The Best Toys for Fans of Robots

There’s nothing inherently scary about robots anymore. We don’t live in a hokey 1980’s film about androids being sent back in time to take command over the world. Today, our biggest gripe with anything relating to them is when someone says they think WALL-E is a bottom-tier Pixar movie. Robots are nothing less than awe-inspiring, technological feats of what’s just around the corner in the world to come. Most kids like them for the light-up eyes and sound effects. So, if you’re looking for the perfect toy for a kid who can’t get enough of them, then here are a few robot figures you should check out.

What to Look for in Your Next Robot Toy

Consider these factors before making a selection:

• Interactivity: There are so many robot toys on the market that they can make a new buyer’s head spin, so it’s important you charge into your purchase understanding the kind of playstyle your child may enjoy best. What excites your child? Something they can take pride in with their hands? Or, would they appreciate a toy that can sling projectiles with the push of a button?
• Durability: Like any toy you’re gifting to a young child, you’re going to want that robo-plaything to have a strong structure to back up hours of playtime and potential roughhousing. You’ll typically come across toys that feature lightweight plastic materials, and they know how to take a hit. However, in addition to lighter construction, models that are designed to be put together from multiple pieces can take on damage with ease, given that if one piece falls off, you can simply snap it back into place.
• Early STEM Training: While some toy robots concern themselves with providing an enjoyable song and dance, some models also concern themselves with providing basic engineering and construction play. More than just play style, you should understand the age appropriateness of these options and their welcoming but potentially challenging experience.

Top Choice: SGILE RC Robot Toy

Quick on its feet and capable of demonstrating up to 50 motion commands, this SGILE RC Robot Toy is great for putting on a show. It’s a remote-controlled droid with a highly responsive gesture-sensing function, featuring a sensor receiver zone on its chest that registers and responds to move the toy forward, backward, left, and right. Other standout features include the robot’s intelligent collision avoidance system, its 120-minute playtime, and its convenient rechargeable battery.

Best Robo-Dog: Top Race Remote Control Robot Dog

Everything your child wants in a four-legged companion, minus the barking, shedding, and potty training, this Top Race Remote Control Robot Dog is a great choice for kids as young as 3 years old. It’s a realistically sized robo-pup that’s capable of doing far more than wagging its tail. This dog is both remote and voice-activated, the latter of which can be directed in 12 ways. It can also imitate 10 different animals in body stature and sound effects. And while a young toddler may not be able to access its more challenging features, parents can help create a much more opportune experience through programmable shortcuts to a child’s favorite effects and moves.

Best for Toddlers: Educational Insights Design & Drill Robot

A toddler-friendly choice that’s plenty interactive, this Design & Drill Robot from Educational Insights allows kids to build their coordination skills by snapping, drilling, and decorating their perfect mini robot. This toy is constructed entirely from plastic materials, from its swiveling head to its child-friendly screwdriver, which toddlers will use to screw the 15 multicolored bolts into the designated spots on the robot. In addition to the decorative sticker sheet, this option is available in two colors: blue-green and pink-purple.

Best for Action: Think Gizmos TG542-VR RoboShooter

An ideal choice for kids who love the fighter inside of every walking sci-fi movie come to life, this Think Gizmos RoboShooter is the exact kind of fun and combat-driven toy that kids will love bringing to the action figure battleground. While it grasps a molded blaster in one hand, its soft foam disk firing mechanism is housed in the chest, launching one red, blue, green, and yellow disc at a time at an enjoyable speed. This robot also features both remote control and voice-operated functions, the two of which can be combined to record a user’s voice and then play it back with the push of a button.

Best Buildable Robot: Sillbird STEM 12-in-1 Education Solar Robot

A welcome challenge for older kids, this Sillbird STEM 12-in-1 Education Solar Robot is quite the toy. Users just have to be ready to put a little bit of elbow grease into it first. This DIY choice aims to put a child and parent’s imagination to the test with 190 easy-build pieces that can be constructed into 12 unique robot designs. Each of the designs bears differing complexity levels and showcases its own special tricks, like traveling between land or water. Additionally, no batteries are needed for any robot in the group, as this choice runs entirely on solar power.