Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to introduce a child you know to coding? Bee-Bot is the perfect starting point! This simple, yet versatile robot helps young learners develop problem-solving skills while having fun with basic programming concepts. Bee-Bot encourages children to learn coding by programming it to move toward the correct answer on a flat surface. For example, children can ask a question like, “What letter comes after A?”, and lay out the possible answers on the floor. Children can then program Bee-Bot to take the correct route to reach the answer—building important skills in sequencing, logic, and problem-solving along the way. Bee-Bot makes learning fun and interactive while introducing early coding concepts like directional commands and sequencing. Whether it’s math, letters, sounds, word recognition, or geography, the learning possibilities are endless! Adults will love how easy it is to adapt the difficulty level of the questions and answer choices to suit a child’s needs, making it a great tool for differentiated learning. The simple design and user-friendly interface make Bee-Bot a great way to engage little ones with STEM concepts in a playful way. As children play, they’ll not only learn how to program, but also how to think critically and creatively—skills that will benefit them in the classroom and beyond. -Reviewer Jennifer Heap
This gift-giving season, satisfy a child in your life's desire for a fun and interactive toy while providing an effective way to practice programming fundamentals, with Matatalab’s Pro Set. This comprehensive set includes coding blocks, the MatataBot, a command tower, control board, challenge booklet, game map, accessories, and warm-up cards. To get started, a USB charging cable for the electronic components is also needed. Assembly is simple—just place the command tower on the control board. To play, children can arrange the coding blocks on the control board and then press play to watch MatataBot execute the programmed commands! Overall, Matatalab’s Pro Set is an engaging way to introduce young children to the fundamentals of programming in a fun and interactive way. -Reviewer Virginia Hawkins
Are you looking for a fun, hands-on way to introduce a child to coding? Coding Critters by Learning Resources are adorable, screen-free pets that will make learning programming fun for preschoolers! With a variety of lovable critters to choose from—such as a bunny, cat, dog, dragon, or unicorn—there’s a perfect pet for every little one. With Coding Critters, children will begin learning basic programming concepts by coding their pet’s movements and actions. The simple coding buttons allow children to create commands, and each pet responds by following their instructions—whether it’s making the critter move, play music, or follow a pattern. Playing with Coding Critters is an engaging way to build early problem-solving and logic skills while having fun! Coding Critters is the perfect introduction to coding for young children, offering a playful and screen-free alternative to traditional tech learning. The easy-to-use coding buttons make it accessible for preschoolers, while the included storybooks guide them through coding adventures and challenges. Plus, each critter comes with a pet playset that encourages imaginative play and interaction. To keep the fun going, Learning Resources offers free downloads on their website, including extra storybooks and coding arrows to expand the adventure. And to make the experience even more official, you can download a free pet adoption certificate for the lucky child to celebrate their new coding friend! - Reviewer Jennifer Heap
Are you looking for an adorable and highly capable robot to help a child in your life learn programming? Look no further! Botley the Coding Robot from Learning Resources might be the perfect gift you’ve been searching for. The kit includes a robot, remote-control programmer, detachable robot arms, and over 40 coding cards. To get started, you’ll need 5 AAA batteries—3 for Botley and 2 for the remote-control programmer—and a small Phillips screwdriver to open the battery compartments. Once powered up, children can outline a program using the coding cards and use the remote control to program Botley. This robot can be programmed to detect and avoid objects, navigate obstacle courses, follow black lines, and execute all commands. There are also hidden features that can be unlocked through play and exploration with Botley. Overall, Botley the Coding Robot offers a fun and interactive way to teach the basics of programming, making it an excellent choice for early learners! -Reviewer Virginia Hawkins
Give a young one in your life a hands-on, screen-free gift this holiday season with KinderLab’s KIBO 15 Robot Kit. This kit includes the KIBO Robot, various programming blocks, parameter cards, motors, wheels, a sound sensor, a lightbulb module, and components to assemble a stage for added fun. Additionally, KinderLab offers an option to purchase a storage bin for easy cleanup. Children will need 4 AA batteries to power KIBO. A computer for potential firmware updates is recommended. The fun begins with connecting the programming blocks to create a sequence for the robot to follow. Once the necessary accessories are attached, children can scan the barcodes on the blocks (with a guardian’s help if needed), and KIBO will execute the programmed actions. With countless ways to rearrange the blocks and accessories, KIBO offers endless enjoyment and learning opportunities for budding programmers. After being in our top five last year, the KIBO 15 Robot Kit certainly deserves a spot on our list again this year! Overall, this kit fosters strong programming skills and lays the foundation for understanding coding algorithms in the future. -Reviewer Virginia Hawkins
