When teaching a STEM or technology lesson, what are the best robots for kids? Here is a list of recommendations by a current K-5 STEM teacher that are worth purchasing.
These robots aren’t listed in any particular order. However, all are favorites to use with elementary students.
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Best Robots for Kids #1: Bee-Bots
Robot Name: Bee-Bots
Price Range: Prices vary $90/1 Bee-Bot, $600/6 hive of Bee-Bots
Type of Device Based Coding: No device required
Typical Age Range Used with: Kindergarten-2nd grade
Types of batteries: Rechargeable, either on the dock or with a cord
Additional {Optional Attachments}: Command Card Set, Pen Holder Jackets, Clear Card Mat, Math Pre-Printed Mats
Why I recommend them:
Of course, these little guys are ADORABLE! These chunky robots are easy to manipulate and code. They are perfect for any elementary student who is just starting out with coding.
With Bee-Bots, students can visually see where the robot is headed with the arrow keys. To deepen coding knowledge, students can write the code with the arrow cards that come provided or even write on a whiteboard.
There are separate mats grids that can be purchased separately. They aren't cheap, but they are very durable as well and you can place any content cards underneath the plastic top to integrate any subject area with your coding. You could try creating your own!best
This robot doesn’t require a device to be coded and there aren’t any updates to manage. As a classroom teacher, this is the best starter robot.
I have 5 of these robots on deck in my classroom and they have been used by hundreds of students. In Kindergarten, I disguised them as The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Students rolled a dice with the food on it. They then had to code the “caterpillar” to the square that had the matching food. Even after the amount of use my Bee-Bots get, they still work beautifully.
Bee-Bot Additional App
Another added bonus, if you have access to iPads, there is a FREE iOS app that extends the learning with Bee-Bots. Again, this isn’t necessary for use with Bee-Bots.
Think of the Bee-Bot robot as the concrete representation of coding & the app is the abstract version. This is great to implement if stations are a part of your teaching; one group can work with the physical robots while another code on the app. You can even have a 3rd station where students use arrow coding cards and code their partner, the human robot. (You can grab this lesson here!)
The hardest part I’ve seen with the app is students understanding their left and right directions
Best Robots for Kids #2: Blue-Bot
Robot Name: Blue-Bot
Price Range: Prices Vary $100/1 Blue-Bot, $700/6 Blue-Bot hive
Type of Device Based Coding: No device required and can be programmed with a tablet or computer
Typical Age Range Used with: Kindergarten-3rd grade
Types of batteries: Rechargeable; either on the dock or with a cord
Additional {Optional Attachments}: Command Card Set, Pen Holder Jackets, Clear Card Mat, Math Pre-Printed Mats
Why I recommend them:
This is Bee-Bot's older sibling. If you don’t have either one, Bee-Bot or Blue-Bot, I would recommend spending the extra money and going with Blue-Bot. This robot is the upgraded version and still doesn’t need a device like Bee-Bot.
However, you DO have the option to code with a computer or tablet. Check out their website to see if your classroom devices are compatible.
What makes them a bit more “extra” is their ability to record sound and interact with other Blue-Bots. They also are clear so students can see the inner workings of the robot and spark their curiosity.
Best Robots for Kids #3: Dash
Robot Name: Dash
Price Range:
Type of Device Based Coding: Device required. Can be programmed with a tablet or computer
Typical Age Range Used with: 2nd -5th grades
Types of batteries: Cord charging
Additional {Optional Attachments}: Sketch Kit, Whiteboard Mat for Sketch Kit, Launcher, Xylophone, Building Brick Connectors (fits LEGO), Accessory Pack (Bulldozer), Puzzlets, Gripper Building Kit
Why I recommend them:
Again, these robots are super cute and durable as well. The best part is when they get plugged in after sitting uncharged for a while. They start talking your ear off and sound like the little aliens in Toy Story.
This is a product I definitely believe in. In fact, I am a Wonder League Ambassador (2019-2020, 2020-2021) #wondersquad Side note: I’m not getting paid to write this post. I just love these little robots so much!
This robot has many different apps to challenge students in a variety of ways in their coding journey.
At the time of this post is written, the apps available are:
- Wonder
- Blockly
- Path
- Go
- Xylo (use with Xylophone accessory)
- Swift Playgrounds (integration with Apple's coding platform)
Lesson Ideas
If you are looking to host a STEM after school club, this robot is the way to go. You can create your own challenges, or use the challenges presented in the Wonder League Robotics Competition.
This competition is 100% free and your team has the option of uploading videos of completed challenges in action. However, that’s not necessary but having access to the challenges is wonderful.
