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Sphero acquires LittleBits and its set of scientific toys
The popular STEAM education company Sphero announced today that it has acquired LittleBits. You may remember LittleBits as the company behind toys that teach kids about electronics, and Sphero has made a name for itself creating educational coding robots. Together, the companies plan to bring STEAM and coding products to more classrooms, homes and educational programs.
The best coding kits for kids
I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Part of the reason I write about technology for a living is that I couldn't cut it as a coder. It's not that I regret my career choice (I definitely don't), but I do regret having never really learned the art of programming. And it's not because I want to build apps or games or anything. It's because you pick up a lot of peripheral skills. This is the primary reason I want my kid to learn to code. I don't necessarily want him to become an engineer (though I certainly wouldn't be upset if he did). Instead, I see coding as a great teaching tool. It's a way to teach cause and effect and problem-solving skills. And mastering the logic behind simple routines can even make your kid a better and more convincing communicator.
STEM kits that will get your kid's hands dirty
Contrary to what you might think and hear, apps and screens aren't the best tools for kids to learn STEM concepts, even coding. Why? Innovation, pattern recognition, exploration, experimentation and creation underlie STEM principles. Kids need to manipulate tangible things. It's how they learn. While there are some great apps that supplement STEM learning, the best STEM activities for kids are blended ones -- the ones that require hands-on exploration, screens optional. Those that do require screens, like ones with coding apps, should augment the experience, not be the sole focus. Many of these toys and kits are designed for classroom use but are perfectly adaptable and suitable for home use, too, as my two kids, ages five and seven, will shout from the rooftops (supervised, don't worry). Check out these awesome blended learning STEM kits and toys. They'll have your little inventors ready to apply for their first patent in no time.
The best toys and coding kits to give as gifts
Last year, we included a kid-focused section in our holiday gift guide for the first time, and this year we've brought it back. We have all sorts of options sure to please any kid on your list, including interactive robots from Anki and Ozobot, games like Root and Disney Villainous and educational choices such as the Harry Potter Coding Kit and the latest batch of LittleBits' Inventor Kits. From Augmoto (for the kid that loves racing) to Pomsies pets (for those that want something cute and cuddly) there's really something for everybody.
Littlebits' latest kits are inspired by modern inventors
LittleBits is introducing three new kits that teach children about electronics and how to think with a creative, inventive and activist mindset. The Base Inventor Kit, which will retail for $99.99, comes with 10 color-coded pieces that snap onto a wearable "arm." A companion mobile app guides you through a series of activities inspired by real-life inventors; a sound-activated gripper arm, for instance, is based on modern prosthetics, while a "stuff protector" mimicks an alarm made to protect lions and cattle in Kenya. The app then challenges you to create new inventions that protect the environment or help your local community.
LittleBits’ Marvel kit lets you code your own superpowers
LittleBits is back with another kit designed to teach kids about electronics and coding. Following Infinity War and Ant-Man and the Wasp, the startup has partnered with Marvel on an Avengers-themed gauntlet set. It ships with nine colorful 'bits,' which are fully compatible with every other Lego-like module LittleBit has released to date. As with previous kits, they're color-coded by function -- the light sensor, for instance, is pink (input) while the circular LED matrix is green (output). They all snap together magnetically and can be placed inside a superhero-inspired sleeve.
littleBits adds coding and customization to its Star Wars Droid kit
Last year, littleBits introduced a Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit, which allows kids to build their own Droid. The kit came with everything kids needed to accomplish the task, and an app provided how-to videos and instructions. Now, littleBits is adding more functionality to these Droid kits: Kids can use coding to customize their Droids. This feature is available at no additional cost to those who own Droid Inventor Kits.
littleBits launches more accessible $40 'Hall of Fame' kits
littleBits kits are a great way to teach kids how to build their own toys and electronics, but they're not exactly cheap. The Star Wars Droid inventor set, for instance, will set buyers back $100, while others could cost as much as $300. Now, the startup is lowering the barrier of entry by debuting four "Hall of Fame" kits priced at only $40 each. Upon taking a look at littleBits' offerings on its website, we only saw one set priced at $40, and it's only a three-module hardware development bundle for more experiences users. All the others cost $80 and more. These products will give more people the chance to get one for their kids or themselves and to try out the company's electronic building blocks.
littleBits and Pearson bring electronics kits to US schools
The littleBits team has long been eager to teach kids about the joys of building electronics, and it's taking that commitment to its logical conclusion. It's partnering with Pearson on the STEM Invention Toolbox, a kit that teaches students at varying grade levels how to design electronics and understand scientific concepts. They can craft circuits that save energy, for example, or a communication device for astronauts. The aim is to learn by doing, and encourage kids to "think beyond the text" -- they're not just memorizing facts or performing canned experiments.
Kids judge R2-D2 droids built by Facebook, Google and Fitbit
Last Wednesday, a group of 24 children from the ages of 7 to 12 gathered at Lucasfilm headquarters in San Francisco. They laughed and chattered with excitement, had their pictures taken next to the Yoda fountain and squealed at the sight of R2-D2. They were there to attend a "Droidathon," where participants competed to see who could build the best R2-D2 lookalikes out of LittleBits' Droid Inventor Kit. But the kids weren't there to compete; they were there to judge.
