[Ad-gifted] If you’re looking for a screen-free, hands-on way to introduce kids to coding and problem solving, Cooper the STEM Robot from Learning Resources® is one of the more engaging options on the market. Libby Dallimore reviews.
In a world where so many “educational” toys still rely on tablets or apps, Cooper the STEM robot takes a very different approach, focusing on hands-on learning that feels playful rather than instructional. Designed for ages 5 and up with both home and classroom use in mind, Cooper blends playful concepts with super easy programming concepts in a way that’s fun for young learners. My daughter Margot, aged 9, has had some experience with coding apps and games which she really enjoys so I knew she would have no issue getting to grips with Cooper.
Straight out of the box, Cooper is easy to set up. You simply charge the adorable little robot using the included charger and you’re ready to go. There’s no complicated setup process, no accounts to create or apps to download and best of all, no screens involved at any stage!
Programming Cooper is done using physical coding cards and buttons on the robot itself, allowing kids to build sequences and see the results instantly.
The kit comes with:
40 coding instruction cards
20 classroom activity ideas
A ball
And of course, Cooper the robot.
What we thought of Cooper the STEM Robot
We both really liked that reactions to the coding commands are instant, which is great as when children are learning through trial and error, they can get frustrated if it isn’t immediate. You can very easily direct Cooper using the directions on the robot and you can set up activities for it to follow either from the recommended exercises or make up your own. On the back of Cooper are other commands such as light and object detection, communication and follow lines, however, we tried drawing a track for Cooper to follow, and while the feature does work, as I’ve seen videos of it in action, the lines we drew probably needed to be thicker. That isn’t clearly explained in the instructions, so while the instructions overall are easy to follow, a little more clarity in places would definitely improve the experience.
From a learning point of view, this is where Cooper really shines. The set includes enough structure such as direction cards and activity examples that children can get started easily while still encouraging them to create their own challenges. We enjoyed programming Cooper to play football with the ball and created a grid for Margot to programme Cooper to reach certain boxes. Because everything is screen-free, I felt she stayed focused on the logic of coding rather than being distracted by animations or notifications so it feels like a deeper kind of learning as they’re not just following instructions, they’re thinking about sequences and solving problems as they go.
In a classroom environment, if you have access to multiple Cooper robots, more opportunities would open up for group activities. The robots can also communicate with one another which would add an extra layer of excitement and make it feel like more than just a solo toy or activity. That said, Cooper is clearly aimed at beginner coders and young children so for older children who already have experience with computer-based coding programs they may find the robot a little limited over time.
Overall, Cooper the STEM Robot offers great value for money, especially considering how hands-on and engaging it is. It’s fun, thoughtfully designed and genuinely educational without feeling like homework. For younger children, it’s an excellent introduction to programming and very fun to play with, though not a replacement for more advanced coding platforms.
Where can I buy Cooper The STEM Robot and how much does it cost?
Cooper The STEM Robot costs £69.95 and is available to buy via the Learning Resources website, here.
About Learning Resources®
With 40 years of experience, the family-owned company’s mission is to offer children educational toys for infinite inspiration to succeed in school and beyond. Learning Resources® make toys that help children love to learn about themselves and the world through hands-on discovery and play. Their toys are developed to spark their imaginations, encourage exploration, and inspire discovery.
Learning Resources® understands that children need to play like they need to eat and sleep. Play is a fun, joy-filled part of childhood and is an essential ingredient in learning. Through play, children map out what they know about themselves and their world and test their understanding against the concepts they come across in real life.
Review by : Libby Dallimore
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* We were sent the toy in return for a review. All opinions are our own.
4 comments
That’s so good that it doesn’t rely on an app or something like that, I just assume most things do now. I definitely want to introduce STEM toys as my little one gets older x
I love that it helps learning how to code, this is awesome. I bought something similar to my nephew a year ago. STEM seems great. I will check it out.
I love the look of this. I’m not sure if my eldest is too young to fully get it. I’m sure she’d give it a good go though. She’s not really done anything like this before, but it looks great. I love when toys are fun and educational at the same time.
Claire.X
http://www.clairemac.co.uk
Oh, that is so fun! It has such a cool look, and it makes learning actually enjoyable for the kids. I really, really like this.