When getting started, the Dash & Dot coding challenge cards are wonderful. I used these the first year my students ever used these robots. They are self paced and build off one another.
I only had two sets of cards, but a lot more kids than that! The cards are double sided so I took a picture of the front and back of two cards together. I then inserted all the images into a Google Slide and shared with students through Seesaw.
I had students code in partners; one robot and two iPads. One iPad was for coding the robot. The other iPad was logged into Seesaw where partnerships could swipe through the coding cards and also take video of their robot in action.
As a side note, Seesaw is one of my top favorite apps to use in the regular classroom as well as the STEM classroom. Seesaw is forever free, but you can get an extra month of Seesaw Plus by signing up with my link here.
Accessories
There is a wide variety of accessories that you can grab to enhance your experience with Dash.
If you are looking at cost and what to start with, the bulldozer is the best attachment to start with. Dash can kind-of push items without it, but it can cause other issues.
Have a 3D printer? Try these 3D print files of some of the accessories.
Here is another print file for a different bulldozer design. I haven’t tried them out quite yet, but I’m definitely going to print a set and see how it goes!
There is also an older sibling of Dash & Dot; Cue. This is for more advanced types of coding that some of your older students may be ready for. Having a couple of these on hand would be a great investment later down the road.
Best Robots for Kids #4: Dot
Robot Name: Dot
Price Range: Prices vary $80
Type of Device Based Coding: Device required. Can be programmed with a tablet or computer
Typical Age Range Used with: Kinder-2nd grades (but can be fun to interact with Dash in the older grades and extra challenges)
Types of batteries: Cord charging
Additional {Optional Attachments}: Dot Creativity Kit
Why I recommend them:
Most common question I get from my students, “Is Dot the head ripped off of Dash?”
The answer is “No” (with a side of laughing). You CAN take off the stand Dot sits on which makes him into a little ball.
This robot actually doesn’t move around on it’s own, unlike the robots described above. There are a variety of apps also available for Dot, just like Dash.
Dot and Dash can interact with one another, but you don’t need one without the other. If you are trying to decide between the two, go with Dash. There is more you can do with Dash cross-curricular lesson planning.
Interested in learning more about Wonder Workshop? Check out their online trainings, resources and workshops.
Lesson Ideas
The coding cards that I mentioned using with Dash when first starting out with Dot is also a good fit. The challenge card sets are for Dot & Dash. They are labeled clearly as to which robot to try the challenge with.
On the Wonder app or in the Creativity Kit there are some fun games that can be played with Dot. These are great for whole group lessons for younger students. This can be a way to introduce different coding elements, a class incentive to earn or an indoor recess game.
Accessories & Apps
There aren’t as many accessories for Dot and most of them are costumes to make it look even cuter. The best accessory is the Building Brick connector which can be used with Dash as well.
At the time of this post is written, the apps available for Dot are:
Best Robots for Kids #5: Sphero
Robot Name: Sphero (Sphero Sprk+, Bolt or Mini)
Price Range: Prices Vary, $50-$200/robot
Type of Device Based Coding: Device required. Can be programmed with a tablet or computer
Typical Age Range Used with: 3rd-5th grades
Types of batteries: Charging Base
Additional {Optional Attachments}: Sphero Mini Activity Kit, Sphero RVR, Turbo Cover, Jump Ramps, Maze Tape, Sphero Mini: Pins & Cones, Chariot
Why I recommend them:
Once your students have some coding experience, either with other robots or even coding online with Scratch your students can be successful with Sphero.
There are many different types of Sphero out there. I had the original Sphero first (the white ones) and they stopped charging and connecting to my devices. If you can afford newer ones, go with that option.
There are a few apps to choose from. I found that the Sphero Edu app worked best for a classroom setting and used “real” coding. It can be overwhelming at first for elementary student eyes, but with anything, start slow to go fast!
Lesson Ideas
Inside the Sphero Edu app, there are ideas to try. With my 5th grade students, we went through the Engineering Design Process (EDP) while learning about the Iditarod. Students were posed with the challenge: How can you create a sled that Sphero can pull through the Iditarod race?
After going through the (EDP) students came up with interesting designs which posed new challenges when coding. This lesson had high engagement and the 5th graders the following year asked if we could be doing “that sled lesson”.
Another lesson I taught in 4th grade with Sphero was snowflakes. Again, another Engineering Design Process challenge where we explored the science and math behind snowflakes. The coding involved a lot of angles and symmetry.
