Toys that teach kids to learn to code can be great, especially if they’re cute and fun to play with.
Pyxel aims to be just that. The codeable robot dog from Educational Insights, on display this week at CES, teaches kids to program in the kid-friendly Blockly language, as well as the more sophisticated Python.
Designed for kids ages eight and up, kids can use Pyxel’s app to make their doggie do tricks like sit, speak and shake, as well as run around and light up in various colors. Along the way, they’ll learn coding skills that might become useful down the road.
My kids have tested more than a few of these kinds of toys over the years with mixed results. Do they need another one? I’m not so sure, but I’m guessing a lot of parents might be willing to buy if they think Pyxel will someday lead their child to a career in computer science.
For those willing to roll the dice, Pyxel is set to go on sale this spring through Amazon and Educational Insights’ website for $125.
