All the signs were there. If my parents knew, what they know now, they would be prepared. But back in the 1960s and 1970s, the maker movement was still very far into the future. Robots are something you only see in great movies and TV shows (or as my mom used to say, “What the hell are you watching?”). Tell her that Lost in space not being “in the world” tends to give me a powerful view of a mother’s frustration.
But now, if a child is a natural tinkerer, there are positive directions for their inclination. There are great STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) sets and toys that can stimulate a child’s interest and focus on learning, while making learning fun.
In this tutorial, we mainly focus on the areas of technology and engineering, providing you with some great kits and toys to teach and inspire programming and making with robots. boots and digital technology.
Also: 10 best cheap tech gifts under $25 for the holidays
Recommended age: 8-21
If you’re talking about robots and kids, the best place to start is LEGO. LEGO has long been an innovator not only in the maker space but also in robotics. In this guide, we begin our exploration of gifts for girls and boys who are passionate about Star Wars-themed robot kits.
Kids can use over a thousand components to create R2-D2, a Gonk droid, and a Mouse droid. Then, with an app, they can program these fan favorites using a variety of accessible programming and learning tools.
We have long been fans of Sphero, the creators of the little robotic ball. The company has managed to repurpose that ball into a few different Star Wars robots and a variety of robot training kits.
But now, Sphero has launched a non-spherical robot. In fact, it doesn’t have any complete spheres on it (although it does have four wheels). That’s right, Sphero now has a little robotic car – and it’s pretty awesome.
It was designed to teach basic algorithms step by step to small tots and it seems to have accomplished its goal. My only diminutive total is an 8-pound Yorkie-poo, and he’s constitutionally incapable of following instructions, but if you have human children, this could be a Great way to get them thinking about the sequence, priority and grade they want to apply.
So take a look. If you’re talking about robots and kids, there’s one product that is the quintessential robotic toy gift: the LEGO Mindstorms set. The set includes a computer controller, four servo motors, two sensors, and approximately 1,000 LEGO parts.
It’s cool on its own, but if you combine it with parts from other LEGO and LEGO Technic sets and maybe even add more Servos and sensors, you can build almost any type of robot – out of LEGO.
There are some problems with this product, though. The original Mindstorms NXT kit costs a few hundred dollars and this will be available for around $350, but it’s hard to come by. It’s available and out of stock at Amazon and can go up to $500 when it’s available. While it’s a great set and a must-have for any LEGO/robot enthusiast, some empty caveat applies, especially when buying from Amazon’s huge pool of random sellers.
Unlike most of our other recommendations, this robot isn’t really a robot. You cannot program it. It’s basically like an RC car, except it’s shaped like the WALL-E robot. But that’s okay, because WALL-E is cool.
Is it worth fifty dollars to make it go back and forth, and turn left and right? No. What if it has about 20 sounds from the movie? Still no. And yet, we recommend it as a gift because whoever receives it will love it.
Can you put a price on that excited smile? Oh yes. About 50 dollars.
I was completely mesmerized by the idea of Kibo. As an educator in 2022, I consider coding an important skill for everyone. Nearly anyone can benefit from understanding how to describe the steps clearly and coherently. So the idea that Kibo could start teaching this to young children is fascinating.
Kibo is a kinetic STEM kit. Best of all, it is a tool for learning without using a screen. By combining the physical blocks in the correct order, the child can guide Kibo through the action. Kids can also add capabilities like light, sound, and sensors, all with large, easy-to-attach add-ons. I can see this being used at daycare or kindergarten, as well as at home.
If you’re considering Kibo, be aware of two issues. First, it comes in a plain cardboard box labeled KIBO, so if you’re giving this as a gift, keep in mind that the gift-opening experience may not be as enjoyable as receiving a LEGO. Also, at almost $300, this is not a cheap gift. However, it can unlock something great in little kids and set them on the path to mastering technology later in life.
Recommended age: 6-12
I love this too! First, it allows you to be passionate even when you are camping or without power. So, if you’re living through the apocalypse (why? Too soon?) and still want to teach your kids to code, this is a great place to start.
