Encouraging early programming skills
will develop critical thinking and problem solving in young learners.
Here’s our selection of the 10 best
coding toys around at the moment.
Code Gamer Kit
Learn how to code with the
Code Gamer Kit by playing a video game! Use sensors to control the game with
this innovative gamepad, solve puzzles and challenges to learn the Arduino
programming language and write your own programs and develop new applications
for the sensors. The Code Gamer Kit requires a tablet or smartphone running iOS
or Android.
Age 10+
Tech Will Save Us Mover Kit
The Mover kit is an inventive way to introduce coding to
kids. Instead of programming activities for the screen, with Mover Kit you use the visual block based coding software to program a wearable device that will react to your
movement. With the Mover Kit you will also get access to the free
online platform which provides 100s of ideas and projects for coding, making
and inventing.
Age
8+
Robotics Smart Machines Kit
This Robotics Smart Machines
Kit gives children a simple, fun and customizable introduction to robotics that
lets them build eight motorized machines controlled by programs and an
ultrasound sensor. Kids code the programs using an easy, visual programming app
on a tablet or smartphone, which connects to the robot models via a wireless
Bluetooth connection.
Build a humanoid robot that
walks forward on two legs and pivots to avoid obstacles in its path; an
incredible stag beetle model that moves backwards or forwards in response to an
obstacle and opens and closes its pincers; and construct a funny crocodile
model that wags its tail if no object is in sight but then opens its giant jaws
when an object approaches, and many more projects besides. Using an additional
smartphone and tablet, you can even hack together a little spy-bot that roams
around and streams video back to the tablet screen and once you've learned how
the technology works, you can build and program your own robots using the kit’s
230 building pieces.
A full-colour, 64-page
step-by-step illustrated manual helps kids assemble all of the models and
teaches them about robotics in the real world. The visual programming language
allows you to command the robots’ motors to move at different times, different
power levels, in different directions, and in response to the data from the
sensor.
Age 8+
Coder MiP
Meet Coder MiP, the little
robot with lots of personality. Guide Coder MiP with hand gestures or drive it
via the downloadable app. Create unique programs and command sequences by
placing blocks next to each other through a simple drag and drop programming
system. Then send Coder MiP into action with something as simple as a hand
clap; Coder MiP will carry out your commands exactly. Rechargable USB battery
included.
Age 8+
LEGO Boost 17101 Creative Toolbox
Build and customize Vernie,
your own personal talking robot friend, code its behaviour and complete fun
activities with the included play mat. Speak to Vernie and it will respond with
facial expressions that reflect its mood. Vernie can move in all directions at
variable speed on its large tracks, see objects and colours, sense distance,
grip and carry accessories, make hand gestures and launch darts from its
shoulder mounted shooter! Vernie also senses and reacts to impacts and knows
when you pick it up. Rebuild Vernie to create the M.T.R.4 (Multi-Tooled Rover
4), Guitar4000, Frankie the Cat or the AutoBuilder, all controlled via a tablet
with the free downloadable app that also includes digital LEGO Building
Instructions for all 5 models, plus cool activities and ideas to spark your
imagination.
Age 7+
Detective Dot Megapack
Meet Detective Dot – a nine
year old genius belonging to the Children’s Detective Agency. She’s on a
mission to investigate teenage trillionaire Shelly Belly and to concoct some
experiments along the way. One of our favourite kits by far, this award-winning
pack uses the narrative of Detective Dot to engage kids with the idea of
gender-neutrality into science and to inspire more girls to into that world.
Including a fun booklet
filled with coding ideas, missions to be completed, stickers and a membership
to the CIA, it’s one of the only tech free options with a STEM focus but by far
one of the best.
Age 9+
Binary Bots UFO
Teach children to code with
Binary's UFO™ Coding Kit! Using lights & sounds to teach children how to
code this kit comes jam packed with fun sensors and AND a brand new BBC
micro:bit computer. The BBC Micro:bit was designed by the BBC to help schools
teach coding. Simply connect it to a PC, MAc, tablet or smartphone and it helps
your robot come alive.
Age 8+
Robot Mouse Coding Activity Set
The Robot Mouse Coding Activity Set introduces
coding concepts using Colby, the programmable mouse. Match the colourful
buttons to the coding cards for easy programming and sequencing, pick an
activity card with a maze challenge and build the maze. Use coding cards
to create a step-by-step path then programme the sequence of steps to take
to watch Colby race to the cheese using analytical thinking, problem solving
skills and step-by-step programming. Colby has two speeds and works on the
floor or the table top.
Age 5+
Botley Coding Robot Activity Set
Children
can easily program Botley to perform a variety of actions including move forward (one step at a
time), turn left and right, reverse (one step at a time), detect and avoid
objects, make sounds and loop to repeat a step or sequence. Children can program up to 80 steps in one sequence.
Once a sequence has been programmed press transmit and watch Botley roll.
Introduce smart logic with the object detection feature. Botley features LED lights on
the top that show the direction of each step and has a sensor underneath to
allow him to follow a black line!
Age 5+
Robot Turtles Coding Game
A clever first board game for
little programmers to introduce fundamental computer coding concepts in a fun
innovative way. All primary schools now have to teach the basics of coding and
this game,invented by a software expert and
hugely popular in America, wil help children grasp this exciting new
concept. Players aim to get their turtle to the matching coloured jewel
whilst "writing" programs with their decks of cards. Includes game board, 12 game
tiles, 36 obstacles, 176 coded cards. For 2-5 players, age 4+
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