Teaching basic robotics to small kids and young adults is a great way to encourage a love for science and engineering that will evolve with them as they grow up. Robotics kits for small kids are an excellent way to familiarise kids with simple engineering concepts. Robot building has become a favorite educational activity, and there is a broad range of robot building kits to select from.
In a world where immediate pleasure is often the normal situation, putting a little time and effort into building a robotic toy will help children encourage their knowledge about this type of toy and understand its mechanism. The manufacturing process of these robotic toys improves their motor skills or hand-eye coordination – something that every child requires when they grow up.
When selecting a robotic project to design, think about your child’s age and level of interest. When you’re shopping for robotics kits for kids, it’s best to search for items that don’t need welding or soldering, as there are other robotic projects for adults that are quite based on this type of process.
Always shop for that robotics toy in which the design of the item looks amazing and durable. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best robot building kits for kids, which will be suitable for your young engineers who always improve their creativity through these robotics toys. We’ve stacked up some of the finest robot building kits presently available in the marketplace to help you choose the finest robot kits for your requirements.
6 Best Robot Building Kits in 2021
LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox 17101
The LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox is an extraordinary robotic kit if you’re considering getting your kids started with robotics. The Boost Creative Toolbox consists of a block-based graphical coding interface that is instinctive and user-friendly, and the robotics kit comes with precise and comprehensive assembly instructions for each of the five primary variants.
All of these specifications signify that this robotics kit is very accessible, even to beginner’s users who don’t need any knowledge on this aspect, allowing your kid to evolve with the confidence to progress through more levels as a young roboticist. The LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox is a special type of robot kit that your little kids will surely love to enjoy very much.
There are also many opportunities to enlarge with extra LEGO products after you’ve finished the 60+ activities included with this robotics kit. There’s a segregated packet for a motor, infrared color, displacement sensors, and a Move Hub that connects via Bluetooth to the LEGO Boost application and allows the users to control their creations properly.
The Boost app allows users to give multiple commands and instructions to move and perform specific actions through icons. This icon-based coding system through the application makes it instinctive to play. On the Boost application, the user interface is very plain or simple, and little kids will love the on-screen animations and characters on the app.
Pros
- It comprises 5 multipurpose models.
- Improve problem solving skills in younger children
- You can do the coding for the robots with the help of the LEGO Boost app.
- With the Boost app, you can assemble the parts properly with complete instructions.
Cons
- Some users complained that the app is not compatible with other Operating Systems.
Ubtech Jimu Robot Astrobot Series (Cosmos Kit)
This robotic kit is enabled by a mobile application and teaches small kids and young adults how to build and code through STEM Learning. This robotic kit contains around 384 assembling parts, with some extra connectors and fasteners. And, it also comprises 5 servo motors with 2 LED Lights and a Central Control Box so that you can easily control the robot kit. Younger kids will surely like the building process of this robot.
You can charge the battery with a USB-based charger, and the sensors in the robotic kit can be easily connected to your Bluetooth Speaker. Blockly’s distinctive coding platform makes it easy for you to learn the code easily and executes all your coding skills in a better way.
You can program your robot to pick different types of stuff, handle all the obstacles, control lightning settings, create sound effects, develop a unique personality, and many more things. With the Bricky Coding Challenges, you can also examine your coding skills against others and gradually learn to create and write better code to enhance the performance of your robotic kit.
You can manage all your coding activities on the free mobile application, the JIMU app, which is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. In the application, you can select which robotic kit you’ve and then which type of robot you want to build from that particular robotics kit. Once you’ve designed the robot properly, you can easily program and control it with the help of the app, and on the Coding section of the app, you can easily write the actual code to execute the program easily.
Pros
- It consists of powerful motors with powerful sensors.
- You can easily assemble the parts in a simple procedure with the help of the JIMU app.
- There are limitless possibilities for the design of the robot in the robotics kit.
Cons
- Sometimes, a few complex programming parts on the app will be difficult for young kids.
Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor Building Set 51515
The new LEGO Mindstorms Robot inventor is the latest substitution or replacement for LEGO’s top-selling robotics kit ( the LEGO EV3). The LEGO Mindstorms Robot Kit contains 949 assembling parts, almost twice as much as the LEGO E3 robot set. The 5 distinctive designs can create a fun experience and various coding and challenging activities, which you can complete with the help of the Robot Inverter app.
The new and enhanced Hub can operate autonomously or in streaming mode, and it also features a 5 X5 LED Matrix display screen that you can program to show numbers, emojis, or words. It also comprises a highly durable, lightweight rechargeable battery to keep your Hub optimized and in working order.
