Frequently Asked Questions

A StoryBox from The StoryBox Co. is a carefully curated children's gift box that starts with a high-quality children’s book. We build the box around the book, adding carefully chosen items for open-ended play. The idea is to combine reading with imaginative, open-ended play, so children are not just listening to or reading stories, but also acting them out, exploring them, dressing up, drawing, reimagining them, etc. The StoryBox becomes more than just a book—it becomes an experience meant to foster long-lasting curiosity, creativity, and joy.

Each StoryBox is themed (e.g. Unicorn, Dinosaur, Little Red Riding Hood, Sea, Space, etc.) so that all items in the box support and expand upon that theme. For example, in The Unicorn Box (Deluxe Edition), you’ll find a picture book, a wooden unicorn figure, a play silk, washable crayons, and more. 

There are (at least) two “editions” for most boxes: Classic vs Deluxe. The Deluxe gives extra materials and play opportunities (e.g. silks, crayons, more textures or figures) so the child can more fully engage with imaginative and sensory play. The Classic focuses more simply on the core components (book + figure or toy) to allow space for children to use their own imagination. 

Inside each StoryBox you’ll always find a wonderful picture book chosen for its storytelling, illustration, and ability to expand imagination. Then, depending on the theme and edition, you’ll get complementary items to enrich the story world: wooden toys or figures that match the theme, materials for drawing or colouring like washable crayons, soft fabrics or play silks, etc.

For example, the Unicorn Box Deluxe includes:

• Manolo & The Unicorn picture book 
• a wooden unicorn figure
• a soft play silk to wear or use in pretend play landscapes 
• a packet of Kitpas washable safe crayons, usable even on windows or bathtubs.

If you choose the Classic edition, you’ll typically get fewer extra materials — the core book plus the toy(s) mostly — but still chosen to allow plenty of imaginative interaction.

At The StoryBox Co., we believe that stories belong to everyone, no matter their age. A really well-chosen picture book doesn’t just entertain a child once and then get left behind — it has the power to grow with them, offering something new at every stage.

That’s why we are so careful in our book selection. The stories in our boxes are beautifully illustrated, rich in language, and layered with meaning, so they can be appreciated by younger children discovering the joy of being read to, as well as by older children beginning to explore reading independently.

For example, a toddler of 18 months may enjoy simply hearing the rhythm of the words and feeling soothed by the sound of a familiar adult’s voice. At that stage, the magic lies in the bond of sharing a story together. A 6- or 7-year-old, on the other hand, might be ready to read the same story on their own, finding new details in the illustrations or discovering humour and themes that they couldn’t access before. This means a single StoryBox can be shared between siblings of different ages, giving each child a different but equally valuable experience. Many families tell us that bedtime feels more connected when everyone enjoys the same story in their own way.

Our toys are just as versatile. They are deliberately open-ended, which means there is no fixed way to play with them. A younger child might line up the wooden eggs from our Egg Box and delight in rolling them around the floor, while an older child could build a nest, invent a new kind of bird, or use them in a completely different imaginative game. Because there’s no single purpose, the toys keep pace with your child’s growing creativity and never feel outgrown too quickly.

That said, safety always comes first. Some of our toys, such as the Dear Universe Grapat playset in our Space Box, contain smaller parts and are therefore not suitable for children still likely to put objects in their mouths. For this reason, you’ll always see age guidance listed clearly on each product page.

We also create certain collections with specific stages in mind. Our Transport Boxes are especially well-suited to children aged 1–3, as the stories are pitched for early years, though older children may still find joy in them. At the other end of the spectrum, our Hero’s Quest Box contains striking and atmospheric artwork that some very young children may find overwhelming, so we suggest it is more suitable for ages 6–8 and up.

Ultimately, though, every child is unique. Our age ranges are there to guide you, but the real test is your child’s curiosity, interests and imagination. A StoryBox is designed to meet them where they are — offering comfort, challenge, and creativity at exactly the right level, every time you open the lid.

At the moment, StoryBoxes are not a subscription service. Each box is purchased individually — you simply choose the theme and edition that best suits your child (or the child you’re gifting to), place your order, and we’ll send a beautifully packaged StoryBox straight to your door. There is no ongoing commitment, no hidden costs, and no regular or recurring delivery built into the way we currently operate. This allows families and gift-givers the freedom to pick and choose the stories and themes that appeal most, without being tied to a schedule.

That said, we know the idea of a subscription is appealing to many customers. Imagine the joy of a new StoryBox arriving every month or term, with a fresh book and new play items waiting to be discovered! While subscriptions aren’t part of our core offering right now, they are very much something we are open to exploring in the future. We are still in our first year of operations, and much of what we do is shaped by the families who support us. Customer feedback is invaluable in helping us decide which direction to grow next.

If a subscription service is something you would be interested in, we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to email us at info@thestoryboxco.com to let us know what you’d like to see — whether that’s a monthly delivery, seasonal boxes, or a flexible “build your own” subscription. The more we understand what families are looking for, the better we can shape a service that truly works for you.

In the meantime, we do offer a bespoke box service, which can be tailored to suit your needs. For example, if you’d like to arrange for multiple boxes to be delivered over time — perhaps for birthdays, special occasions, or even a termly treat — we can work with you to make that happen. Bespoke boxes give us the flexibility to create something unique for your family, and they could easily form the foundation of a personalised subscription-style service.

So, while StoryBox isn’t currently a subscription, it could be in the future — especially if it’s something our community of readers and playmakers would find valuable.

StoryBoxes are designed to be more than just a gift — they are a gateway into worlds of imagination, curiosity, and growth. Every box has been carefully curated with both play and learning in mind, offering children opportunities to explore stories in ways that support their development across many different areas.

