Botley the Coding Robot (from Learning Resources) is pretty unique for a modern coding toy because it doesn’t require any screen time. My daughter is just getting into science kits and toys and was delighted when we were sent our very own Botley for the purpose of this review!
This cool little robot teaches children aged 5+how coding works and let’s them learn how to instruct Botley to follow certain commands. It’s mostly aimed t children aged 5-9, but my 9-year-old daughter has been playing with it and it wasn’t too young for her, so I think if you’ve got a child interested in this sort of stuff, it would probably even wow a 10 or 11-year-old.
Teach Botley to move objects, knock down bricks, follow an obstacle course and play at an egg and spoon race!
Botley the Coding Robot: What’s in the Box?
The 77 piece Botley set contains:
- Botley robot
- Remote programmer
- Detachable robot arms
- 40 coding cards
- 6 boards
- 8 sticks
- 12 cubes
- 2 cones
- 2 flags
- 2 balls
- 1 goal
- 1 sticker sheet
5 AAA batteries are required in total, but not included.
What can Botley do?
Botley can follow simple code, black lines and even move balls and blocks.
We have laminate in our hallway, so it seemed like the most sensible place to give Botley a whirl. We tried the simple programs from the instruction booklet first of all, but Emma felt confident to make up her own after she’d mastered those. 
You can use the coding cards to help remember the sequence, they are colour coded to match the buttons on the remote for ease of use. I liked this because I think it helps with the learning aspect of this kit.
I also rather enjoyed the detachable robot arms.
The arms not only made our robot friend look extra cute and cheeky, but they can make him move the balls and blocks you get in the kit. Botley has an object detection feature, but this doesn’t work when the arms are on.
It’s also noting that if you’re too far away when using the remote, it won’t pick up the signal.
What we thought of Botley the coding robot
My daughter loves him! My son, although just below the recommended age, is really keen on him to and loves to watch his sister control the friendly-looking robot.
I think it’s a really cool toy with the added bonus of teaching children something in a way that pretty much disguises that its educational! I love it and would recommend it to anyone who has a child interested in this sort of thing. A double thumbs up from me!
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I will have to buy one of these for my grandaughter although she is not quite ready at the moment.
Great review! I think I will have to buy one of these for my youngest daughter!
Botley looks fab! I know my little Grandson would enjoy him!
That’s so cool, my little 1 would love it
Great fun great learning – will certainly be enjoyed here too
This looks really interesting
Great write up, my little girls bday coming up very soon, I think this would keep her entertained for a good while. Added to her bday list!
This looks like something my coding obsessed sons would love, thanks for reviewing
Looks great fun while learning as well
A really helpful review, thank you. Botley is rather cute and very appealing as well as being educationally demanding. He is now on my birthday gift list for the children.
I think this is a great robot. Sounds easy to use and great to teach kids coding basics.
Great idea – my son would love this as he is doing basic coding at school
This looks fun and educational too!
I got one of these for my 3 yr old grandson Sami for Christmas and he absolutely loves it! He is a clever boy anyway, but he has already come on leaps and bounds 🙂
Looks like a great way to learn how to code.
Looks great for kids.
This looks really interesting
What a super idea – my children would love this.
looks like a lot of fun
This looks so clever
This looks like a great educational type of toy x
I want this to pretend to give to my kids
these look really great they remind me of a 3d version of the old pc programme logo
really cool, wish my daughter was old enough to use this
my littlw brother would love one of these xx
My nephew would love this robot
My grandson would love this, great present to get young children in to coding
Looks like it could be fun
Looks really interesting to do. My son would enjoy coding
Great review my younger grandchildren would love this
Vet interesting
We’ve got hotkey! My 5year old loves it!!!
My daughter is into ciding atm. She would love this. Will have to look at getting one.
My little one is a bit too young but I’m sure she’ll want one a few years down the line.
Wow. What a great prize
My nephew would love this. He’s really into computers and gadgets, so I think this would be the sort of thing he’ll want to do when he’s older.
This looks really good and unique and great that its educational too! Xx
This looks fab and very educational
So cool, awesome little kit
These are great, good to gets kids started with code which culd lead to a great career later in life.
Looks fun
he looks like good fun
This sounds amazing, I think I should get one for my Godson.
Botley is on my Christmas list. Thank you for the particularly good review and pics.
That’s so cool, My Son would love it
never mind the children I could do with one to catch up with coding