surprise their subscribers with specially selected goodies adding to the thrill of opening up a new package each time it arrives.  I've notice this is really becoming a hot trend lately as people talk about their most recent "unboxing" (opening their newest package they received in the mail) on twitter, facebook & youtube.

Subscription boxes for men range include artisan crafted cured meats "the Carnivore Club", a tie of the month "Root Bizzle" ,  and survival gear "The Bug Out Box".  Frequency of delivery range from a one time purchase to quarterly deliveries to monthly deliveries.  Also price varies from $10 to more than $100 per box.  Shipping and handling is included with some packages and for others it costs extra.  So it is important to do some research before providing your credit card information to purchase one of these subscription boxes.  Subscriptionbox.com is a nice website that profiles and reviews on the various services and products out there that I'd recommend checking out before you buy anything.

Here are a few of the more popular services I've come across when it comes to signing up to get a special treat in the mail:

NERD BLOCK - Starting at $19.99 per month, subscribers receive mystery boxes that include nerdy apparel, toys, and collectables.

LOOT CRATE - Starting at $13.37 per month plus shipping & handling, subscribers receive a geeky themed package filled with mystery items that include t-shirts, toys, and collectables.

BIRCHBOX- For $20 a month users receive a box filled with grooming and lifestyle samples.

MANPACKS - Sends quarterly package filled with things like underwear, razors, socks and deodorant.  You select the products you want to receive and pay whatever they add up to be.

GIZMO CRATE -  Starting at $29 per month you get a surprise box of snacks and gadgets.

JACKED PACK -  Sends you monthly samples of sports/nutritional supplements to try out.

GROVER & FRIENDS - Starting at $50 sends you a monthly surprise pack of premium clothing.

MAN CRATES - These aren't a monthly subscription service but rather stand alone gift sets that you can order one at a time starting at a $24.99 price tag for a Bacon Jerkygram and going up to $180 for a Zombie Annihilation Crate.  

 

I myself haven't actually pulled the trigger on purchasing any of these mail order packages or services. While they seem fun and cool not sure if it is worth spending $20+ dollars per month for the thrill factor of getting something in the mail, that adds up quickly when you get involved in a 6 month or annual subscription.  So what do you think of these subscription services?  If you use them now or decide to try any of these services out leave a comment below or send an email to thegeekdaddy [at] yahoo [dot] com to share your experience with us.

YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD....POSTAL CARRIER

SPIDER-MAN TEAMS UP WITH THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

I was watching March Madness basketball the other night on the television when a commercial featuring your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man popped up on the screen.  In an interesting move the United State Post Office has teamed up with the Spider-Man in a cross-promotional campaign to market their priority mail service and the upcoming movie "Amazing Spider-Man 2."  I have to give a nod to the USPS for making a nice marketing move that adds some hip to a somewhat stodgy brand and provides it with the hype of a block buster movie to break through all the advertising clutter out there.  The television commercial that kicked off this marketing campaign features some excellent visual effects showing off Spider-Man web slinging across New York to get a special delivery for the postal service to none other than the legendary Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee.  Check it out:

In addition to the television commercial, this promotional campaign will feature limited-edition Spider-Man Priority Mail Flat Rate Shipping Boxes, postal trucks in select urban markets branded with Spider-Man images, and Spider-Man postage stamps available at self-service kiosks.  Additionally, the campaign will feature comic book inspired graphic renderings  to serve as story-telling vehicles and features highlighting U.S. Postal Service employees who have been real-life super heroes in the communities they work in.  Last year, the Postal Service recognized 262 postal employees for heroic acts in the Postmaster General's "Heroes" program.  In my neighborhood, the letter carriers still deliver the mail by walking home to home, which in those types of circumstances provides a wide variety of opportunities for them to come across someone in need of assistance or notice something suspicious that could help stop a crime.  It is nice to see those that help other in need get recognized because that really is going above and beyond their job.

This marketing campaign will also include special exposure of the USPS and its logo in the upcoming "Amazing Spider-Man 2" movie.  So that's something to keep an eye out for when you see the movie knowing that is something going on behind the scenes as a brand sponsorship for the show's production.  Here's a trailer for Amazing Spider-Man 2 opening in theaters on May 2, 2014: