A big part of shaping creativity and inventiveness in young children is the opportunity for open-ended play. If you’ve been around kids lately, it’s pretty obvious that they do enjoy playing. The toys they use have changed dramatically, however. Many kids these days are happy holding a smartphone in their hands and using their thumbs to navigate a number of screens while opening dozens of apps they may or may not even understand. It’s also become clear that kids love technology. Here are some of the best ways to combine child-friendly play with beneficial technology to get kids excited about their childhood while also indulging their affinity for tech and starting to develop some skills at the same time.
1. Dash and Dot
This dynamic robot team works in tandem to engage kids in quick-paced play with an educational catch. Children supply the commands for the Dash and Dot to follow using a tablet and paired app, becoming familiar with the basics of coding and robotic behavior in the process.
2. Ozobot
The Ozobot Robot an evolving tool that’s perfect for young kids as an early introduction to programming and robotics. Using color coding techniques and, as they get more comfortable, a paired app, kids can create their own pre-loaded color codes for the Ozobot to recognize and respond to while it navigates courses they can draw themselves!
3. Code-a-pillar
The Code-a-pillar is a fabulously fun and responsive way for kids as young as 3 years old to cultivate early curiosity skills and connect custom segments to compel their caterpillar to complete specific actions. This fun and friendly tool helps children develop planning, problem solving, and critical thinking skills through simplistic play.
4. Sphero
Sphero is a softball-sized robot that gives kids the ultimate chance to combine active play and hands-on learning. Spherical in shape, the Sphero SPRK can reach speeds of up to 4.5 miles per hour while weaving and rolling through homemade courses and obstacles and responding to kid-created programming cues! Learn about the of the other Sphero robots, including the BOLT and RVR in home learning here.
5. COJI
Did you know that emoji’s are more than concise ways to convey emotions? They can also be used to teach kids how to code! COJI—the robot that does just that—turns everyday emoji’s into interactive values that tell this minute, motorized robot where to move and what to do while kids easily control the navigation from a connected device.
6. meeperBOT
The mobile-friendly meeperBOT is every constructive kid’s dream. Not only is it controlled with the easiest of apps, its top surface is LEGO-friendly, meaning kids can combine technology and building to create LEGO structures that move when they press the controls!
7. Codeybot
We even have something for auditory learners as the Codeybot is a self-balancing, feedback-filled robot that helps introduce kids as young as 5 to coding and computational thinking. What sets it apart? The Codeybot can recognize and react to spoken word, executing cool dance moves and moving around as kids shout instructions.
8. Mini MiP
Using the motorized Mini MiP robot, kids can get started with independent learning, creating their own educational adventures while they play! This hands-on tech toy teaches children the importance of experience-based learning while they have fun teaching their MiP how to roam about and even navigate obstacles!
9. Edison Robot
Compact in size and durable as the day is long, the Edison Robot offers kids an intriguing combination of programming and LEGO construction. Like the meeperBOT, kids can build sky scraping structures onto Edison’s LEGO-friendly surface, but what differentiates this Australian bot from the others is how its programmed. Edison uses sound recognition to execute movements, meaning kids can control it by clapping—a brand new way to learn though play!
It’s never too early to transform your child’s playtime into productive playtime. This group provides the perfect mixture of learning and play while maximizing fun as kids build key skills. To purchase any of these learning toys, visit the Eduporium store!