On this page we are going to be looking at another amazing toy from Lego – the LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox 17101 Building and Coding Kit…
And this hot new toy is also one of the top Christmas toys on Amazon this year as well as being on our list of top 5 tech toys for Christmas 2018.
Aimed at 7-12 year olds, this advanced Lego kit allows kids to build interactive, motorized robots, models and other creations…
And code them with distance, color and tilt sensor technologies.
We will give you a full rundown on the 5 different models your kids can build and program with this kit…
As well as tell you exactly what people who have already purchased this product are saying.
There is also a video at the bottom of the page showing exactly what you get with this toy before you buy…
If you’re still with us let’s first have a look at the main product features and then we’ll get right into the full review…
The basic features of the Lego Boost Creative Toolbox 17101 Building and Coding Kit…
- Includes over 840 LEGO pieces, plus a LEGO Move Hub, Interactive Motor and a Color & Distance Sensor
- Move Hub features Bluetooth low energy (BLE) connectivity, two encoded motors, activation button, internal tilt sensor and a light
- Color & Distance Sensor detects distance, motion and color, and can also function as a light
- Building instructions for all 5 models are included with the free LEGO Boost app, requires 6x AAA 1.5V batteries (not included).
- Vernie the robot stands over 10in (27cm) tall, Guitar4000 measures over 1in (5cm) high, 16in (42cm) long and 5in (15cm) wide
- A tablet or mobile phone is required, but not included. Compatible with selected iOS, Android, Kindle and Windows 10 devices with BLE 4.1 and newer. Compatible with selected mobile devices.
- Download the LEGO Boost App in the Amazon Appstore: amazon.com/dp/B075LL7KGB
- Easy-to-use intuitive software with icon-based drag-and-drop coding interface
LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox 17101 Building and Coding Kit Review…
This is a gift that kids are definitely going to love.
Not least because this new model’s design encompasses the latest technology.
The features of the LEGO Vernie robot toy have been greatly improved, you can now code its actual behavior…
In fact you can talk to it… and it will actually talk back.
The robots movements have also been improved, and made smoother.
This has been made possible by the use of two encoded motors which allow it to move in all directions.
It can also make hand gestures and facial expressions and the hands can hold onto light items too.
Plus, the Move Hub has a low energy consuming Bluetooth feature which is used to detect motion, color, and distance.
All this provides a simpler and more educational building experience for kids than they would get from similar toys.
Building the robots is simple…
All you need to do is download the LEGO boost app using a tablet or selected smartphone….
There you will find simplified instructions on how to assemble all the five Vernie the robot models…
To purchase the kit for your child this Christmas and get a great deal on head over to Amazon.com.
Here Are The 5 Different Vernie Robots Your Kids Can Build And Code Using One LEGO Toolbox Kit….
#1. Vernie The Robot…
First comes Vernie the Robot, a 27 cm tall, speaking robot that behaves similarly to a real human.
Vernie is a friendly robot that can perform a range of interactive activities.
He has emotion-responsive traits, and is able to express his mood.
He will react when seeing you upset, laugh, and find proper words depending on situation.
And he can also freely hold a conversation with you and even tell jokes.
After building Vernie, you can set a code of patterns for his behavior.
Once coded, the robot can express his mood, move around in all directions at different speeds, and sense distance.
Vernie’s movements part are powered by the LEGO Move Hub, which also gives him stability.
The hub is fitted with a Bluetooth low energy connectivity. and two internal motors.
Vernie also has cameras embedded in his eyes that help him see objects and tell colors from one another.
Moreover, the robot can dance, speak, grab accessories, and wave hello good bye…
As due to his smart moving shoulder mechanism he can even play darts!
In short, Vernie is a fully automated robot that can move on its own tracks, dance, tell jokes and more besides.
He can even pass gas!
What kid could ever get bored with such playmate?
#2. Frankie The Cat…
Next up is Frankie the Cat, another cool, interactive playmate that can also let your child know how he is feeling.
Frankie may not be so cuddly but he’s definitely a fun and intelligent playmate to build.
And just like they can with Vernie, your kids can also code Frankie’s behavior…
Once they have he will be able to show facial expressions, purr, move on his own, play with toys, see faces and react to what’s going on.
#3. Guitar 4000…
Frankie The Cat can be transformed easily into Guitar 4000.
