The best coding kits for schools allow students to learn to code subtly, even from a younger age, while having fun. From block-based basics to give younger kids an idea about how coding works, to writing more complex code that results in real-world actions, like walking robots, the right kit is essential. for the perfect interaction.
This guide aims to present a range of coding kits to suit different ages and abilities, so there should be something for everyone. This list covers robotics, STEM learning, electronics, science, and more. The spectrum also spans cost, from very affordable options that work with current hardware, such as tablet apps, to more expensive options that include robots and other hardware to provide a more tactile experience for students.
The point here is that coding can be simple, it can be fun, and if you get the right kit, it should be effortlessly good looking too. It’s also worth considering who will be teaching with the kit and how experienced they are. Some kits offer training for educators so that the maximum can be offered to students in the classroom.
These are the best coding kits for schools.
1. Sphero Bolt: Top Pick of the Best Coding Kits
The Sphero Bolt is an excellent option, and our top pick, for the ultimate in the best coding kits out there right now. Mainly this is a robot ball that can roll based on your coding commands. That means students get a very physical and fun end result from their efforts that engages them both on screen and in the room.
The ball itself is translucent so students can see how everything inside works with programmable sensors and an array of LEDs to interact with. When it comes to coding, it uses a Scratch style, but also allows more advanced users to program with JavaScript, one of the most popular web-based coding languages. Or delve into the C-based OVAL programming language for more advanced ways to control the robot’s roll, flip, rotate, and color commands.
While this is good for more advanced coders, it’s also simple to get started, making it accessible for students as young as eight, and perhaps younger depending on their abilities. The drag and drop menu options can make the process very simple with commands like movement, speed, direction and others all clearly laid out for use when changing your order.
A Sphero Mini option is also available, helping with STEM learning and multiple coding languages, just at a more affordable price.
2. Botley 2.0 The Coding Robot – The best coding robot for beginners
Botley 2.0 The Coding Robot is a fantastic option for younger learners, ages five and up, as well as those new to coding. This is because Botely is very simple to use thanks to its intuitive design and interaction system. Crucially, it does all of this with physical interactions that don’t require any screen time.
The robot itself isn’t the cheapest, however for what you get it’s actually very affordable. This smart on-the-go bot features object detection and even has night vision so it can navigate most spaces without worrying about taking damage, another reason it works well with younger users.
Get coding and this can take a massive 150 steps of coding instructions that let you do 45-degree turns in up to six directions, light up multi-colored eyes, and more. The set includes 78 building blocks, allowing students to build obstacle courses and more like navigational programming challenges. You can even transform the bot into 16 different modes, including train, police car, and ghost.
The kit’s selection of options allows you to vary the amount you want or need to spend, as well as add complexity to accommodate the age and ability of the students you plan to use it with.
3. Kano Harry Potter Coding Kit – Best for use with tablets
The Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit is a great option for anyone who already has tablets at school and wants to get the most out of that hardware without spending too much on another physical kit. As such, it’s app-based and works with laptops and tablets, though it offers real-world hardware in the form of a Harry Potter-style wand.
This kit is primarily aimed at fans of the Harry Potter universe, and as such, all gameplay and interactions are related to magic. The wand itself must be built out of the box as part of the challenge, and this then acts as a way to interact with the games. Students can use the wand’s motion sensors to interact, moving it like a magician would. It can also be coded to display a color of choice using the built-in LEDs.
There are over 70 challenges available that teach and test various coding skills, from loops and code blocks to JavaScript and logic. Students can make feathers fly, pumpkins grow, fire flow, goblets multiply and much more while effortlessly learning while playing with magic.
There’s also a larger coding gaming community, Kano, that allows students to mix art, games, music, and more.
This coding kit is aimed at ages six and up, but might work for younger ones when they can, and it’s available for Mac, iOS, Android, and Fire devices.
4. Osmo Encoding – Best for Early Years Encoding
Osmo Coding offers kits created for students ages five and up to work with physical blocks while coding using an iPad. As students use the real world blocks, placed on the iPad or iPhone, they can see the results of their actions digitally. As such, this is a really lovely way to learn to code Montessori-style, so it can be perfect for solo play as well as guided learning.
So while you’ll need an Apple device to run this, if you have one, the price is relatively low, and real-world motions help reduce screen time. The main character in this system is called Awbie and the students guide him through an adventure using the blocks to control the game.
The games use music to help teach students to recognize melody and rhythm, with over 300 musical sounds in the Coding Jam section. As such, this is a great STEAM learning tool that also features advanced puzzles, strategy games, and over 60 coding puzzles. This covers the likes of logic, coding fundamentals, coding puzzles, listening comprehension, teamwork, critical thinking, and more.
5. Petoi Bittle Robotic Dog – Best for older students
The Petoi Bittle robotic dog is a great choice for older students and adults who want to learn real-world coding languages in a fun way. The dog itself is a highly sophisticated robot that uses high-performance plastic servo motors to create realistic movements. Building the bot itself takes about an hour and is part of the challenging fun.
Once up and running, it is possible to encode movements in the dog using many different languages. These are real world languages, making it ideal for STEAM learning, but best suited for those with prior experience. Get started with Scratch-style block-based coding and build to Arduino IDE and C++/Python coding styles. All of this is done while developing engineering, mechanical, mathematical, and even physical skills.
The dog can be programmed to interact with the world, not just to move, but also to see, hear, feel and interact with its environment with an optional camera module. It can also work with other Arduino or Raspberry Pi compatible sensors. Go beyond the basics using the open source OpenCat operating system, which allows for customization and growth to truly challenge and free up more advanced learners to be creative.
