A voice from the past
Immersive historical fiction inspired by real people and events, written as letters for your child to discover.
FOR CURIOUS KIDS AGES 5–12 · READ TOGETHER AT AGES 5–7
A letter from the past.
An adventure they can hold.
Real letters. Real adventures. Real imagination.
Twice a month, a new chapter arrives in an envelope with your child’s name on it. Follow Lewis & Clark, Benjamin Franklin, or Amelia Earhart through historical fiction filled with activities and discoveries.
Start monthly for $19. Or $168 annually — equivalent to $14/month.
Your first order ships fast.
Hand-packed for their next great adventure.
A REAL LOOK INSIDELewis & Clark · Letter 01
Two letters a monthA story that keeps unfolding
Addressed to your childTheir own pen pal from the past
Parent guide includedMore to explore together
FROM YOUR CHOICE TO THEIR MAILBOX
A little mail. A new family ritual.
- 01
Choose a historical pen pal
Pick an adventure and billing plan, then tell us whose name belongs on the envelope.
- 02
Open a new chapter
Two deliveries each month bring the story to life with letters and themed surprises.
- 03
Keep the adventure going
Read, investigate, and talk about the discoveries. Then look forward to the next letter.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION
Choose the story they’ll find in the mailbox.
Three adventures. The same care in every envelope. Choose one story series for one child below.
Let their first delivery win them over.
New qualifying subscriptions include our 30-day happiness guarantee.
3 Make it theirs
The grown-up handles the order. The child gets the adventure.
MAKE THEIR FIRST DELIVERY EXTRA SPECIAL
A welcome letter from Lewis & Clark, personalized for your child and tucked into the same envelope as their first delivery.
Optional. Not a recurring charge. Your child’s name on the envelope is already included with every subscription.
MORE THAN SOMETHING TO READ
Open the envelope.
Step into the story.
Hand-crafted letters on aged parchment, tucked into a historically themed envelope. Each delivery adds another piece to the adventure.
Something to explore
Activities, maps, clues, or collectible replicas tied to the story. The mix changes with the adventure and delivery.
A conversation to share
A parent guide with vocabulary, trivia, and discussion prompts helps you explore the story together.
See the materials for yourself. The hero photo shows the actual first Lewis & Clark delivery.
SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO THEM
Their name on the envelope.
Your next “tell me more” moment.
There’s something special about finding mail that’s just for you. A letter becomes something to open, hold, read aloud, and keep.
For younger readers, make it a shared adventure. Older children can explore independently and bring their favorite discoveries back to the family.
Find their adventureTRY THEIR FIRST DELIVERY WITH CONFIDENCE
We want that first envelope to feel special.
If your child doesn’t love it, contact us within 30 days of receiving the first delivery. A qualifying request receives a full refund of the affected initial subscription order.
Applies to new qualifying subscriptions. Read the guarantee terms or ask us a question.
BEFORE THE FIRST LETTER
A few things parents ask.
What ages is this for?
Mailbox Time Machine is designed for curious kids ages 5–12. For ages 5–7, we recommend reading together with a parent or another grown-up. Choose the adventure that matches your child’s interests.
What arrives, and how often?
Two physical deliveries arrive each month. Each contains a story letter and related materials such as activities, maps, clues, or collectible replicas. A parent guide is included. The contents vary by story and delivery; the photo above is the first Lewis & Clark delivery.
When will the first letter arrive?
We aim to ship your first order within three business days after payment, the child’s name, and delivery details are received. After we mail it, please allow 5–8 business days for USPS delivery. Shipping preparation and postal delivery are separate: the three-business-day estimate is when we mail your order, not when it arrives. These are estimates, and delivery times may vary.
Do the billing plans change how often letters arrive?
No. Every plan receives two letters a month. Monthly is $19 each month; quarterly is $51 every three months; annual is $168 each year. Quarterly and annual prices are charged in full at the start of their billing period. The checkout confirms any applicable tax and shipping.
Does my subscription renew? How do I cancel?
Yes. These plans renew automatically at the selected interval until canceled. Cancel before the next charge through an available account option or by contacting support@mailboxtimemachine.com. Cancellation stops future renewals; a started billing period is generally not prorated. See the full cancellation and refund terms.
What is the $9 personalized welcome letter?
It’s an optional, additional welcome letter from your selected historical character, personalized for your child and mailed with the first delivery. It costs $9 once, not every month. Every subscription already includes the child’s name on the envelope; this add-on is a separate letter. Use the child’s name field above for the personalization.
Can I send this as a gift?
Yes. Enter the child’s name and delivery address, then use your own contact and billing details. This page purchases one adventure for one child. These are renewing subscriptions, including the annual plan. Contact us if you need help with a gift.
Are these real historical letters?
The characters, places, and events inspire the stories, but the letters are historical fiction created for children. Dialogue, correspondence, and some scenes are imagined or reconstructed to bring the history to life.
Still have a question? We’re here to help.
HISTORY DELIVERED TO THEIR DOOR
The next great adventure
could start in your mailbox.
Choose a pen pal from the past. Make room for a little wonder.
Choose their adventure$19 monthly · $51 quarterly · $168 annually
All plans deliver two letters a month.
A FREE RESOURCE FOR YOUR FAMILY
Keep their curiosity growing.
Get How to Help Your Child Become a Lifelong Learner, our free digital guide for parents and grandparents.