If you are looking for a gift that will spark your child’s imagination and curiosity, you might want to consider an AI robot toy. AI robot toys are not only fun and entertaining, but also educational and interactive. They can teach your child various skills such as coding, problem-solving, creativity, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
But with so many options available on the market, how do you choose the best AI robot toy for your kid? To help you out, we have compiled a list of the 13 best AI robot toys for kids in 2024 based on their features, benefits, reviews, and prices. Here are our top picks:
1. Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot for Kids
Best Grow-With-Me Robot
Price: $150
Recommended age: 6+
Features: Voice control | App control | Sensors | Lights | Sounds | Accessories
Dash is a smart and friendly robot that can grow with your child as they learn new skills and challenges. Dash can respond to voice commands, navigate objects, dance, sing, and perform various actions using the free apps available for iOS and Android devices. Dash can also be programmed using Blockly, a drag-and-drop coding language that introduces kids to the basics of coding and logic. Dash comes with a variety of accessories such as a launcher, a xylophone, a bulldozer bar, and more that can enhance the play experience and add more possibilities.
Benefits: Dash is a versatile and engaging robot that can inspire your child to explore the world of coding and robotics. Dash can adapt to your child’s level of learning and interest, and provide endless fun and creativity.
Reviews: Dash has received positive feedback from customers who praised its durability, interactivity, ease of use, and educational value. Some customers reported connectivity issues or glitches with the apps.
More details from this YouTube video.
2. Sphero BB-8 Droid
Best for Star Wars Fans
Price: $100
Recommended age: 8+
Features: App control | Voice control | Holographic communication | Adaptive personality | Inductive charging
If your child is a fan of Star Wars, they will love this BB-8 droid from Sphero. This is a realistic replica of the iconic character from the movie franchise that can be controlled with a smartphone or tablet. BB-8 can also respond to voice commands and show expressions and emotions based on its interactions. BB-8 can also project holographic messages using the app’s camera and display them on your device’s screen. BB-8 has an adaptive personality that changes as you play with it.
Benefits: BB-8 is a fun and authentic robot toy that can bring the Star Wars universe to life. BB-8 can stimulate your child’s imagination and creativity as they explore different ways to play with it.
Reviews: BB-8 has received mostly positive reviews from customers who loved its design, functionality, personality, and responsiveness. Some customers complained about battery life, connectivity issues, or app compatibility. You can watch this video for more details.
3. Lego Mindstorms EV3 Robot Kit
Best for Lego Lovers
Price: $350
Recommended age: 10+
Features: Building kit | App control | Sensors | Motors | Bluetooth | USB
Lego Mindstorms EV3 is a robot kit that combines the classic Lego building system with advanced technology. With this kit, your child can build and program five different robots using over 600 pieces of Lego bricks, sensors, motors, gears, wheels, and more. The robots can be controlled with the free app for iOS and Android devices or with the infrared remote control included in the kit. The app also provides step-by-step instructions, tutorials, challenges, and access to an online community of Lego Mindstorms enthusiasts.
Benefits: Lego Mindstorms EV3 is a robot kit that can challenge your child’s engineering and coding skills while providing hours of fun and creativity. Lego Mindstorms EV3 can also foster collaboration and problem-solving as your child can share their creations and ideas with other users online.
Reviews: Lego Mindstorms EV3 has received rave reviews from customers who appreciated its quality, versatility, educational value, and entertainment factor. Some customers reported missing or defective parts or difficulty with programming. More details.
4. Anki Cozmo Toy Robot for Kids
Cutest Robot Toy
Price: $180
Recommended age: 8+
Features: App control | Facial recognition | Emotions | Games | Coding
Cozmo is a cute and smart robot that can interact with you and your environment. Cozmo has a personality that evolves as you
play with it. Cozmo has a camera that can recognize faces and remember names. Cozmo also has emotions that change according to its mood and situation. Cozmo can play games with you using the three power cubes included in the box, or you can create your own games and challenges using the Cozmo Code Lab app. Cozmo Code Lab is a simple and fun way to learn coding and programming concepts.
Benefits: Cozmo is a charming and intelligent robot that can bond with your child and provide endless entertainment and learning opportunities. Cozmo can also stimulate your child’s emotional and social development as they interact with it.
Reviews: Cozmo has received glowing reviews from customers who love its personality, features, interactivity, and design. Some customers reported technical issues, battery problems, or app compatibility. More details from this video.
