KIBO holiday kits put coding concepts in kids’ hands

KinderLab Robotics, a creator of toys and educational tools that teach young children to understand logic and to program, has announced three new kits for its developmentally-appropriate programming robot, KIBO, for the holiday season.

KIBO provides a fundamental introduction to technology by using familiar wooden blocks to teach kids aged four to seven how to create lines of code, or programming sequences. The new kits include the KIBO 10 Kit, KIBO 14 Kit and KIBO 18 Kit.

Each block controls the robot’s actions, such as its motion, and its ability to sense sound, light and distance. By putting the blocks together, children create programs, or lines of code, with each block representing an instruction to the robot. After building the program, children scan the sequence of blocks with the robot body and press a button. KIBO then follows their instructions. As further integration of the learning process, KIBO sets can be decorated and personalized, building an educational bridge between technology and art.

KIBO offers an opportunity for kids to receive a gift within a gift during the holidays. Behind the fun, KIBO:

  • Teaches the logic and flow of programming
  • Introduces computer skills in tandem with collaboration, art, creative play and artistic expression
  • Fosters simple interaction with parents and teachers who may not know about programming
  • Helps develop kids’ cognitive, emotional, social and motor skills
  • Encourages open-ended play

KIBO sets are designed and assembled in the USA.

KIBO 10 Kit: This basic kit contains everything a child needs for an introduction to programming and mobile robotics. Contains KIBO robot with 10 programming blocks and two motors ($229).

KIBO 14 Kit: Comprehensive kit includes everything a child needs to cover programming, mobile robotics, and inputs and outputs. Contains KIBO robot with 14 programming blocks, two motors, three sensor modules, one light bulb module and an art stage ($359).

KIBO 18 Kit: The “all-singing, all-dancing edition.” This includes extra bells and whistles to delight a child with a robot capable of singing, dancing and flashing multicolored light. Contains KIBO robot with 18 programming blocks, three motors, three sensor modules, one light bulb module, and a rotating art stage — perfect for making ballerinas, helicopters or carousels ($399).

To order a KIBO Kit, please go to: https://www.shop.kinderlabrobotics.com/KIBO-Sets_c7.htm.