Save time and money thanks to our round-up of our fave subscription services for food, downtime and everything in between...
Parents, let’s face it: there’s never enough time during the day. Especially now – with the Covid-19 circuit breaker measures in place, we’re pretty much spending all our time at home working or letting the kids watch a movie marathon. And sometimes you might be feeling tired and lazy from parenting, and just want to lie on the sofa and horizontal parent like a boss. If only there was a subscription service for everything…
Well, thankfully, there is! And, some of them are great for kids (and the furkids). Now, with all this free time on your hands, you can make full use of your free time by reading a new novel or enjoying some R&R. Psst, if you’re afraid of committing, some of these subscription services allow you to make a one-time, single purchase so you and the family can decide if you actually do love ’em!
And if you fancy shopping more, here’s a complete circuit breaker guide for the whole family.
FOOD
The Meat Club
We all want the best for our family – that includes what goes into our tummies. And, you know you’ll be getting great quality, curated Australian produce when you order from The Meat Club! Its customisable monthly subscription boxes are chock full of goodness, with fresh meats, gluten-free, vegetarian and halal options. And, by joining the club, you’ll also receive exclusive club discounts and offers, partner promotions and more! There are also mouth-watering recipes on its website that are perfect for date night. Did we mention delivery is free, too?
Avo & Co.
We’ve gotta admit, Avo & Co. has got to be one of our favourite subscription services for the home and the kids. And it’s a no-brainer why: a regular supply of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables straight to your door every week! Its boxes of goodness are not only uber-tasty and healthy, but well-proportioned for the entire family, too. Plus, you can swap out items you don’t eat for more of the kids’ favourites, and you know you’ll always get a variety of produce to spice up the meals at home. Yum!
Simply Fresh
If you’re struggling to find organic produce, we’ve got the solution for you. Check out Simply Fresh, a subscription service that sends you the best and freshest organically grown fruits and vegetables. And they’re delivered to you directly from the source, so you know it’s good. They’ve also got specially curated boxes with fruits and vegetables suitable for the whole family, like its Mother and Child box, which is great for kickstarting a healthy lifestyle for you and the munchkin. Plus, if the family can’t get enough, Simply Fresh’s Family Value Box is great bang for your buck, with enough fruits and veggies to feed the whole family.
boxgreen
Are the kiddos getting the munchies? Reach for one of boxgreen‘s healthy snacks instead! Many of its snacks are not only high in protein and fibre, but are also bursting with antioxidants. Its huge selection of snacks ranges from baked goods and chips to trail mix and chocolate – yup, you read that right: boxgreen’s got chocolate, too! Plus, boxgreen also has vegan, nut-free and paleo options – great when you’re having trouble finding friendly options in the local supermarket.
DRINKS
Hook Coffee
Us mums sure need our coffee in the morning! If you’re a coffee connoisseur and in dire need of a perk-me-up in the morning before the kiddos are up, let Hook Coffee hook you up for flavourful coffee straight to your mailbox. Its coffee comes in three forms: whole or ground beans, drip coffee bags and Nespresso-compatible pods for easy drinking. It’s also convenient and fresh. Plus, you’ll get access to Hook Coffee’s comprehensive guides and articles on all things coffee-related. Now you’re caffeinated and ready to go!
Gryphon Tea Company
If you’re not a fan of coffee, or you need something soothing at the end of the day with the kiddos, you’ll want to get a subscription from the local tea company Gryphon Tea. You can select between 1-, 3-, 6- or 12-month options, and you’ll enjoy a superb collection of your favourite teas and new ones to try from either of its Artisan or Gourmet tea selection. May we add: it’s also a lovely gift for friends and family… or for Mother’s Day!
WalaClub
Here’s something most parents can get behind: a wine club for all wine-lovers out there with WalaClub! Right now, they’ve got three types of subscriptions depending on the type of wines you like: French, Australian and sake. Here comes the fun part: you’ll get to taste exquisite wines that are specially curated for you, and discover new ones you haven’t tried yet. If you want a sneak peek at their offerings, visit their online store for tasting notes.
