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9 amazing educational tech toys for kids

time2017/03/29

Not too long ago, we were lamenting the idea that tech is bad for kids.

We told you about just three of our favourite tech toys: Kano Computers, ZippyKit playthings and Cannybots racecars.

Given that May is education-themed, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit the scene, and tell you about even more fun and inspiring toys that teach.

From 3D-printing pens to coding robots, these are 9 of the best tech toys right now…

1) Dress-up and code robots with Kamibot

In March, a successful Kickstarter campaign saw the Kamibot team raise £38,000.

Combining physical papercraft and practical coding skills, this many-faced toy encourages creativity across the board.

Kids can download and print out character ‘skins’ to dress up their bots as everything from Frankensteins to cats, and can also print blank shells to decorate themselves.

Once the bot is dolled up, it can be programme with a computer, and controlled from a phone or tablet, featuring sensors to help it follow a track and avoid obstacles, and colourful LED lights.

2) Design in the air with the 3Doodler

3Doodler – the makers of the world’s first 3D-printing pen – this year launched a brand new version designed especially for children.

Called the 3Doodler Start, young artists and designers can use it to create 3D-models by drawing in the air.

The new model uses eco-plastic with a much lower melting temperature, so there’s no danger of kids burning themselves, and also has an internal rechargeable battery, and your offspring can roam free without being plugged into a wall-socket.

3) Programme fancy-faced droids with Codeybot

Another Kickstarter success story, Codeybot this year smashed its crowdfunding target to raise nearly £134,000.

Created by robotics experts at Makeblock, this roll-around droid teaches kids basic coding language through the drag-and-drop visual programming app mBlockly.

Your kids can draw their own faces using LED lights, make it speak, and learn how to change their Codeybot’s colour, play music, and make it dance. Younger siblings who might not be interested in code can also make use of voice commands.

If you’re feeling brave, buy two, and let your kids attach LED lasers and enter battle mode.

4) Move to make music with Phonotonic

Okay, so this one isn’t strictly for kids, but that’s great because it means you can enjoy it too (plus it’s never too early to start introducing your spawn to musical creativity).

Phonotonic is an incredible connected orb, that you can use to make, listen and enjoy music. Toss and shake the ball about and to create unique melodies and rhythms. If you have numerous kids, why not encourage them to start a band together.

What’s really fab about Phonotonic is how accessible it is, making it particularly appealing to children who might find it difficult to master the more complex basics of traditional instruments.

Don’t skim over the promo vid for this – Phonotonic founder Nick Rasamimanana is an expert musician and truly wows in his demonstration of the product’s capabilities.

5) Build an awasome smart watch with a DIY Mover Kit

We’ve already called out Bethany Koby and Technology Will Save Us in our list of educational leaders, and this week the tech toy company launched their first new product in 2 years, the DIY Mover Kit.

This is the world’s first wearable that kids can code themselves, making it part accessory part smart learning tool.

Not only will your kid look super cool, but they can learn about programming, electronics and creative thinking in the process.

6) Teach your toddlers tech with the Code-a-pillar

2016 also saw the unveiling of the Code-a-Pillar.

Designed for three-to-eight-year-olds this rather cute grub has been made by toy giant Fisher-Price to introduce your little ones to coding concepts early.

Made up of eight segments, each with a different command icon to make the toy move, flash or make a noise, and it’s hoped that choices made around combining these parts will teach the fundamentals of programming.

There’s also a companion app, to keep your kid interested as they grow up.

7) Print your own toys with the Thing Maker 3D-printer

A high-tech upgrade of the 1964 classic Thing Maker set, this Mattel 3D-printer is due to be released in the autumn.

Gone are the moulds of the original kit – now your kids can design and 3D-print toys and jewellery from scratch with their own printer.

Creative kids choose between hundreds of parts to draw up designs in-app; these get printed off, and can then be manually constructed using a ball-and-socket joint system.

Think Meccano for the modern age!

8) Get virtual reality science experiments by post with MEL Chemistry

The new Chemistry set from MEL Science promises to deliver both excitement and education to your doorstep.

Young subscribers are first sent a starter kit including everything from glassware and syringes, and even a mini stove. Then, every month, they’re posted a further three experiment sets to explore.

The twist? You’re also sent a pair of virtual reality goggles to bring experience to life with snakes, monsters and 3D molecules.

What better way to nurture the next Marie Curie than long weekends of scientific discovery?

Support smart IoT for small hands: Sam Labs

Sam Labs is bringing the coding kit into the age of wireless, teaching kids how to programme and build their own ‘Internet of Things’ devices.

First timers might set about lighting up an LED from afar, for example, while more savvy builders are taught to create complex home systems, with door buzzers, alarms, and mini motors cars available

There are six kits to choose between, suitable for kids aged 7 and up – give your gift after watching a classic like Home Alone and see what inventions they come up with.