Are you looking for screen-free activities that offer hours of fun while boosting a child's learning? Look no further than the My First Coding and Computer Science Kit by Playz! This hands-on, educational kit is the perfect gift for young minds interested in exploring the world of coding, technology, and computer science—without the need for a computer. The kit is packed with engaging activities that introduce core concepts in coding and computer science. From creating binary necklaces and ancient encryption devices to designing pixelated pictures, children will have a blast while developing important STEM skills. It’s an excellent way to spark curiosity and creativity in children, all while they learn about the building blocks of technology. The kit includes everything needed—no additional materials required—so children can dive right into the fun. The instructions are clear, detailed, and easy to follow, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable learning experience. Whether you know a child who is a beginner or one who has some prior knowledge of coding, the activities are designed to be both challenging and accessible. In addition to its educational value, the My First Coding and Computer Science Kit makes a fantastic at-home science lab for children. It’s ideal for rainy days, weekends, or school breaks, offering a productive and fun alternative to screen time. With this kit, children will not only be entertained, but also gain foundational skills that can set them up for future success in STEM fields. My First Coding and Computer Science Kit by Playz is an engaging, hands-on way to introduce children to the world of computer science, while keeping them entertained and off screens. Perfect for at-home learning, this kit is a great educational gift that will provide hours of fun and learning. -Reviewer Jennifer Heap
Do you have children in your life who are interested in video games? The Code Lab mini by Let's Start Coding might be the perfect toy to capture their attention without any screen time! This motherboard is designed like a gaming controller and encourages children to explore the mechanics behind how gaming controllers work. This exploration makes the Code Lab mini an excellent way to bridge the gap between learning to code and how coding is used in video games. All you need is a laptop and a stable internet connection to get started. Children begin with the basics and progress through chapters that cover concepts like toggle and linear variables. By programming the various buttons, knobs, and speakers on the device children are able to watch the board come to life like a real gaming controller! -Reviewer Daisy Coble
What if we told you there’s a way to engineer the future by bringing back the past? Keyestudio’s STEM Programming DIY Mini Light Controlled Phonograph Kit allows children to do just that! This kit includes all the parts and fasteners needed for the wooden body, an expansion board for a micro:bit, a battery holder, and various sensors that can be connected and programmed. To get started, children will need 4 AAA batteries, a micro:bit, and a computer for coding and assembly instructions. Once assembled, the device can be programmed to play music! The adaptive nature of this toy allows for numerous sensor and coding configurations, giving children plenty of opportunities to experiment and enrich their learning experience. Overall, by engaging with the STEM Programming DIY Mini Light Controlled Phonograph Kit, children can develop stronger programming skills while exercising their creativity. -Reviewer Virginia Hawkins
Makey Makey by Joylabz is an innovative educational STEM coding kit designed to inspire creativity and learning. The kit includes a Makey Makey board, 7 alligator clips, 6 white wires, and a USB cord. To get started, simply plug the board into a computer using the provided USB cord, connect an alligator clip to the “EARTH” segment of the board, and hold the opposite end of the clip to test it out! The kit provides initial instructions, with countless project ideas available on the Makey Makey website found at https://makeymakey.com/pages/how-to. As children engage with the kit, they'll learn essential concepts related to microelectronics, including circuits, coding, programming, and the capabilities of micro:bits. Makey Makey keeps children entertained while encouraging engineering thinking as they explore various projects and unleash their creativity. -Reviewer Hannah Garcia
