Best robot toys for boys and girls


 There are now some super-cool robot toys for all ages and stages – and we've got children to pick out the very best

Robot toys are everywhere right now – and they're better and more child-friendly than ever. From a cool dancing preschool robot to more complex, self-learning robots you build and code yourself, there's a cool bot friend for all ages and attention spans.




Here are the best robot toys, as tested and rated by children...

1. Boxer, £79.99

GOLD winner, Best Robot Toy, 2018 MadeForMums Toy Awards


What it is: A quirky mini robot on wheels who responds to hand movements with funny expressions and can read the 10 activity cards included with him, to play games like Bot Bowling, Paddle Bot or Go Kart. If you place a card down in front of him he'll roll over it, scan it and start playing! Comes with a remote control, and you can download a free Boxer app to access more games. Full of personality, Boxer can express a full range of emotions, from happiness to sadness and grumpiness to sleepiness. Boxer comes with a remote control so that you can race him around and get him to do tricks and you can download a free Boxer app on your phone to get brand new games to play with him.

Ozobot Evo vs Bit
https://www.robottoyonline.com/ozobot-evo-vs-bit-putting-fun-creativity-in-robotics/


Why we love it: Boxer is very cute, his tricks are cool and his facial expressions are wonderful – you really can tell if he’s happy, sad, grumpy sleepy. And, while he’s not cheap, he’s not as pricey as other robot friends out there…

What our child testers made of it:

    ‘Noah’s absolutely delighted with Boxer. It’s a huge hit and he recommends it to all his friends. He loves doing tricks with it and learning how to do new things.’ Carly, mum to Noah, 7
    ‘Aidan is so excited with Boxer and never gets bored playing with it. He particularly likes the fortune teller mode where he can ask Boxer a question, usually something like "Does Dad smell?" It’s good quality, easy to charge and good fun.’ Gwydron, mum to Aidan, 8


2. HEXBUG Robot Wars Arena, £79.99

SILVER winner, Best Robot Toy, 2018 MadeForMums Toy Awards

Age: 8+

What is it: A thrill-packed alliance of bestselling mini-robot Hexbugs and the hugely popular TV show Robot Wars: your infra-red remote-controlled armoured and weaponised hexbugs do battle, RW-style, in a(moulded plastic) arena. Our money is on Royal Pain, with his ‘havoc hammer’…

Why we loved it: We could talk about how you can customize your hexbug with stickers or fix on one of the interchangeable pitchfork, wedge, shovel, spikes and battering ram weapons – but basically it’s all just about brilliant, silly, laugh-out-loud fun.

robot toys for adults
https://www.robottoyonline.com/robot-toys-for-adults-fun-companion-like-no-other/


What our child testers made of it:

    ‘I love this and particularly love the hammer on the robot, and enjoy trying to destroy the other robot.’ Hal, 8


3. Clementoni Coding Lab RoboMaker, £69.99

BRONZE winner, Best Robot Toy, 2018 MadeForMums Toy Awards

Age: 7+

What it is: A 250-component kit to build 5 increasingly complex interactive robots that you can programme manually or via the (free) app. Comes with ‘cybernetic brain’, 3 electric motors, 2 IR sensors, a touch sensor, a speaker and step-by-step guide. Requires 4AA batteries.

Why we love it: Construction and coding and robots – and not only 1 robot but 5 different ones. Wow!

What our child testers made of it:

    ‘Nienna really likes this kit, and loves the dancing robot! So many parts which initially looks daunting, but the guide was extremely comprehensive, and the 360 degree, 3D view on the app was great for assembling any tricky parts.’ Kate, mum to Nienna, 8
    ‘Really good value: hours of entertainment making and then playing with the robots.’ Dominic, dad to Tommy, 8

programmable robot kits for beginners
https://www.robottoyonline.com/choosing-the-best-programmable-robot-kit-for-beginners/


4. Anki Cozmo, £199.99

Age: 6+

What it is: A 12cm x 19cm x25cm robot with forklift-y arms and amazingly expressive eyes. Once connected to the free Cozmo app (iPhone and Android compatible), he’ll recognise your face, say your name, and ask to play games. Over time, he gradually unlock more abilities and allow some simple coding. Comes with charger and 3 interactive power cubes that he – and you – can incorporate into his games. Batteries included.

Why we love it: Cozmo has SO much personality. He’s pleased to see you when he ‘wakes’, snores as he powers down and celebrates when he wins a game – or throw a tantrum if you beat him too often! Our child testers particularly loved how he recognises faces – even the family pet – and awarded him Gold in our 2017 Toy Awards.

5. Fisher-Price Teach n Tag Movi, £44.99

Age: 3+

What it is: A preschooler-friendly robot (33cm x 34.5cm x 14cm) with chunky wheels, a 360° turn and over 60 facial expressions. You press the light-up buttons on his head to get him to play fun but nicely educational games – or dance. Needs 4 C batteries (included).

Why we love it: It’s nice to see a robot that's squarely – and creatively – aimed at the under-5s. A joint Silver winner in our 2017 Toy Awards, he offers all the excitement of a flashing, smiling, dancing, rolling robot while also getting his little playmates up and moving (and thinking) as they join in his games.

robot toys online
https://www.robottoyonline.com


6. M.A.X (Meccano Advanced Xfactor), £149.99

Age: 10+

What it is: A 332-piece construction kit that builds into a 38cm x 30cm x 10cm robot with a cheeky face and built-in obstacle-avoiding infra-red sensors. You can then control – and personanlise – him with buttons on his MeccaBrain (oh yes) or with your phone/tablet using a (free) app (iPhone and Android compatible). Takes 1 to 3 hours to build. Comes with instructions, rechargeable battery and USB cable.




Why we love it: The build is challenging but the instructions are great. And, once you get M.A.X up and running, he’s the quirkiest little guy – he even tilts his head if he doesn’t understand you. His message-recording function was a particular hit with our testers in our 2017 Toy Awards year, earning him a joint Silver.

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