This futuristic version of the guitar is an interactive musical instrument that can be built, and actually played…
And with its learning software, pitch bend, and excellent sound effects it also allows your child listen to favorite songs, and enjoy funny sound effects
#4. M.T.R.4…
A more challenging model is M.T.R. 4, a robust car, with a few added extras…
This interactive and automated Rover is armed with 4 handy moveable tools and includes a spring-loaded firing shooter…
And a pair of rear wheels is added to the existing front mounted Move Hub which is the main engine of the rover…
And the tilt sensor allows the car to easily change direction while in motion and steer round obstacles…
Your kids will love driving this tough little rover all around the house.
#5. Auto Builder…
And finally there is the Autobuilder model which is also part of the kit.
This particular model comes in the form of a mini factory, producing LEGO stuff in miniature versions.
Watch as your kids create their own Lego production line…
And set up shop with this automated system that will actually create mini Lego models!
A toy that can be coded to build other toys…surely it can’t get much better than this…
All 5 of these interactive and fun robots can be run, using a free app available on tablets and smartphones, and powered by the most popular operating systems.
The app provides full building instructions, and a range of tools to code the behavior of the robots.
Verdict…
Lego toys are renowned for being educational and top quality…
And this one, new for Christmas 2018, is no exception.
We really like the Lego Boost Creative Toolbox 17101 Building And Coding Kit.
If you’re looking for a toy that is fun, entertaining, educational and stimulating this Christmas we highly recommend checking this one out.
The LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox 17101 Building And Coding Kit provides a fun and simple way of teaching children between ages 7-12 the principles of coding.
The LEGO Boost successfully bridges the gap between physical and digital toys with its tablet integration. The free app with its colorful environment is the key to building and operating the interactive models.
Coding is taught in small chunks so that your child is never overwhelmed with information.
Icons are used instead of text so it doesn’t matter if younger children can’t read well.
Vivid drag and drop blocks are used to give commands.
There are a lot of possibilities with the available commands and once your child has grasped the basics of coding, it is possible for him/her to go beyond the tutorials and code his/her own ideas.
This aspect alone puts the LEGO Boost in a class of its own when comparing it with other toys available for Christmas 2018.
NOTE: This toy requires 6 AAA batteries-NOT INCLUDED, so you will need to buy some batteries when you buy this Lego set.
What’s more, it offers an excellent value for money as your kids will be using it for years.
Plus it makes an exceptional gift.
For the best price on the LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox 17101 Building and Coding Kit click here to go to Amazon.com.
Customer Opinion…
As you can see, so far 293 people have left reviews for this toy and out of that number an impressive 68% give it a full 5 out of 5 stars rating…
And a further 14% give it 4 stars…
While only 9% of them rate it a 1 star product.
It’s fair to say that based on these figures the majority of people who have bought this particular Lego set are very happy with their purchase.
You can check out all the customer reviews for this product by clicking here to go over to the review page on Amazon.com.
Should You Buy The LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox 17101 Building and Coding Kit?
If you are looking for something really special for your kids this Christmas, the LEGO BOOST Creative Toolbox is an amazing, yet simple tech-toy experience.
The kit comes with a LEGO Move Hub, a distance sensor, an interactive motor, and over 845 LEGO pieces to help your kid learn how to build and code interactive models.
This toy is one of the small number available today that not only nurtures creativity in your kids…
But also brings out the genius in them too!
The LEGO Boost app is also available in the Amazon App store and is compatible with Android, iOS, Kindle and Windows 10 devices with BLE-4.1 and later versions.
The learning app has an easy-to-use interface that turns coding into an entertaining game that even the pre-literate kids can enjoy.
If you’re looking to buy the LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox 17101 Building And Coding Kit, Amazon.com has some amazing offers including a lifetime-limited warranty.
If your kids are crazy about Lego in general, the Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall Building Kit is well worth looking at, and you can read our review of it here.
Here’s A Quick Peek Before You Buy…
Click on the video below to see the LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox 17101 Building and Coding Kit in action…
Remember, Lego toys are always in demand and with the increasing popularity of tech toys this one could sell out before Christmas so we strongly advise ordering early.
For more videos like this check out our video page where you will find videos of our best Christmas toys for 2018…
And don’t forget our top 10 Christmas toys list too, or the hottest new toys for Cheistmas 2018…