Thames & Kosmos Coding and Robotics

This introduction to programming doesn't require a tablet or smartphone - all programming is done by laying out a sequence of cardstock "code cards." Sammy, the cute peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich robot "reads" the code cards and runs the program, with the help of an OID optical ...This introduction to programming doesn't require a tablet or smartphone - all programming is done by laying out a sequence of cardstock "code cards." Sammy, the cute peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich robot "reads" the code cards and runs the program, with the help of an OID optical scanner. The first programming challenge after assembling Sammy is to create a program to help him visit his friend Hammy the hamburger. The 30 lessons are more serious than the robot names suggest, progressing in complexity and covering sequencing, loops, events, conditionals, functions and variables.

Children at the lower end of the age range will need adult help with the lessons, while older children may be able to work independently. The kit includes a 64-page full-color illustrated manual with all lessons, parts to build the robots, code cards and more. 3 AA batteries are required for the robot (not included).