Hero by Thames & Kosmos is a remarkable toy that combines fun, learning, and interactivity in one exciting package. While it's perfect for children and teens who love hands-on projects, Hero offers the thrill of building and the excitement of a functioning robot companion that goes beyond just sitting on a shelf. For children who enjoy constructing model cars, robotics kits, or anything that involves problem-solving and engineering, Hero provides an engaging, educational challenge. The kit includes all the necessary parts to build a fully functional robot, allowing children and teens to see firsthand the inner workings of robotics and engineering. It’s an excellent way to spark creativity and deepen understanding of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts. Once assembled, Hero is far from ordinary. This interactive robot can sense sound and respond to commands, making it a dynamic play companion. The robot can follow sound patterns, engage in simple games like tug-of-war, and even dance to music—adding a layer of fun and creativity to playtime. There are four different play modes, each offering a unique way for children and teens to interact with Hero. Whether it’s responding to sound cues, following someone around, or showing off some dance moves, Hero keeps children and teens engaged and entertained. Hero is ideal for teens to put together independently, but younger children (ages 8+) may need some adult assistance for assembly. Regardless, the sense of accomplishment that comes from building Hero is well worth the effort. Hero by Thames & Kosmos is a fantastic choice for young tech enthusiasts, budding engineers, or anyone who loves to build and experiment. It’s not just a toy—it’s an educational experience that’s as fun as it is instructive. Whether for solo play or as part of a family project, Hero is sure to spark curiosity and provide hours of entertainment. -Reviewer Jennifer Heap
Do you know a teen who is curious about the growing field of artificial intelligence (AI) in the tech world? KAI the Artificial Intelligence Robot by Thames & Kosmos is a fascinating toy that introduces the ways in which AI is utilized in various STEM fields and includes real-world applications. Getting started is easy—just grab a few batteries and download the companion app. After building KAI, teens can connect it to the app to gather data that enables it to move. KAI can be controlled by using the app's controller or by using a camera to create motions for it to interpret and follow. This hands-on experience teaches teens how data is collected and processed, illustrating how KAI learns to move, much like other AI systems. It’s a fun and accessible way to understand the fundamentals of AI. We love KAI so much that it was a top five pick in our gift guide last year, and it absolutely had to be included in our microelectronics-themed gift guide this year! -Reviewer Daisy Coble
If you’re searching for a robot that can grow with a child in your life, Kaibot might be the perfect toy for them! Developed by Kai’s Education, this screen-free or hybrid robot is designed to be a valuable learning tool throughout a child’s educational journey. The Kaibot intro pack includes the hybrid robot, 30+ coding cards, a USB charging cable, robot sleeves, and stickers to decorate the Kaibot. To get started, a charging block for the USB cord to charge the Kaibot is needed. For hybrid mode, a computer is required for coding. In screen-free mode, children can arrange the coding cards to create a program for Kaibot to follow. Once set up correctly, Kaibot will scan the cards and execute the program. In hybrid mode, children can write code to program Kaibot, and once the file is uploaded, it will carry out the specified commands. From beginner to advanced levels, the Kaibot Intro Pack is an excellent toy that helps develop and strengthen programming and coding skills. -Reviewer Virginia Hawkins
Unlock a child's imagination and creativity with the Kids First Coding & Robotics Kit! This innovative, story-based robot building and programming kit allows children to construct and program a self-aware robot named Sammy—all without the need for a smartphone or computer. Inside the kit, children will find 417 building pieces, over 200 code cards, and 30 engaging coding lessons. With just three AA batteries, children can embark on exciting building and programming challenges as they guide Sammy the robot to complete over six interactive stories. Programming is simple: Sammy drives over a sequence of code cards, scanning and recognizing the commands to bring ideas to life. The possibilities are endless! Whether creating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a goalkeeper, or a fire truck, Sammy adapts to a wide range of applications. The kit is designed to grow with young children, featuring design challenges that vary in complexity to keep them engaged as they develop their skills. By playing with the Kids First Coding & Robotics Kit from Thames and Kosmos, children will build a solid foundation in engineering thinking, robotics, and programming. It’s not just a toy—it’s an adventure in learning! – Reviewer Kayla Phillips
Are you looking for a robot that can match current programming experience and help a child in your life advance their coding skills? Look no further than Makeblock’s mBot! This versatile and durable robot is designed to do just that. All the necessary materials to assemble the mBot's body and connect the electrical components are included, along with a remote control and various sensors for programming. To get started, you’ll need a computer for online coding and/or a device to download Makeblock’s app, a CR2025 battery for the remote, and either 4AA batteries or the mBot Li-polymer battery to power the robot. Once assembled, there are multiple pre-set modes for children to explore. For coding, children can use the online platform or Makeblock’s user-friendly app. Additionally, Makeblock offers a wealth of digital resources and coding challenges to help advance children’s programming skills. mBot has earned its place in this year’s Top 10 because of its ease of use and interactive, adaptable nature, making it a fantastic toy and learning tool for programmers of all skill levels. -Reviewer Virginia Hawkins
Are you looking for a hands-on toy that a children can build themselves? The Mechanical Hand by Smartivity is an engaging wooden puzzle that guides children through detailed step-by-step instructions to build a fully functional mechanical hand. With its intricate construction, this toy is perfect for young builders eager to dive into engineering. The kit includes wooden pieces and rubber bands needed to assemble the gears and mechanical systems, showcasing the complexity of how these components work together. Building the Mechanical Hand is not only a fun activity but also an educational experience, providing insights into the fascinating world of mechanics! -Reviewer Daisy Coble
