The specimen
A butterfly wing, a fossil, a jewel beetle, a snake shed — real, ethically sourced, sealed in a little envelope and labelled by hand. Which one is a surprise.
How it turns up — stamped and tied
Ages 6–12Box 1 — this month’s theme, posted on the first
The monthly nature box
One real specimen chosen for the month’s theme — a butterfly wing, a fossil, a jewel beetle — with the tools to look at it closely and a short illustrated story that explains what it is. Labelled and wrapped by hand, then posted to your door.
$29.00a month, shipping included
- A new theme every month — no box to choose
- Posted at the start of every month
- Free shipping within the United States
- Skip a month or cancel from your account
order before the 25th to catch the next post
Contains small parts — not suitable for children under 3
Inside the lid
Four things in every box.
The field tin
A tin of proper kit: a hand lens, tweezers, a small ruler. Blunt tips, real glass, made to be taken outside.
The little pouch
Stamped with the club seal, holding the smallest and most breakable pieces of the month’s find.
The sealed letter
An envelope closed with wax, holding the booklet: where the find comes from, how it works and what to try next.
The practical bits
- When it arrives
- Boxes go in the post at the start of each month. Order before the 25th to catch the next one.
- Shipping
- Free within the United States. Every box travels in a stamped kraft mailer, tied and sealed by hand.
- Who it suits
- Curious kids aged 6 to 12. Younger ones will want a grown-up reading alongside them; older ones tend to disappear outside with it.
- Safety
- Contains small parts — not suitable for children under three. Specimens are cleaned and sealed, and the tools are blunt-tipped.
- This month’s theme
- Every box follows a theme for that month, and everyone receives the same one. There is nothing to choose — and we keep the specimen itself a surprise until the lid comes off.
- Where things come from
- Every specimen is real and from the natural world. Some are gathered locally; because much of California’s nature is protected, others come from suppliers who source ethically.
- Renewing
- It renews monthly. Skip a month or cancel from your account whenever you like — no notice needed.
- Gifting
- Send it as a gift and choose the month the first box lands. We tuck a hand-written card under the string.
questions before you join? write to us, a person answers