Puzzlets

$100, iPad, iPhone, Mac OSX, Android, Windows

Teaches: programming, coding, STEAM

CTR Review

This app-enabled plastic "play tray" is designed to help children experiment with programming concepts using 22 physical programming tiles called Puzzlets. The tray contains batteries that must be charged (through your USB port) and connects to your tablet using a bluetooth connection. The starter pack includes the rechargeable, Bluetooth enabled Play Tray, 22 programming Puzzlets, and a USB. Once you have the tray, you download the free app called Cork the Volcano. In the game, children guide characters through 120 levels in order to save an island from an evil force. Children have full control through code of the character's progression with just a tap of the screen or click of a mouse. Testers found it hard to use.