• Recommended Age: Robot toys don’t need to be complicated to be fun, although Dr. Coxon says they should match a child’s developmental level. “For example, KIBO is excellent for kids ages 4 to 7, Dash works 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,” he says. Additionally, younger robot enthusiasts can benefit from a simpler, introductory robot kit that introduces them to coding and design. Older children can likely handle a more complex activity that includes electrical components and intricate pieces and construction.
• Safety: 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. “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),” Dr. Coxon explains. 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. English says coding is a popular activity for kids of all ages, and children can now develop their own apps and programs and see the outcome.