Teaching robotics to your kids can be a great thing. But as a parent, do you wonder where to start? Solar robotic kits are a great choice to cultivate an interest in robotics for your children.
For starters, a solar robotic kit is basically a toy using which your children can build a robot themselves (like lego). This introduces them to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities from which your children can improve their creativity, problem-solving, and hand & mind coordination.
These toys are mainly for 8+ year old kids and teenagers. It is not recommended for kids below age.
There are a ton of kits available on the market to choose from. We’ve made proper research and compiled a list of the 8 best kits to choose from.
1.SILLBIRD 12-IN-1 Stem Solar Robot Kit
We start our list with probably the most highly rated solar robot kit for kids, the Sillbird Solar Robot Kit. Sillbird STEM solar robot will be a great starter kit for your children to learn the basics of robotics. The kit comes with 190 build pieces and accessories using which your children can make 12 different types of moving robots. The robot is powered by a solar panel and no batteries are needed. You will need a proper source of light for making the robot functional.
Pros:
- Highly rated
- User friendly
- Good build quality
Cons:
- It can only be used under sunlight, there’s no backup power
2.CIRO 12-IN-1 Stem Solar Robot Kit
CIRO Solar Robot Kit is very similar to the Sillbird solar robot kit. This kit also comes with 190 build pieces and components using which your children can make different types of moving robots. The kit is powered by a solar panel thus no batteries are needed. The robot can walk, crawl and swim as long as the sunlight is present. CIRO provides a 90-day return policy so if the customer is not satisfied with the product it can be returned within 90 days. CIRO also provides a one-year product replacement for quality-related issues.
Pros:
- Good build quality
- The brand offers a return and refund policy
Cons:
- It can only be used under sunlight, there’s no backup power
3.LUCKY DOUG 12-IN-1 Stem Solar Robot Kit
Lucky Doug aims to provide toys with utmost safety, the materials are made up of skin-safe ABS plastic which is non-toxic. This kit also comes with 190 build pieces and components using which your kid can make 12 types of robots with help of the provided manual. A completely new robot can also be made if you have a more creative mind. The robot is easy to build as well as dismantle. The kit uses a solar panel as the primary source of power plus it also can be charged using batteries, which can be useful while using it indoors.
Pros:
- The kit is made up of nontoxic skin-safe ABS material
- Batteries can be used for backup power
4.KIDWILL 14-IN-1 Stem Solar Robot Kit
Kidwill offers a well-designed Solar Robot Kit from which your children can build 14 different types of robots. Using this kit your children can build a basic to highly functional robot. Building some models can be quite complicated but it is worth attempting. This kit can also work with a battery (which is included) however, it uses a solar panel as the primary source of power like every other kit on the list. The kit is also CE certified.
Pros:
- 14 different types of robots can be built using this kit
- Batteries can be used for backup power
- The kit is CE certified
Cons:
- Building some models can be complicated
5.SOMAN 12-IN-1 Stem Solar Robot Kit
Soman is well known for making toys with safe and non-toxic materials, and their 12-in-1 solar robot kit is no exception. With 190 build pieces and components, your kids can build 12 types of different robots. Additionally, tools like pliers are also included with the kit. The kit includes both a solar power panel as well as a battery engine. You can make use of the battery engine in less light or dark situations. As a part of the Soman brand, the product is eligible for a 120 days return policy and 12 months replacement warranty.
Pros:
- The kit comes with 2 Drive engines (solar-driven and battery-driven)
- The brand offers a return and refund policy
6.HOMOFY 6-IN-1 Stem Solar Robot Kit
Homofy provides a space-themed Solar Robot Kit using which your children can build 6 different types of robots like a space station, space dog, etc. The kit is quite complicated to build due to its unique models. Another unique feature is that you can use the micro battery and the solar panel simultaneously. The purpose of this is, the solar panel will not only drive the motor it will also charge the battery which will be useful while using it indoors. You can also use a separate alkaline battery to power the kit.
Pros:
- Has unique models on offer (space-themed)
- The kit has a rechargeable micro battery which can be used as a backup power
Cons:
- Quite complicated to build
7.HISTOYE 12-IN-1 Stem Solar Robot Kit
Histoye 12-in-1 Solar Robot Kit is another good alternative. This kit also has 190 build pieces and components using which your children can build 12 different types of robots. The kit is powered by solar energy, thus no batteries are required. Since it can’t store energy, proper sunlight is required to make it work. All the materials are non-toxic and have smooth edges making them safe for your children to use.
Pros:
- All the materials are non-toxic and have smooth edges
Cons:
- It can only be used under sunlight, there’s no backup power
8.SMARTSTOY Stem Wooden Solar Car Kit
Smartstoy offers a basic solar car kit that is made up of wooden materials. The kit is relatively easier to build unlike others on the list. The motor is powered by a solar panel so no batteries are required. The car speed varies depending upon the brightness level of sunlight. Since the kit is purely made out of wood, there’s nothing to worry about toxicity in materials.
Pros:
- Easier to build
- Materials are made out of pure wood
Cons:
- Only one model can be built using this kit
- The speed of the car is dependent on the amount of sunlight
Conclusion :
Hope everyone would’ve gotten a clear idea of what kit to choose. The products are listed based on user reviews. Everyone has different needs, so choose wisely according to your needs. These are toys and not professional kits, so you can’t expect greater quality. It is advised to guide your children while building and not let them build themselves.