As a tech enthusiast and advocate for early STEM education, I've long championed introducing children to coding and robotics through engaging play. I've reviewed numerous tech outings, books, and gadgets to prepare kids—especially girls—for tomorrow's world. Playful learning is key, which is why I thoroughly tested Clementoni's Mind Designer Robot with my family.
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Clementoni's Coding Lab series includes three innovative toys that introduce children to technology and robotics via hands-on fun. I'll cover the others later, but first, my in-depth experience with the Mind Designer Robot.
Mind is an interactive robot designed for creative coding and programming adventures. It builds logical thinking skills in kids and earned a nomination for Toy of the Year.
We received our Mind Designer Robot from Clementoni for testing. It's widely available at toy stores and online retailers starting at €39.99.
Pro Tip: Stock up on 4 AA batteries (not included) to start playing right away.
Order Mind Designer Robot →
The box includes the Mind robot, a double-sided paper game board (folded, which creates creases the robot navigates), three markers (red, black, blue), and A3 white paper sheets.
Insert a marker, secure the paper on a flat surface, and you're set. Use Free Mode or the free companion app for control.
Two onboard buttons cycle through geometric shapes and drawings. Voice commands add interactivity—check the manual for precise phrases the robot recognizes.
For advanced users, chain shapes to create custom art. Precision matters since the marker tip's position isn't visible during drawing, adding excitement to combined figures.
Program up to 40 sequential commands for movements: forward, backward, sideways, and turns. Use the blue game board for challenges like navigating mazes while avoiding 'lasers'—perfect for logical planning.
Kids must sequence steps accurately; Mind allows retries. Watch my daughter Lotte master challenges in the video, thinking from the robot's viewpoint.
Tip: If memorizing sequences is tough, the app visualizes commands for easier learning.
The yellow board offers three difficulty levels (easy, medium, hard). Solve math problems by directing the robot to the correct answer via programmed paths—combining calculation with logic.
Nominated for ages 6-7; box recommends 7+.
At 9 years old, my daughter Lotte found drawing fun but short-lived. Coding and math challenges on the boards provided lasting engagement and logical depth. She hasn't exhausted all features yet—ideal for boredom-busting.
The series also features Clementoni Doc and Robomaker.
This talking robot teaches programming through free roaming, card routes, and missions. Nominated for Toy of the Year 2017; 1-4 players, ages 5+.
Build and program 5 robots with 250+ parts, including motors, IR sensors, and a speaker. Manual or app control; object detection and transport. Ages 10+.
Available online, e.g., at Bol.com
Enter to win 1 copy of Doc or Robomaker (Mind excluded). Comment how many times Lotte reprogrammed the robot—see the video. Ends October 31, 2018.
