I received an Ozobot Starter Pack to review. All thoughts belong to me, Adelina Priddis from Home Maid Simple, and are 100% honest.

It’s the hottest toy this season! Kids are using more technology then ever these days. The Ozobot is the perfect accompaniment to gets kids started early learning the basics of programming. Let your kids imagine, create, and play with their very own Ozobot.

Ozobot Lets kids Imagine, Create, and Play while learning the basics of Programming

When I was in 8th grade I joined a robotics club. Realizing I knew nothing about robotics and programming, I was given the job of team leader. I could get the team to work well together, and finish their tasks – we even came home with a trophy from one meet. While I remember the time fondly, I wish I had been more keen to learn the programming side. A few years before that I had attempted another group called Odyssey of the Mind. Again I felt faced with challenges I simply didn’t have the mind for. Science wasn’t my thing, however desperately I wished it to be.

Now 20ish years later I have a 9 year old who LOVES science. Winning 3rd place in 1st grade for her science project on fish, and then having a 2nd grade teacher who prepared a STEM challenge every Friday,  I’m sure helped with her love. As any mother does, I saw how science excited her and committed to finding ways to continue her love. She obviously has the mind for it I always wished I had.

Ozobot Lets kids Imagine, Create, and Play while learning the basics of Programming

When we got the Ozobot Starter Pack, I knew almost immediately this was going to be a key for bringing her and I closer together. At first glance, I felt extremely overwhelmed with everything that came in the pack. Markers, papers, instructions, clear sheets, stickers and skins to change up the look. After all Science takes imagination – possibly why I lack in this area – to create new ideas and theories.

Ozobot Lets kids Imagine, Create, and Play while learning the basics of Programming

Determined not to let the overwhelming amount of papers deter us, I started going through it one paper at a time. To my absolute delight, everything was organized in a progressive manner to teach us how to turn it on, calibrate it, and begin play. Each play sheet builds on the last, so you feel completely comfortable in programming your Ozobot.

Ozobot Lets kids Imagine, Create, and Play while learning the basics of Programming

Once you work your way through the play sheets included in the starter kit, you’ll be ready to write your own codes with the included markers. Of course you can use any markers with the right colors, but the nice thing about the ones included is they are the correct width the Ozobot needs to read the codes. For even more fun and technology experience, you can download the free Android and iOS Apps.

Ozobot Lets kids Imagine, Create, and Play while learning the basics of Programming

Yesterday my daughter came home with another Science Fair sign up. We were told her new school didn’t do Science Fairs, and were kind of bummed, but as luck would have it, this is their first year putting one on! I have a feeling we may be doing something with robotics this time around.

How do you inspire a love of STREAM subjects? Check out the Ozobot STREAM Program designed for educators.