The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.
Both of my kids intuitively knew how to use a device before they entered school, a skill that likely benefitted them as they entered their classrooms filled with Chromebooks and iPads. They’re growing up in the digital age, where technology makes it easy to communicate with family across the country with just the touch of a button and coding can be taught by a robot – Dash Robot.
Dash Robot – Tech that Teaches
This summer, we spent time learning all about coding, programming and robotics with Dash, a real robot from Wonder Workshop. Available at Best Buy, Dash Robot responds to voice commands, can sing and dance on command, and through the free apps available, can help children as young as preschoolers how to code.
Like the best tech products, Dash Robot is intuitive, charged and ready to play right from the box. Simply download one (or several) of Wonder Workshop’s free apps to begin interacting with Dash. Once you turn him on, he will begin responding to voice commands (he knows his name!). Here is an overview of the apps available (all of which are free!) and how they work together with Dash.
Go: This is the app you’ll want to start with to give Dash a new name and explore his lights, sounds, sensors and movements.
Path: Path introduces children to the fundamentals of robotics and coding and is ideal for younger children who cannot read. One of the activities available includes drawing a route on a smartphone or tablet to send Dash Robot on adventures around the home.
Xylo: Used with the Xylophone accessory, this app will help kids program Dash to play their favorite song or create new songs of their own.
Wonder: This app helps make coding as simple and intuitive as finger painting. Very specific behaviors can be created using picture-based coding language.
Blockly: This app is designed for children 8+ and introduces advanced coding concepts through playful projects and puzzles. Variables, events and conditionals are used to turn Dash into a dancer, and adventurer, an artist and even a prankster.
As I alluded to above, there are several accessories available for Dash Robot. Here is a brief look at how these accessories enhance a child’s experience with his/her robot.
Launcher: This accessory turns Dash into a projectile launcher and teaches children the basics of a lever. My son has Launcher on his must-buy list because it works with LEGO bricks and he’s planning on building his own targets to play with. In addition to the launcher, you’ll receive 3 projectiles and 6 targets.
Building Brick Connectors: Additional connectors can be purchased to play with your child’s favorite toys including LEGO bricks, Technics, Mindstorms and Hero Factory. Kids can use their creativity to turn Dash Robot into anything they can imagine.
Xylophone: The musically-inclined child will love accessorizing Dash with the xylophone, which connects to the robot. Once set up, children can create new music or use old-time favorites to play while Dash “rolls to the music.”
Bulldozer Bar: Does your child need some help cleaning up his/her room? Use the Bulldozer Bar to have Dash clean up blocks and toys.
Smartphone Mount: Want to see the world how Dash sees it? Simply use this mount to attach a smart phone to your child’s Robot and take photos/video from his point of view.
Bunny Ears: Have Dash hop to it with this fun accessory. With these ears, Dash will be quick as a bunny, ideal for introducing children to dress-up and imaginative play.
Tow Hook: Deliver a special message, connect with other toys and friends and more with the Tow Hook accessory.
At $149.99, this is an engaging tech toy that will grow with children. I appreciate the fact that both my 6 year old daughter and 9 year old son can play, albeit differently. Dash is not targeted towards a particular gender and can be tailored to a child’s age, which is pretty expansive.
Perhaps what we love most about Dash Robot is the fact that he really can be a child’s very own robot. There are so many ways to customize him and I love the way kids can use their imagination to create the robot of their dreams. Dash is exciting, engaging, and educational, and the best part is that kids likely won’t even know that they are learning while interacting with him.
In addition to Dash the Robot, you’ll receive a charging cord, 2 building brick connectors and a guide to help you get started. For more information, including how to set-up Dash or any accessories, visit WonderWorkshop.com. Kids can also visit the Wonder League to solve new challenges, show off their code and see how kids around the world are playing and interacting with Dash.
- Discover Luxury at Sonesta Irvine: Your Ideal Staycation - August 8, 2024
- CHOC Walk Returns to the Disneyland Resort – Special Events and Ways to Support - June 28, 2023
- Beastly Ball Returns to the Los Angeles Zoo - May 8, 2023
This is sooooooo coool!!! I recently saw a coding toy for preschoolers by Fisher Price, but I LOVE how this grows with the child. My son is 17 months old, so he’s still a little young for anything like that, but I believe knowing and understanding code will be necessary for our children. Thanks for sharing this awesome toy!!