Steve Coxon, PhD, professor of education and executive director at the Center for Access and Achievement at Maryville University, tells Verywell Family that there are many benefits of children and teens using robot toys. “In our research, we have found increases in spatial ability and creativity along with increases in coding skills and self-efficacy (belief in their ability to solve STEM challenges),” Coxon explains. “Importantly, children also learn to overcome failure through iterating improvements to their robot design and code to meet challenges set forth by their teachers or families. Learning to overcome failure is vital for anything students choose to do in life and something they rarely get the opportunity for in school.” Toy robots encourage children to unleash their imagination, but there are a few details you’ll want to think about before buying one. Keep your child’s age in mind to ensure they play safely at their skill level and consider the educational value of a robot toy. We carefully examined age recommendations, toy safety, design, material, ease of use, charge, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best robot toys to challenge your child’s imagination. There are three stages of play with Novie—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—all of which light up Novie’s eyes to differentiate the stages without any confusion. The robot is available in several color options, like purple, blue, and green, and requires four button batteries that are included, so kids can play with it directly out of the box. Plus, Novie’s small footprint allows children to carry it around without taking up too much space in a bag. Price at time of publication: $29 At an affordable price, this kit is a great way to get kids interested in robotics and start building those STEM skills. Price at time of publication: $19 With each purchase of Dash and Dot, you also get a 12-month subscription to Class Connect—a one-stop shop for kids to learn about coding and play challenges with their new robot friends. Dash and Dot are also rechargeable and come with the proper charging cable, so you don’t have to search for a cord at home. Price at time of publication: $280 (Wonder Pack) The robot can also walk forward and backward and greets you when you turn it on, signaling that the fun is about to begin. A touch of the “dance” button, and it’ll show you its moves. Our tester noted that the design of this robot is not the most sophisticated, so it’s more suitable for younger kids as an introduction to robotic toys. The multiple functions kept our tester’s son entertained for hours, earning it high scores for entertainment value. As with other toys that come with accessories, the discs are easily misplaced, and the noises it makes could prove annoying for parents. The exterior is easy to wipe down if the robot gets dirty. You will need to supply AA batteries for this toy. Price at time of publication: $40 In addition to a robot and its remote control, this set includes more than 70 pieces, such as traffic cones and building pieces children can use to create an interactive path for their new robot friend. Botley is recommended for children ages 5 and up, so kiddos can get a headstart on learning about coding. There is a downside to Botley: It requires five AAA batteries total (not included) to start. Price at time of publication: $80 This stylish toy is a great way to introduce STEM and coding skills in a fun and engaging way. It runs on one nine-volt battery (not included), but you can also purchase a rechargeable battery (sold separately). Price at time of publication: $52 The Sphero Edu app is required for the baseball-sized robot to work, but the Bolt is compatible with Android, Apple, and Kindle devices via Bluetooth Smart, allowing children to see their coding commands happen in real-time. Price at time of publication: $195 Price at time of publication: $160 Price at time of publication: $15 Price at time of publication: $63 Price at time of publication: $200 “Parents and caregivers should match the robot to the child’s developmental level,” Coxon suggests. “For example, KIBO is excellent for kids ages 4 to 7, Dash and Dot work well for ages 6 to 10, and LEGO Spike and Sphero scale up from around age 7 and up through at least middle school. Of course, these can vary depending on the developmental readiness of the individual child.”
Safety
Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to children’s toys. Many robot toys and kits include complex construction, which can pose a safety hazard for younger users. Hooking up electrical components and mechanical parts is best done with adult supervision and oversight. Always follow the recommended instructions with your toy to keep everyone safe as well.
Educational Value
Robots are a great way to incorporate educational STEM principles into play. Many require imagination during the design and construction phase. Coding and mechanical design are two skills that bots are particularly good at encouraging. Certain robots come ready to wow kids out of the box, while in the cases of other models, putting them together is part of the fun. According to Chuck English, Virginia STEM Coordinator at the Science Museum of Virginia, coding is a popular activity for children of all ages. “Coding is a much broader term than what I grew up with. It’s not just learning certain languages. Kids can now develop simple apps and programs where they can see the outcome of it.”
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This article was written and researched by Julie Evans, a writer and editor whose work covers topics including health and wellness, parenting, and technology. Her writing has appeared on USA Today, Realtor.com, Brit + Co, and CafeMom, among others. She has nearly 20 years of experience. There are also robots that are controlled with coding, which Coxon recommends. Kids will learn the coding language required and then code their robot to perform certain actions. “There are a lot of robots on the market now, and choosing the right fit can be a challenge. One of the key things I look for is whether the robot can just be coded, such as KIBO and Sphero, or is engineered and coded like a LEGO robot. LEGO is also extremely open-ended and scales up to more advanced levels. Which one you choose for your child is based on your goals for their learning.” Additionally, check out robot toys that are rechargeable and fit within your budget. “We have found the Sphero Mini to be one of the best values. We use this extensively in teacher trainings for teaching coding because it’s affordable for schools,” says Coxon. Additionally, robot toys should be challenging, and it’s great when children can work on them together. “All of the robotics platforms I’ve mentioned have extensive resources full of ideas for engaging your child with their robots,” says Coxon. “Invite a friend or sibling to join in, and give your child a goal to accomplish through coding their robot.” Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer for Verywell Family with nearly eight years of writing, editing, and researching under her belt. Katrina’s background in journalism led to her commerce writing role, which allows her to research and recommend the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages.
More Toys for Kids
When it comes to toys for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top toy picks for every developmental stage and personality phase here:
The Best Christmas Gifts for Kids The Best Developmental Toys for Babies The Best Tummy Time Toys The Best Active Toys for Toddlers The Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers The Best Toys for Toddlers The Best Educational Toys for Toddlers The Best Phonics Toys for Preschoolers The Best Toys for Learning Letters and Numbers The Best Construction and Building Block Toys The Best Musical Toys for Children of All Ages The Best Montessori Toys to Encourage Thoughtful Play The Best Sesame Street Toys The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids of All Ages The Best Dinosaur Toys The Best Toys for Fine Motor Skills Development The Best Toys for Independent Play The Best Indoor Toys and Games for Active Play The Best Snow Toys for Kids The Best STEM Toys for Kids Best Laptop Toys for Kids The Best Social Emotional Learning Toys The Best Ride-On Toys The Best Cleaning Toy Sets The Black-Owned Gift Guide