The free LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor Coding application for small kids comprises a user interface that is completely based on Scratch, digital building instructions, around 50+ different activities, and Python support for the highly advanced programmers or coders. Kids can begin their coding experience with Scratch-based programming.
Like Scratch, different categories are highlighted with different color palettes, making them easy to identify for kids. To program and give instructions to the robot, the child pulls the coding blocks from the coded edge of the window into the program overview section in the app. This method will be the perfect choice for all the freshers or beginners!
Pros
- This robotics kit is a perfect way to enter the world of robotics without any programming experience.
- Limitless activities and additional projects within the app and from the community.
- It is highly recommended for kids and young adults.
Cons
- There are cheaper Robotics kits that will allow your child to discover more about robotics and programming.
- Sensor and motor wires are unremovable in the robotics kit.
Elegoo Uno Smart Robot Car Kit (V4)
This is a Robocar Kit that is Arduino friendly and made especially for young kids and adults who are beginners or freshers in this aspect. It comes with a 24 module package and is a unified solution for learning robotics. The component comprises Infrared Remote Control, Barrier or Obstacle Avoidance, Tracking System, Mobile Control, and many other features.
Elegoo Smart Robot Car also contains a BLE Tool application which you can use on your mobile device. It gives you complete control over the robotic kit. The manual Compact Disc (CD) will provide you a tutorial on the robotic kit how to use it properly. The robotics kit also contains a Tutorial CD containing all assembly-related, programming, and other essential instructions in HD Resolution video quality.
It is an exhaustive combination of programming and electronics assembly and robotics for children in the early stages of these subjects’ learning. Your small and cute engineer can also control this robot car with the help of a Smartphone or a Tablet device. The robotic car features a rechargeable battery option with an overall nominal design. It also comes with a 1-year warranty from the manufacturer’s side from the date of purchase.
Pros
- You can easily control the assembled robot kit either with the infrared remote control or mobile application.
- This robotic kit is more resilient, more affordable, and useful than most other robotic STEM kits.
- The mechanical parts of each subsystem were packaged separately and labeled properly for easy installation.
Cons
- The robotic car moves only in a straight line unless a change is made to the given source code.
Makeblock mBot Coding Robot Kit
Makeblock mBot is a user-friendly programmable small robot that your kids can build from a kit, and they can program them to perform all kinds of projects and activities. Makeblock mBot is a fully programmable robot for little kids. The mBot also contains some in-built detection modules (Or Sensors Modules) like – Light sensors, Infrared receivers, Ultrasonic sensors, etc. It comes with its own android app that makes it easy to control with your smartphone.
This signifies that your little kids can create multiple programs around Collision Detection and Obstacle Avoidance or play with it by using an infrared Remote Control contained with this robotic kit. The included remote control, which comes with the robotic kit, operates with the Robot’s Infrared Sensors to provide you the general control over the robot and make it play some lovely notes.
You can also control the robot through your Smartphone or Tablet device by using the Makeblock application. It changes your Smartphone device into a Touchscreen Controller that communicates or interacts with the robot through Bluetooth connectivity. By default settings, the mBot utilizes 4 AA Batteries, which isn’t unusual for these handi-crafted robots.
We’d say it depends on your child’s technical expertise and comfort with the electronics and mechanical devices, but we think children over the age of 10 shouldn’t have any problem with this robot kit. Generally, we didn’t find the Makeblock mBot too hard to assemble all the mechanical parts in the robot.
The included manual guide of the kit is simple and clear, with multiple clear pictures, graphical representations, and step-by-step instructions, which helps the user properly assemble the parts and use the robotic kit.
Pros
- This device supports both Block and Arduino programming so that it can evolve with your child’s level of learning.
- The mBot mobile application allows you to manage the robot from your mobile devices and tablet at the same time.
- It is an affordable robot set with easy to build design.
Cons
- Batteries are wrongly placed on the kit where you’ve to remove the main board of the robot kit.
- Rechargeable batteries and extra accessories can increase the overall cost of the kit.
Makeblock Ultimate Robot Kit 2.0
This robot kit has 550+ pieces and contains instructions for ten different small robots, which comprises a robot tank with a gripper arm, a slingshot or catapult, a walking ant, etc. It comes with multiple sensors, can be programmed with pictorial blocks or text-based programming in Python, and is reconcilable or compatible with Arduino and Raspberry Pi.
This robot kit is so versatile that you can spend hundreds of hours working on multiple projects without replicating anything from other projects’ ideas. Freshers or beginners may discover this robot kit quite complicated and intimidating. There are many fine mechanical parts, and it takes a lot of skill and hard work to put together all the parts correctly.
