When you shop through links on our site, we may receive compensation. This educational content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

13 Best Robot Toys for Kids of 2024

Updated
Boost your child's STEM skills with futuristic robot toys.

Are you looking for a robot toy that will blow your kid’s mind?

We’ve wasted our money on low-quality toys that didn’t impress our tech-loving kids at all. So we now know what to look for in a robot toy and what to avoid, and we’ll share these details with you.

We’ve compared all the top models to help you narrow down your choice. Read our reviews of the best robot toys on today’s high-tech market. These robots use cutting-edge technology, have unique functions, teach coding, and help develop STEM skills in kids of all ages.

And while they may not clean their bedroom for them, these multi-functional robots will entertain your kids for hours as they learn new skills without even realizing it.

Our Top Picks

We independently research, assess and evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on the links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Image
Model
Product Comparison Table
Features

Product Image of the Wonder Workshop Dash
Best Grow-With-Me Robot
Wonder Workshop Dash
  • Offers open-ended learning platform
  • 5 hours playtime
  • Award-winning
Product Image of the Sphero BB-8 Droid
Best for Star Wars Fans
Sphero BB-8 Droid
  • Waterproof polycarbonate shell
  • Bluetooth Smart connection
  • App-enabled
Product Image of the Lego Mindstorms EV3
Best for Lego Lovers
Lego Mindstorms EV3
  • Educational STEM robot
  • 17 different robotic designs
  • Infrared sensor system
Product Image of the Anki Cozmo Robot
Cutest Robot Toy
Anki Cozmo Robot
  • Plays multiple games
  • Tested for durability and security
  • Smart, entertaining robot
Product Image of the Meccano Erector
Coding and Construction
Meccano Erector
  • Easily programmable
  • Novice complexity level
  • Interactive
Product Image of the Fisher-Price Bright Beats
Best for Babies
Fisher-Price Bright Beats
  • Multi-colored lights
  • 120+ songs, sounds, tunes
  • 4 ways to play
Product Image of the Miposaur RC
Best Dinosaur Robot Toy
Miposaur RC
  • GestureSense technology
  • Remote controlled
  • Mini collectibles
Product Image of the Fisher-Price Think & Learn
Best for Preschoolers
Fisher-Price Think & Learn
  • 3 ways to play
  • 360 degrees of mobility
  • 60+ facial expressions
Product Image of the Ozobot Bit Coding
Starter Coding Bot
Ozobot Bit Coding
  • Fully assembled
  • Drag-and-drop code editor
  • Introduces basic coding & robotics concepts
Product Image of the Zoob Bot
Build And Create
Zoob Bot
  • No batteries for pull-back motor
  • Award-winning building set
  • Beginner course in robotics


The Best Kids Robot Toys of 2024

We’ve chosen 13 of the best robot toys based on their quality, age-appropriateness, aesthetics, and cost.

Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot for Kids

Best Grow-With-Me Robot

This ready-to-use robot will perform basic voice-activated tasks as soon as you get it. However, you can expand its capabilities using an app compatible with iOS, Android, or Kindle Fire.

Quest mode lets your kids code in a fun way to teach their robot what to do. It can dance, follow a racetrack, make noises, light up, and more. The more quests your child completes, the more this robot will do.

We really like that this has a progressive learning curve for children 6 years and over, as this one toy can keep a child engaged for years.

User Experience

I recently purchased this interactive robot for my 5-year-old son, and it has exceeded my expectations in terms of both educational value and entertainment. The robot is well-designed with sturdy construction, smooth and responsive motors, and an impressive battery life. One of the highlights of this product is its fantastic companion app, which offers an intuitive interface and a comprehensive educational progression section. While I wish there was a better way to export and view the code used by the app, this minor drawback doesn't detract from the overall experience. Both my son and I have found this robot to be challenging, engaging, and a great introduction to programming concepts.

Sphero BB-8 Droid

Best for Star Wars Fans

Star Wars never fails to deliver when it comes to robots. Their characters are firm favorites with young and old. The BB-8 droid made its debut in “The Force Awakens.”

This smaller version of the popular droid will be a hit with Star Wars fans who are 8 years and over. They can program the droid from any iOS or Android device. Features include holographic videos that appear from its built-in camera sensor and an adaptive personality.

It will respond to your child’s preferences and undoubtedly become their new best friend. It can be voice or app-controlled.

