12 Best Coding Toys for Kids

Robot Turtles is designed for kids as young as 4-years-old, and it is made as a 2-5 player game so that the whole family can play together. Along with the large game board, this comes with four robot turtle tiles, four jewel tiles, four code card decks each with 45 cards, and 40 tiles. For the game, players control the movement of their turtle via code cards that can control them moving left, right, and forward. With a bug card, they can undo their move while reaching the jewel marks their victory. The game keeps going, however, until all the players collect a jewel. Reaching jewel tiles also unlocks the next level.

The mBot Robot Kit is a real robot that works as an entry-level programmable bot for kids. There are several modes that children can explore such as obstacle-avoidance. It is user-friendly with visual instructions and color-coded electronic modules. There is even a 3D building manual to further help kids along the way while still offering them the chance to learn step-by-step. This combines coding with games via the Makeblock App. There are three rounds for children to go through, and through each one, they can steadily level up their coding skills. The first round focuses on playing around with the controls, and the second round has gameplay learning to unlock more coding skills. Meanwhile, the third round will see kids learning more advanced programming skills.

The Wonder Workshop Dash Robot is ready to play with right out of the box as it comes fully charged. This is known as an open-ended learning platform because kids can explore numerous possibilities with it. They can control it with voice command, and there are various loops, events, and sequences to play through. It includes building block connectors so kids can attach Lego pieces to it. Other accessories can be bought to add to the robot such as a sketch kit and xylophone. For more playtime, there are four free apps available: Wonder, Blocky, Go, and Path. Wonder focuses on picture-based coding language that makes it easy for young kids to understand. Meanwhile, Blocky introduces advanced coding concepts with fun puzzles and projects. The Go app is a good first step to learn about all the interactions of the Dash Robot, and the Path app is helpful to learn the fundamentals of coding and robotics.

Code Master takes kids through an exotic world as they search for power crystals. There are six crystals in all. Players will undergo 60 levels across 10 maps that steadily increase in difficulty, and they will utilize 12 guide scrolls, 12 action tokens, and eight conditional tokens. To navigate the maps, kids must use programming logic. There's only one sequence of actions that will work, however. This is one of the best coding toys for kids that teaches the principles of programming like builds planning and even some complex skills such as conditional branching. Since there is a single avatar, this is intended to be played with by one person. There is also an instruction manual so that kids can jump straight into the game within minutes of opening it.

The Lego Boost Creative Toolbox is one of the 12 best coding toys for kids that elevate typical building block playtime with something more interactive and learning-based. It includes 847 Lego pieces that children can use to create five different multifunctional models. Dubbed "Vernie the Robot", this robot can dance and even rock out using the Guitar4000. It can even care for Frankie the Cat alongside performing several other functions. This comes with the free Lego app where kids can follow step-by-step instructions on gaining coding skills. For easier playing, this comes with a playmat so kids can perform specific activities.

For kids that love dolls, they can enjoy discovering new skills with the SmartGurlz Coding Robot. It can inspire them to learn coding without just staring at a screen since they can play and program at the same time. It features a motorized Siggy robot, and there are four different dolls to choose from: Zara, Maria, Jen, or Jun. However, this can support most 11in. dolls so kids can play with their favorites and still code the robot. There are over 100 different coding combinations to go through as well. The app is compatible with various Android and Apple devices, and it can be played with on either a smartphone or a tablet. Via the app, kids will notice various assignments and challenges like missions or obstacles to go through. These can even meet computer science core curriculum goals so that it can be successfully used in a homeschool environment.

The Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-a-pillar Twist is a unique experience for preschoolers and kindergarteners. It's a brightly colored caterpillar that has one motorized head and five segments that are permanently attached. There are cool effects too, such as light-up eyes and other sound and lighting effects. It even has volume control so it doesn't have to be too loud for parents. For the coding, each segment has a dial for kids to turn. These will send the caterpillar off in various directions, play music, or emit silly sounds. There are more than 1,000 different combinations for kids to explore as they discover cause and effect to become aware of some basic coding principles.

With the Learning Resources Coding Critters Scamper & Sneaker, children can get an early introduction to coding. It is a screen-free adventure that kids as young as preschool-age can use. There are 22 pieces, and the adorable smiling critters will delight children and keep them going back. This is also a fun toy for them to play along with parents or older siblings. The storybook adventure not only introduces them to what coding is all about but also can help teach early reading skills as they go along with the story. By following the story, they understand cause and reaction when it comes to coding. Otherwise, kids can use it to flesh out their own creativity by designing personal coding challenges. There is even a cute Play Mode function that gives them pet responsibilities as they have to feed and care for their pet critters.

The Force Coding Kit is a must-have for any Star Wars fan. No coding skills are necessary to enjoy this, and it is compatible with numerous devices such as Fire 10 tablets, iPads, Windows 10, and Macs. There's a free companion app to download to get kids started. Children will build a sensor that will detect 3D hand motions, and as they build it, kids will understand how everything works. Via the app, they can play and learn how to code through step-by-step challenges. This is a good introduction to learning loops, variables, and logic. For more fun, kids can use their hands to control and swing a lightsaber, pilot starships, and even Jedi Mind Trick stormtroopers. They can create their own Star Wars adventure and share them with the community.

The intelino J-1 Smart Train Starter Set is one of the 12 best coding toys for kids that children of various ages can enjoy. It is intuitive, interactive, and ready-to-play right out of the box. Young kids can play with it like any other train set, and it is even compatible with wooden train tracks from many major brands. The trains use magnetic couplers that can connect with wooden cars also. Kids will receive one smart engine, one wagon, a train decal sheet, 20 tracks, and 40 color snaps. For the coding aspects, children can use the color Action Snaps to control the speed. They can lay them down in different patterns on the track to slow the train down, speed it up, or allow it to go left or right at track junctions. It works screen-free, but there's a compatible app that kids can use too for automatic or manual drive modes. The app can also be used to create customized commands.

The Code Rocket Coding Toys can inspire budding engineers as they embark on real learning that teaches similar typed C++ coding that's used at NASA. As it stands, this is most ideal for older kids who may have some beginner skills already. This is compatible with most standard laptops, and it starts by teaching kids by example and guides them through fundamental concepts that can lead children to customizing their own programs. There are 20 free online projects to explore. The rocket itself features eight cool built-in LED lights, a speaker, and two buttons. This has a fun countdown sequence with lights and sounds, Morse code messages on the lights and sounds, and even a fade up and down thruster LED lights.