This post was last updated on January 2nd, 2022 at 03:59 pm
Cool Robot Toys for Kids to Code and Control - 2022
A lot has happened in the world of robot toys over the last few years. Robotics has passed from science fiction to reality and now provides a fantastic range of sophisticated robot toys for kids at affordable prices.
The high-tech hardware and software in use today have created some very cool robot toys that are fun-packed and entertaining, as well as educational.
Some robot toys have a humanoid appearance; others are styled after creatures - dogs, cats, dragons, and dinosaurs - others resemble machines.
The best robotic toys have something for children of all ages, depending on how kids play with them.
The bottom line, though, is that kids will find all these robotic toys great fun to play with and just what they are looking for today. They have plenty of play value, and kids will learn from them.
Many robotic toys are delivered fully assembled, only requiring the addition of batteries or the charging of rechargeable power packs if fitted.
It's a good idea to buy an additional stock of batteries though, as cells provided sometimes only have a 'demonstration' capacity.
Boxer AI Interactive Robot
Boxer - Interactive AI Robot Toy
Boxer AI Robot is a small robotic toy that packs a lot of fun straight out the box. No assembly is necessary.
His multi-directional infra-red sensors and fast, balancing motors enable Boxer to play games and display many changes in mood, depending on how you interact with him. He makes cute sounds, and his digital display shows you how he's feeling.
There are ten games cards for you to start this little feller playing. Just drive Boxer over a card so he can scan the barcode, and off you go. Bot Bowling, Laser Tank, Dance Party, or Soccer are a few of the games.
There are three ways to play with Boxer:
- Use hand movements and touch. Boxer's built-in IR sensors will pick up on hand movements and touching. He'll react in funny ways.
- Race Boxer around, and pull all sorts of wheelie stunts using the handheld remote control. It's easy to use.
- Download the free app to a device and access a lot more games.
So what do you get in the box?
You get one fully assembled, ready-to-boogie Boxer AI Robot, remote controller, 10 activity cards, an interactive ball, a micro USB charging cable, and 3 x LR44 button cell batteries for the remote controller. (You'll need to replace them in due course).
You don't need a mobile device to play with Boxer. There's a mass of play value from using the game cards and using the remote control. But if you download the app to a device, you get access to many more games and, therefore, more fun.
This adorable little toy robot for kids is suitable for children aged 6 and over.
Botley Coding Robot and Activity Set from Learning Resources
Learning Resources Botley the Coding Robot
Botley is a fun way to introduce kids to coding and the STEM skills they'll need as their education advances.
It works without the use of a screen, so no smartphone or tablet is needed. Kids get to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills through active play.
Even five-year-olds can learn to code with this robot toy.
Botley works straight out the box (after you load some batteries) and comes with a practical 77 piece activity set.
The set includes:
- A remote programmer/transmitter
- Detachable robot arms
- 40 coding cards
- 27 obstacle pieces for Botley to steer around
- 6 double-sided tiles
- Coding challenges and instructions.
Botley has a cute, friendly voice and can be programmed to follow black line pathways, avoid obstacles or crash into them if you want, catch items in his arms and follow looping commands. He has hidden features for you to unlock as well.
When kids have fun while learning, they find it a great way to develop new skills. Botley is an easy-to-play-with, entertaining and educational robot toy for young kids that is a lot of fun.
You can buy Botley just on its own, but getting it with this activity set makes sense.
You'll need 5 x AAA batteries, 3 for the robot and 2 for the transmitter.
Ages: 5 to 8 years.
Dash Robot by Wonder Workshop
Wonder Workshop - Dash Coding Robot
Dash is cute and is different from many other toy robots in that it doesn't resemble a vehicle, human or an animal. It's a real robot that will help teach your kids about programming while they play.
Supplied fully assembled and ready to use out of the box, kids can program Dash via their mobile device once they have downloaded the free 'Blockly' app. This software contains hundreds of projects and coding adventures.
