Product Review (Pt 2) : Activity in a Box - KaHone

I was fortunate enough to product test another Activity in a Box aside from ExploreSandbox that might of interest to you. It's call KaHone Art - Discover the World in a Box.

The box that I got for this month. The theme is Space. I got excited about this since it is something new for C and I'm sure he would be interested to know what is up in the sky and beyond. The activities are:

1. Alien Headband
2. Build a Rocketship
3. Make Day and Night Happen
4. Bonus Activity - Power of the Sun

On first impression, before even getting the box - there was already a problem with its transport/delivery to me. My friend, Jenny, had to be very careful with its transport since it was a very thin box that would surely be flattened if she asked a messengerial service to send it over to us.

1.) The first among the activities that we did was the ALIEN HEADBAND.

Rave: I like this simple DIY activity. It got him excited though a bit puzzled with the raw materials laid out with him initially. He love the fuzzy twisty stick that he tried following me when he saw me do one side.

Rant: none for the activity. It might be a bit kiddie like for older kids but heck, C loved his headgear!

2.) The next is the BUILD A ROCKETSHIP. This I was curious...and a bit excited. I have a good feeling about it.

Rave: C enjoyed coloring the rocketship template. I think he did a pretty good job! He got excited when he finally found out what the heck mom was deciphering with regards to the instructions in making the rocket fly. We got excited with doing it (blowing) when we all know what to do.

Rant: I don't know if it was me or what but I got so confused with the instructions on how to roll the rectangular paper. I'm sorry but I was overwhelmed? I didn't for the life-of-me know what to do aside from rolling it. The instructions could be better made or worded.  I gave up after a few minutes since C was getting restless already. Daddy had to step in and save-the-day.


3.) Next activity was MAKE DAY AND NIGHT HAPPEN.

Rave: This was an interesting concept with regards to teaching kids light and day - via the shadow and obstructions. C enjoyed making land masses on the "balloon earth". It made him practice his hand coordination. I also got to correct his grip on the scissors.

Rant: The balloon was easy to blow up...it is the tying it to secure the balloon was the tough on. I guess we can't be balloon twisters! Actually, a lot in this activity was done by the adults than C, which left C sometimes bored since it was bit more technical and higher level of comprehension from a 3 year old.

4.) For the POWER OF THE SUN...we had to defer this experiment since it would require the sun out and at its full heat. Its has been pretty gloomy these days so we still need to do the bonus activity Power Of The Sun. But I am sure it's an interesting one but not for C's level yet.


VERDICT?
a.) Packaging is not as sturdy for transport or delivery compared to ExploreSandbox. The box is thin and is a bit on a delicate side thus I had to just pick up my box from my friend's home so she would not have the trouble of having to repackage our KaHone. Tedious but I do like the appealing graphics of the box and their mascot - the Cow.

b.) The activities are easily bought or downloadable, in my opinion on the web. Materials can be store bought and assembled, which isn't very creative. It seems that for a SAHM (Stay-At-Home Mom) like me, I can simply do it and get the materials at the bookstore or department store.

c.) I did enjoy the activities that made him color, use his motor skills and understand blowing unto a straw. It was something that C's school would do and so the activity was smooth and he followed instructions well. But if this was for an older child, maybe some of the activities might not be suited for him like the Alien Headband.

d.) The price of a KaHone is cheaper by around Php250 compared to ExploreSandbox. Based on the activities and for the suitability for C, I would choose ExploreSandbox from the way we did the activities.

For more information about KaHone Art, please visit their Facebook page.