Do you want to kickstart a child’s coding journey? The Code Car by Let’s Start Coding is perfect for beginners and those with a bit more experience looking to expand their skills. All that is needed is a laptop and a stable internet connection to explore the intricacies of coding. This toy is ideal for newcomers because it offers the choice between block-based and text-based coding. For those who might find typing code intimidating, the option to arrange pre-made “blocks” to create code makes the process more accessible. Even children who already have some coding knowledge will find plenty to enjoy, as the car features various functions to control, including headlights, brakes, a horn, and even a custom car alarm. -Reviewer Daisy Coble
Is a child in your life fascinated by how computers work? With Turing Tumble, they can build their own mechanical computers powered by marbles—no screens required! This hands-on, interactive toy is a fun and engaging way for children to learn about computer logic, coding strategies, and even binary operations. With Turing Tumble, the inner workings of computers come to life as children play with it. Unlike modern computers, where logic is hidden in a chip, this toy makes it visible through marble-powered mechanisms. Children can build contraptions using gears, ramps, and levers to solve puzzles and complete challenges. They’ll learn key concepts like binary operations and coding strategies in a tangible, fun way. Each puzzle is part of a larger story, where solving each challenge brings Alia, the space engineer character, one step closer to rescuing her crew. This helps motivate children to keep playing and experimenting as they design and test their own computers. Whether played individually or collaboratively, Turing Tumble encourages problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Turing Tumble is perfect for children who love to explore, tinker, and solve puzzles. It’s a unique blend of learning and fun that makes complex computer science concepts approachable, all while keeping children engaged in a hands-on activity. -Reviewer Jennifer Heap
Do you know an inquisitive child eager to learn more about coding and electronics? Buzz the Code Bug by Let’s Start Coding is the perfect way to spark their curiosity and provide a hands-on, interactive learning experience in the exciting world of coding. This cute bee shaped toy comes with a buzz board, LED Pixel wings, USB cable, and code reference cards. It even comes with a hex wrench for the screw nuts, so all you need to supply is a computer. Buzz is not just a toy; it’s an interactive coding project. First, your child will use engineering skills to put Buzz together, which is only part of the fun! Once Buzz is assembled, your child can use free software and lessons available on the product website to program Buzz to perform exciting actions, such as jittering, singing a song, reacting to light, and flashing patterns of rainbow LED pixels. Buzz the Code Bug provides an engaging, hands-on introduction to microelectronics and coding. With simple, kid-friendly lessons and challenges, kids can experiment with coding and see immediate results as Buzz responds to their programming. It’s the perfect way to encourage problem-solving, creativity, and early STEM skills—all while having fun! -Reviewer Jennifer Heap
Are you looking for a fun, hands-on way to teach STEM concepts? The Retro Arcade for Education by Elecfreaks combines the nostalgia of classic arcade games with the excitement of coding and electronics. This engaging kit allows children to build and code their own arcade games while learning valuable skills in a creative, interactive way. To get started, simply plug the arcade console into a laptop or computer, where children can use block-based coding to create and personalize their own games. Whether they’re designing a classic platformer, puzzle game, or racing challenge, children will learn the basics of coding while having fun. The Retro Arcade for Education is the perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation, inspiring creativity while teaching essential skills in electronics, coding, and game design. It's a great way to introduce children to problem-solving and critical thinking in an interactive, hands-on way. Children will love bringing a retro twist to STEM learning with the Retro Arcade for Education by Elecfreaks. -Reviewer Josh Clement
Unleash Creativity and Innovation with the Creative Coding Kit: Love to Code! If you know a teen who has a passion for art and STEM, the Creative Coding Kit: Love to Code by Chibitronics is the perfect way to spark their imagination! This interactive kit blends storytelling, programming, and circuitry into a fun and engaging experience. Teens will create circuits right in the Chibi book, gaining hands-on experience in electronics. They can program their circuits using the Chibitronics code editor (C++ based) or Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit, which includes a block coding interface with options for Python and Java. This versatility allows for both beginners and those looking to expand their skills. Encourage teens to blend art and technology by creating stunning visual projects on the Chibi book pages. The kit inspires creativity, prompting teens to design art that integrates circuits, making learning fun and imaginative. With the Creative Coding Kit: Love to Code, teens will embark on a coding journey! – Reviewer Kayla Phillips