Your child can also connect the Sphero app to introduce them to STEM-based robotics.

Personal Perspective

Bought this droid for my grandchildren, and I must say it is a fun and unique toy. On hard surfaces like hardwood floors, it zips around quickly, but it struggles on thick or thin carpets. The instructions provided are minimal, but you can find more information on their website. The hologram feature is interesting but limited, and it doesn't seem to have any learning or adaptive features. The charge to play ratio is 3:1, which means 3 hours of charging for 1 hour of play.

Lego Mindstorms EV3 Robot Kit

Best for Lego Lovers

Why not combine your kid’s love of Lego with learning? Suitable for boys and girls from age 10 upwards, this kit lets them build and program their very own robots.

It has 601 pieces that can create 17 different robots. This is great if your child gets bored with one configuration — they can just change it for a whole new toy. Once assembled, they’ll use the free app to control the robot.

Their creation will be able to walk, talk, complete tasks, and play games. Your child can also program it to grab items and shoot targets. As well as app control, there’s also an infrared controller included.

Community Feedback

Best purchase for anyone looking to dive into robotics! As a seasoned RC vehicle enthusiast, I was immediately drawn to the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 set. Building the first model, Track3r, was a breeze thanks to the clear and concise instructions. The programming method is incredibly user-friendly, even for someone like me who had no prior experience in computer programming. Not only is this set fun, but it also subtly teaches you programming skills as you progress through different models and challenges.

Anki Cozmo Toy Robot for Kids

Cutest Robot Toy

Fans of WALL-E will love Cozmo, the compact robot that evolves the more you interact with it. You can play games with it, but don’t win too often, or it will throw a tantrum!

It has over 100 human-like emotions and can recognize faces and names and ask to play when connected to the free iOS or Android app. Once your child gets used to it and is ready, they can learn easy coding with a drag-and-drop function.

While recommended for ages 8 and up, teens and adults are sure to find Cozmo fun, too. This video shows Cozmo in action.

First-Hand Impression

These interactive Cozmo robots offer engaging games and activities, with impressive facial recognition that even identifies pets. However, the build quality is lacking, with issues such as uneven fit and paint job, and the robot requires consistent charging and app usage. Despite these drawbacks, Cozmo has a charming personality and appeals to both children and adults, making it a fun and educational companion.

Meccano Erector Programmable Robot Building Kit

Best for Coding and Construction

Ideal for the budding engineer or coder, Meccano brings years of expertise to this robot for kids ages 8 and over.

With 115 parts, the erector set can be built in about an hour and is designed for novices to the world of robotics. Once assembled, your child can sync the robot to a PC and use free software to customize it. Program it to walk or turn, compose music with its sound effects, or record phrases.

This robot will even dance for you, with built-in beat sensors. It’s a good starting place for STEM learning for kids.

User Experience

In my experience, this interactive toy provided hours of fun for my young family members, even though it was a bit fragile. They especially enjoyed watching the toys interact with each other and responding to yes or no questions. However, the programmability aspect was a bit disappointing, and assembly was challenging, but overall, it's a great STEM project for early learners.

Fisher-Price Bright Beats

Best Robot Toy for Babies

Little ones love interactive toys, and this one is a great place to start. BeatBelle has 120 songs, sounds, and phrases to engage your baby or toddler in learning the alphabet, counting, and more.

It’s suitable for babies and toddlers from 9 months old. They’ll have fun dancing along with this spinning robot that shakes its head and swings its hips. The robot encourages little ones to sing and clap and rewards them with flashing lights.

It helps develop gross motor skills with movement and music and starts them on the road to recognizing letters and numbers.

Personal Perspective

I recently purchased this interactive toy for my daughter, and it quickly became a favorite in our household. The bright lights and engaging music keep her entertained for hours, as she enjoys copying BeatBelle's spinning and dancing moves. However, the toy stopped working after less than a month, which was quite disappointing. I also found the songs to be too short, leaving my daughter wanting more. Despite these drawbacks, this toy has provided countless hours of fun and has become a beloved addition to our playtime routine.

WowWee Miposaur Robot Dinosaur

Best Dinosaur Robot Toy

This intelligent dinosaur robot responds to hand gestures, its trackball, or commands from a remote control. Kids ages 4 and over will have a great time training the Miposaur. It can play fetch, “dino in the middle,” or follow the ball while going for a walk.

