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Home | Companion Crate | Companion Crate: Explore Spring with Gail Gibbons - Extra Supplies

Companion Crate: Explore Spring with Gail Gibbons - Extra Supplies

$89.00
$89.00
Sold Out

Shipping calculated at checkout.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: This Companion Crate requires the Explore Spring with Gail Gibbons Preschool-Early Elementary Unit Study (sold separately). It does not include books or shared core items.

The Companion Crate is a simple, stress-saving add-on that lets siblings work through the same Knowledge Crates unit study side by side—without buying a second full crate and without ending up with duplicate books you don’t need. These are also a great option for co-ops! 

A Companion Crate is a material-only homeschool unit study add-on that pairs with any of our unit studies. It includes the child-specific, hands-on activity materials from the full crate (especially consumables and project supplies), but skips the shared extras families can easily use together. Most importantly, it does not include the book bundle—because one set of books is usually plenty for a family. In units that include a shared game or together-play item, the Companion Crate skips that too, since it’s meant to be used together.

This is the easiest way to keep your homeschool day moving when you’ve got multiple kids who want to do the same theme at the same time. Instead of negotiating over who gets the last craft piece (or trying to recreate a second set of materials from random drawers), each child gets their own project supplies. You get less prep, fewer substitutions, and a calmer, more realistic “everyone’s learning together” day.

The Companion Crate works especially well if you’re teaching siblings close in age, teaching the same unit in a homeschool co-op, or if you simply want to streamline your routine by keeping everyone on one theme. You’ll still use your full Unit Study Crate as the main guide and resource, but the Companion Crate gives you the extra hands-on materials so each child can fully participate.

    Additional Information: Items may vary due to current availability. This unit study crate contains products not manufactured by the seller. Please be advised that crates may contain small parts that may not be suitable for children under 3 years. Do not consume crate contents.

    What’s Included in the Crate

    • Crayola Play Dough
    • Crayola Paint Pallet
    • Grass Heads Science
    • Watch it Grow: Cucumbers
    • Watch it Grow: Strawberries
    • Growing a Bean
    • Who Lives in the Garden I Spy Mat
    • Build a Flower Garden Dough Mat
    • Count the Crop Math Mat
    • Veggie Patch Math Mat
    • Root to Bloom Art
    • Tops and Bottoms Veggie Art
    • Strawberry Art
    • Butterfly Directed Drawing
    • Spring Life Cycle Diorama

    Who Is This Companion Crate Perfect For? 

    • Families with siblings who want to work through the same unit side by side, homeschool co-ops, or anyone who wants less sharing drama and fewer supply substitutions.
    • A Companion Crate is a materials-only add-on that pairs with any Knowledge Crates unit study so a second child can complete the same unit without duplicate books or shared extras.

    Q: Does the Companion Crate include books?
    A: No. The Companion Crate does not include the book bundle. Families can share the books from the full crate.

    Q: Does it include everything from the full crate?
    A: It includes the child-specific activity materials (especially consumables and project supplies), but it excludes shared “one-per-family” items like books and, in some units, shared games.

    Q: Do I need to buy the full Unit Study Crate too?
    A: Yes. Companion Crates are designed to be purchased alongside a full Unit Study Crate, since the full crate includes the books and core components.

    Companion Crates ship with your full Unit Study Crate. If you’ve already purchased the full unit study, your Companion Crate will ship separately.

    We work hard to process and ship all in-stock orders as quickly as possible! While we strive to ship same day, but please allow up to three business days for processing. As a small business, we appreciate your patience and are committed to getting your order out the door as fast as we can.

    • For out-of-stock items, please contact us for a more specific timeline on when the item will be restocked, we're happy to help!
    • For new releases, including our upcoming unit crates, will ship after the product's official release date. Crates are released on September 1st, December 1st, March 1st, and June 1st.

    Shipping Methods & Tracking

    • We ship via UPS and USPS, with shipping costs calculated at checkout based on your location. 
    • Once your order ships, you’ll receive a tracking notification to keep you updated on its journey. While we can’t control what happens to packages once they leave our hands, we want to ensure they arrive safely. 
    • If there’s an issue with your shipment, please contact us—we’ll do our best to assist. If your tracking shows the package was delivered but you haven't received it, you'll need to follow up with the shipping carrier for further assistance.

    At this time, we only ship within the U.S. Thank you for your understanding and for supporting our small business! 

