Gift ideas for kids: STEM toys that are fun and teach coding
Millennials' kids are growing up having never known a world before the internet, smartphones, and on-demand television. They're even more comfortable with devices than we are, and we really love our devices.
While setting limits on devices are important, you still want you kids to be prepared for the brave new world that they're growing up in. These toys are all designed to teach kids how to build technology from a young age. Your kids will have fun playing with their devices and you can rest easy knowing that it's actually educational.
Sphero SPRK+
Mashable loves the app-controlled robots from Sphero, the company that brought your new favorite droid, BB-8, to life. The SPRK+ version (which stands for Schools, Parents, Robots, Kids) is paired to the Sphero Edu app. Via activities in the app, kids can learn how to program SPRK+ using JavaScript. As a fun bonus, the clear casing lets them see the components light up and move.
Kano Computer Kit
Like a tech-y Lego set, the Kano Computer Kit provides materials and step-by-step instructions for kids to make their own computer. The Kano kit uses Raspberry Pi 3 and provides activities to learn how to code, including how to hack the kid favorite, Minecraft.
Cubelets
Each Cubelet block has a different function, so it's a very tactile way to learn coding. Kids literally build their code with blocks to create a toy that they control. Cubelets come with Lego adapters so kids can build around their Cublets for a truly customized toy.
Dash & Dot Wonder Pack
Wonder Workshop specializes in coding toys and this bundle is a great starting point. Kids can program the robots Dot and Dash to move, light up, and interact with Wonder Workshop toys. Then on the next gift-giving holiday you can add on any of the other toys to add to their repertoire.
According to twitter, Emily Heller is a fake geek girl and a SJW. If you ask her friends, she laughs too loud and cries at cute animal videos. Prior to Mashable, Emily wrote for CollegeHumor and Reductress and most recently worked at a very bro-y tech startup. She lives in Brooklyn with three dudes, a cat who acts like a dog and a dog who acts like a houseplant.
