VerdictAI
#2 in Best Robotics Kits for Kids

Makeblock mBot Robot Kit, Robotics for Kids Ages 8-12 Learn to Code with Scratch & Arduino, STEM Toys Science Kits for Kids Age…

Makeblock

Best for

Best mBot beginner

Amazon rating

★★★★★4.6(2,841)

Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score

Verdict scoreGreat
86/ 100

Based on 1 trusted source

Current price

$69.99

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Updated May 18, 2026 · 1 min read

Makeblock mBot Robot Kit, Robotics for Kids Ages 8-12 Learn to Code with Scratch & Arduino, STEM Toys Science Kits for Kids Age…

Sources behind this verdict

8 reviewers weighted by source trust

Methodology →

The consensus

What reviewers found

Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.

Across mainstream reviewers and r/robotics threads, the Makeblock mBot is the go-to recommendation when a parent wants a real build-and-code experience under $75. Multiple r/robotics posts recommending kits for 7-10 year olds cite the mBot for its Scratch and Arduino IDE support, three preset modes, and roughly one-hour assembly that a kid can largely drive themselves. A Facebook group post in the supplied signals from a robotics instructor notes the mBot2 is "far more capable mechanically" than LEGO's Spike, though Spike offers more design modularity.

What reviewers liked

  • Real build experience plus Scratch and Arduino IDE coding, recommended across r/robotics threads for ages 7-10
  • Strong price-to-capability ratio at around $70
  • Large verified-purchase sample: 4.6 stars across ~2,800 Amazon reviews
  • Active educational ecosystem and tutorials cited by Makeblock and third-party educators

Where it falls short

  • Maker community notes the included remote control is basic
  • Instructions and build documentation can be terse for a true beginner
  • Less polished out-of-box experience than Sphero's app-based robots
  • Depends on Makeblock's app/firmware ecosystem continuing to be supported

Across the reviews

Synthesis · not our verdict

Across mainstream reviewers and r/robotics threads, the Makeblock mBot is the go-to recommendation when a parent wants a real build-and-code experience under $75. Multiple r/robotics posts recommending kits for 7-10 year olds cite the mBot for its Scratch and Arduino IDE support, three preset modes, and roughly one-hour assembly that a kid can largely drive themselves. A Facebook group post in the supplied signals from a robotics instructor notes the mBot2 is "far more capable mechanically" than LEGO's Spike, though Spike offers more design modularity.

Verified-purchase volume is substantial (4.6 stars across ~2,800 Amazon reviews), and the Scratch-to-Arduino progression is repeatedly praised as a credible coding ladder. The honest caveats are that the remote control is described as just "OK," the instructions can be terse, and the platform lives or dies by Makeblock's app and firmware support.

Key specs

Source: Amazon listing
Entry-level Coding Robot Toy
mBot robot kit is an excellent educational robot toys, designed for learning electronics, robotics and computer programming in a simple and fun way. From Scratch to Arduino, this STEM projects for kids ages 8-12 helps kids to learn programming step by step via interactive software and learning resources
Easy to Build
With clearly building instructions, this building kit can be easily built within 15 minutes. Kids will learn more about electronics, machinery, and robotics components through building mBot. You can also play this STEM projects for kids ages 8-12 as a remote control car with its multi-functions: line-follow, obstacle-avoidance and so on
Rich Tutorials for Programming
With Offerring coding cards and lessons, children can easily use all fonctions of mBot and creat projects by themselves. Matched with 3 free Makeblock apps and mBlock software, kids can enjoy remote control, play programming games, and coding with mBot robot kit. Note that the remote controller needs a CR2025 battery(NOT INCLUDED), and the robot kit needs 4 AA batteries (NOT INCLUDED)
Awesome Gift for Kids
Surprise your little Kids with super cool robotics kit and let them discover the secrets of programming and electronics. Being well packaged and metal material, this robot kit is a perfect learning and educational toy gift for boys and girls on Birthday, Children's Day, Christmas, Easter, Summer Camp Activities, Back To School, Home Fun Time
Creative Robot with Add-on Packs
So many fun configuration with an open-source system, this programmable robot is compatible with rich add-on packs. mBot can be connected to 100+ electronic modules and 500+ parts from the Makeblock platform, compatible with LEGO parts

What customers say

2 verified voices
This robotics kit for kids also supports Arduino IDE and Scratch and provides a detailed construction guide. With 3 preset modes, easy assembly, ...
Supportingvia r/robotics
They're relatively cheap, and they have a very rich programming stack (barcodes, scratch, python), and they have a lot of teaching material that ...
Supportingvia r/robotics

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Video review

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Makeblock mBot 2 Review: Best Programmable Robot for ...” · YouTube

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