The 5 Best Robot Toys for Kids: Reviews and Complete Buying Guide

Robot toys have been a hit since the 1930s, although they have advanced significantly since then. For example, the first robot toys were not actually robotic and were instead simple figurines. However, it did not take long for toymakers to start to include legitimate technology to create fun figurines. Nowadays, the majority of robot toys for kids are meant to be educational. They can teach STEM skills, basic coding, and other important abilities in addition to being toys that can walk, talk, and be fun to play with.

When trying to find the best robot toys for kids, you have to wade through a lot of knockoffs and cheap versions sold online. This can be a tiresome process, especially if you don’t know where to look. To spare you the trouble, I’ve found five of the best robot toys currently on the market. These are suitable for multiple age ranges and can provide hours of endless entertainment.

The 5 Top Robot Toys for Kids

1. Fisher-Price Code ‘n Learn Kinderbot

The Fisher-Price Code ‘n Learn Kinderbot is an excellent choice for children between the ages of 3 and 6. It is a bright, colorful option with no sharp edges. The toy is made of durable plastic and is designed to be handled and abused by children who don’t yet have an understanding of how easy toys are to break. It offers three different play styles: free coding, learning challenges, and secret codes.

These playstyles are a great introduction to STEM skills and technology. Free coding allows kids to experiment with making the robots perform certain actions. The learning challenges teaches kids how to do certain things related to coding. The secret codes, meanwhile, encourage kids to think and learn.

The Fisher-Price Kinderbot comes with four additional accessories and also has a “secret code” booklet. Besides teaching STEM skills, it can also be beneficial for helping young kids get ready for preschool and kindergarten. It teaches children colors, shapes, numbers, and other fundamentals using fun lights and sound.

This is a lightweight robot weighing in at 2 lbs. The full dimensions are 10.5 x 8.4 x 10.2 in. Children can operate the robot by pushing the large buttons on the robot’s head, so you don’t have to worry about there being any small or potentially dangerous pieces. It does require batteries but comes with them already installed so children can play with the robot immediately. A warranty is also available from the manufacturer but not automatically included.

It’s important to note this is a toy that parents need to help kids with, usually by reading the instructions and helping them understand what coding is.

What We Liked

• Suitable for young kids
• Teaches coding
• Colorful
• Interactive
• Has wheels

What We Didn’t Like

• Difficult to replace batteries
• Doesn’t move far

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2. Top Race Remote Control Robot

The Top Race Robot is operated with convenient remote control and is more on the ‘fun’ side rather than being primarily educational. It does many of the basic robot actions and activities, including walking and talking. It also dances, sings, reads stories, shoots discs, and also mimics voices. Learning-included parents can also appreciate that it quizzes children on math and encourages education.

The robot is designed for children between the ages of 2 and 9. Although it mentions the toy is meant for boys, it works well for any gender. It stands out by being colorful but also looking like a traditional robot – it is white with big blue eyes, colorful blue panels on the joints, and a black face. The discs it spits are also colorful.

Children can control this robot by using the remote control or by pushing the buttons on the chest of the robot to request their favorite activities. This is a small toy, measuring around 12 in. tall and weighing 2 lbs. While no warranty is included, it is possible to request one from the manufacturer. This robot actually walks and does not have wheels like some of the other toys on the market.

When it comes to function, you will need a lot of batteries to make the Top Race Robot work. The robot itself requires 5 AAA batteries, and the remote needs 2. These are not included and need to be purchased separately.

What We Liked

• Highly interactive
• Educational and fun
• Easy to use
• Uses simple buttons

What We Didn’t Like

• No manual is included
• Requires a lot of batteries

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3. Educational Insights Design & Drill Robot

Proper STEM education is difficult for young children. The skills are often too complex and abstract for toddlers to understand. However, if you want to get your kid interested in science and technology early and would like to instill some of the basic tenets of engineering and proper learning, there is the Educational Insights Design & Drill Robot, one of the best robot toys for kids.

Now, it’s important to say that this toy is not an actual robot. It looks like a robot, but there are no electrical components. Instead, it is a snap and block toy children can put together themselves before getting to play. Each robot comes with a drill and several screws. Once the robot is put together, children can move their arms and wrists to have the robot drill properly, teaching them the importance of assembling items together the right way.

Of course, this robot stands out in other ways. It understands some of the limitations faced by toddlers but remains colorful, innovative, and inventive. It builds construction and fine motor skills and is bright and easy to use.

