Best Robotics Kits for Kids 10 and Up

As the 21st century moves forward, our reliance on technology increases. That time isn’t far away when we’ll have cyborgs amongst us, or maybe, the kid that has an exceptional memory in your little one’s classroom is a cyborg due to a secret government operation, who knows?!

Alright, fun apart, since you are here, it means you are in search of the best robotics kits for kids 10 and up. Well, you don’t need to look further because in this post we have compiled a list of toys that are most suitable for learning robotics at home. We have analyzed each one of them separately and ranked them according to various criterions, such as the difficulty level.

Our research showed that the Makeblock mBot Robot Kit is the best Arduino robot kit for beginners. On the other hand, if you are in search of the best Lego robotics kit, then jump to the Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor section. What are the other options? Let’s have a look!

Best Robotics Kits at a glance

Best Arduino robot kits for beginners: Makeblock mBot Robot Kit

Best robotics kit for girls: Ubtech Mythical series

Best Lego robotics kit: New Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor

Best robotics kit for home & school: Sphero RVR

Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor (new Lego Robotics Kit)

Do your kids love transformers? If yes, then why don’t you get them their very own Wheelie? In fact, you can get them to make it on their own, all you need is the LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor.

Through this complete robotics kit, your children will not only learn how to assemble robots, but they will also learn different ways to code them (Scratch / Python) so that they walk, play games, complete tasks, and even talk with them.

This set contains 1,000 pieces, with intelligent brick, servo motors, and different types of sensors. After receiving the package in the mail, just download the free app and your kids will be ready to learn robotics!

It is considered as one of the best robotics kits for kids 10 and up because through this just one package, your little ones can make 5 different robots: Charlie, Tricky, Blast, M.V.P. and Gelo.

Pros

• A complete robotics learning package including coding.
• The intelligent Brick has a USB port for internet connectivity. It also supports Wi-Fi.
• Lego coding: programmable with Scratch and Python.
• 5 different robot designs.
• 50+ projects in the App.

Cons

• Some device / Computer compatibility. It’s not compatible with Chromebooks.

Sphero RVR – All terrain programmable robot kit

Robotic driverless mass transportation systems are already functional in multiple countries around the world, and soon, such smart cars will be ruling the roads as well. You can teach the beginner level robotics at home to your child by gifting him/her the Sphero RVR. You must have heard about the line following robot, but Sphero RVR is on a whole new level.

The most distinguishing feature of this car robot is that it doesn’t require excessive assembly or complicated set up to get it running, your kid can start playing with it right out of the box. It doesn’t require a plain surface to function, thanks to the treads on the wheels and high torque that allows it to function in rough terrains.

It has 3 types of sensors, color, light and IR, and an accelerator, and a gyroscope on it. This robot is not just for kids, but teen hackers can also use it to practice and advance their skills through SDK and API libraries, which qualifies it to be one of the best robotic kits for teens. Let your kid learn Draw & Drive, Scratch blocks, or JavaScript in the most entertaining way possible!

Pros

• Suitable for both kids and elders.
• Doesn’t require assembly or complicated setup.
• Expansion port to connect with external hardware such as Raspberry Pi or Micro:bit.
• Removable cover plate.
• Removable developer plate with quick-release button

Cons

• Doesn’t work with the full range of Sphero apps

Makeblock mBot Robot kit

If your mischief-maker is just beginning to show his/her interest in robotics, then you should teach him/her the basics of Arduino. A robotic toy kit would be an excellent teaching solution in this regard, but which is the best one out there in the market? Our pick is the Makeblock mBot Robot Kit, the perfect entry level device for kids or non-technical adults.

It has all the basic functions, such as obstacle avoidance and line-follow, to kick start your child’s learning. You might be baffled by its tiny size, but don’t worry, it performs all the functions. Your child can assemble it in just 15 minutes, after which, s//he can use either the remote control or the Makeblock app to control it.

Even though the mBot comes with the instructions, but your kid is free to play with his/her imagination and build it into a completely unique version. An incredible useful STEM tool to introduce children to robotics and programming.

