Review and Giveaway: Little Passports versus Top Secret Adventures

A few months ago I wrote a blog post in exchange for a free month from Little Passports.  I selected the world edition and had high hopes that it would be a good way for Addie to learn more about the world.  We received the explorer kit and the country pack for Brazil.  The explorer kit comes with a world map, suitcase, passport, postcard, letter, and a few stickers.  Addie loved it.

explorer kit

However the country pack was lacking in material.  Each month you get 3 stickers, a post card, a letter, a small souvenir (in this case a rock) and a piece of paper (it had a recipe, word search, and word scrambler).  The price ranges from $11.95 to $13.95 a month and to me it wasn't worth the price at all.  You basically get some bits of paper you could make yourself or find online, an item worth next to nothing and also a code for online "games."  The games were trivia questions with multiple choice answers and a map you clicked on and read facts about.  The only actual game was kicking a soccer ball into a goal, and there are free soccer games online that work much better.  Addie loved getting the package in the mail but the contents didn't hold her interest at all.  And she usually gets overly excited about everything.  I was an affiliate for Little Passports, meaning I receive a small commission if anyone buys their product after using my link, but after seeing what you get I deleted my account with them.  I've read so many great reviews about Little Passports, but I'm assuming most of them are from other affiliate members trying to make money.  It's a great concept, just lacking in value.

monthly country kit

We also received Top Secret Adventure by Highlights to try out.  You can get your first month for free, with just paying shipping costs, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to check it out.  This also comes with a world map, passport stamps and passport.  You also get a spy ring, which is like a carabiner that you add country key-chains to.  Addie loves this and wears it on her belt loop when we're at home.  I decided to try Brazil since that's the country Little Passports starts with.  Every month you get a case file portfolio with a 32 page puzzle book, villain cards, country guide book, key chain, and assignment letter. 

contents of the portfolio

Addie LOVES this kit.  We've already spent numerous days working through the puzzles trying to complete the top secret mission.  I like that the puzzles have you reference the guide book to find answers.  Addie has already learned quite a bit about Brazil and we're not even halfway done.  I also like that this is something that can take multiple weeks to work through as opposed to the 15 minutes it took to complete the Little Passport activities.  After your initial free month, you can get a new mission every month for $17.40.  Top Secret Adventures is a great way to get kids interested in and learning geography.

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY

If you would like to get your own Top Secret Adventures Brazil kit enter below.  This is only for the Brazil kit with portfolio, puzzle book, guide book, key chain, and villain cards.  The starter pack which has the map, passport, spy ring and stickers is not included.  This giveaway will be open from 6/13/15-6/20/15.  Must be 18 years or older to enter to win, and a resident of the continental USA. Void where prohibited by law.

Entry-Form