Are you looking for the perfect gift to spark a child’s imagination? The Micro:bit Wonder Building Kit is an ideal choice for young innovators eager to dive into fun, educational projects. With over 400 building blocks and 48 official builds to start with, the possibilities are endless! This kit encourages creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning. Designed for curious minds, the kit comes equipped with three unique sensors, LED lights, motors, and more — perfect for children ready to take on exciting challenges. Whether they’re building robots, gadgets, or interactive devices, this kit is the perfect introduction to programming, electronics, and engineering. Give the gift of exploration and learning with the Micro:bit Wonder Building Kit — the perfect way to inspire a child’s next big idea! -Reviewer Jennifer Heap
Are you looking for a creative and screen-free way to introduce a child in your life to the basics of coding? The Mochi Robotics Kit offers a tactile, hands-on learning experience that brings coding to life through play. This engaging kit includes an adorable plush Mochi Robot, coding blocks, and a storybook that guides children through a variety of programming tasks. With Mochi, there are no screens, just play! This kit provides a screen-free way for children to learn essential coding concepts. All you need is a clear play space, and the rest is up to the child’s imagination and problem-solving skills. Children can use the coding blocks to direct Mochi on a series of fun adventures, teaching them important concepts like sequencing and logic. The hands-on nature of the kit makes coding approachable and intuitive, allowing children to understand programming in a playful, interactive way. The Mochi Robotics Kit is an engaging way to foster early STEM skills, helping children to develop a strong foundation in problem-solving and critical thinking. Plus, it keeps learning fun and engaging, allowing children to see the results of their choices as they guide Mochi through exciting tasks. -Reviewer Josh Clement
Are you looking for a fun, hands-on way to introduce a child to robotics and programming? The Robotics Smart Machine Junior by Thames & Kosmos is the perfect STEM kit for budding engineers! This buildable and programmable robot doesn’t require a smartphone or computer to get started, making it an ideal way for children to learn the basics of robotics, engineering, and coding. Children will begin by constructing their very own robot, using 150 different pieces. Once built, they can program Junior’s movements and actions using simple easy to access buttons. For children who want to take their programming skills even further, the Junior app can be downloaded onto a tablet or smartphone, allowing them to code up to 200 different actions! Plus, children can even use their device as a gyroscope to control Junior’s movements, adding an interactive, real-time element. The Robotics Smart Machine Junior encourages critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving in children—all while having fun with a robot they built and control themselves! – Reviewer Kayla Phillips
Are you looking for a gift that combines a child’s love of robotics and coding? The Robotics Workshop with micro:bit by Thames & Kosmos offers an exciting, hands-on way for children to explore the world of technology and innovation. This versatile kit provides everything needed to build a variety of robots—and that's just the beginning! Children will start by following the step-by-step instructions in the manual to build robots using durable and reusable components. But the fun doesn’t stop there—once the robots are assembled, children can bring them to life by adding code! The kit includes a micro:bit, which can be programmed through the MakeCode platform. Initially, children can start with block-based coding, which is intuitive and beginner-friendly. As they progress, they can explore more advanced coding languages such as Python and JavaScript, just like those used in the tech industry. This kit is an amazing opportunity for children to dive into STEM concepts, build their own robots, and explore the basics of coding and electronics. The possibilities are endless as children create robots of their own design, experiment with different configurations, and learn coding skills that can be applied to real-world technology. Whether a child you know is a beginner or ready for more advanced programming, the Robotics Workshop with micro:bit is a fun and engaging way to spark their creativity and develop valuable skills in problem-solving, engineering, and programming. -Reviewer Jennifer Heap
Are you curious about a fun, interactive way for a child in your life to dive into coding and robotics? The BOLT Coding Robot by Sphero is the perfect way for children and teenagers to learn coding through play and exploration. To get started, simply download the Sphero Edu app on a compatible smartphone or tablet. Once the app is set up, children can program the BOLT to perform a variety of actions, such as navigating obstacles, lighting up in different colors, and even interacting with its environment. The Sphero Edu app offers a wide range of coding challenges and activities, making it easy for children to learn step-by-step or create their own projects from scratch. Whether they’re building basic commands or designing advanced programs, the children in your life will gain hands-on experience with coding, robotics, and problem-solving. The BOLT Coding Robot is designed to engage children while teaching them valuable skills. Through fun, interactive play, children can learn coding fundamentals, experiment with robotics, and develop critical thinking abilities—all while having a blast! -Reviewer Josh Clement
Tale-Bot Pro by Matatalab is an interactive coding robot that offers a total of 256 different commands. This adorable robot introduces your child to the foundational concepts of coding and programming, fostering engineering thinking along the way. Each Tale-Bot Pro kit includes one Tale-Bot robot, a double-sided interactive map, a language configuration card, and a challenge booklet. To get started, simply charge the robot using the included cord (you'll need a USB charging block), then set up the interactive map on a flat, clean surface. Your child can explore various coding commands and begin programming the robot in multiple ways. They can use the maps, their voice, or the buttons on top of the robot to input and create code. With Tale-Bot Pro, there are endless opportunities for exploration, including the introduction of new languages. As your child inputs code, they’ll see the lights on the robot illuminate, visualizing how the code runs in real-time. This engaging and creative challenge promotes programming, coding, and engineering thinking, all contributing to a deeper understanding of microelectronics. -Reviewer Hannah Garcia