Need ideas for programmable toy for 8 1/2 yr old please

[Topbird29]

Hi. Have an 8 1/2 year old DS. He likes playing with scratch on the chromebook, so might be nice to get him something like a programmable robot or toy for xmas. Something thats not too babyish either. Budget is up to £50 or £60. Most that I have seen when searching under "programmable" on amazon are just really remote controlled, and he already has RC car, so don't think that would add anything for him. Can anyone recommend something please. Wouldn't mind building something the once, but likes playability. Not looking for lego (he has plenty of that already, and expressed no interest in technic lego!). Thanks in advance.

You might be better searching for coding toys (assuming that's what you mean?)

This looks good.

https://shop.sciencemuseum.org.uk/products/5-in-1-mechanical-coding-robot?variant=39508852965427&gclid=Cj0KCQiA99ybBhD9ARIsALvZavWgd2of6BDQe0T5oXSz53lzKxPxiacHVYAccvxOBP8RKT8nOVW0NsaApl8EALww_wcB

We've never had one, but I've always fancied a Sphero.

Big Trak is simple and fun if you don't want to run from an app.

As an ex teacher of this age of kid, I can recommend Sphero.

If it's too expensive, you could look at getting second hand from somewhere, or look at the Sphero mini. The programming is on several levels, depending on which bit of the app you use. I have used these with students all the way from 4 to 11 years.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sphero-Mini-Enabled-Robot-Blue/dp/B072B6QVVW/ref=ascdff_B072B6QVVW/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310762591863&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6330658744829896255&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046430&hvtargid=pla-375329122742&psc=1

We’ve had a few programming toys starting with a mouse with the programming buttons on its back, a clementoni robot, and the Lego boost robot.

I like the look of sphero, but it’s pricey. But to be honest, what I’d love to know is what to move them on to once they’ve done the kind of programming that moves a robot (often just putting in the correct sequence of arrows etc and then setting it off). How do they actually create software?

My kids have also had a lot of the robots that are out there (Lego Boost / Wonderlabs Dash / Kano Harry Potter Wand). And I also haven't found much to move them on. We have books on coding games in python etc, and DH got things like raspberry Pi but the kids haven't quite got into it.

I think more Scratch is probably the best option - there is a lot that you can do to make a simple game bigger & more professional.

Sphero is available 2nd hand. (See link) It has several levels, starting from basic remote control for infants to using the same block programming as in Scratch. (See pic), so you can embed loops, if/then statements and control sounds and lights as well as direction. There are many challenges and programming suggestions to be found online.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385187203886?hash=item59aef24b2e%3Ag%3Ab8wAAOSw3SljE2Wt&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA0LREX0iNaEqQOeAuNq5zvEA5Tv6QS51aoHNADq0vhmD4ul8anvjmM%2Fs9xtoJeD9eRluw0rjskZ9qXSs9AFvoFDYZ82aqI4ZeJvJm16p5OIC7TvLCPMKy0H26DtdfZXJPXscxW4FLQACTa4kfpvCJOrCZs%2BXOmIiaXOyWfN4H%2F2fRQJ5JqPOAsjz2wteS0y9vMky5Uefih%2BQYFU1%2BePfF0U6P3nCv93Rbn%2BIPApved%2BkhKiV0sFV3i9jZau5WRPCpeVSJRi6Lne0T8Rwo%2FTn4oRs%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-jLmLuRYQ&LH_BIN=1

I'm looking at similar for my ds for Christmas so this is very helpful! Might be an idea to wait to buy until Black Friday though? I'm sure there'll be lots of savings to be had

Thanks for suggestions to far. Will take a look at them. Part of the problem is knowing what to look for! Raspberry pi could be good for when he is a bit older.
Agree - might get on black Friday, although a lot of place have offers now too. Just need the right ideas.

Just googled big trak - am sure we had on at primary school 30 (plus) years ago!! Bought back memories 😀

First time I've replied on any post before, but as this hasn't been suggested...
Try the Crumble kit at Red Fern Electronics
Ooh I did a link!
It uses a programme that's just like scratch and you can print off instructions or make up your own things. My son got it for his 8th birthday and still plays with it at nearly 10.

The BBC microbit is also an option. Reasonably priced too. But it's not necessarily a toy, more like an easier version is Raspberry Pi