There are two great reasons to buy something from our best robot kits list.
The first is that they are amazing fun to build and play with. The second is that robotics engineering is a high demand profession that pays extremely well.
Learning through play is the best way to position yourself for future success.
LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Kit
EDITOR’S CHOICE
A serious challenge for someone ready to test their STEM abilities but it’s amazing!
Yahboom Professional Robotics Kit
BEST VALUE CHOICE
Combining robotics and programming this tank kit is clever and a lot of fun.
4M Tin Can Robot
TOP RATED CHOICE
You don’t need to feel priced out of the market, either, you can get in on the act with this robot no matter what your budget is.
LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 31313 Robot Kit
You’re never going to get bored with this LEGO MINDSTORMS robotics kit.
It’s super challenging (there are nearly 1,000 independent parts involved) and it makes for near endless amounts of play.
There are color sensors, distance sensors, motors, and even an intelligent hub.
Why not build a robot that can fire missiles?
You can. We can’t imagine anyone not enjoying this amazing kit.
Quick Fact: The box says that this is good for children of 10 years and up but we suspect that a child with good motor skills and an interest in robotics could start a few years early with no problem.
1. Huge variation of projects to build
2. Compatible with all other LEGO kits to add extensibility to this kit
3. The main robot is called SPIK3R and he’s super cool
1. Might be overwhelming to children without an eye for detail
2. It’s quite expensive
3. No rechargeable battery included
Yahboom Professional Raspberry Pi AI Robot Kit with Camera DIY Tank
We’d mark this, Yahboom Robot Kit, up as quite an advanced kit and it requires that you buy a Raspberry PI as well as the kit if you don’t already own one.
Assuming that you do, this is going to help you learn how to operate a camera remotely, teach your robot to avoid collisions using ultrasonics, and to understand course tracking.
This does require a bit of an aptitude for programming.
Quick Fact: This uses the latest Raspberry Pi 4B/3B+ as its core controller and that gives a talented developer incredible levels of control over their finished robot.
1. Reasonably priced
2. Incredible end product that’s a lot of fun
3. Works with demand skills like Python, Linux, etc.
1. Fairly complicated, not for small children
2. You need to supply your own tools and screws
3. Need to modify the code supplied to make it useful
4M Tin Can Robot | DIY Science Construction Stem Toy
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a robot.
This 4M Tin Can Robot is the best place to start if you’re not sure how much of an aptitude your child has for robotics – this is very easy to build and most importantly very cost-effective too.
Quick Fact: In addition to teaching robotics this toy also teaches the value of recycling and repurposing by showing that you can turn a tin can into a robot.
1. Super cheap
2. Very easy to complete
3. No special tools needed
1. Might be too easy for some
2. Needs batteries which are not included
3. Not built to last, parts are a bit flimsy
JSE DIY Spider Robot Assemble Remote Control Spider Stem Toys
If you want something educational, fun, and just a bit creepy, why not go for this very easy project, the JSE DIY Spider Robot, to make a spider robot that functions on a remote control?
We had so much fun with this that we can’t imagine anyone being bored while they make it.
Quick Fact: There are real projects looking to make robot spiders for use in highly toxic environments such as those involving radioactive spills.
1. Comes with rechargeable batteries
2. Incredibly fun to make
3. Easy project for first time robot maker
1. Not very challenging for someone with robotics skills
2. Cheaply made
3. Battery life isn’t great
If that’s not quite your kid’s idea of fun why not check out these candle making kits, instead?
