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Made by: KinderLab Coding Critters MagiCodersĪnother screen-free play option is Coding Critters MagiCoders from Learning Resources. The Kibo 10 Home Edition pack (pictured above) contains the Kibo robot with a drawable face plate, wheels and motors, and scannable cards for creating Kibo programs. KinderLab says its approach draws on two decades of early child development research.
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The multifaceted toy is intended to inspire aspiring engineers, designers, artists and writers, as well as coders. Instead wooden blocks introduce coding concepts, while kids are encouraged to customize their bot using a variety of add-ons and sensors - and by incorporating their own artistic creations. The learning device is designed for 4-7 year olds to spark creative, educational play - without the need for tablets or apps. KinderLab is a veteran player in the screen-free STEAM learning space with its programmable robotic toy, Kibo. KinderLab Robotics' Kibo 10 programmable robot for teaching kids coding Meanwhile some others that do require a screen to work are trying to distinguish what they're offering as "good screen" time versus the addictive "digital sugar" of non-learning-focused games and/or social media … whether parents buy that remains to be seen. Hence lots of products feature marketing that loudly touts "screen-free" alternatives to teaching coding (such as by using physical blocks/cards/buttons etc). One extra challenge for STEM toy makers is the (now) high concern over kids' screen time. Plus, it feels like some of the earlier hype (and loud claims) - around gizmos that "teach coding" - has faded to a more practical/realistic and less flashy projection of potential educational value. After all, kids are fickle and even the fanciest toy can soon be discarded for a newer, shinier thing. As do pivots (see: Kano's new jam, for example). But, in general, the category's experimental "Cambrian explosion" moment seems to have passed - and the programmable robots have (mostly) taken over.Ĭonsolidation remains a big theme in the space. Product novelty also feels like it's diminishing, even as maker hardware itself is flourishing (thanks to the likes of the Raspberry Pi). At the same time, it's clear that sustaining a business selling educational gizmos/games is challenging, with a number of players winking out of existence (or taking an exit) since we last checked in. The learn-to-code category as a whole continues to mature, showing a strengthening (and welcome) focus on art and design, not just pure engineering. Gifts we've selected hit a range of price points - starting at $15 and topping out at just under $550 (for all the educational LEGO your kid could ever need!), with a spectrum of price points in between. The 20+ gift ideas (below) run the gamut from train sets controlled by colorful blocks, to robots that can draw, all the way up to a cute DIY handheld gaming console that's really an experimental platform for teens to build on. We’re just starting to roll out this year’s gift guides, so check back from now until the end of December for more!įor this year's STEM toy gift guide we've split out our recommendations by age for easier navigation. Welcome to TechCrunch’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide! Need help with gift ideas? We’ve got lots of them.