‘Travel’ the World with your Taste Buds!
Disclaimer: I have not been asked, nor am I getting paid, to advertise for Universal Yums. I just REALLY like this product! I do, however, have a referral code that will get you $5 off a subscription if you click here.
Tasty treats from the Netherlands!
For Christmas last year we gifted our boys a Universal Yums Subscription box, and I have to say that I am totally delighted with this purchase - as are my boys! They have looked up the tracking info repeatedly in anticipation of their next box and there’s big time celebrating when it comes.
They love the snacks and treats from around the world, but here is why I’m a huge fan of this subscription box:
1. It’s a consumable, so we aren’t accumulating more stuff. Shopping does not spark joy for me. In fact, I’m personally on a mission to downsize and purge anything that isn’t truly useful in our home. But this is FOOD! You eat it, throw away the wrapper, and beyond the exposure to some delicious new treats, you’re a net-zero on the clutter!
Exploring the Ukraine one snack at a time!
2. It expands their palate - learning about other countries through food is a great way to peak a child’s interest in travel and culture. All the products are packaged snacks and treats, so these aren’t exactly a hard sell. Bitter melon? Maybe not. Caramel Stroopwafels? Yes, please!
3. Not much is required of the parent. Unlike some of the craft/ science experiment subscription boxes that tend to stack up in a dusty corner for a later date, this box won’t require 2-3 hours of sit down time. Just open it, choose a snack, and do one quick activity in the booklet. You can make this a two-minute taste test, or a one-hour lesson. It’s totally up to you!
We learned that a Stroopwaffel is best enjoyed over a hot drink because the steam softens the caramel. Yum!
So...what exactly do you get?
There are three subscription boxes:
5-7 snacks ($15)
10-12 snacks in each box ($25) - the one we picked
18-20 snacks ($38)
The $25 package also comes with a 16-page booklet with trivia & games, a recipe and more. Plus, free shipping. **Check here to see full descriptions for all options.
How to Maximize this box:
Did you know that the average Dutchman sleeps 8 hrs and 12 minutes a day? Lucky, Dutch! We learned that in our latest box of treats from the Netherlands. The 16-page booklet included info on Dutch art, history, traditions, recipes and phrases, as well as detailed descriptions of every product included in the box (and itemized nutritional info). There was even a link to a Dutch playlist!
We are savoring our box and opening up a couple of treats a day. The first day we typically look up the country on a world map before digging in. Another day I’ll pull up a few travel videos on YouTube so that the kids can see what the Netherlands has to offer (just type in the name of the country and the words “tourism” or “visit”), and the following day the kids will do a few activities in the booklet. They love competing on the quiz questions!
Geographic illiteracy is a HUGE problem in our country. Can your children find the Netherlands on a map? What about Europe? If not, they might be able to once they try a Stroopwaffel!