Kids surrounded by advanced technologies are very much adept at the idea of having and also making smart toys.

Kids playing with conventional toys is passe. With their environment well surrounded by advanced technologies like Alexa, smart security gadgets attached to their bodies, smart classrooms, etc., they are well adept at the idea of having smart toys. Taking this trend further, companies are making programmable robots for kids to channel their interest in playing with toys into a more beneficial area, ie., developing critical thinking which is very much required to build a programmable robot. Here we list out the top 10 programmable robot kits for kids and teenagers.

1. POKONBOY 13-in-1 Robot kit

Age: 8 years and above

A solar power-enabled robot, with 190 building block pieces, has 13 robot options to choose from. Your child will never get bored of playing with the robot as it comes with additional design options. The kids can build their own model with the blocks to make it move on water and on land as well.

2. LEGO boost creative toolbox:

Age: 7- 12 years

Very similar to LEGO bricks is a kind of its robotics version.  LEGO creative toolbox is programmable enabling a child to code behaviours into different builds. With 857 pieces, it is possible to build five different models with varying difficulty. It is an intellectually engaging kit, that can make a child spend days putting together blocks. Programmable via an app it pairs with other LEGO toys as well.

3. Nintendo Labo – variety kit:

Age: 6-12 years

An eco-friendly robot assembling kit, which uses cardboards, paper cups, makes a perfect choice if you want to see your child's creativity soar high. While the robots can be connected to the Nintendo switch, the projects can be brought to life with mini-games.  Nearly 6 different builds are possible with this kit while facilitating customisation with markers, stickers, and paint. At an advanced level, the child can play around with connecting other household objects to build his unique design.

4. UBTECH JIMU Robot Builderbots Kit:

Age: 8 years and above

It is an easy-to-build robot kit for kids which has some cool features to allow your kid to learn advanced engineering skills. It is possible to build the Robo with full functionality without the requirement of assembling tools. That implies it is safe and easy to build for kids. The servo motors enable smooth and fluid-like motion is enabled with JIMU robots. It comes with an animated instruction manual to make the job easy for your kid to learn and have fun moving a robot around the room.

5. Erector by Meccano Robot – Building Kit

Age: 10 years and above

A fully programmable talking robot, makes a perfect choice for a middle schooler, to discover the little Einstein in him as it combines science, technology, and engineering in the right proportions. With 1,000 parts, 3,000+ programmed phrases, LED eyes, and some quirky dance moves, assembling becomes part fun and part challenge.

6. Eleggo UNO R3 Project – Smart Robot Car kit

Age: 12 years and above

If your kid is a car aficionado, perhaps this kit can pamper the engineer in him/her. With multiple modes such as infrared, obstacle, or line tracking mode, your child will learn to create, load, and run the car programming. It has only 24 parts and makes a good option for kids who are more inclined to program than assemble. It comes with a CD with HD instructions to guide the child through the construction process.

7. Sillibird STEM 12-in-1 Educational Solar Robot:

Age: 8 to 10 years

Sillibird STEM Solar Robot, is an educational robot that facilitates learning in the process of assembling. It has only two difficulty levels and 12 design options, which means it is easy to manipulate, for kids who find tech toys intimidating. The uniqueness of this robot lies in its amphibious nature. It can move on land and in water, all powered by solar energy, a toy perfect to teach kids the value of sustainable technology.

8. Elenco Tech Tech Hydraulic Kit:

Age: 10 years and above

As the name suggests, it operates on hydraulic power. It is an hydrobot arm, which can rotate 270-degrees, with hydraulic plungers and move, grip, and pick up objects. Kids will have fun assembling this robot and understand how hydraulics can power up robotics, a good beginning to adapt to green engineering techniques.

9. 2Pepers Electric Robotic Kit:

Age: 8 years and above

A unique robotic kit to nurture the creative skills of a child. The kit contains 4 unique robotic kits, to build a variety of robots from cars to motors that you can drive around to the ones that can paint.  It is one of the best robotic kits for kids which lets the child create his own electric motor making programming for these robots both a fun and enlightening experience.

10. Wonder workshop dash coding robot:

Age: 6 years and above

A smart choice for parents who want their kids to develop coding skills from early in childhood. Wonder Workshop is a known name among robotic kits for beginners, as it comes loaded and ready for about 5 hours of playtime. As it doesn't require extensive assembling, it is best suited for tiny tots. It is compatible with Lego and can be connected to other Lego bricks with building brick connectors that come with the set. There are 4 advanced apps to make the transition from basic to advanced concepts easy.