    🎯 Why You'll Love This

    • It’s true spring learning, not random crafts: plants, gardens, pollination, and life cycles all connect across the whole unit.
    • Kids don’t just read about growth—they watch it happen with cucumbers, strawberries, beans, grass heads, and a butterfly life cycle they can observe and release.
    • The Gail Gibbons books make science concepts simple and understandable for young learners, with strong nonfiction text features.
    • Early math is hands-on and low-stress with themed mats like Count the Crop and Veggie Patch Math Mat.
    • Sensory play is built in (not an afterthought) with Crayola play dough and a flower garden dough mat.
    • Art activities are connected to the learning goals (Root to Bloom, Tops and Bottoms Veggie Art, Strawberry Art, butterfly drawing), so creativity reinforces comprehension.
    • The free 4-week plan gives you an easy routine, but you can speed it up or stretch it out depending on your family’s schedule.
    • The companion blog post shows the unit in action and shares practical homeschool tips that work in real life.

    🎯 What Will Your Child Learn?

    Common Core Connections

    English Language Arts (K–2):

    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.1 / RI.1.1 / RI.2.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text (using Gail Gibbons nonfiction books).
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.2 / RI.1.2 / RI.2.2: Identify the main topic and retell key details.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.4 / RI.1.4 / RI.2.4: Ask and answer questions about unknown words (plant and garden vocabulary).
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.2 / W.1.2 / W.2.2: Use drawing, dictation, and writing to share information (observations from growing activities and butterfly life cycle).

    Math (K–2):

    • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.A.1–3: Count to 100; count forward; write numbers (counting activities on math mats).
    • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.B.4–5: Understand numbers as quantities; count to answer “how many.”
    • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.OA.A.1–2 / 1.OA.A.1: Represent and solve addition/subtraction in simple, concrete ways (Veggie Patch/Count the Crop extensions).
    • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.MD.C.4 / 2.MD.D.10: Organize, represent, and interpret data (counting and comparing crops; simple graphs if you extend).

    National Core Arts Standards Connections (Visual Arts)

    Creating:

    • VA:Cr1.1.Ka / VA:Cr1.1.1a / VA:Cr1.1.2a: Use imagination and observations to create art (spring themes, plants, butterflies).
    • VA:Cr2.1.Ka / VA:Cr2.1.1a / VA:Cr2.1.2a: Explore materials and tools; demonstrate safe and proper use (paint, dough, collage materials).
    • VA:Cr3.1.Ka / VA:Cr3.1.1a / VA:Cr3.1.2a: Explain choices and describe changes made to improve the work.

    Responding and Connecting (optional documentation support):

    • VA:Re7.2.Ka / VA:Re7.2.1a / VA:Re7.2.2a: Describe what an artwork is about and identify details (observational art discussions).
    • VA:Cn10.1.Ka / VA:Cn10.1.1a / VA:Cn10.1.2a: Create art that tells about a personal experience or place (spring gardens, growing projects).

    Companion Crate: Explore Spring with...

    $89.00
    $89.00
    Sold Out

    The best educational activity kits for kids are hands-on, engaging, and provide a mix of learning and fun. They should include high-quality materials, clear instructions, and opportunities for creativity and critical thinking. Some of the best options include:

    • STEM Kits – Focus on science, technology, engineering, and math with experiments and building projects.
    • Art & Craft Kits – Encourage self-expression and fine motor skill development.
    • Literacy & Language Kits – Introduce new vocabulary, storytelling, and early reading skills.
    • Cultural & Geography Kits – Explore different countries, traditions, and history.
    • Sensory Play Kits – Help develop fine motor skills and encourage exploration through textures and hands-on activities.

    Knowledge Crates stand out as one of the best educational activity kits because they combine all of these elements into themed, hands-on learning experiences. Each crate is thoughtfully curated with books, a variety of projects, and all the materials needed—making it a stress-free way for parents to provide enriching activities at home.

    Homeschooling can be overwhelming, especially when planning lessons and gathering materials for activities. Knowledge Crates simplify the process by delivering pre-planned, hands-on learning experiences straight to your door. Here's how they make homeschooling easy:

    • All-in-One Convenience – Each crate includes everything needed for activities, eliminating extra shopping trips.
    • Books & Guides Included – Every crate features carefully selected books and a step-by-step guide to walk kids through each lesson.
    • Hands-On Learning – Engaging, screen-free activities help kids learn through play and exploration.
    • Saves Parents Time – No need to search for lesson plans or supplies—everything is ready to go!
    • Variety of Topics – From science and art to geography and life skills, kids get a well-rounded learning experience.

    With Knowledge Crates, homeschooling feels less like a chore and more like an adventure! Whether you’re supplementing a curriculum or looking for engaging activities, these kits make learning at home easy, fun, and stress-free.