Robot Kits for Kids Top Picks

Updated August 2021

Robots, machines that move and function, are magical and mysterious if you don’t know how they work. With robot kits for kids, even young kids can build their own robots. To assemble kits and transform lifeless materials into robots, kids will discover how robots work. They can learn engineering and mechanical knowledge while creating robots which can be a springboard to building something more complex. It’s hard to put the feeling of accomplishment into words when kids make the exciting transformation with their own hands.

Our robot kit guides focus on beginner robot kits for kids, which target kids ages 12 or younger or those who are new to robotics.

Top Robot Kits for Kids

Elenco Teach Tech SolarBot.14

• Can be transformed into 14 different robot modes
• Provides unique accessories and parts that make a robot move on land or water or both
• All of the 14 robots are powered by the sun and move in direct sunlight, so no batteries are required
• Teach green technology and renewable energy sources besides robotics
• Two levels of building skills required so the beginner and experienced robot builder will be equally engaged
• Recommended age: 10+.

OWI Robotic Arm Edge

• Very affordable robotic arm that won’t take more than a couple hours to finish
• Command the Robotic Arm Edge for multiple movements and functions
• Robotic arm gripper opens and closes
• Movement includes radial wrist motion of 120°, an extensive elbow range of motion of 300°, base rotation of 270°, base motion of 180°
• Remote controlled out of the box; programmable when adding USB interface cable and software
• No soldering required
• Recommended age: 10+.

OWI-536 All Terrain 3-in-1 RC Robot Kit

• Multi-function tracked mobile robot kit for kids to build and alter their own mobile robot. – no soldering required
• Utilize different track modules and make the robot transform into 3 amazing variations: the forklift, rover and gripper.
• Using the wired controller, users can command the robot to move forward, backward, turn, grip, and lift.
• Recommended age: 10+.

4M Doodling Robot

• Quality build-your-own robot kit.
• Vibration and spin help this creative robot doodle a picture without assistance from a human hand.
• Includes: parts, pens and assembly instructions.
• Recommended age: 8+.

4M Tin Can Robot

• Turn an old soda can into a walking, wobbling robot
• A robot kit that combines science with the task of recycling
• Encourages dexterity and following instructions
• Facilitates mechanical learning
• Recommended age: 8+.

LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor 51515

• Originally developed at MIT, the third incarnation of LEGO robotics comes with a full curriculum dedicated to teaching programming
• A kid can progressively learn about the various areas of robotics and build several kinds of robots
• Intuitive icon-based drag-and-drop programming interface and step-by-step instructions provide a fun learning experience for young kids
• Intelligent EV3 Brick, 3 interactive servo motors, remote control, color sensor, touch sensor, infrared sensor, and 550+ LEGO Technic elements
• Recommended age: 10+

How to Select Robot Kits for Kids?

When a kid is new to robotics, selecting the right robotics kits for his skill level is important. The right kit will allow a kid to build and possibly to program a robot. Before starting you should decide what type of robot you would like to build. There are many types of robots. The most popular types are:

• Land wheeled, tracked, and legged robots
• Aerial planes, helicopters, and blimps
• Aquatic boats, submarines, and swimming robots
• Misc. and mixed robots
• Stationary robotic arms and manipulators

Next, you will need to select a robot kit. With the addition of micro-controllers, programming, and engineering skills, robotics kits can be as simple or as complex as you desire. We can group robot kits for kids into categories of beginner kits, intermediate kits and advanced kits. We focus on the beginner kits.

Beginner robot kits for kids are made for those who are new to robotics and prefer to start simply, with step-by-step instructions. These kits are specially designed to educate and orient kids who would like to explore robotics, but are not looking to spend a lot of money or take a long time to build a functional robot. Most of these beginner kits are aimed at 8 to 12 year olds while others are versatile enough to entertain adults. The most basic starter robotic kits are typically non-programmable robots. Although non-programmable kits are simple, they still require basic skills. You may be required to solder parts onto a circuit board, connect wires, and test connections. You may also be required to have some basic building skills such as assembling plastic gearboxes, gluing plastic parts, and bolting parts together. When selecting robot kits for kids, pay special attention to learn whether soldering is required. Non-soldering kits are more suitable for young kids.

Before you begin, you should review the kit and assembly instructions to be sure that the kit is something you can handle. If you plan to give kits to your kids, you should definitely review the instructions and perhaps even build the robot yourself first. In a few cases, you may find that even a non-programmable kit may be more complicated than you expected.

On the other hand, young kids and beginners don’t have to be limited to non-programmable robot kits. There are some great programmable robot kits for kids on the  market. The most popular ones are [easyazon_link identifier=”B00CWER3XY” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]LEGO Mindstorms EV3[/easyazon_link] and [easyazon_link identifier=”B00ON4F7SE” locale=”US” tag=”whizkidsrob06-20″]VEX IQ[/easyazon_link]. They are both modular, tool-less construction system with intuitive programming interfaces. Although kids as young as 8 can use them, because of its versatility and capability they are even used at the university level. The Programming aspect of a robot is like the brain and is the core essence of a robot. By programming robots at a young age, kids will have a head start on building robotics and developing technology knowledge. The challenge offered from coding is an exciting sport for kids’ developing brains.

Besides robot kits, electronic experimentation kits are great for the young robotic enthusiast too. Kids can gain knowledge and experience with electronics and simple circuits and they are an excellent introduction to the electronic aspect of robotics.