The top three picks for robot kits are arranged by recommended age with the more advanced robot kit shown first. When you read the reviews, you will notice a wide variance in what it considered difficult and what is considered easy. The best explanation for the differences is that different children have different levels of experience with assembling mechanical toys. Further, some children are more patient and better are reading directions than other children. Those factors will make a robot kit seem "easy," "challenging," or "too hard." As long as there is an adult available to offer assistance with assembly, each of these kits is manageable for a child of ten and above.
Best Robot Kits for Kids and Teens
by Jimmie
Whether they have advanced robotic skills or are just beginners, children and teens who love to build robots will enjoy these cool robot kids.
Build Your Own Robot with a Robotics Kit
Engineering Practice Plus a Toy
Robots are no longer the stuff of science fiction movies. With the kits featured below, children can build and play with their very own working robots.
1. Robotic Arm Kit
For Ages 12 and Up
With this Robotic Arm kit (and four additional D batteries) you have what you need to assemble a moving bionic arm that is operated by way of a wired control.
There are three moving functions:
- the gripper opens and closes
- the robot rotates on its base
- the arm extends at the elbow
An add-on kit allows you to experiment with animatronics --program motions with your computer.
 Robotic Arm |
2. Elenco Escape Robot Kit
For Ages 11 and Up
The Elenco escape robot kit provides the parts you need to make a six legged robot with AI (artificial intelligence). The robot uses infrared emitting diodes to "see" where it is going so that it can successfully escape from any maze or avoid any obstacle that you set up for it. A microprocessor enables the robot to "think." This is a challenging kit for a budding engineer.
- requires soldering to assemble
- requires 4 AA batteries to operate
- step by step directions are included
 Elenco Escape Robot Kit |
 | Elenco Escape Robot Kit A series of Robot Kits for the future engineer. Build these kits and find out how much fun electronics & mechanics can be ! The Escape Robot Kit works just like an A.I. robot. ... Only $34.99 |
3. Recycled Robots Kit
For Ages 8 and Up
This recycled robot kit is actually a set of three different robot kits, each using a household object (not included) to "recycle" into a robot:
- Tin Can Robot
- Brush Robot
- Bottle Catamaran
In all, you will need 2 AA batteries and 4 AAA batteries to operate the three robots. The kits each include illustrated directions for assembly.
 Recycled Robots Kit -- Set of Three |
Why Build Robotic Toys?
What are the Advantages?
Robotics has been used for teaching science for many years now. See Botmag.com and Botbrain.com for examples. Disciplines that are fostered through the building of robots include
- engineering
- mechanics
- physics
- logical thinking
- technology
- arithmetic
- geometry
Unfortunately, schools rarely have the funds needed for each child to build his own robot. That makes a robot kit a fantastic gift.
Updated: 02/24/2012, Jimmie
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Comments
Awesome both my daughters are members of their school robotics and build build build robots, towns, boards, courses and on, these are really cool robot kits. I'm sure the girls are going to love these.