This post was sponsored by Sphero as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. Sphero BOLT and Sphero MINI – The STEAM Gifts Tweens Really Want!
Our oldest son just turned 10 and that has proven to be the beginning age of a very tricky time for gift buying! He wants electronics, of course, but isn’t quite there yet. He does not really want toys, but wants cool gadgets made for him that will challenge, excite, and entertain. Sphero BOLT and Sphero MINI are just what he wants and I’m happy because it keeps him thinking and problem solving.
Upon opening the Sphero BOLT and Sphero MINI, he was quickly able to locate the charging port and start charging, (which was good because I couldn’t find it at all!) While it was charging, we read the inserts together. We downloaded the Sphero Edu app and when they were fully charged, started playing! He grabbed the Sphero BOLT first and got the hang of it pretty quickly. The app is pretty user friendly, and he has had experience with other Sphero products, so he was moving the Sphero BOLT around and having fun with it in no time.
The first day he used the Sphero BOLT, our 7 year old had basketball practice. This is always a trying time for me and the other brothers because they cannot get out on the court to play, so I suggested that we take the Sphero BOLT and I’m glad we did because it provided great entertainment! I wish I had taken my camera because it was a fun thing to see the brothers on the floor playing together while their other brother was at practice! (I WILL be downloading the apps on the iPad or not in use iPhone in the future so I can get my phone back, however… 🙂
As a parent, it is always fun to see what the boys gravitate towards individually. One brother has always liked building with blocks, while the 10 year old likes technology more. The Sphero BOLT provides him with the mental stimulation that he needs to stay engaged and having fun, and I like that he is learning while playing. All three brothers really like interacting with the Sphero BOLT, although it is geared for kids ages 8 and up.
With technology playing such an important role in our lives today, I know that kids need to learn about Science, Technology, Arts and Mathematics (aka STEAM) to enrich their lives and prepare them for a career as an adult. The Sphero products really help with STEAM when it comes to kids at home. They learn at school, but home is “downtime,” where it is a temptation to just veg out in front of the TV or video game. Sphero BOLT and Sphero MINI provide an opportunity to keep learning and keep practicing those STEAM skills while having fun and “playing.” My kids, and many other kids DO think STEAM is fun, but Sphero is helping all kids to see how fun it can be. Sphero is a leader in this industry because they believe play and education work together seamlessly. Their high-tech consumer robots engage children in hours of play through app-enabled driving, games and sports. I was amazed, and I think my son was too, when an hour had passed because he was so engaged!
About the Sphero BOLT
Sphero BOLT is an app-enabled robotic ball that works with the Sphero Edu app from nearly any mobile or desktop device. Kids can program, discover awesome community-created activities, or just drive and play. The 8×8 LED Matrix animates and displays real-time data. Kids can create and customize games and learn to code by drawing on the screen, using Scratch™ blocks, or writing JavaScript text programs.
The Sphero BOLT also features infrared communication, allowing your robot to “communicate” with other Sphero BOLTs, enabling brand new games and advanced coding tactics. Equipped with Bluetooth SMART and a durable, waterproof shell, Sphero BOLT is a great way to learn and play.
About the Sphero MINI
Sphero MINI is a tiny, but powerful app-enabled robot. Use it along with the Sphero MINI app to play games and program it with the Sphero Edu app using JavaScript.
Sphero MINI has a little gyroscope, accelerometer, and LED lights. Colorful, interchangeable shells are available, so you can easily switch one out to suit your mood.
Holiday Promotion:
11/28 to 12/1 – Spend $100 and get 15% off – visit Sphero.com for more information.