5. Meccano Erector Programmable Robot Building Kit
Best for Coding and Construction
Price: $140
Recommended age: 10+
Features: Building kit | App control | Sensors | LED eyes | Voice recognition
Meccano Erector is a robot-building kit that combines construction and coding skills. With this kit, your child can build and program one of two robots using over 600 metal parts, tools, motors, sensors, and a smart brain. The robots can be controlled with the free Meccano app for iOS and Android devices or with voice commands. The app also provides interactive instructions, tutorials, and programming modes. The robots can perform various actions such as walking, talking, dancing, playing games, and more.
Benefits: Meccano Erector is a robot-building kit that can challenge your child’s engineering and coding skills while providing hours of fun and creativity. Meccano Erector can also foster collaboration and problem-solving as your child can share their creations and ideas with other users online.
Reviews: Meccano Erector has received mixed reviews from customers who appreciated its quality, functionality, educational value, and entertainment factor. Some customers reported missing or defective parts, difficulty with assembly or programming, or poor customer service.
Please refer to this video for more information.
6. Fisher-Price Bright Beats
Best Robot Toy for Babies
Price: $30
Recommended age: 9 months+
Features: Lights | Sounds | Music | Dance moves
Bright Beats is a colorful and musical robot toy that can entertain and educate your baby. Bright Beats has four buttons on its feet that activate different modes of play: ABCs, 123s, colors, shapes, music, and dance. Bright Beats can also respond to your baby’s touch by moving its head, hips, arms, and lights. Bright Beats can play over 40 songs, tunes, and phrases that can stimulate your baby’s auditory and language development.
Benefits: Bright Beats is a fun and educational robot toy that can introduce your baby to various concepts and skills while providing sensory stimulation and physical activity.
Reviews: Bright Beats has received positive reviews from customers who love its design, features, interactivity, durability, and value. Some customers complained about battery life or sound quality.
7. WowWee Miposaur Robot Dinosaur
Best Dinosaur Robot Toy
Price: $100
Recommended age: 4+
Features: App control | Trackball control | Gesture control | Sensors | Emotions
Miposaur is a smart and interactive robot dinosaur that can respond to different modes of control. Miposaurs can be controlled with the free app for iOS and Android devices that allows you to play games, feed it, battle with other Miposaurs, and more. Miposaur can also be controlled with the trackball that comes with the toy which allows you to change its mood, behavior, movement, and more. Miposaur can also respond to hand gestures using its gesture sense technology that detects your movements. Miposaur has sensors that allow it to interact with its environment and other Miposaurs.
Benefits: Miposaur is a fun and engaging robot toy that can inspire your child’s imagination and curiosity. Miposaur can also stimulate your child’s emotional and social development as they interact with it.
Reviews: Miposaur has received mixed reviews from customers who liked its design, features, interactivity, and design. Some customers reported technical issues, battery problems, or app compatibility.
8. Fisher-Price Teach ‘n Tag Movi
Best Robot Toy for Preschoolers
Price: $40
Recommended age: 3+
Features: Lights | Sounds | Music | Games | Sensors
Movi is a cheerful and energetic robot that can teach your preschooler various skills and concepts while having fun. Movi has three game modes that can help your child learn the alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors, animals, and more. Movi can also encourage your child to move and exercise by playing games such as “Red Light, Green Light” or “Movi Says”. Movi has a 360-degree mobility that allows it to move in any direction. Movi also has expressive facial features and over 60 different faces that can show emotions and reactions.
Benefits: Movi is a fun and educational robot that can stimulate your child’s cognitive, physical, and social development. Movi can also foster your child’s curiosity and creativity as they explore different games and activities.
Reviews: Movi has received positive reviews from customers who love its design, features, interactivity, durability, and value. Some customers complained about sound quality or repetition.
9. SmartGurlz Coding Robot for Girls
Best Robot Toy for Girls
Price: $80
Recommended age: 6+
Features: App control | Coding | Story-based missions | Fashion doll
SmartGurlz is a robot toy that aims to inspire girls to learn coding and STEM skills while having fun. SmartGurlz consists of a fashion doll that rides a self-balancing scooter that can be controlled with the free SmartGurlz app for iOS and Android devices. The app also provides story-based missions that teach coding concepts using Blockly, a drag-and-drop coding language. The missions are based on the adventures of different SmartGurlz characters that have diverse backgrounds and interests.
Benefits: SmartGurlz is a robot toy that can empower girls to learn coding and STEM skills while playing with a toy that reflects their personality and style. SmartGurlz can also stimulate girls’ imagination and creativity as they create their own stories and challenges.
Reviews: SmartGurlz has received positive feedback from customers who appreciated its design, functionality, educational value, and entertainment factor. Some customers reported connectivity issues or glitches with the app.
