Recommended for age 13+. Free platform.
Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. Arduinos can read lights on a sensor, sense a finger on a button, or respond to a twitter message. It can also activate a motor, turn on an LED, or publish something online. Tell your board what to do by sending a set of instructions to the microcontroller on the board.
Recommended for Grades PreK-2nd. $99.95.
The colorful and easy-to-operate Bee-Bot is a friendly robot designed specifically for young children. Bee-Bot will help students learn sequencing, estimation, and problem-solving! It can be used with alphabet and sight word cards.
Recommended for ages 7+. Sets from $60.00.
Bloxels allows kids to make their own gaming map. Using different colored boxes, make an avatar do different movements. Create a map on the game board, and use a phone/iPad to capture the board and finish creating a map.
Recommended for Grades PreK+. $199.95 each.
Blue-Bot is an easily operated robot used for teaching counting, sequencing, estimation, and problem-solving. Use the directional keys on the back of the robot to command it where to go.
Recommended for Grades 1+. $179.99 each.
Dash is a robot that responds to voice, navigating objects, dancing, and singing. Kids can watch their virtual coding turn into learning experiences with Dash through its sensors and interactions with its surroundings.
Recommended for Grades K+. Free website.
Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science.
Recommended for ages 10+. Core set is $439.90.
The EV3 core set lets students build and program a robot. EV3 requires a device and downloading of the software/app which is available for multiple platforms.
Recommended for ages 7+. $214.95.
WeDo allows exploration of basic robotics and scientific inquiry with simple parts and pieces. WeDo requires a devise and software/app that is available across multiple platforms.
Recommended for Grades 2-8. $59.99/kit.
Makey Makey is an electronic invention tool and toy that allows users to connect everyday objects to computer programs. It uses electrical signals to communicate to a computer instead of using a keyboard.
Recommended for Grades 2-6. Prices vary.
Microduino helps children learn how to code. Use the electronic building blocks to animate projects. Follow the instructions to make blocks do specific functions.
Recommended for Grades 3+. Free trial and packages start at $11.99/month.
Mirroring360 wirelessly mirrors and records your iPad, iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac screens without the need for hardware or cables. You can also broadcast your computer screen to up to 40 participants who can view on their devices with a simple web link.
Recommended for ages 3-12 depending on the game. Base is $39.99, games are $19.99-39.95, kit prices vary.
Osmo fosters problem solving skills, creativity, and perseverance while exploring coding, math, art, literacy, physics, and geography. Must be used with an iPad or Kindle Fire.
Recommended ages 6+. $10-1800 depending on the kit.
Ozobot, a tiny robot, helps young kids how to program. Train a robot to follow patterns on the surfaces that they role over. They can identify lines, colors, and codes on both digital surfaces and physical surfaces.
Recommended for Grades 2-12. Free website.
Use qrstuff.com to create QR codes. Customize your QR code by changing the image size and resolution, adding logos, and changing the background color. Download your codes to share.
Recommended age 11+. $35 +.
Raspberry Pi plugs into a computer monitor or TV and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. Explore computing and learn to program in different languages. It browses the internet, makes spreadsheets, plays games, and more.
Recommended for ages 6+. $69.99 for one ring or $99.99 for two.
Specdrums are app connected rings that create music by tapping on a color. Rings must be used with a device. The Specdrums Mix app is available for iOS, iPad OS, and Android devices but the Specdrums EDU app is only available for iOS and iPad OS devices.
Recommended age 8+. Starting at $49.99.
Sphero robot teaches coding skills and is capable of rolling, changing colors, running programs, and being controlled by a smartphone or tablet. It also has features such as sensors including an IMU and Locator, Bluetooth, and robot languages.
Recommended for ages 8+. $49.99.
The colorful, interchangeable Sphero Mini is a tiny bot that can be coded/moved using different modes including: Face Drive (control of the bot through facial expressions and head movements). The app allows students to use actions, controls, operators, and more to give the bot orders.
Recommended for ages 10+. Free.
Apple's Swift Playgrounds teaches the programming language Swift. Easy for those who read well, this app provides instructions and hints if students get stuck on a puzzle. Only operational on Apple devices.