“Autobots! Transform and roll out!”
Optimus Prime’s iconic command is sure to bring back memories. But it’s not just the Transformers, be it Star Wars or the more contemporary Marvel superhero movies; it’s obvious that robots are an endless trend. When children watch these films and shows they can’t help but be intrigued about the mechanics of it all. How does it all work? How do you build a robot? Remember when you had the same thoughts? Your children now have the opportunity to pursue their curiosity!
How? Coding is the way to go. Coding is a basic literacy in this digital age, naturally it’s imperative for kids to understand the technology around them. Coding prepares kids for a successful future ahead, opening a window of endless possibilities. The best way to inculcate learning and coding is by catering to the interest of children- through robotics.
What is robotics for kids though? Robotics is like clay in the hands of children because they can mould it the way they want to and create their own personal masterpiece; simple robots or intricate machines that follow commands. Robotics helps children learn 21st-century skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, computational skills, creativity and perseverance. Moreover it’s a dominating field in contemporary society and the most engaging way for children to learn the skills the domain requires is through robot making sets or robot building kits. When kids have a hands-on learning experience via educational robotic kits, the skills they learn stay for life.
However, buying robotics toys for your child is not a simple click on your computer, you need to make sure the robot set or DIY robot kit is age-appropriate and just right for your child else it could be rather discouraging for them if they are unable to engage with them completely.
Here are 5 of the best robotic kits for kids that you can buy for your child to help them learn to code and of course, have fun—
1. Tweak
So what if you’re just 5 years old? You can still build your robot and make it run on your commands, with the help of Tweak. It is a kid-friendly robot making kit which incorporates coding to build robots that work the way kids command them to. All you need is the imagination to visualize what you want the robot to perform. This is an interesting toy that will engage your little one in creating scientific wonders.
You can build and program a Robot under 5 minutes and it is very easy to use. Tweak has several perks as it helps in boosting STEM learning, introduces logic building and developing fine motor skills.
The modular STEM robotics kit is one of the best kits for 5-6 year olds. It uses a blend of the easy snap and fit blocks with new age robotics. This technology eliminates dangling screws and wires for a safe and flawless learning experience. The modules can be joined in any direction with ease so that your kid can make what they imagine.
Your child can code Tweak through block coding and pair up the robotics toy with the TweakGo app to control and code Tweak. The app is available on both the App Store and Play Store.
With Tweak, your child can now build some cool robots. Avishkaar provides tutorial videos as well to help your kids build these robots:
2. ER-Series Kit
This is India’s most advanced programmable robotics kit to ever be made available for kids over the age of 12 and above. It will be launched on 31 January 2021. This is a complete Robotics kit which comprises all the components of a Robotics Design System including the programmable brain with sensors. The kit is an upgrade of the previous E- series kits and can give your child a more comprehensive and advanced learning experience.
Through this kit, your child can create different robots like obstacle avoider, black line follower, colour sorting robot, humanoids and what not! By engaging in STEM learning, enhance problem-solving skills, build logic and programming skills too, this kit has the power to unleash your child’s full potential.
Additionally, you can download the Avishkaar Remote App which lets you control your robot wirelessly! The app is available on the Play Store and App Store.
Click here to check out expert-designed courses that teach children to build their own robots by learning how to code.
3. Dash and Dot Robot
This is a cool robot toy for kids that can act, sense and think. Dash and Dot robot is perfect for the age group of kids 6+ and teaches kids about programming with hands-on play. They can learn how to make a robot at home. The Dash and Dot robot can dance, race around the house and respond to sounds and objects around the house. Children can use block coding on four different iPad apps to control their Dash robot. With the help of this robotics toy, your child can explore and learn problem-solving, while having fun with this robot.
4. Lego Boost Robotics
Children always have a special place for Legos as it is, and what if we told you that Legos could also make up for some cool coding tools? Learning how to code with Legos would be a fun learning experience, wouldn’t it?
This set is exclusively meant for kids between the age of 7-12 and it comes with bricks, a central processing unit, and sensors. The assembled robots can be programmed using an Android tablet or an iPad with the included app. It allows children to make robots at home easily.
5. Code-a-Pillar
A product of Fisher-Price, this is one of the popular toys for children to learn how to code. The toy has eight segments and one head. Each of the segments has a symbol on its back that denotes a direction or an ‘action’ icon like wriggling or playing music. So, children can link the segments together to produce a sequence and Code-a-Pillar will follow it.
Children are naturally curious and hands-on learning is an effective way to stimulate their mind to imagine and innovate and these robotics toys for children do just that. Robotics is a fun way to engage children as well as make them learn. Robot making for kids is another endless trend; a trend you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