The Educational Insights Design & Drill Robot weighs 13 oz. and has dimensions of 3.8 x 6.2 x 10 in. While the toy is small, there are no small pieces parents should be worried about. Proper assembly instructions are also included if a parent would like to help their kid put the toy together. No batteries are required, and stickers are included so kids get to design their robot.

What We Liked

• Encourages STEM education
• Age Appropriate
• Teaches fine motor skills
• No batteries required

What We Didn’t Like

• Stickers don’t align well
• Not a real robot

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4. Rainbrace Smart Robot

The Rainbrace Smart Robot is one of the most intelligent models available to kids. This is a tall, well-built toy that responds to remote commands and hand gestures. So, children can talk to their robot in multiple ways and command it complete actions without difficulty. This smart robot is able to do a lot of different things, including move in a variety of directions and detect obstacles.

The biggest benefit of the Rainbrace Smart Robot is that it is programmable. Movement is its greatest feature, and kids learn a small amount of coding to program up to 50 different moves at once. These moves are then repeated back, so the robot can be taught to navigate obstacle courses, dance, or do all sorts of fun activities! It also sings a multitude of songs, comes with volume control – a great feature for us parents – and has a unique accent that draws the attention of those around it.

This toy has a classic robot appearance. It is tall and made from white plastic with a black face, blue joints, and blue eyes that light up once the robot has been turned on. Instead of using batteries, this toy can be charged through a USB port. This means even a basic cellphone charger might work when keeping this model powered and in play.

The full charging time is 2 hours, and children will have between 1.5 and 3 hours of playtime. When not in use, the internal battery will last between 15 and 30 days. The Rainbrace robot is suitable for children 3 years of age and older. It even works well with older kids who can be difficult to entertain.

Plus, this is one of the only robot toys to include a manufacturer’s warranty upon purchase. You will be able to rely on 12 months of coverage which applies to basic wear and tear and damage that occurs during regular use.

What We Liked

• Programmable
• Suitable for young and old kids
• Chargeable
• Warranty included

What We Didn’t Like

• Gives strange facts
• Short lifespan

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5. Wonder Workshop Dash

The Wonder Workshop Dash is a cute robot designed for children who are 6 years of age and older. It does not look like a traditional robot, which is often designed to resemble a human. Instead, this robot is composed of multiple spheres and has one which serves as a head with a large eye. Although it sounds weird, it is adorable, and one of the best robot toys for kids.

The Dash robot is designed for pure STEM education and comes out of the box fully charged and ready to be played with. Instructions are included for parents and children alike. With its basic functions, kids are able to give the robot voice commands and explore loops, events, conditions, and sequences. Five apps are included with the robot which can be downloaded to a cellphone, tablet, or similar device. This is a slight drawback since it requires extra technology, but the apps provide a greater learning experience and a more thorough education.

Because the Dash robot uses more advanced technology, it responds well to children’s custom commands and encourages innovation and creativity. Kids can give simple or complex orders and watch how they play out in real-time. Plus, the robot comes with access to the Wonder League, where children can share their ideas in a safe and monitored environment. It also gives access to the Wonder Workshop’s Robotics Competitions, where kids can compete against other children their own age.

The Wonder Workshop Dash is charged with a micro USB and has 5 full hours of playing time before needing to be recharged. It can be connected to Bluetooth Smart 4 / LE and is one of the only robot toys used in schools around the world.

This toy weighs 2.5 lbs. and has full dimensions of 6.7 x 7.2 x 6.3 in. It is lightweight and easy to use, and can even be a learning experience for parents as well! A warranty is available from the manufacturer but not automatically included.

What We Liked

• Very interactive
• Teaches pure STEM
• Fosters creativity
• Easy to charge
• Long-playing time

What We Didn’t Like

• Requires apps
• Requires outside technology

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Buying Guide for the Best Robot Toys for Kids

It goes without saying that not every robot toy will be the same. There’s a ton of different features that can be included, but also some fundamental characteristics that can change – such as how safe the toy is to have around children. Before choosing the right toy for your child, take a look at some of the following features.

Age Rating

Many robot toys have different age ratings. In other words, they are meant for children of different ages and might not be considered appropriate for those who are older or younger. Robot toys often have numerous educational features that can affect how well your kid interacts with it. If you buy one that is too sophisticated, your child will become lost when trying to use it. On the other hand, if the toy is too simplistic, they will learn nothing and might become bored easily.

Safety

This is a basic feature that is significant when considering any toy for your child. Robot toys tend to be some of the most sophisticated, but that does not mean they are always safe. Younger kids, in particular, should not be around toys that have small pieces or too many moving parts. Joints and moving hands or clamps can also become places where the skin gets caught or pinched.

