I’ve got the luckiest kids in the world – some cool things come to our office for them to see before things even hit the stores. Sometimes, they are goodies for kids – the coolest and latest toys and gadgets.
The littleBits Avengers Hero Inventor Kit is one such item. It’s been sitting in the office ready for the kids for aa few weeks – then finally School Holidays were upon us so a morning project had to be putting together this super-hero arm.
Designed to allow kids to enjoy the Marvel Avengers range of heros, including Iron Man, Hulk, Black Widow, Black Panther and more, this kit is more than just a wearable gadget.
littleBits make these fantastic electrical kits, the modern version of the good old Dick Smith Electronics kits back in they day, except there’s no soldering iron or resisters, it’s bits that do certain things that plug together to create an outcome.
Physically, the step by step instructions in the box get lights flashing almost immediately. Then download an App and you’re in for an interactive build experience that ends up with a gadget you wear and can program do to amazing things.
Using the app you can program colours on the small screen worn on the hand, and learn about all the “bits” available.
There’s buttons, switches, and even bits that you can make short voice recordings that can be activated while wearing the arm.
It’s a bunch of fun!
“It’s important to us to provide kids with varied experiences and inclusive role models,” said Paul Gitter, SVP Licensing, Marvel Entertainment. “littleBits’ Avengers Hero Inventor Kit enables kids of any age, gender, and technical background to find super powers that appeal to them, embrace these skills, and invent their own. This rich and fun experience allows kids to ‘be more’ by allowing them to learn and challenge themselves.”
“From creating circuits to introducing super powers like stealth mode, rainbow control, power boost, and more, the Avengers Hero Inventor Kit teaches kids about STEAM in a fun, accessible way,” said Ayah Bdeir, founder and CEO of littleBits. “We’re thrilled to extend our relationship with Disney to now work with the amazing team at Marvel to give kids the skills — and the confidence — to change the world.”
The Avengers Hero Inventor Kit is on sale at JB Hi-Fi and Australian Geographic and retails for $249.99, It’s a big price, but the end product is not fixed, it’s an ever evolving kit – that’s what littleBits do so well.
Even the design is free – there are loads of stickers, red, purple, gold, or even colour your own. Then there’s the combination of bits – just a few, or a whole stack – learn to make it do what you want it to do.
And of course, there’s coding. Via the app your kids can put their block coding skills to work, or learn from scratch.
This is the essence of modern STEM learning – not boring, simple, yet advanced enough to be a real education for your kids.
My eleven-year-old Jackson did the bulk of the work with ease, but even at seven young Harri is all across the concept, in time he’ll learn about the bits and start his own adventure in coding.
Highly recommended – and no, you don’t need to be a fan of Marvel in any way shape or form.
Written by Trevor Long.
