Kids love robots. Let's take a look at the top 10 best-rated robots for them.
Whether a hip retro robot, a straight-forward talking and dancing robot, or a smart programmable s.t.e.m one, these robot toys make perfect gifts for both boys and girls.
Robots are heaps of fun. It's even better when they are educational, and keep children engaged and entertained while they learn.
Retro-looking robots are available and are still great to own...
But your child can also step into the world of futuristic smart robots.
If your looking for a toy robot for a child, we have listed the best-rated robot toys for kids.
First, we will help you by going through points to consider before you make your decision...
Points to look out for when buying a toy robot for a child:
Are robots just for boys?
Girls love robots too!
Robots were typically thought of as boys' toys, and that's changing fast.
If you haven't already brought one for a girl, please consider doing so. Girls would simply love to own a fun-talking, music-playing little robot companion. They are available in various designs and colours, so there's something to suit everyone.
How much should a toy robot cost?
Think of your budget.
A decent toy robot should be in the range of $/£20 - $/£40. An excellent robot should be in the range of $/£50 - $/£100. And a mega wowzer robot should set you back between $/£150 - $/£250. We have selected and reviewed robots for all of these price ranges.
What to look out for when buying a toy robot:
Do you need the robot to be programmable?
A coding robot?
App-based?
Remote-controlled?
Touch sensors?
A basic, no-fuss robot with an on and off button?
A robot that you need to build from scratch? - ideal for little engineers.
One that comes ready-made? - ideal for the very young.
One that needs charging, or one that works solely with batteries?
Check for a suitable age range.
Check for device compatibility.
What do you want the robot to look like?
As you are probably aware, there are many different kinds of robots other than the typical 'classic robot' form. There are robotic dogs. Dinosaurs/dragons. Unicorns. Science-fiction-looking shapes - there are rolling ball types, and types that resemble WALL-E and Eve. And quite a few stunning Star Wars robots and droids.
LEGO has Smart robot characters that are a rewarding challenge to build.
Which functions would you like your robot to have?
Educational, learning functions? A robot that mimics your voice? Dances, sings, and plays music? One that has wheels or tracks and glides over the floor (not advisable if you have thick carpets), or one that walks. There's a dinosaur robot that dances, roars, and sprays mist out of its mouth as you'll see below in our list!
Think of the size.
For easy storage, playing, and carrying - Some toy robots are pocket-sized. Others are chunky and need more space to move around and perform their actions.
The advantages of having a Smart robot...
Smart robots can be very educational. They can provide children with language development, social skills, and interactions. The higher-priced robots are packed with an astounding academic syllabus.
The 10 BEST rated robot toys for kids
1. B9 Robot Figure from 'Lost In Space'.
B9 is a friendly, electronic helper robot. He talks a lot and his lights flash - a fantastic retro robot from the classic sci-fi series 'Lost In Space'. A must-have for any robot fan young or old.
2. Mini, talking robot.
Suitable for ages 3+
This voice recording robot is not programmable, making him so easy to use for little ones. All you have to do is turn on his power button by tapping his head and speak to him. He repeats what you say for up to 20 seconds. The talking robot has a cute voice that is higher pitched, so this feature is guaranteed to provide you with so much fun. He will automatically turn off after a short period when he detects there is no sound.
Available in green, blue, or red.
Equipped with 3 LR44 1.5V button-cell batteries.
Made from durable metal and anti-scratch plastic.
4 different sounds. 5 colourful LED-light eyes. 11 flexible joints. - Can be placed in various different poses. Great for trying out stop-and-go animations!
3. Multi-functioning, remote-controlled, programmable robot.
A gesture sensing, walking and skating, talking, singing, and dancing robot that even plays music.
Built-in gesture sensing infra-red sensor that controls directions. The robot avoids obstacles and can re-plan routes.
Suitable for ages 3+
Available in blue or pink.
The robot comes with an internal 3.7 lithium battery.
Remote controlled - up to 8m distance - 1 - 2 hours of play. Requires 2 AA batteries.
1 USB cable.
Bright, appealing LED eyes.
Flexible wheels on the bottom for skating. Moves very well on smooth surfaces or thin carpets. Can go forward, or backward. Turns to the left and right.
4. Cady Wile - Programable Smart Robot.
This is Cady Wile - A walking, talking, dancing, singing Smart Robot - Cady Wile even transports items to and fro and has a built-in savings bank!
Suitable for ages 8+
Available in white or red.
Cady Wile is a wireless remote-controlled, intelligent robot. Straight-forward to operate.
Not only can he speak, but he also makes 3 different monster sounds.
He easily imitates your voice - you just need to press the button on the remote control and speak.
His head doubles as a built-in saving bank - the coins can easily be removed once they have accumulated. Children get to learn about saving in a great way.
Powered by USB charging. Wile is fully charged after 1 - 2 hours. This will give you 60 - 80 mins of playtime.
The remote control will need 2 AAA batteries.
Cady Wile has gesture sensors. Voice commands and clapping will enable his pre-programmed actions.