Language and Reading Skills
At the heart of every StoryBox is a high-quality picture book. We are passionate about choosing texts with engaging storytelling, varied language structures, and rich vocabulary. Whether a story is being read aloud by an adult or explored independently by an older child, it builds listening, comprehension, and reading skills. Because our books reflect a diversity of characters, voices, and experiences, they also encourage children to ask questions and experiment with their own storytelling.

Creativity and Imagination
The play items in each box — whether wooden figures, silks, crayons, or other open-ended materials — are chosen to extend the story beyond the page. Children can act out scenes, invent new adventures, or build imaginative landscapes. This blending of reading and play fosters creativity and helps children understand that stories are not fixed — they can be retold, adapted, and reshaped in countless ways.

Fine Motor and Artistic Skills
Drawing, colouring, moving figures around, or folding fabric are all simple activities that build fine motor coordination. Kitpas crayons, for example, encourage mark-making on paper, card, or even windows, giving children confidence in their artistic expression while strengthening the small muscles they need for writing.

Emotional Development and Empathy
Stories are a safe space for children to encounter big ideas and emotions. Through the characters in our chosen books, children can explore friendship, bravery, loss, or hope. They begin to understand different perspectives, which builds empathy. When combined with play, they can rehearse these emotions in their own imaginative worlds, making the learning deeply personal.

Curiosity and Critical Thinking
Most importantly, StoryBoxes spark curiosity. They invite children to wonder: What if the story ended differently? What happens next? Could I make up my own version? These kinds of questions encourage problem-solving, creative thinking, and an expanding understanding of the world.

In short, every StoryBox is an opportunity for children to learn through joy. By bringing together quality books and open-ended play, we create experiences that nurture the whole child — language, creativity, empathy, and imagination — all while having fun.

Yes — The StoryBox Co. offers a wide range of themed boxes, each one carefully curated to spark children’s wonder, imagination, and interest in exploring different worlds. Our themes are designed to immerse children in rich storytelling experiences while giving them the tools to bring those stories to life through play.

On our website, you’ll find a growing collection of themes such as The Space Boxes, The Dinosaur Boxes, The Little Red Boxes, The Unicorn Box, The Sea Boxes, The Transport Boxes, The Egg Boxes, The Halloween Boxes, and The Hero’s Quest Box, among others. Each theme is anchored around a beautifully chosen picture book and supported by toys and materials that extend the world of the story beyond the page.

Within many of our themes, we offer two different editions — the Classic Edition and the Deluxe Edition. The Classic Edition offers a simpler, open-ended set that encourages storytelling and imaginative play in its purest form, while the Deluxe Edition provides additional play elements such as silks, crayons, or extra figures, allowing children to create more elaborate landscapes and story scenarios. This way, you can choose the edition that best fits your child’s interests or your gifting budget.

We are also mindful that families may return to StoryBox again and again. To keep the experience fresh, we rotate our themes and add new ones regularly, making them perfect for repeat customers or for building up a collection of stories and play items over time. If you’re curious about how we choose our books, our “Our Approach” and “Book Reviews” pages share more detail about the values that guide us — from celebrating diversity and high-quality illustration to encouraging imagination and curiosity.

Is there a theme you’d love to see that we don’t currently offer? We’d really like to hear from you! Customer feedback is a big part of shaping our collections, and we always welcome ideas.

Finally, we do offer a bespoke box service. If you’re looking for something uniquely tailored — whether to suit a child’s particular interest, age, or stage of development — get in touch with us at info@thestoryboxco.com. We’d be delighted to create a personalised StoryBox adventure just for you.

In most cases, the book in each StoryBox is fixed. That’s because the book is at the very heart of the box: every toy, play item, and material is chosen to complement the story and bring its world to life. For example, the wooden figures, silks, or crayons are carefully matched to the characters, settings, or themes of the book, so that children can move seamlessly between listening, reading, and imaginative play. Swapping out the book would mean the story and play items no longer connect in the same meaningful way.

That said, we completely understand that sometimes you may already own the book in a box you love, or perhaps you’d prefer to explore an alternative title. If this is the case, we encourage you to get in touch with us at info@thestoryboxco.com. We have a wide range of knowledge and expertise — built up over many years of teaching and a lifelong passion for children’s literature — and we are always happy to discuss options.

Depending on demand and availability, it may be possible to swap or substitute a book. Please note that this could occasionally result in a slight delay to your order, as we may not always have the requested title in stock. In those cases, we would order it specially for you, and let you know about any additional delivery time before confirming your order.

We truly value the insight and ideas of our customers. Your feedback not only helps us meet your needs, but also informs the way we grow and refine our collections in the future. Even if a book swap isn’t possible for your box, your request may spark new ideas for future StoryBoxes or inspire us to expand the range we offer.

So, while the standard StoryBox includes the book carefully paired with its theme, reaching out to us is always worthwhile. We will do our very best to accommodate special requests wherever we can — because we know that every child, and every story, is unique.

We deliver to all UK mainland homes in England, Wales and Scotland and Northern Ireland. We don't currently deliver outside these areas.

View the different postage options on our delivery & returns page.

If you’re quick!

Contact info@thestoryboxco.com and we will do our best to help.

If your StoryBox is already out for delivery you will not be able to cancel.

If you’re quick!

Contact info@thestoryboxco.com to cancel an order.

If your StoryBox is already out for delivery you will not be able to cancel.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of our business, you cannot return an individual item from a StoryBox, unless it is damaged upon arrival. If you wish to return the whole box, you can do so within 14 days of purchase. For more information on returns see our delivery & returns page.

If for any reason you are not satisfied with your StoryBox, you can return it for a full refund or exchange within 14 days of purchase. See our returns process here.

Refunds will be processed as soon as we receive your return. They usually take between 3-5 business days to reach your account.