What to buy kids who love to code
Coding is such an important skill for kids – and adults – to gain. There are now so many toys on the market to introduce children to code. From LEGO duplo trains to Harry Potter coding kits, there’s something for every child out there!
Lego are making coding accessible for all ages
Lego Duplo brought coding to the youngest age group this year, with their incredible coding trains. This brings coding to kids in an age-appropriate way. It’s also really affordable, starting at under £20 for the starter set.
For kids 7+ there’s the Lego Boost Creative Toolbox.
great Lego set allows your kids to use their imagination to build, and then use an app to code behaviour into whatever they build! For a kid that loves lego, this is a great step into coding. There’s a reason why this toy won Tech Toy of the Year 2018.
If your kid already has the Boost kit, then this book is the perfect addition. The Lego Boost Idea Book provides over 90 ideas to get the most out of the kit.
For kids aged 10+, the Lego Mindstorms range provides the next step in coding and building.
Children can build and programme walking, talking and thinking robot toys that do anything you can imagine! They can control and command their robot with the enclosed remote control or download the free app for your smart device.
Even better – Lego Mindstorms building toys are compatible with all LEGO construction sets for creative building. So there’s no end to the possibilities!
Kano – the original DIY computers!
Kano is the leader in bringing DIY computers to kids. Not only will your kids learn to code, but they’ll also learn how computers work.
Kano Computer Kit
Building your own computer is such a great skill to develop, and from just age 6, kids can do this with the Kano Computer kit. It includes a Raspberry Pi 3 (which is a small computer with WiFi and bluetooth connectivity) a keyboard, case, speaker, cables, memory, the Kano OS, and plenty of apps. All you need to add is an HDMI monitor! Once its built your kids can code art, music and games, and browse the internet – all from the computer they’ve built themselves! Is it bad that I want one of these for myself?!
For the Harry Potter geeks in your life, Kano have brought out a Harry Potter coding kit.
When they’ve coded the wand, they’ll be able to do their own on-screen magic! The wand will respond to your kids movements, and has over 70 creative challenges. Create with creatures, sweets, spells, 200+ exclusive sounds, music, and wizarding artefacts.
I hope you find something for your child in the treasures above! Do let me know in comments below, which are your favourites.
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