Feed it cave dwellers, steak, or socks from the app, and watch what it does. It can dance, beatbox, chase things, and maneuver around an obstacle course.

Community Feedback

I've had a blast watching my kids play with this Miposaur, especially when it follows the trackball in various modes like fetch or leash mode. The hand gesture controls can be a bit finicky, but the smartphone app works well and offers even more fun options. This cute and entertaining toy has a good battery life and seems quite durable, although a more robust material for the trackball might be a good idea.

Fisher-Price Teach 'n Tag Movi Robot

Best Robot for Preschoolers

Great for getting younger kids moving and learning, this robot is suitable for children ages 3 to 6. It has six games, with three different play modes, letting children interact with their personal robot friend.

Your little one will love chasing it around the home while learning their ABCs or hitting the flashing lights on command. They’ll listen to “Movi” tell them to crawl like a lion on the floor or make a triangle or square shape with their hands.

This robot is great for developing gross motor and thinking skills, as well as language development.

First-Hand Impression

From the moment I introduced this robot to my children, it has been a hit with all of them, especially my two-year-old daughter. This interactive toy not only entertains them, but also engages them in games like red light green light, animal sounds, and tag. The robot is durable and can handle the occasional drops by even the most careful child. However, a downside to this otherwise perfect toy is the low volume, which can be difficult to hear amidst other background noises.

Ozobot Bit Coding Robot

Best Starter Coding Bot

This pocket-sized robot is an excellent place to start your kids who are 6 and over on the right track to computer programming. The code can be drawn in colored lines on a piece of paper, or you can use a tablet or computer to send “Bit” its commands.

Transferring code to the robot couldn’t be easier. Once you have dragged and dropped your code, hold the robot to the screen. You can then watch it follow the paths you have set for it.

It comes complete with pens and paper for writing code and skins and stickers to personalize your robot.

This video from the creator shows how Bit works.

User Experience

In my experience with this robot, it's incredibly user-friendly and engaging for both children and adults. The ease of setup and calibration, along with a variety of games available in the app, makes it a versatile and entertaining tool for learning. However, I did face some challenges in finding the right app for coding, and some of the markers provided were dried out upon arrival. Despite these minor issues, this little robot has the potential to be a great educational tool and a fun way to introduce coding concepts to kids.

Alex Toys Zoob Bot

Best for Building and Creating

Kids love to build and create, and with this robot toy, they can do both. The pieces easily snap together, letting them make their own robot buddy to play with. There are no screws or tools needed.

Lights for its flashing eyes are battery operated, and it has wheels and a motor to send it spinning across the floor. When assembled, all the parts move, which is great for imaginary play.

This kit is suitable for children ages 6 and over and contains 49 “Zoob” pieces. You can add to these with additional pieces, with a box of 125 more.

Personal Perspective

In my experience, these building toys may not be as fun for adults, but my son absolutely loves them and plays with them regularly. The unconventional interlocking system with ball-and-socket joints and fitted reciprocal joints allows for unique and creative builds. The larger pieces are great because they don't get lost in the carpet or fall into heating ducts. My son and I enjoyed building a "robot" type creation together, and the lighted piece added a fun touch. While these may not replace a certain popular brand of stackable building bricks, they offer a more affordable and creative alternative for kids to explore.

Veioze Dino Robot

Best Dino Robot

Okay, we know there weren’t really robots in prehistoric times, but there were dinosaurs. If you have a child who is obsessed with these creatures, then this could be the robot for them.

It displays different moods and can be taught tricks. Operated from a remote control or by touch, this dino will chomp and roar with realistic dinosaur sounds.

Just don’t pull his tail and make him mad, or he will be chasing and chomping at you. Your child can easily calm him by patting him on the nose. This cute toy is suitable for kids 3 and older.

Community Feedback

Got this toy for my young relative, and they absolutely loved it! The sound effects are loud and entertaining, and it moves smoothly on hard floors. The battery life is impressive, lasting for hours of playtime after an initial 2-hour charge. The toy is durable and fun, providing lots of laughter and amusement for the whole family.

SmartGurlz Jun Robot Doll

Best Robot Toy for Girls

Adventures and exciting missions help code this scooter-riding doll. Connect to the “Sugar Coded” app via Android or iOS, and help Jun solve puzzles. There are over 100 coding options on this interactive app.

