Programming for kids: 15 toys that will turn a child into a genius

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 16:39

You can develop useful skills from the age of three.

Toys that teach programming

1. Roobo Pudding S "Emelya"

Age: from 3 years old.

Multifunctional robot assistant for the little ones. A cute kolobok with eyes expressing emotions acts as a voice assistant, baby monitor and video surveillance system. "Emelya" entertains the child and looks after him, not letting him get bored. The robot can tell stories, turn on music, and answer various questions.

There is no programming as such, but kids can make the robot say phrases and have a conversation with him. The device is more suitable as an assistant for parents and as a way to get used to high-tech gadgets.

2. Ozobot Bit

Age: from 5 years.

A tiny, programmable robot the size of a chocolate egg. Equipped with optical sensors and servo drives, allowing it to recognize color commands and ride on the table surface. Ozobot Bit understands the program code that is written on the smartphone screen or with ordinary colored markers on paper.

The robot finds a way out of the drawn maze and moves according to the given commands, rotating and confirming the actions with the help of LEDs. In a more advanced programming mode, actions are assembled from ready-made blocks through a web editor.

3. Xiaomi MITU Smart Building Blocks Robot

Age: from 6 years old.

A relatively simple Xiaomi constructor with programming functions. The set consists of a main unit with a Bluetooth-module, a unit with a servo drive and one more compartment with two finger-type batteries. In addition, the set contains more than 300 different parts from which you can assemble moving animals and cars.

The assembly is carried out according to the interactive 3D instructions in the mobile application. It also serves as a kind of control panel after connecting the smartphone via Bluetooth. And there is also a command editor that allows you to program the assembled robot to perform one or another sequence of actions.

4. Sphero SPRK +

Age: from 8 years old.

A futuristic transparent ball-shaped robot that resembles the BB-8 droid from Star Wars and moves in exactly the same way. The waterproof housing of the Sphero SPRK + has a built-in gyroscope, accelerometer and a motor capable of accelerating the toy up to a speed of 2 m / s.

The gingerbread man can be controlled via a virtual joystick from a smartphone or tablet, but it is much more interesting to preset him an algorithm of actions that the robot will perform. Programming is available in two modes: via a visual editor with block commands and using a text code.

5. Ubtech Jimu Inventor

Age: from 8 years old.

An entire educational complex offering tremendous opportunities for creativity, which are limited only by the imagination. Jimu Inventor set consists of 675 parts, including a "brain" and 16 servos, allowing you to create movable robots that can execute commands according to specified scenarios.

The mobile application provides step-by-step instructions for assembling a dinosaur, praying mantis, humanoid and three other characters. Ready-made robots are controlled via a smartphone or automatically perform actions according to configured algorithms. The programming process is carried out in an open environment Blockly with a visual block command editor.

6. Xiaomi Mi Bunny MITU

Age: from 10 years.

A more advanced version of Xiaomi's robotic construction sets, which is, in fact, a copy of LEGO Mindstorms. And it is fully compatible with its details. The main unit is equipped with a speaker and microphone, an LED indicator and a switch. Two servos are connected to it for assembling a balancing robot on wheels and other models.

As usual, a smartphone is used as a remote control. It also serves as a digital instruction with assembly tips, as well as a command editor for programming algorithms. In addition, Mi Bunny MITU understands voice commands and is able to follow the trajectory drawn on the smartphone screen.

7. LEGO Mindstorms EV3

Age: from 10 years.

The most technologically advanced designer, who became the founder of all robotic toys with a programming function. Mindstorms EV3 contains the most sensors and communication modules: there is a gyroscope, an ultrasonic sensor, a light sensor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and much more. For more complex projects, the constructor can be easily scaled by purchasing additional modules.

From 600 different parts, you can assemble 17 ready-made models that move, react to obstacles, draw simple graphics and perform other functions. Own developments are limited only by imagination. The official software is used to program Mindstorms EV3, and then the algorithms are loaded into the main block.

Computer and mobile games that teach a child to program

1. Code Karts

Age: from 4 years old.

A game application for the little ones, with which you can instill a love of programming in preschool children. Code Karts aims to develop mindfulness, logic, and problem-solving ability. To move the racing car to the finish line, you need to make up a sequence of actions to avoid obstacles, use catapults and accelerators on the track.

2. LEGO Mindstorms Fix Factory

Age: from 6 years old.

An addictive puzzle game from LEGO in which you need to control a robot from the same Mindstorms EV3 set and solve various tasks to advance through the story. The mechanoid accepts commands from which players must create simple algorithms. Movement, movement of objects, interaction with equipment - for all this you will have to draw up the correct sequences of actions, and from level to level they will be more and more difficult.

3. Box Island

Age: from 6 years old.

Despite the cartoonish look, at Box Island, the guys will be engaged in more than serious visual programming. Traveling around the colorful three-dimensional island, they will get acquainted with loops, conditional operators and other programming basics in a playful way, and will also be able to train algorithmic thinking and pattern recognition.

4. Scratch

Age: from 8 years old.

A complete platform for teaching children programming and design, which is a project of the MIT development team. Using simple tools, Scratch allows you to create animations and mini-games right in your browser. There is a huge number of ready-made templates and training videos in Russian that will help you implement any project.

5. Codecombat

Age: from 8 years old.

An online platform for learning JavaScript, where learning is based on an RPG game and is literally woven into the gameplay. From the first level, children get used to writing code using built-in hints. As they perform game actions and interact with characters, they get used to the syntax and train in drawing up effective algorithms.

6. Human Resource Machine

Age: from 9 years old.

A fun puzzle game from the creators of the famous World of Goo, where children will learn the basics of visual programming, playing as an automation specialist. The main task is to optimize office processes by creating action algorithms for each of the employees of a small team.

7. while True: learn ()

Age: from 12 years old.

An atmospheric game about a careless machine learning specialist. He writes a cat language recognition system in order to understand his pet, which, it turns out, knows how to program better than the owner. Players will have to learn the logic of creating neural networks, chat bots, and much more. While True: learn () has a lot of complex mechanics, but there are also enough tips, and everything is completely in Russian.

8. EXAPUNKS

Age: from 12 years old.

Addictive hacker simulator. The latter creates viruses and breaks into the servers of banks, universities, factories and other institutions. In EXAPUNKS, you need to write real code, and to understand the nuances of the gameplay, you will have to print a manual from a PDF file and read it carefully. The game is very interesting and authentic, but for full immersion it requires knowledge of the English language - there is no localization, and it will not work by typing.