Computer science and coding revolves around some basic instructions and theory common in all computers. This kit shows how it works, from encryption basics (where your child can make an actual cypher mechanism) to sorting algorithms. If you want your kids to have no screen time and still learn what they love, this is a good choice.
Recommended age: 8+
Not only do I love this, but I also want it. Yes, even now. And it’s not just because my wife says I sometimes have the emotional maturity of a five-year-old. I want it (and your kids too) because it shows how to make things with mechanical properties.
Here’s the thing: If you want to create something that has alignment, connection, articulation, or movement as part of its operation, you need to understand these concepts. This cloned LEGO set shows you how to do just that, and as a bonus, it’s under $30.
Recommended age: 8+
If you’ve ever had fun with LEGO or Erector (Meccano for those of you outside the US), this toy will sound familiar. Technically, it is not a robot as it has no automatic or even remote control and no programming. But your kids can put it together, learn about how gears work, connect a solar panel, and learn a little about sustainable energy, all while having a crop. explode.
Just a quick note: the eye is not the sensor. They are decorated on the spare battery compartment. But that’s okay, because they’re still cute.
Recommended age: 10+
I’ve bought three or four of these for myself over the past few years, mostly as a way to have a wide selection of parts and sensors for my Arduino projects.
This set is not intended for young children. Your child should probably be in their teens and have some experience building things and maybe programming. This kit comes with some basic tutorials, but to be honest, they’re not great. But the choice of ingredients, and that’s where the magic comes in. So, if you or your kids feel comfortable on Google or YouTube searching for Arduino projects and tutorials, this kit will give you the pieces to make that a reality. Plus, it’s under $50.
Recommended age: 10-12
Tired of everything made from plastic? Want to teach your kids about sustainable materials? Consider this laser-cut solar-powered auto kit. Not only is it powered by the sun, but the wooden frame is also sturdy and biodegradable.
You can simply stick it together, but some wood glue (or old Elmer glue) will make the car sturdy enough to get it through the steps.
Recommended age: 12+
The only thing I don’t like about this is that you have to add your own Raspberry Pi as the kit doesn’t come with it. I really think they should list two models on Amazon, one with the Pi number and the other without. That way, you don’t have your own quest for finding (don’t worry, we’ll include a standalone Pi on our next list).
In any case, this is great because it allows you to build a portable device that your child can drive from the robot’s camera point of view. That sounds like it would be a ton of fun.
Recommended age: 12+
If you want to learn robotics and have fun doing it with primo hardware, this is your toy. At over $500, it’s not cheap, but it does come with omnidirectional wheels, a laser cannon, and a cannon that shoots tiny particles (yes, I’m thinking of that). Ralphie and “You’ll Look Out Too”).
You could create an instant bot battle scenario with two or more of these (in case you want to spend thousands of dollars on a robot toy), but the real element of the product is the ability to program curriculum and teaching tools. There are lots of exercises and you can program in Sketch or Python. Finally, DJI includes a full video series, so your child can take a video class while using the hands-on equipment. It’s great.
Our Process
I used a very simple selection mechanism when looking for these toys. If I didn’t have a great desire to buy it and didn’t need an act of supreme will to not click the Buy Now button, I wouldn’t have listed it. Since my granddaughter was just as amazing and eccentric as they came, I thought if I was excited by it, the other kids would probably be too.
Obviously, I’m stuck with the worlds of coding and robotics, but I wanted to go beyond some classic robot toys like LEGO and offer toys that not only have a wide range of abilities, but are also priced and even even learning experiences. Let me know in the comments below if I nailed it or not.
How to choose
Usually, in these lists, I try to give you guidance on how to choose the product or service you need. But you understand your kids so much better than I do. Like I mentioned, I’m a goofy dad, so I don’t have a lot of experience with what kids these days go through. But I’ll tell you this: Choose less complicated toys for kids with less experience and more complex toys for kids who have built or programmed more ambitious projects. .
Good luck and have a nice holiday.
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