Control is performed through a series of five apps for iOS or Android. All of the apps include tutorials to help your children (and you) learn how to build increasingly complex programs, before setting you free to code away.

Artie Max™ The Coding Robot – STEMfinity Artie Max™ The Coding Robot – STEMfinity

Simple setup, start coding in minutes! With built-in tutorials and an easy-to-follow guide, kids can start dragging and dropping code for Artie to draw in minutes; Crystal clear instructions, built-in tutorials, and how-to videos make for a frustration-free coding experience every time The robot comes with pre-made accessories, or you can add your own Lego or craft to get Mochi ready for the adventure.Parents have said there has been a great reaction from their kids, they want to play again and it is easy for the children to use and remember. It is also great for the imaginations of kids while teaching them how to code; the noises and visuals are entertaining. Most interesting for our purpose is theCode Lab feature, which lets you string together a series of movements, actions, and animations to code Cozmo’s behavior. After testing the Artie 3000 and seeing that my kids enjoyed the design and concept, I was very excited to try the Artie Max and was filled with anticipation. The entire experience has left much to be desired. From the beginning, I have to go through the firmware update a few times for it to work. After the first relatively successful test, I was getting excited again but then it seemed to be plagued with WiFi connectivity issues, and having to tape a piece of paper to my desk each time to draw just seems like there is an opportunity for educational Insights to include a practical solution. I am sure that when the Artie Max works well, kids would like it because it offers several opportunities to learn some coding. My frustration with it has not allowed me to get that far.

Code with Artie Max - Educational Insights

imagiLabs is an all-female Swedish startup (springing from Google for Startups and Apple’s Entrepreneur Camp) aiming to bridge the gender divide in coding with imagiCharm, a small but smart device that can be visually customized by coding in a mobile app (iOS and Android).

Final thoughts

I used the drag and drop feature to design my first test drawing. I decided on a square. Here is the code: The imagiCharm’s simple 8-x-8 matrix of 64 LEDs can be coded to display thousands of different designs, such as emojis, digital pets, faces, and flowers. Equipped with two motors, one sensor and Bluetooth connectivity, the robots can be taught to move, drum, dance, make sounds, and light up using the free app (iOS and Android). Kids love Lego, right? So, you can still buy a present that’s made by Lego, and help teach children how to code and have fun at the same time.

Artie 3000™ - Learning Resources Artie 3000™ - Learning Resources

Author Sophie Deen worked at Code Club, alongside Google and the UK Department for Education, to help introduce the new coding curriculum in primary schools. Kids can choose their own adventure from the story library–exploring the planets, colors, ABCs, the inside of a plant cell, Earth’s biomes, and others. Spark More Curiosity! Level up STEM skills through creativity with Artie Max, the coding, drawing robot that helps kids building coding confidence through artist creation! Kids love robots and it’s hard to find a more playful one than the Sphero, a robot ball that you control via various apps on your smartphone.

What is it?

Kids use a tablet or computer to code PYXEL to walk, make sounds, express emotions, and change color. Like Bittle, reviewed above, it can humorously raise a leg, although is not as sophisticated in its movements. Instructions are clear and there are tutorials and how-to videos. The RoboMaster S1 is the first robot of its kind from DJI, and while it might not fly like the majority of DJI products, it’s an engaging robot that helps kids learn to code–as well as being amazingly fun to play with. It comes with over 20 lessons supporting computer science education. For teachers, the Wi-Fi module allows multiple robots to be connected to do tasks together, thus simplifying teaching by simultaneously sharing the same programming. Osmo Coding uses the brilliantly simple Osmo game system. Osmo’s team is made up of former Google software engineers, so you can be sure that these guys know what they’re doing when teaching to code. Looking for a calming, screen-free activity for the kids? These tactile toys will focus attention and soothe the senses. With Mindful Maze boards from Hand2mind, little ones can use their fingers to move through various patterns—including waves, rainbows, and stars—as they pace their breathing to each task. Dimpl Pops, by Fat Brain Toys, offer a different sensory satisfaction. The irresistible pop of colorful silicone bubbles makes exercising fine motor skills as fun as it is relaxing. (Mindful Maze, ages Pre-K to 8; Dimpl Pops, ages 3+)

Artie Max | Learning Resources | Tech Toys | Mulberry Bush Artie Max | Learning Resources | Tech Toys | Mulberry Bush

This will appear most scary not to Little Johnny or Jane (with their open minds, inquisitive natures, and love of anything with a keyboard and screen) but to parents who have coding skills equivalent to those of their grandparents—i.e. none. SIMPLE SETUP START CODING IN MINUTES: With built-in tutorials and an easy-to-follow guide included, kids can start dragging and dropping code for Artie to draw in minutes. Crystal clear instructions, built-in tutorials, and how-to videos make for a frustration-free coding experience every time

This board game, for two to four players, is inspired by Learning Resources’ Code & Go Robot Mouse (see above) and aims through tactile touch to teach kids coding basics without the need for a screen, app or batteries. Botzees is a hand-on coding robotics kit with Augmented Reality puzzles, for kids ages 4-9. The kit combines creativity, construction, and coding. For our next test, we selected menu along the top of the App and selected the Artie Max UI. Instead of the easy follow the lead control option, this language did require a bit of fine motor control. My six—year-old daughter attempted to follow the on-screen tutorial program by dragging the needed icons from the left toolbox into the right program. She struggled a bit at first to drop the tools into the repeat command. Not requiring batteries or complex construction, these colorful character-led problem-solving board games are suitable for kids aged 3-8, and should stimulate a child’s curiosity, creativity and critical-thinking skills. More for the budding engineer than the novice coder, Engino’s Newton’s Laws is a hand-on STEM construction kit that teaches Newton’s Laws of Motion: Inertia, Momentum, Kinetic Energy, and Potential Energy.