Pros

• Excellent teaching robot for beginners
• The robot can be built in a unique method, different from the instructions provided with the toy.
• Enhances logical thinking.
• Highly expandable with hundreds of other Makeblock parts.

Cons

• A few customers complained that the remote control looks a little cheap.

Lego Mindstorms vs Makeblock

They are quite different but we have received some questions related with these robotics sets. We have written about Lego Mindstorms vs Makeblock.

Similarities Lego Mindstorms and mBot Makeblock

• Programmable with Scratch and Python.
• Robotics kits. The kit is not assembled, you have to build the figures or robotics cars.
• Compatible with Lego.
• Both include motors and sensors (but different ones).
• You need a tablet or a computer.

Ubtech Mythical Series: Unicornbot kit for kids

Attention unicorn lovers! We’ve got a treat for your kid! I’m sure that since you are attracted, then most probably your little bundle of joy will be overwhelmed by the aesthetics of the next product as well, the UBTECH Mythical Series. Unicornbot is one of the most advance STEM toys your daughter can own, a great starter kit into programming and robotics

This adorable pet-ish robot is an excellent choice for your lady robot lover. UBTECH has named it Unicornbot, because of its colorful unicorn look-alike aesthetics. The most fascinating part is its color-changing capability through eight magical color cards, which can be done via the Blockly coding app. She can also change its horn color as per her choice.

The Unicornbot has PRP, which stands for pose, record and play; these are custom actions that your daughter can program. She won’t require any tools to assemble this adorable bot, the package comes with 3D, 360ᵒ animated building instructions.

This robotic kit for kids 10 and up includes 440 snap-together parts, a color sensor, 2 Smooth motion robotic servo motors, a DC motor, a Rag light-up unicorn horn, main control box, USB cable, and quick start guide.

Pros

• Teaches coding and robotics via JIMU App
• Animated building instructions guide
• Color changeable

Cons

• Your girl will need around 4 hours of assembly, a little tedious time if your child is not used to play with building toys like Lego

Thames & Kosmos Robotics: Smart Machines Science Kit

The crucial part of learning a new subject is its basic knowledge. Robotics isn’t an exception, and the best way in which you can teach your kids its basics is by buying them the Smart Machines Kit by Thames & Kosmos Robotics.

This comprehensive kit for learning beginner robotics at home is capable of building 8 motorized machines. Once your child has played with his/her creativity and developed a robot, s/he can program it through the company’s app, whose instructions are received by the little guys through the ultrasound sensor.

This kit is kid-friendly because it comes with a thick 64-page guide that contains illustrated instructions. It will teach your loved one the basics of real-world robotics in a fun and entertaining way.

The different 8 robot models include a Bipedal Droid, Spy Bot, Beetle, Crocodile, Tiltrotor Aircraft, Robo Dog, Robotosaurus, and Catapult.

Pros

• 8 different models of robots in one kit
• Detailed manual containing illustrated instructions
• Ultrasound sensor

Cons

• Bluetooth connectivity issues

ELEGOO UNO R3 Project Smart Robot Car Kit V 3.0

The ELEGOO UNO R3 Project Smart Robot Car Kit V3.0 is a comprehensive combination of programming, electronics assembly, and robotics for kids in their initial phase of these subjects’ learning.

It contains 24 different module parts that your little one can assemble and program to develop robots that perform obstacle avoidance and line tracing. The package also contains an infrared remote control. Your adorable engineer can also control the robots through a smartphone or tablet.

The kit comes with a CD that contains all the assembly-related, coding and other necessary instructions in HD resolution. Let your kid’s robotics adventures commence!

Pros

• CD with complete instructions in HD resolution
• 24 different module parts
• Assembled robots can be controlled via an infrared remote control or an app

Cons

• The car only moves forward in a straight line, unless the provided code is altered.

These are our top picks for the best robotics kits for kids 10 and up. We hope you’ll find something that will suit your needs and make your preteen happy!

Do you need more ideas: check our Holiday Gift Guide.

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