To choose a toy that is safe for your kid, be sure to read the manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions before purchase. This can save you a lot of time and help you ensure you make the right decision. Also, make sure there are no obvious safety hazards such as exposed wires, broken external panels, or lights that are too bright for sensitive young eyes. Having included volume control is also beneficial if you have a child who is sensitive to sensory information or has delicate ears.

Quality

There is nothing worse than buying a toy and seeing it be broken a few days later. Kids are notoriously rough on their toys, which is many companies often make those meant for small children out of durable or disposable materials. In general, you want a robot toy that is made of thick, durable plastic, not thin polymers. Metal is also good but might be too hard and heavy for small children to play with. After all, you don’t want your kids to get hurt by being too rough with their robot.

When you buy a robot toy, you need to be careful. Technology is easily broken, and children might become too enthusiastic when they get a new bot buddy. Try to find a toy that is meant to last and does not have any fragile plastic pieces or exposed technology that could be damaged by wandering hands or mouths.

Abilities

Modern robot toys are different from their predecessors in the 1990s or even early 2000s. While those older toys were just meant to be entertaining – think robotic pets – many contemporary options are designed to impart important STEM skills. So, this means you need to consider just what kind of toy you want.

Do you want one which will help your child understand basic robotics?

How about one that can talk?

Should it be able to move on its own?

What kind of power source should it have?

How much programming do you want your child to do?

Answering these questions early can help you find the right option for you and your kids.

Budget

Finally, know your budget. Cheaper toys will ultimately not last as long as more expensive options and are less likely to be advanced. If you want something durable and sophisticated, you must expect to spend more money. So, make a clear budget before choosing a robot toy for your child. You don’t want to get excited only to discover you can’t afford the one you want.

Best Robot Toy Brands

Brand matters when you are trying to find a high-quality toy. The children’s market is often flooded with cheap knockoff products because companies think they can reduce the quality of toys and no one will notice. Unfortunately, when you are interested in a robot, you can see the difference between brands. To help you avoid some of the cheaper, poorly made products on the market, we recommend getting one of the following brands.

Fisher-Price

Fisher-Price is one of the most well-known toy brands in the United States. This company was founded in 1930 and became a subsidiary of Mattel in 1993. Its focus is on the creation of educational toys for children of all ages, although their specialty is the younger demographic – such as toddlers and children between the ages of 4 and 8. This company has always made durable, reliable toys that could be enjoyed for many years. It is one of your best options if you want a robot that will be long-lasting but also great for education.

Educational Insights, Inc.

This is another education-based toy company in the United States – as you might have guessed from the name. The company operates out of California and has been in business since the early 1960s. Recently, Educational Insights became interested in early STEM education. Their robot toys are some of the most influential on the market and are great for teaching essential skills to young and old children alike. Free resources are often included with the toys, and there are usually extra programs to facilitate learning.

Wonder Workshop

This is a relatively new brand dedicated entirely to developing toys that teach children relevant STEM skills and prepare them for future careers – or just better technological engagement! Their robots are innovative and voice-activated, and they have excellent customer service. Even the return policy is great if you decide you need a less advanced robot or are simply not happy with your choice.

FAQs

Are toy robots educational?

Some toy robots are designed for educational purposes, while others are used as fun toys that play music, walk, or perform other actions. In general, educational ones tend to be the most well made and beneficial for kids, although others can be just as fun.

Will a toy robot teach my child STEM skills?

Some toy robots are designed specifically to teach children about basic robotics, coding, and other scientific or technological skills. If you want a toy robot that will specifically teach your child about STEM or even one which is educational, look for those keywords. It is also a good idea to buy from education-focused brands like Educational Insights, Inc., and Wonder Workshop.

Do robot toys need batteries?

The majority of robot toys you find on the modern market will need batteries to function. However, some models come with chargers so you can instead use basic electricity and an outlet. It is important to check the method required to power the toy before getting one.

Conclusion

Robot toys are a big hit with children of all ages, and it should be no surprise if your kids starting asking for one for their birthday. Out of all of the options reviewed here, the personal favorite is the Wonder Workshop Dash. It is the most education-oriented toy, is adorable, and also encourages creativity and innovation by being programmable and easy to use. Our second choice would be Top Race Remote Control Robot because it has similar features but is more focused on fun.

If you are looking for something less like a toy and more like a genuine robot, those are also available for children. Just remember to encourage periodic breaks to play outside and be sure to have plenty of delicious snacks ready to fuel those working brains!