There’s no shortage of cool Star Wars droids toys available today. We have everything from R/C droids, smartphone operated droid toys, and even clever drones sporting Star Wars Themes.
What about a kit which challenges you to build and program your own R2-D2 droid?
That’s right, Little Bits has created a cool R2-D2 Droid Inventor Kit for kids aged 8 and up. This box comes with all the things you need to build your own Astromech droid. The kit is designed after the iconic face of the Star Wars franchise, R2-D2.
Encased in see-through plastic, the Little bits R2-D2 Droid Inventor Kit makes it possible to see the parts and components that make up this cool robot. Building the 11-inch R2-D2 is done by using the companion app, which is innovative in its own way and walks you through the process.
Ideal for kids aged 8-12 years old, the kit combines model building, engineering, and precision electronics to create a delightful robot.
Little bits R2-D2 Droid Inventor Kit also opens the door to various levels of programming.
You can extend functionality using Swift Playgrounds. This is a free app from Apple that teaches the fun side of coding.
The kit comes with everything kids need to create and control their own Droid – right down to the battery – plus stickers and extra accessories. It includes 6 Bits, 20 Droid parts, and 3 sticker sheets, and it comes loaded with 20 authentic Droid sounds.
Little bits R2-D2 Droid Inventor Kit has a lot of tips and how-to projects available. Once you build the various mechanisms and controllers of the Little bits R2-D2 Droid Inventor Kit, you can test them via connectivity to the app before you put it all together.
Creating R2-D2 is really just the first step since Little Bits encourages builders to add everyday things to create new droids.
This is done with droid Inventor training where builders are guided through initial instructions, adventures like obstacle courses, and new Droid powers which can be unlocked through leveling up.
The app features 16+ missions & engaging activities. Smartphones or tablets can be used to control in Drive Mode, Force Mode, Self Navigation, and more.
The app is generally easy to use and can be learned by most children 8 and older. The graphics, animation, and sound bring the Little bits R2-D2 Droid Inventor Kit to life and have many of the familiar Star Wars references that delight users.
It’s composed of various translucent plastic pieces that can be joined to form the shell as well as braces and locks for the components. The materials are quite sturdy and robust. Setting all the pieces in order before diving into the build project is a good way to go. That way they are all easily accessible.
The feeling of achievement that a child has built their own robot from various parts and components is priceless. This also has the unintended effect of giving builders an insight on what goes on behind electronics and what makes things tick. This fuels the curiosity and inquisitiveness that sparks a love for engineering, science, and programming.
In terms of difficulty, the Little Bits R2-D2 Droid Inventor Kit is a step up from more complicated builder kits since there are various components to tackle. Expect to use up a good part of an afternoon getting it up and running. Adult supervision is suggested.
I can see more than a few of the Little bits R2-D2 Droid Inventor Kits being bought by adult fans of Star Wars who have always wanted their own R2-D2.
While some hardcore builders have gone full-bore into building their own R2-D2 from scratch, the Little bits R2-D2 Droid Inventor Kit is a great way to make your personal Astromech droid at home.
