Every family has different rules around screen time for kids, but the general consensus is that spending as little time in front of the TV or tablet as possible is best. Easier said than done, of course, as kids tend to gravitate towards devices these days. There is one caveat where experts are concerned, though: if it’s educational content, kids can spend a bit more time playing on their gadget of choice.
That’s a win-win for parents and kids alike, especially if you have access to Tangiplay: Tangible Coding Toys and Interactive Puzzles Solving Games for Kids. Tangiplay is a 12-piece set of robot toys that interact with a corresponding iPad app. This Kickstarter-funded play set not only provides hours of entertainment but also helps kids ages 4-12 hone skills from communication and creativity to math and writing.
With more than 120 puzzles featuring different themes and backgrounds, kids won’t get bored anytime soon. They won’t stop learning, either: children use the silicone robots throughout the games to do things like build railways and send passengers to destinations, overcoming obstacles along the way. Cue: critical thinking and computational skills, plus hands-on sensory learning.
While the concept of a tangible coding toy may seem abstract, it’s the perfect entry point for kids to start learning about the basic skills behind the powerful programming that touches our daily lives. Tangiplay is totally kid-friendly, and little ones will especially benefit from the animated tutorial as they get the hang of things. There’s no right or wrong way, either; the approach behind this techie toy encourages kids to get creative to find the best way to solve the puzzles.
The educational toy is held in high regard by industry insiders and parents alike. In 2020, Tangiplay was dubbed an iF Product Design award winner and also received a Parents' Choice® Silver Award. Not to mention that the game checks boxes on this list of practices that boost kids’ chances of being successful later in life (we’re looking at you, early math skills).
Right now, you can get the Tangiplay: Tangible Coding Toys + Interactive Puzzles Solving Games for Kids at $84.99, down 14% from the original MSRP.
Prices subject to change.