LIFESTYLE
Netflix
If the family isn’t already signed up for Netflix, get started now! There are tons of educational shows for the kids, and plenty of documentaries, action, thriller and binge-worthy TV series for you and the hubby (including some awesome shows about parenting – trust us, you’ll want to get involved!). And, if you’re concerned about what the kids are watching, Netflix allows parents to set up parental controls, which block certain shows on the platform and allows you to set age restrictions, too. Plus, all first-time members get a free month trial. Yaaaas.
Spotify
Our kids love Spotify – and so do we. Other than catching up on the newest episode of our favourite podcast, the kiddos love listening to curated playlists on their own Spotify kids app. It’s definitely a subscription we love!
Amazon Prime
Here’s one for the parents: We love Amazon Prime – it’s ridiculous cheap to sign up (only $3 a month), and though it may not offer as many titles as Netflix, we love taking advantage of the Prime delivery service as well. Our favourite shows to binge-watch so far? Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag, the adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle and reruns of Parks and Recreation or The Office. Hours of entertainment for us!
Two of a Kind
These quality contact lenses aren’t only affordable, but they’re comfy to wear, too! Check out Two of a Kind, Singapore’s first direct-to-consumer contact lens subscription service. You can pop down to their studio for a free eye test and receive three pairs of lenses to try. Or if you’re brave enough to try ’em out without testing them first, you can just order your monthly subscription online. Not only is it a good deal, but it’s quick and easy to set up!
BooksActually
We love books – there’s no doubt about that (you can follow along with our monthly book club here!). If you’re looking for a book subscription for yourself, sign up for BooksActually’s book box. There are six options with different themes for you to choose from, and it certainly helps since we’re spending all our time at home now…
KIDS
Josh & Cherie
Get the kiddos into the habit of reading with a book subscription from Josh & Cherie. It’s got a great selection of books for kids aged 0-7 years old, and you can top up $10 to add a Mandarin book to the monthly subscription, too. Plus, it’s a great way to bond with the munchkins every night before they head off to bed.
Thinkasaur
If your kid’s a budding scientist or just inquisitive, you’ll want to sign them up for Thinkasaur! This subscription box is great to cultivate innovative and critical thinking skills in 5 to 10-year-olds. Each box comes with three to four exciting science experiments with a detailed pictorial information booklet so you’ll be able to guide the kiddo along. Also encased in the box is a learning guide to explain the scientific concepts. Fun for the whole family!
EllieFun Box
Want to boost learning at home? Get a subscription to EllieFun Box! These Montessori-themed boxes come loaded with six to eight activities, plus materials and instructions, to help improve your child’s skills in phonics, Mandarin, maths, science and arts and crafts in an engaging, relevant and fun manner. Not only is it incredibly useful for your little one, but it’s also pretty popular too – get on the waitlist to find out when you can get the box for your young ‘un!
Curious Kits
Spark curiosity in your kids with a subscription with Curious Kits. These science and art kits provide hands-on solutions to your kid’s toughest science questions. Each month, they’ll receive roughly four hands-on activities that encourage learning, and allows your kiddo to practise their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The box also comes with mystery gifts and collectables for your child to keep, too!
PETS
MaoBox
Here’s one for the feline lovers – MaoBox is Singapore’s first cat subscription box with a selection of cat treats, food samples, toys, accessories and more. Plus, MaoBox donates 10% of its proceeds to a local shelter, so you know you’re doing good for other cats every time you receive a box of your own. Plus, you can bet they’ll love the cardboard box that comes with it, too!
Perrobox
What’s better than some handpicked goodies for man’s best friend? Perrobox stocks premium products and healthy snacks to ensure the best for your dog, and works with local homegrown suppliers to ensure that each treat is artisanal and healthy. Each box has two treats, a toy, a chew and an extra goody that is sure to delight your dog. Plus, you can pick the box according to the size of your dog for specialised treats. Pawfect.