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!
You might also enjoy these STEM kit and STEM Smartglobe reviews
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Peter Watson says
December 19, 2018 at 7:40 pmI will have to buy one of these for my grandaughter although she is not quite ready at the moment.
Tracy Nixon says
December 19, 2018 at 7:49 pmGreat review! I think I will have to buy one of these for my youngest daughter!
Anthony Harrington says
December 19, 2018 at 10:53 pmBotley looks fab! I know my little Grandson would enjoy him!
Rich Tyler says
December 19, 2018 at 11:12 pmThat’s so cool, my little 1 would love it
Margaret Gallagher says
December 26, 2018 at 8:28 pmGreat fun great learning – will certainly be enjoyed here too
justine meyer says
December 30, 2018 at 9:56 pmThis looks really interesting
Karen Usher says
January 1, 2019 at 8:01 pmGreat 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!
Laura Lee says
January 1, 2019 at 8:04 pmThis looks like something my coding obsessed sons would love, thanks for reviewing
john prendergast says
January 1, 2019 at 9:07 pmLooks great fun while learning as well
Susan B says
January 2, 2019 at 4:37 amA 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.
Claire Woods says
January 2, 2019 at 9:13 amI think this is a great robot. Sounds easy to use and great to teach kids coding basics.
Karen hutchinson says
January 2, 2019 at 9:33 pmGreat idea – my son would love this as he is doing basic coding at school
Lynn Neal says
January 5, 2019 at 12:21 pmThis looks fun and educational too!
Kirsten Melville says
January 5, 2019 at 10:55 pmI 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 🙂
Christopher Read says
January 6, 2019 at 12:44 amLooks like a great way to learn how to code.
Emily Smith says
January 7, 2019 at 11:27 amLooks great for kids.
Sally Collingwood says
January 7, 2019 at 11:33 amThis looks really interesting
Anthea Holloway says
January 9, 2019 at 7:14 pmWhat a super idea – my children would love this.
paula cheadle says
January 10, 2019 at 12:03 amlooks like a lot of fun
Sheri Darby says
January 10, 2019 at 8:10 pmThis looks so clever
Georgina Prince says
January 11, 2019 at 12:02 pmThis looks like a great educational type of toy x
Darryl says
January 11, 2019 at 12:47 pmI want this to pretend to give to my kids
ellie spider says
January 12, 2019 at 1:06 amthese look really great they remind me of a 3d version of the old pc programme logo
kate andrews says
January 12, 2019 at 7:40 pmreally cool, wish my daughter was old enough to use this
Kayley HILL says
January 12, 2019 at 9:37 pmmy littlw brother would love one of these xx
Sarah Morris says
January 13, 2019 at 7:39 amMy nephew would love this robot
joanne casey says
January 13, 2019 at 8:06 amMy grandson would love this, great present to get young children in to coding
Olga carpenter says
January 13, 2019 at 9:24 amLooks like it could be fun
Kim Neville says
January 13, 2019 at 11:02 amLooks really interesting to do. My son would enjoy coding
Denise walton says
January 13, 2019 at 2:37 pmGreat review my younger grandchildren would love this
Valeria Balan says
January 13, 2019 at 5:00 pmVet interesting
Amanda w says
January 13, 2019 at 8:52 pmWe’ve got hotkey! My 5year old loves it!!!
Tee Simpson says
January 13, 2019 at 9:36 pmMy daughter is into ciding atm. She would love this. Will have to look at getting one.
Elanor Rice says
January 13, 2019 at 10:01 pmMy little one is a bit too young but I’m sure she’ll want one a few years down the line.
Anthony Parker says
January 13, 2019 at 10:41 pmWow. What a great prize
Emily Hallett says
April 23, 2019 at 12:58 pmMy 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.
Natalie Burgess says
April 24, 2019 at 6:44 amThis looks really good and unique and great that its educational too! Xx
Justine Meyer says
April 24, 2019 at 7:26 pmThis looks fab and very educational
Rich Tyler says
April 30, 2019 at 9:44 pmSo cool, awesome little kit
Faye Reed says
May 8, 2019 at 1:35 pmThese are great, good to gets kids started with code which culd lead to a great career later in life.
Samantha O'D says
May 8, 2019 at 8:09 pmLooks fun
carol boffey says
May 12, 2019 at 10:02 amhe looks like good fun
Margaret Clarkson says
May 12, 2019 at 11:25 amThis sounds amazing, I think I should get one for my Godson.
Susan B says
May 12, 2019 at 12:34 pmBotley is on my Christmas list. Thank you for the particularly good review and pics.
Theresa Thomas says
May 12, 2019 at 8:14 pmThat’s so cool, My Son would love it
fiona waterworth says
May 12, 2019 at 8:31 pmnever mind the children I could do with one to catch up with coding