With this robot kit, you can improve your robotic skills and understanding to another extent. Beginners users should probably begin with the simple robotic device to easily understand the conceptual knowledge thoroughly. This robot can be controlled wirelessly with a Bluetooth Connection through smart devices like Smartphones and Tablets.
This system is furnished with the strong MegaPie main control panel, and most of the parts of this robotic device are composed of high-strength aluminum alloy. It is a systemized robotic kit that contains complete instructions for designing and programming 10 different types of robots. The instructions on the manual are quite clear. Although few parts of the assembly procedure still need proper concentration, it provides an enjoyable experience with some learning atmosphere.
Pros
- It is a versatile kit with multiple customized modules.
- All the robot designs created in this set are generally impressive and unique.
- The instructions in the manual guide are clear and easy to follow.
Cons
- It is slightly expensive and somewhat complex to beginners in terms of its technical knowledge.
Buying Guide for Robot Kits
A robot building kit can be a special investment, so it’s essential to ensure that the one you’re going to purchase has all the features and functionalities you’re looking for. It should also contain all the instructions clearly to guide them properly on assembling the parts, etc. In addition to this, you should also ensure that the design of the robot kit should be appropriate for a particular age group.
If you’re purchasing a robotic kit for a child, it should be easy enough to use on its own with minimum help. If you’re shopping the robot kits for an older teen or adult user, the robot kit should be more comprehensive for them to understand properly. You should consider the following factors before selecting any particular type of Robot Kits that completely satisfy all your needs and requirements. These factors are as follows –
Price
Cost Price is the essential factor you should pay attention to when you’ve decided to purchase any robotic device. One should go with that particular robotic device, which he can afford easily. There are multiple robotic devices with highly advanced features and specifications, but their prices are also like their features, i.e., very high and expensive.
Hence, select those specific robotic devices that accomplish all your requirements and come under your budget range. If you’re not ready to spend more, you can consider the mid-range robot kits as they also provide amazing quality in a decent price range.
In the post, I’ve added some best budget robot kits that don’t need a huge amount.
Smart Navigation
Currently, all electronic devices are furnished with the specification of Smart Navigation. No manufacturer is releasing any product in the marketplace without this specification. With the help of this feature, you can easily manage and control the robots and other devices with just one single touch, even in your busy times.
When you switch on the Smart Navigation mode on the robot kits, it starts moving automatically in different directions like left-right, back-and-forth, etc. It can also slouch or crawl and occasionally jump to evade different kinds of barriers or obstacles easily with the help of its programming skills and modern technology. You can add some add ons with few robot kits with different configurations and create your own designs.
Easy accessing approach
My best advice for you is that whenever you choose to buy a gadget device particularly, these types of robot kits and other accessories, go through it thoroughly and make a plan to buy them. It’s vital to understand how you can assemble the parts easily, how you’ve to manage the control settings, etc. All these instructions are generally described in their manual guide, which comes with the package.
For example, you’ve bought the Best Science Kits for Kids. Still, you’re unable to use them properly, or maybe you don’t know how to assemble the kits and other parts, then obviously it’s a complete waste of your time and money. Hence, the approach must be easy and simple to utilize these kits properly without creating any issues. These kits also provide Video Tutorials so that the user can easily understand all the approaches flawlessly.
Most of the robots kit for small kids use a Block-based programming language in their mobile application that allows kids to learn and assimilate the fundamental concepts of programming like Conditionals (If, Else, Elseif, etc.), Loops and Functions (For, While, Do While, etc.) and many more. You can learn and apply all these concepts by dragging the boxes around the screen, which means your kids don’t have to type the source code to execute the program properly.
Age Levels
These robot toys surely add some “fun” in learning the basics of programming and coding, particularly for those little kids who prefer to play rather than read a book. Robots kits for kids of different age levels come with multiple specifications like applications to control your robot on your devices like smartphones and Tablets, Instinctive gesture and voice control Settings, and Intermediate knowledge of Mechatronics. There are different Robots Kit Sets for every age group as per their skill level and knowledge on that aspect.
Conclusion
Robot building kits can be an awesome way for your little kids to have some fun and enjoyment while doing some creative work. There are different types of robot kits available in the marketplace, and you can pick the appropriate one that can match your taste and needs. We hope that you found this article beneficial and informative when discovering a fresh robot kit for your little kids or young adults.
At its core, all the robot kits in this article are a great way to initiate or introduce your kids to science, technology, and engineering concepts. These robot kits products can be great equipment for simply presenting complex and technical subjects through practical experimentation and creative play. We’ve tried our best to present you with the best robotic kits for your little kids with their specifications, and I hope this article will clear all your doubt on this aspect.
