Make: Kit Reviews

The littleBits kit is like Lego for basic circuits. Each “bit” is a small circuit board that enables a single electronics component or electronic function, like a potentiometer, light sensor, LED, or motor. The bits snap together magnetically with edge connectors that are color-coded to indicate their general role within a circuit; for example magenta […]

Electronics and Controllers: circuits, electronics, kids, starter set

Thousands of people mastered soldering for the first time at this year’s Maker Faire events in the Maker Shed’s “Learn to Solder” tents, with the helpful coaching of Mitch Altman, Jimmie Rodgers, and dozens of other hackerspace volunteers. Participants left the Maker Shed with smiles on their faces, new skills, increased confidence, and a cool […]

Electronics and Controllers: electronics, kids, skills, soldering

This soft, whimsical pompom connects to any incandescent lamp and controls light levels with just a gentle tap. IFM’s patented electronic textiles are the magic behind it. Conductive yarns that sense your touch are combined with recycled carpet fibers to form the soft switch. This kit appeals to kids, grandmas, science geeks — anyone who enjoys crafts […]

Home & Shelter: craft, home, kids, lighting, yarn

This is loads of fun — a way to get the kids out of the house during the winter, or make a cheap little ice fishing house that’s disposable. Any type of snow can be compacted into this nifty device to quickly create hundreds of perfectly formed, slanted, stackable igloo building blocks. The Eskimold differs […]

Home & Shelter: home, igloo, kids, shelter, snow

Build your own life-size grasshopper and explore solar power with this educational mini solar robot kit. The snap-together, attention-getting  Solar Frightened Grasshopper teaches how solar energy can be used to generate electricity. This easy-to-use science kit is perfect for first-time experimenters with little or no experience. Ages 10 and up.

Toys & Games: Games, kids, solar energy, toys

The award-winning Snap Circuits Pro 500 Experiments kit contains more than 75 parts and detailed project books that allow you to build over 500 snap-together circuits — no tools required. You can assemble a musical doorbell, laser gun, race game, lie detector, electronic kazoo, mind reading game, telegraph, AM/FM radio, and so many more projects. […]

Electronics and Controllers: circuits, electronics, kids

This latest version of Lego’s popular Mindstorms robotics kit includes a new 3-in-1 color and light sensor with LEDs; a new ball shooter; and tank treads. On the software side, an image editor now lets you convert your own images to fit the LCD display, and a sound editor records and converts sound clips, to play […]

Robotics: kids, lego, mindstorms, robotics, robots, toys

My living room looks like Darwin’s laboratory. A three-legged creature writhes on the floor. My daughter pulls off a leg and connects it to its face. My son teaches it to walk. It’s really moving now! This is how you play and learn with Topobo. Topobo is part construction toy, part kinetic memory robot. By […]

Robotics: kids, robotics, robots, set, toy, toys