mBot2

Makeblock coding robot kit The step up from coding a toy to coding a real robot. A child assembles the rover, then programs it in Makeblock's mBlock software to drive, sense and react to what its sensors read, starting with drag-and-drop blocks and moving to Python in the same program when ready. That jump from blocks to text is exactly the hurdle most kids stall at, and here it happens without changing tools. It is the kind of robot school clubs build around, and it can be taken apart and rebuilt with extra sensors and parts. Makeblock lists it at $149.99 and has recently run it on sale for $94.99.