The Adventure Letters vs The Max Letters

Where they differ

Both are letters clubs. Past that they pull apart: The Adventure Letters also covers travel, activities and stickers, while The Max Letters adds books & magazines.

On price there is effectively nothing in it — $12.99/mo against $13/mo, which works out within a dollar a month of each other. Price is not the deciding factor here.

The age ranges differ too: The Adventure Letters is pitched at ages 8–13, The Max Letters at ages 6–14. Match the reading level rather than the birthday — a child who cannot yet read the letter alone needs an adult in the loop either way.

Shipping is the one that rules a club out rather than in: The Adventure Letters ships to US, The Max Letters to Worldwide.

What each one sends

The Adventure Letters

Two letters a month, mailed the second and fourth Friday, telling a continuing story about US geography and travel. Each envelope includes stickers, scrapbook pages, conversation cards and the occasional small gift. US shipping is free; there is no international option.

The Max Letters

A year-long illustrated fantasy story told across 24 chapter letters, mailed on the 14th and 28th. Each letter runs two to three pages printed front and back, with inserts such as map pieces. Four separate story lines are offered, and subscribers get a PDF of conversation prompts.

Which one to pick

We are not going to pretend there is a winner here — they are close enough to be on the same shortlist, which is why this page exists. What we would say is that the choice usually turns on the household rather than the club: how much adult time there is, whether the child reads independently yet, and whether you want post that asks something of them or post that simply arrives.

Read the full listings before deciding, and follow through to each club's own site — prices, terms and gift options are theirs to change and ours only to record.