During the #ThorRagnarokEvent, we met the littleBits team at the Disney Studios and learned more about the company, their new products, and participated in a team building activity of building our very own Star Wars Droid.
littleBits makes technology kits that are fun, easy-to-use, and infinitely creative. The kits are composed of electronic building blocks that are color-coded, magnetic, and make complex technology simple and fun. Together they’re interchangeable in millions of different ways to empower kids to invent anything – from a sibling alarm, to a wireless robot, to a digital instrument.
As an early education advocate and the Founder of A Chance to Learn, an organization created to combat the issue of children entering kindergarten behind, the littleBits activity was one of my favorites. I could hardly wait to get home and experience it with my son, Chance. It was finally time to open the box, examine the contents, and prepare for our adventure.
The exterior of the box was inviting as it included all 30 pieces along with non-intimidating three steps of fun 1) Create, 2) Play, 3) Invent. Chance and I noticed the packing material was minimum and appeared to be recycled paper and cardboard. Big Plus!!!
We followed the instructions marked “Start Here” and downloaded the DROID INVENTOR APP. The app was easily found via Apple’s App Store. Downloading was less than a minute so Chance didn’t get impatient. After downloading, the app recognized his circuit and communicated to him in “Droid Talk” we had a connection. His face lit with excitement as part one of the base assembly was complete.
We then moved to competing the driving circuit, internal structure, and droid shell. One of the biggest things he enjoyed was through each mission it was required powering on the control hub to confirm success. This is a great way to encourage testing and also keep attention throughout the build. We also received a “Mission Complete” message which warranted high fives throughout the build.
Once we completed the base assembly, it was time to take a test run. Chance took a deep breath, gave me a thumbs up, and took the controls moving the droid around the living room even chasing me to complete the mission. The sounds options were a big hit. He really enjoyed the droid scream!!!! Over and over again pressing the button and falling on the floor with laughter.
As we expose him to more S.T.E.A.M. activities, this build was a great foundation to reinforce coding principals and user acceptance testing. We had a blast and can’t wait for more products from littleBits in the future.
We were so excited to build the Droid, I was also excited to share littleBits with you. As you begin thinking about your Christmas gift list, littleBits Droid Inventor Kit would be a great gift idea. Not only does this product shed a light on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) littleBits launched a global inventor movement and your kid can join the competition.
That’s right, the Droid Inventor Kit Competition invites kids, families, and Star Wars fans an opportunity to share their own unique Droid creation. The competition began on November 15th and will run through January 10, 2018. AND the judges are The Last Jedi star Daisy Ridley (the actress who portrays Rey in the current Star Wars trilogy), Kelly Marie Tran (the actress who portrays Rose Tico in Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Ayah Bdeir (founder and CEO of littleBits), and Kathleen Kennedy (president of Lucasfilms).
I know, it’s so cool! Are you ready to join the #inventorswanted movement? Snag your Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit and learn more about the competition click here. Follow along on social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and please share your Star Wars Droid Inventions if you decide to participate. I would love to see them.
[latoyia]
I haven’t seen these yet. My son would love this. Such a fun way to teach kids too!
We love our littlebits droid kit! My husband and daughters are really planning out an amazing droid for the competition! I love seeing your family have so much fun with the droid!
My son put this on his wish list. It looks so cool. We are still deciding what we are buying him but no matter what we will be getting one to either give him for Christmas or for his birthday next year.
I am so glad i just saw this! I have a son who has Autism and he is obsessed with putting things together. He will love this. Littlebits looks like an amazing gift for any kid and maybe even an adult!
He’ll love it!
My kids love littlebits droid kits. This is the first time I’ve seen the Star Wars one , Jordan would crazy over that kit. Looks like your family enjoyed this kit also! They’re so much fun and very educational.
This is amazing!! Such a great idea for kids to build and assemble the gift rather than just give them something to play we pre-assembled. This way I find it would be more rewarding to play with something they put together and would last longer.
Nadalie it is a lot of fun! A great gift.
My boys are 4, so this would probably be a bit too advanced for them. However, they love Star Wars, and I think that this would be a hit with them in years to come. My daughter would probably even like it, too. Who doesn’t like a good Droid, right?!?!
Wow that looks like a fun thing to get for the holiday. I would love to get it for myself or for my daughter. It’s so funny because it seems like the older I get the more I want to receive this kind of thing for myself as a collectible. I think I may be making up for things I never got as a kid, I spoil my daughter for that same reason but it has all worked out for us so far. We need to pick up a droid! lol
My little guy will enjoy this once he’s old enough. I’ve been looking for activities that we can do in homeschool that are equally fun as they are educational. It looks like we found something.
How cute is this? My 8 year old would love something like this. He is into the fun gadgets like this and actually has something like it on his list – so I may have to try to pick this up for him too!
I’m a teacher (and a mom) so I am ALL for educational toys and games. That is always in the back of my mind when purchasing gifts or toys for my kids!
this little droid kit is such a great idea! i would have loved it as a kid! such a different kind of present!