His functions are singing songs and dancing. He can move forward, backward, turn left and right. As well as the walking mode, he has a sliding mode.
An attachable tray can be placed on his front so that Cady Wile can act as a personal assistant and transfer items to you!
5. SNAEN Multifunctional Robosaur Dragon/Dinosaur.
A walking Dragon/T Rex that sprays mist out of its mouth!
Plays music, dances, and has great sound effects.
Suitable for ages 3+
Available in black or white.
This mechanical robosaur can walk forward, backward, and is equipped with a sliding motion at adjustable speeds.
It has battle action and roaring sound effects when its head is touched.
Dances to 3 songs and has programmable instructions that it can perform.
There is a button for your robosaur to spray fire and ice, meaning that mist comes out of his mouth for a duration of 5 seconds, and the mist lights turn red or blue accordingly. (You'll need to fill clean water into the compartment in the dragon's head for the mist effect to work).
This interactive, remote-controlled, fire-breathing dragon/robot dinosaur, can follow commands and launch missiles! It comes with 3 soft missiles that can all be fired at the same time from a launcher.
It has an educational side to it - the robotic dino can tell you about popular science. Tell stories and say poetry. It can even say tongue-twisters!
The robotic dinosaur comes with 2 packs of 4.8V rechargeable batteries. A USB battery charger. 2 small water bottles (to top up the 'mist'). 1 mini screwdriver. The remote-controller.
2 wings. Launcher/ Ejector. Dismountable wings and tail for better storage options.
6. Wonder Workshop - 'Dash' voice-activated coding Robot.
Highly rated - used in many schools worldwide!
Let your kids engage in technology with 'Dash' the STEM coding robot. The perfect introduction to robotics and programming. Made by Wonder Workshop.
Suitable for ages 6+
Available in blue.
Dash comes charged and ready to take you on a journey straight out of the box. He responds to voice commands and contains a heap of fun technology. What's more, Dash's learning output grows with your child, helping them with a huge range of skills along their growing-up journey.
This educational wonder robot is used in many schools and has won various top awards for its mentor abilities. He can be used by individuals, or in groups for creative teamwork projects.
Learn programming by the easy drag-and-drop method.
Dash has 5 free downloadable apps for singing, drawing, moving around, and lots of problem-solving:
Wonder - picture based to create behaviours.
Go - discover all of Dash's great functions - sounds, sensors, movements, lights.
Path - allows you to quickly learn the basics of robotics and coding - perfect for younger kids as they don't need to be readers!
Xylo - learn to compose, do music sequencing, loop, and play tunes. (You'll need to buy the xylophone accessory separately)
Blockly - playful projects and puzzles to play with, and also progress to learn advanced concepts of coding.
Includes 1 lithium-ion battery. Comes with 2 brick connectors. 1 micro USB charging cable.
Has Bluetooth connectivity. Provides 5 hours of play. 30 days of standby time.
Fun Dash accessories can be brought separately -
Bunny ears
Sketch kit
Xylophone
Bulldozer bar
Catapult sling
And more fun - you can even dress Dash up by constructing various LEGO attachments for him to wear!
Device compatibility - iPad. iPhone. Galaxy. Google Pixel.
Be sure to check the compatibility with your device version - go to makewonder.com/combatibility
Connect with the Dash community! - Children are invited to collaborate and take part in the Dash robot 'Wonder League' coding workshops and competitions around the World. Learn more about the Wonder League Robot Competitions
7. Educiro - Robot, s.t.e.m building kit
Promotes engineering and construction learning.
Ages 8 - 12
405 pieces.
Remote controlled. IOS and Android app controlled.
1 Lithium Ion battery is required.
8. Makeblock mBot Robotics kit.
Coding, remote-controlled. For budding engineers.
For ages 8+
Available in pink or blue
9. Roybi Robot - the educational, smart robot.
A great learning companion for children 3 - 8 years.
For personalised educational learning. Math, science and tech.
Chinese and Spanish require an extra in-app purchase.
10. LEGO Star Wars BOOST Droid Commander.
An app-based building set that consists of 3 iconic Star Wars Droids:
R2 D2. Gonk Droid. Mouse Droid.
From The Lego Store.
1, 177 pieces
Ages 8+ (adult help may be needed)
Over 40 ingenious missions to go on.
Music from Star Wars episodes I - IV.
Colour and distance sensor.
The droids provide an introduction to basic engineering. Build and learn to code as you play.
A feature-packed app that is Bluetooth controlled. Coding is achieved through a drag-and-drop feature.
You will need to download the free Lego Boost Star Wars app. Then it's time to solve missions by participating in interactive games in order to find the instructions and be guided through the building process. (The Droid Commanders do not come with printed instructions).
Once you have built your Droids, you can insert the Bluetooth-controlled Boost Hub (the power control unit). The 3 Droids share one Hub. You would need to buy additional Hubs separately to have 3 fully functioning Commanders.
COMPATIBILITY - iOS 11 and newer. Android 6 or above. Fire OS 5.3 or above.
Double-check compatibility on the official Lego site, Support/Find building instructions/Device check.
Which one did you decide on?
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