Kids use the free apps and can watch easy-to-follow tutorials on their devices to start learning straight away. Dash combines fun and learning, is an excellent computer-science educational tool, and is an incredible robotic toy.
For ages 6 years and up.
Ditto Mini Talking Travel Robot
Ditto the Mini Travel Robot from Force1 is great for playing with while traveling.
These cute, pocket-sized little robot toys are available in several colors and as they are diecast metal, they're tough. They have a posable body using 11 moving joints and can strike a pose and hold things in their hands.
Ditto is a great mimic and will repeat almost anything his microphone picks up. Ditto's eyes illuminate and flash and glow in the dark.
You tap or push his head for the various interactive actions. Ditto requires 3 x LR44 button cell batteries, which are supplied.
In the box: Ditto Talking Robot, 3 x LR44 batteries, user manual.
For kids 3 years and up.
You can take your Ditto anywhere!
MiP Robot by WowWee
The MiP Robot is a self-balancing robotic toy that uses a technology called Gesture Sense. This enables interactive play through gestures such as touching, swiping, clapping, and more. You don't need a handheld controller to do it either.
In addition, kids can control the toy via Bluetooth using the free MiP app that they can download to their smart device.
MiP communicates its personality through sounds, LED eyes, and motion. Kids can control different games modes through Gesture Sense or their smartphone or tablet.
Most suited for 8 to 15-year-olds, MiP is a past winner of Innovative Toy of the Year and still has a lot going for it.
Fisher-Price Think & Learn Teach 'N Tag Movi
Teach N' Tag Movi
This toy robot - suitable for pre-schoolers - needs a small amount of easy assembly on the rear wheel, and then it's ready to play.
It has three learn and move games modes with six games to choose from, all designed to keep kids thinking, moving, and learning. And having fun, of course!
Movi has over 60 facial expressions, light-up buttons on its head, and complete 360-degree mobility.
There is plenty of interactive activity involved with playing along with Movi. Just choose the games mode you want to play with and follow Movi's directions.
Movi is a friendly robot toy that combines physical activity with critical thinking, teaching kids to follow instructions and learning about animals and letters.
4 x LR44 batteries are required and included. It is best to replace them with new cells when purchasing to get the best results.
For ages 3 to 6 years.
Sphero Bolt App-Enabled Robot
Sphero Bolt
Sphero Bolt is a spherical robot toy for kids and is just like a robotic ball. It has a clear bodyshell so you can see the internal workings.
It has an 8 x 8 LED light Matrix that's visible. It animates to show characters, vector graphics, and sensor data, and you can play games on it too.
If you are playing with other Sphero Bolts, they can communicate with each other.
It's an app-enabled robot, so you can code it and drive it just as you want.
Download the free app to your device - either iOS, Android, Kindle, Mac, Windows, and Chrome - then program Bolt as creatively as you wish.
Bolt connects via BlueTooth with a 100-foot range, and with over 2 hours of battery life, there's plenty of fun to be had on one charge. It uses inductive charging for 6 hours to get the 2 hours plus of runtime.
Bolt is a perfect robot toy for teaching kids how to program quickly, and it is fun.
For ages 8 and up.
Sphero Orbotix Ollie
Ollie is a fast, multi-terrain stunt robot powered by 2 Lithium Polymer batteries and controlled by your iOS or Android device.
A strong carbonate shell houses the electronics in this app-enabled, electrically propelled computer.
It's a tubular shape with tires at each end and can race along at 14 mph. Depending on how you want to drive - tight turns or drifts - and what tricks you want to play, you can change out the tires.
Using a Bluetooth Smart connection, you have a 100-foot range to use Ollie and one hour of gameplay on a standard charge.
In the box with Ollie, you'll find Drift Wheels, Nubby Tires, Prime Hubs, a Quick Start Guide and a USB charging cable.
Download the free app and get racing!
Age range: 3 years and up.