Girls (and boys) ages 5 and over can learn to code in a fun way. The Siggy Robot scooter can hold dolls up to 6 ounces in weight, so Jun can be changed out for Barbie or Action Man.

It’s great that Smartgurlz breaks the gender stereotype of robots and encourages girls to code.


Sphero Orbotix Ollie App-Controlled Robot

Best for Outdoor Play

Take your robot outdoors, and have it perform tricks and race along any terrain without worrying about damage. Perfect for tweens, this cylindrical robot can fly along at speeds up to 14 miles per hour, and its polycarbonate shell is solid and durable.

Controlled from a variety of Android or iOS apps, take Ollie to the skatepark and watch him perform the tricks you control. It even comes with tires for indoor use, so you can race it around the home — if mom allows it. The Bluetooth range of this robot is 100 feet, and the LED lights make it stand out, especially when it’s darker.

User Experience

I recently got my hands on this Ollie and it has been a blast to play with. It's incredibly fast on smooth surfaces and even manages to drive on thick carpet, which was a pleasant surprise. The trick mode is especially popular with younger kids who enjoy watching it bounce around in unpredictable patterns. One minor downside is that it can get stuck along walls and chairs, but the trick mode usually helps it escape those obstacles. Unfortunately, the app doesn't reconnect to the Ollie after going out of range, which can be a bit annoying.

Benefits of Robot Toys for Kids

There are many skills a child can learn by playing with robotic toys. They can help with fine motor coordination, critical thinking, and much more.

Some robots require assembly, which can help your child’s manual dexterity. It will help them read and follow instructions, encouraging analytical thinking. Working with parents or friends to assemble their robot will teach them how to work as part of a team.

Not only that, many robot toys fit in with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education and learning. This might prepare them for a career in one of these fields later in life (1).

How to Choose a Robot Toy

There are several factors you might want to consider when choosing a robot for your child.

Age-appropriate

Check the toy is suitable for your child and their stage of development. While some might be charming to look at, think about whether your kids will learn anything from them. It’s about new experiences and adding to their mental, physical, and emotional development, as well as fun.

Quality

You don’t want to buy a robot only for it to fall apart after a few days of use. Kids can be tough on their toys, especially when their bots battle each other for supremacy. Make sure the toys are sturdy enough for little hands that might not be as careful as we would always like.

Safety

It’s back to age here; stick to the manufacturer’s age recommendations. This is especially the case with younger kids, as there might be small parts that would be a choking hazard.

Aesthetics

Consider what your child is most likely to play with. It’s not worth buying them a Lego robot if they don’t like playing with these classic bricks. Choose something that will appeal to them, and they’re more likely to play with it.

Budget

Prices for robot toys can vary. As with anything, you get what you pay for. You might be better off investing a little more for safety, usability, and quality.

As a further note on age appropriateness, allow your child to guide you. One of my friends’ kids has autism and ADHD. At 6, he can easily build and operate a robot suitable for a 10-year-old child.

The same might apply if you have a child with a penchant for mechanical toys. A toy in their age range might not challenge them.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, you might need to choose a robotic toy from a lower age range for some children. Buying them something that they don’t understand or that’s too difficult will mean they won’t play with it or will quickly lose interest.

FAQs

What is the Best AI Robot For Kids?

The best AI robot for kids might include programmable models like the Cozmo by Anki, or the LEGO Mindstorms series, which are interactive, educational, and offer varying levels of complexity for different ages.

What are the Cons of Smart Toys?

The cons of smart toys include the potential for privacy and security risks, a high cost, and the possibility of over-reliance on technology for entertainment. They also require ongoing updates and may become quickly outdated.

At What Age Should Kids Start Robotics?

Kids can start with simple robotics and coding toys as early as 5-6 years old, with more complex kits and projects suitable for older children and teenagers. The appropriate age depends on the child’s interest, patience, and the complexity of the robot kit.


Feedback: Was This Article Helpful?
Thank You For Your Feedback!
Thank You For Your Feedback!
What Did You Like?
What Went Wrong?
Headshot of Jennifer Schlette, MSN, RN

Reviewed by

Jennifer Schlette, MSN, RN

Jennifer Schlette MSN, RN, is a pediatric intensive care nurse at Children's Hospital of New York for the past 14 years. Jennifer also has extensive experience teaching Maternity and Obstetric Nursing, as well as Pediatrics Nursing.