So your children love the high-tech escape room birthday party you organized for them and were fascinated by the way technology was used to create an immersive experience. Now, they are eager to learn how to code and create their own digital creations. As a parent or educator, you might be wondering how to introduce coding concepts to your child in a fun and engaging way. Fortunately, in today’s digital age, learning to code has become an essential skill for children to possess, and there are many STEM toys available that can help make the learning process both educational and entertaining. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best STEM toys that teach kids how to code, so you can help your child develop the skills they need to succeed in the digital world.
Cubetto
Cubetto is a coding toy designed for children aged 3 to 6. It uses a wooden robot and a board with programming blocks to teach basic coding concepts without the need for screens or devices.
Code-a-pillar
The Code-a-pillar is a coding toy designed for children aged 3 to 6. It uses segments that connect to each other to create different coding sequences, allowing children to learn coding concepts such as sequencing and problem-solving.
Robobloq Qobo Robot
Robobloq Qobo Robot is a fun and interactive STEM toy that teaches basic programming concepts, with scanning cards allowing kids to learn at their own pace. It’s a great tool for fostering problem-solving skills and creativity in children aged 3 and up.
Code & Go Robot Mouse
The Code & Go Robot Mouse is a programming game designed for kids aged 5 and up. It teaches basic coding concepts by having kids program a robotic mouse to navigate through a maze.
Botley 2.0
Botley 2.0 is a coding robot designed for children aged 5 and up. It teaches coding concepts such as loops, conditional statements, and subroutines, through a series of fun activities and challenges.
Osmo Coding
Osmo Coding is an interactive coding game designed for children aged 5 to 10. It uses physical coding blocks and a tablet to teach coding concepts such as sequencing, loops, and if-then statements.
Thymio
Thymio is a programmable robot designed for children aged 6 and up. It can be programmed using a variety of programming languages and tools, and can be used to teach coding concepts such as loops, conditionals, and functions.
Wonder Workshop Dash and Dot
Dash and Dot are programmable robots designed for children aged 6 and up. They can be programmed using a drag-and-drop coding interface to perform a variety of activities and challenges.
Kano Computer Kit
The Kano Computer Kit is a DIY computer kit designed for kids aged 6 and up. It comes with all the components needed to build a simple computer and teaches basic coding and electronics concepts.
LEGO Education WeDo 2.0
This is a robotics and coding kit designed for children aged 7 to 11. It allows kids to build and program their own robots using LEGO bricks and simple drag-and-drop software.
LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox
LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox is a robotics kit designed for children aged 7 and up. It uses LEGO bricks and a drag-and-drop coding interface to teach coding concepts while building and programming a variety of different robots.
Ozobot Evo
The Ozobot Evo is a tiny robot that can be programmed using color codes or a drag-and-drop visual programming interface. It’s designed for children aged 8 and up and can be used to teach basic coding and robotics concepts.
Kano Pixel Kit
The Kano Pixel Kit is a coding kit designed for children aged 8 and up. It includes a 128-LED board that can be programmed using a drag-and-drop coding interface to create games, animations, and light shows.
Sphero SPRK+
Sphero SPRK+ is a programmable robotic ball that teaches coding concepts through play. It’s designed for children aged 8 and up and can be programmed using a variety of coding languages and tools.
Scratch Coding Cards
Scratch is a block-based programming language designed for children aged 8 and up. The Scratch Coding Cards are a deck of cards that can be used to teach children how to code using Scratch.
Makey Makey
Makey Makey is an invention kit designed for children aged 8 and up. It allows children to turn everyday objects into touchpads and use them to control a computer or device, teaching basic coding and electronics concepts.
Piper Computer Kit
The Piper Computer Kit is a DIY computer kit designed for children aged 8 and up. It comes with all the components needed to build a simple computer and teaches basic coding and electronics concepts.
Arduino Starter Kit
The Arduino Starter Kit is a DIY electronics kit designed for children aged 12 and up. It includes a variety of electronic components that can be used to build a variety of projects, teaching basic coding and electronics concepts.
Conclusion
STEM toys are a fantastic way to spark a child’s curiosity, encourage their creativity, and provide them with valuable skills that will be beneficial in the future. By using coding robots, building computers, or playing with coding blocks, children can develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, all while having a great time. As parents and educators, it is essential to recognize the importance of integrating STEM toys into children’s playtime and educational activities. Doing so can help prepare them for a future where strong digital skills will be a necessity. So, let’s explore some of the best STEM toys that teach kids how to code, and start empowering our future generation of digital innovators!