Additional Accessories
There are a few accessories to try with Sphero (listed above). However, when getting started with Sphero in the classroom, accessories aren’t necessary.
One accessories that is worth the investment are pool noodles. These can be used to block off various corners and exits for Sphero. There are moments when there is a bug in the code and Sphero will quickly roll away and hit something. The noodles will keep the robot safe from knicks and impacts.
Best Robots for Kids #6: Code and Go Mouse
Robot Name: Code and Go Mouse
Price Range: Prices vary, $20/robot
Type of Device Based Coding: No device required
Typical Age Range Used with: Kindergarten-2nd grade
Types of batteries: Consumable batteries. Can use rechargeable kind.
Additional {Optional Attachments}: Activity Set
Why I recommend them:
If you have never tried integrating robotics, have a very limited budget and/or don’t work with a large amount of students during the week, this is a great robot to start with with younger students.
On the flip side, if you are the opposite to the above statements and have a larger budget, Bee-Bots or Blue-Bots are a better investment. They are pretty much the same concept when it comes to its directional coding buttons.
I have some Code and Go Mice in my classroom that were purchased prior to my hiring and they don’t get used very often. I have them on hand if there is an odd number of students when using the Bee-Bots. However, the wheels wear out quickly with a higher amount of use. Also, when the battery dies, you’ll need a small screwdriver on hand to take off the panel and replace them.
For my students who want a Bee-Bot at home, I actually recommend to them the Code and Go Mouse. Parents are more willing to spend its inexpensive price (in terms of a robot), and it doesn’t typically get as much use as it would in a classroom.
Best Robots for Kids #7: LEGO WeDo 2.0
Robot Name: LEGO WeDo 2.0
Price Range: Prices Vary, $200/kit
Type of Device Based Coding: Device required. Can be programmed with a tablet or computer
Typical Age Range Used with: 2nd-5th grade (If used every year, 4th and 5th might get tired of them)
Types of batteries: Consumable batteries. Can use rechargeable kind.
Additional {Optional Attachments}: Can purchase replacement parts or use other LEGO
Why I recommend them:
There is no doubt that most kids love LEGO. This kit is a great combination of building and coding. While the kits are expensive, they are extremely durable and have a familiar feel with kids. Of course, they can be used year after year if the pieces stay organized and separate from your LEGO mixed buckets.
If you are a classroom teacher, it would be worthwhile to get 12 sets for your entire grade level to rotate and share. If you are in the STEM or Technology classroom, these kits are HIGHLY recommended and worth the investment 100%.2-3 students working on a kit is the most successful option.
Lesson Ideas
The app comes with a wide variety of lessons and starter builds when working with this kit. With the time I have with students, I’ve done the beginning builds that are offered on the home screen for students. This is a great lesson all about following directions in order, collaboration and fixing mistakes when things don’t work the first time.
The app is designed for students to go through the building directions then adding in the coded elements. As of now, the coding isn’t super complicated and is block coding.
LEGO also has an annual competition that you can register for: First LEGO League Jr. There is the option to sign up to participate in a local competition. Upon registration, there is the option to purchase the WeDo 2.0 kit. These kits don’t need to be returned and are kept by the club leader.
When thinking about classroom supply budgets, this could be a great way to get the kits into your room for future use after hosting the club.
What I liked about this club is it was all written out for you as a leader and didn’t require extra planning. Make sure you have A LOT of club sessions; the building and collaborating is time consuming.
Best Robots for Kids #8: Code-a-Pillar
Robot Name: Code-a-Pillar
Price Range: Prices vary, $35-50/robot
Type of Device Based Coding: No device required
Typical Age Range Used with: Pre-school & Kinder
Types of batteries: Consumable batteries. Can use rechargeable kind.
Additional {Optional Attachments}: Expansion Pack,
Why I recommend them:
When I first walked into my K-5 STEM classroom, I was shocked by the limited amount of resources that were in my room for the younger students. There were Bee-Bots on hand, which is amazing, but I knew my brand-new Kinders needed a different jumping off point with robot coding. I also didn’t want them to tire from the Bee-Bots so quickly either.
The Code-a-Pillar is very durable and another great concrete example to show what coding is and how it works. If you want to dive deeper in showing students how computers work, this hardware & software lesson was a great success with my younger students.
Students attach different segments to the Code-a-Pillar’s main body. Once the student presses play on its back, the Code-a Pillar will read through the code and light up each section as it is being played out.
Other blog posts you might enjoy:
- But I don't want to teach kids coding! By Computer Corner
Which robots do you already have in your classroom? Which ones do you want to try? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ and I would love to chat with you!
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