Bitsbox – Once Upon A Time Kit

I don't know why this product is not available any longer from Amazon, but in case it comes back, here's my review:I got this for my daughters 8th birthday. She is the perfect age for it and was very engaged. We only did a couple of the apps so far; I sit with her and together we've made some good coding progress. Everything that is mentioned came in our box, and I was confused by the cardboard shapes as well (like a previous reviewer), but they are just packing pieces and we dumped them in our recycling bin. The box contains a booklet of app instructions and directions to the easy to use website. The directions are not implicit, you figure out what to do as you go, with info sprinkled throughout the booklet. Its the way many kids learn now; by discovery and making connections - most are not going to sit and go through an instruction book like we used to. I came back on Amazon to put another Bitsbox in my cart as a gift. While they're currently unavailable, I am hoping they will be again soon. My daughter is a very busy and active girl and doesn't sit still long, but she did enjoy the discoveries she was making as we went and being able to change features in the apps she was creating.

Received a box but did not receive the things shown in the picture. Did not receive the little white 'figure' nor the markers. Was extremely disappointed in the cardboard stuff. Came with no idea of what they were; maybe they were supposed to be something to 'build' with? Kids today using Legos and K'nex will be extremely frustrated with wimpy, flimsy cardboard 'building' junk. I was going to buy one box and then order a longer subscription but am looking now for a better alternative. Also, the sign up process was so confusing that I had to contact Bitsbox twice beore being able to logon to the site. It's okay to get started but I am turned off and looking now for a better product.