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A Guide to Gifting Educational Toys for Kids

Educational toys for kids can be a mixed bag. Today’s generation of kids are used to video games, electronic gadgets, and toys that weren’t even invented a decade ago. So, we can forgive them for being underwhelmed by… let’s say… a Rubik’s Cube. 

Fortunately, educational gifts for kids can be more exciting than the Hungarian puzzle block — if you know where to look. Sphero offers a broad range of robotic STEM toys that inspire experimentation and creativity without feeling like educational tools. This article acts as a guide to educational toys for kids (or anyone in your life who loves robots). 

What is an Educational Toy, Anyway? 

Learning and playing. Playing and learning. They’re two things that kids do a lot of. But what about when you blend the two? Play-based learning, in which teachers assume a hands-off role and let kids follow their playful instincts, is a foundational part of early learning. It encourages cognitive development and social skills. 

Toys are an important element of play. After all, when we talk about toys, we generally mean things to play with, not necessarily to learn with. However, educational toys can do a bit of both, allowing room for free expression while also providing the potential for insight and illumination. Educational toys “help children learn, develop concepts, and develop a better understanding of objects and events through play.”1 

Sphero makes many robots that can be used as toys and tools both in the classroom and at home, bridging the gap between playing and learning. In this guide, we’re focusing on the more playful side of our catalog, rather than classroom favorites like BOLT+ and Blueprint. 

1. Sphero Mini 

Makes a great gift for: Game lovers aged 4+ 

Of all Sphero’s coding robots, the Sphero Mini robot ball might just be the most toylike. That’s partly down to its small size (comparable to a ping pong ball) and its range of colors and accessories that encourage play and creativity. 

Equipped with a gyroscope, accelerometer, and colorful LED lights, the Sphero Mini will have younger kids developing their computational thinking skills and learning how to code without even realizing it. 

With the World Cup coming to America in 2026, why not test the shooting skills of the next generation of soccer stars using the soccer theme version of the Sphero Mini? (Gadget-loving dads might just prefer the golf version.) 

Two kids playing a bowling game using Sphero Minis.

2. Sphero Mini Activity Kit

Makes a great gift for: Budding inventors and builders aged 8+ 

The Mini Activity Kit has everything needed to get rolling and playing right out of the box. Drive and game with the Sphero Play App or learn the foundations of programming with the Sphero Edu App. Complete all the challenges and games and then create your own—the possibilities are endless.  

Each Mini Activity Kit comes with a clear-shelled Sphero Mini, a construction set, 15 STEM-inspired activity cards, bowling pins, and cones to build mazes, design obstacle courses, construct towers, play croquet, and more. 

This is the perfect entry point into Sphero coding robots and is ideal for kids of a variety of ages and skill levels.  

A kid drive a Sphero Mini through an obstacle course.

3. Sphero indi 

Makes a great gift for: Puzzle enthusiasts aged 4+ 

A toy car that introduces early learners to the basics of computer science? Vroom vroom. While the Sphero indi makes a great classroom robotics kit, it’s also suitable for at-home play and can even be used in a “screenless” mode without a computer or smartphone — great for parents or teachers concerned about kids’ computing hours. 

The Sphero indi uses color-coded tiles that young kids can arrange to program the vehicle, either to solve the supplied challenge cards or for open-ended exploratory learning. It’s also great for up to two kids to use simultaneously, encouraging teamwork and shared exploration. 

Kids who enjoy puzzles and mazes will love the entry-level Sphero indi robot, a great starting point for those will go on to enjoy more advanced four-wheeled bots like the Sphero RVR+. 

Two kids lie on the floor watching indi.

STEM Gifts for Kids 

STEM-related toys make great gifts, as they encourage kids to build, create, and solve problems while simultaneously fueling their imaginations just like other toys. Browse the complete Sphero range of at-home robots and kits for more gift inspiration. 

 

About the Author

The Sphero Team

The Sphero logo.

The Sphero Team is comprised of current and former educators, education content and curriculum writers, product designers, engineers, executive leadership, and other experts in their fields. Learn more about who we are and what we do at https://sphero.com/pages/about-us.

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