10. Sphero BOLT App-Enabled Robot
Best Robot Ball
Price: $150
Recommended age: 8+
Features: App control | LED matrix | Sensors | Coding
BOLT is a spherical robot that can be controlled with the free Sphero Edu app for iOS, Android, Kindle, Mac, Windows, and Chrome devices. BOLT has an LED matrix that can display various colors, animations, and data. BOLT also has sensors that can measure speed, acceleration, direction, light, temperature, and more. BOLT can be programmed using three different modes: draw, blocks, or text. Draw mode allows you to draw a path for BOLT to follow. Blocks mode allows you to use Blockly to create commands for BOLT. Text mode allows you to use JavaScript to code BOLT.
Benefits: BOLT is a versatile and engaging robot that can inspire your child to learn coding and STEM skills while having fun. BOLT can also foster collaboration and problem-solving as your child can share their programs and data with other users online.
Reviews: BOLT has received positive reviews from customers who love its design, features, interactivity, and design. Some customers reported technical issues, battery problems, or app compatibility.
11. LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox
Best Build-Your-Own Robot Toy
Price: $160
Recommended age: 7+
Features: Building kit | App control | Sensors | Motors | Bluetooth
LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox is a robot-building kit that allows your child to build and program five different robots using over 800 pieces of LEGO bricks, sensors, motors, and a smart hub. The robots can be controlled with the free LEGO Boost app for iOS and Android devices which also provides interactive instructions, tutorials, and challenges. The app uses a drag-and-drop coding interface that teaches your child the basics of coding and logic. The robots can perform various actions such as moving, talking, shooting, playing music, and more.
Benefits: LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox is a robot-building kit that can challenge your child’s engineering and coding skills while providing hours of fun and creativity. LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox can also foster collaboration and problem-solving as your child can share their creations and ideas with other users online.
Reviews: LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox has received positive reviews from customers who appreciated its quality, versatility, educational value, and entertainment factor. Some customers reported missing or defective parts or difficulty with programming or connectivity.
12. Top Race Remote Control Robot Dog
Best Robot Pet
Price: $50
Recommended age: 3+
Features: Remote control | Voice control | Sensors | Lights | Sounds
If your child loves dogs but you are not ready to get a real one, you might want to consider this robot dog from Top Race. This robot dog can perform various actions such as walking, running, barking, sitting, lying down, rolling over, shaking hands, dancing, and more using the remote control or voice commands. The robot dog also has sensors that allow it to respond to touch and avoid obstacles. The robot dog also has lights and sounds that make it more realistic and interactive.
Benefits: This robot dog is a fun and engaging robot toy that can provide your child with companionship and entertainment. This robot dog can also stimulate your child’s emotional and social development as they interact with it.
Reviews: This robot dog has received mostly positive reviews from customers who liked its design, functionality, interactivity, and design. Some customers reported technical issues, battery problems, or app compatibility.
What are the advantages of a toy robot?
- STEM Learning: They encourage an early interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through hands-on play and experimentation.
- Creativity and Imagination: Playing with toy robots sparks creativity and imaginative thinking, allowing kids to create stories, scenarios, and role-playing activities.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Children learn problem-solving skills as they navigate challenges, program actions, and troubleshoot issues with their toy robots.
- Fine Motor Skills: Manipulating and controlling the robot’s movements helps in refining fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Social Interaction: Some toy robots promote group play and collaboration, fostering social interaction, teamwork, and communication skills among children.
- Introduction to Coding: Certain toy robots come with basic coding elements, introducing kids to coding concepts in a fun and accessible way.
- Entertainment and Engagement: Toy robots offer entertainment value, keeping kids engaged for extended periods while encouraging exploration and discovery.
What are the disadvantages of the robot toys?
- Cost: High-quality robotic toys can be expensive, limiting accessibility for some families.
- Dependency on Technology: Excessive use of robotic toys might lead to over-dependence on technology, potentially reducing imaginative and creative play.
- Complexity: Some advanced robotic toys might be too complex for younger children, causing frustration or disinterest.
- Limited Social Interaction: Spending extended periods playing with robots alone could limit opportunities for social interaction and collaborative play.
- Maintenance and Durability: Robotic toys may require maintenance, battery replacements, or repairs, impacting their longevity and requiring additional costs.
- Safety Concerns: Depending on the design and functionality, some robotic toys may have small parts or sharp edges, posing safety hazards for younger users.
Conclusion
These are some of the best AI robot toys for kids in 2024 that can provide fun, education, and inspiration. Whether your child is interested in coding, engineering, music, or just having a good time, there is a robot toy that can suit their preferences and needs. Robot toys can also help your child develop various skills and abilities that can prepare them for the future. So, what are you waiting for? Pick one of these amazing robot toys and watch your child’s eyes light up with joy and wonder.