The best toys and coding kits for kids
This is the first year that Engadget has included a toy section in its holiday gift guide, and it's already one of the biggest (and in our opinion, best) sections. Here you'll find both coding kits from Lego and others intended to teach little one basic programming skills, as well as toys that just happen to be electronic in nature. And yes, the re-released Tamagotchi pets made the list -- you know, for the nostalgic millennial on your list.
littleBits' Droid Inventor Kit teaches kids tech with 'Star Wars'
The latest addition to the littleBits line of products is a Droid Inventor Kit -- part of the Force Friday II toy launch ahead of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. "We've created a gender-inclusive product that celebrates kids' own self-expression and ingenuity, while showcasing the same characteristics of imagination, grit and invention that are embodied in the Star Wars franchise," said littleBits CEO Ayah Bdeir in a statement.
littleBits’ latest kit is ready to teach kids coding skills
In March, tech startup littleBits announced the Code Kit, which would make it a little easier to teach kids how to code, both at home and in the classroom. Today, the Code Kit is finally on sale for a price of $300 (educators can email education@littlebits.cc for a 5 percent discount). Code Kits are aimed at ages 8 and up -- third through eighth graders -- and the company estimates that one kit is good for three people.
littleBits' new kit teaches kids to build and code electronic games
Thanks to a bigger push toward computer science education, there's been an influx of coding toys for kids in recent years. Even tech companies like Apple and Google have joined in with tools to get younger minds to embrace code. Now littleBits, the toy company behind magnetic build-your-own circuits, is getting in on the fun with a new product called littleBits Code Kit. The premise: build games, have fun and, hopefully, learn to code in the process. It will retail for $300 and hit store shelves by June.
Learning and STEM toys we love
By Courtney Schley This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that supports its work. Read the full article here. We don't think there's a right or wrong way for kids to play. For this kid-oriented gift guide, we focused on open-ended games, kits, toys, and crafts that promote lifelong skills like critical thinking, problem solving, logic, and even coding. To choose from the hundreds of toys available, we spent more than 30 hours trying 35 recommendations from experts, educators, and parents, including a reporting trip to the Katherine Delmar Burke School's tinkering and technology lab in San Francisco. And, of course, we spent some time playing with our picks at home with our own kids.
12 tech gifts for the geekiest people in your life
There's one in every family: The uber geek who pretty much has it all when it comes to tech basics. They don't need a laptop or a fancy TV. But don't worry, there's always some gap in their collection of gadgets that you can easily fill. And remember, the more niche the product, the better gift it is for these folks. You could get them started on building out their smart home with a lock like August or Kevo. Or maybe they need a central hub to control their sprawling network of connected goods from, like an Amazon Echo Dot. If the nerd in your life is too young for a smart home, you can always pick them up a high-tech take on the paper airplane or a box of tinker toys like LittleBits, to get them start on their journey to become the next great inventor. For our full list of recommendations in all categories, don't forget to stop by our main Holiday Gift Guide hub.
New littleBits kit finally adds Bluetooth module
Like everything else in our world, toys are getting more sophisticated and connected. LittleBits, Mthe company behind a series of Lego-like robotics kits, has a whole bunch of DIY sets. Among them is a just-launched update to its its Gizmos & Gadgets kit that includes a wireless Bluetooth Low Energy module. The kit, available today for $200, lets you communicate with or control the robots you create from your phone or tablet, via the company's new Invent app.
New littleBits kit gives kids the power to rule their rooms
Remember when you were a kid and couldn't keep your mom and your rowdiest sibling out of your room? You'd probably have loved littleBits' latest kit. It provides young makers and inventors a fun way to set up alarms and (harmless) booby traps to keep piggy banks safe, or to keep diaries and other secrets away from prying eyes. Since these kits contain small, Lego-like electronic components (called "bits"), including the Makey Makey Bit that turns almost anything into a touch controller, kids can also use it to make whatever they want. They can turn a fruit into a game controller or even make an interactive Gabby Douglas poster. Seriously, check out the video below the fold.
Students can make self-driving cars with littleBits' STEAM kit
littleBits designed its latest kit with both students and teachers in mind. Its new STEAM Student set is meant to help educators teach kids grades 3 to 8 Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Design and Math subjects by having them invent little gizmos. Each set includes 19 electronic pieces, including various sensors and motors, as well as 38 accessories that kids can use. Plus, it comes with guides both students and teachers can consult if they want to see specific instructions on how to make small self-driving cars, a robot that can draw or even a security device for backpacks.
littleBits Gizmos and Gadgets Kit gives kids a range of DIY projects
Do you know an aspiring young maker? If so, littleBits is looking to lend a hand with its new Gadgets & Gizmos Kit. The collection of tech includes everything those young inventors will need to complete 12 different projects, learning about electronics, robots and more along the way. If you're not familiar, littleBits has been making Lego-like kits that allow kids (both young and old) to make a piece of tech in minutes. Previous boxes include projects for the smart home and a build your own synthesizer option. For the Gizmos & Gadgets Kit, the projects range from a bubble machine to a wirelessly-controlled robotic rover and games. If you're looking to get started, the Gizmos & Gadgets Kit includes a set of 15 electronic blocks and it'll be available this month for $200. While you wait, check out the Bitbot in action after the break.
