Robot Turtles
© 2014 ThinkFun
Robot Turtles is a board game designed to "sneakily" teach young children how to program a computer. There is no screen, no keyboard, and no special effects. Instead, there is a checkerboard-like playing surface, with a deck of command cards for each player. The game was inspired by Logo, the programming language designed in the 1960s which featured turtle graphics. Logo provided the conceptual framework for Scratch. The idea is that a child can play with a grown-up, and use Code Cards to "program" their Robot Turtle to reach a matching Jewel. Each card lists a movement command, such as forward one step, right turn 90 degress, and so on. As play advances, obstacles such as Ice Walls and more complex Code Cards like Lasers and the Function Frog can be introduced. It is possible to play two or more players. There are no electronics or batteries, and many of the marker cards need to be removed from printed, die-cut sheets.
$25, board game
Teaches: programming, coding, problem solving