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.
- Offers open-ended learning platform
- 5 hours playtime
- Award-winning
- Waterproof polycarbonate shell
- Bluetooth Smart connection
- App-enabled
- Educational STEM robot
- 17 different robotic designs
- Infrared sensor system
- Plays multiple games
- Tested for durability and security
- Smart, entertaining robot
- Multi-colored lights
- 120+ songs, sounds, tunes
- 4 ways to play
- 3 ways to play
- 360 degrees of mobility
- 60+ facial expressions
- Fully assembled
- Drag-and-drop code editor
- Introduces basic coding & robotics concepts
- No batteries for pull-back motor
- Award-winning building set
- Beginner course in robotics
Product Reviews
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
