LEGO MINDSTORMS: Dark Side Developer Kit
© 2000 LEGO Mindstorms
We took a puzzle-loving 12-year-old girl and her five-year-old, robot-obsessed brother and turned them loose with this new droid-building kit. Big sister would study the diagrams and find the pieces, then little brother would assemble the parts. This incredible partnership lasted for the next three hours, as the pair constructed robot after robot, programming each to do different things. The kit was an absolute hit. Chances are you've heard of the Mindstorm line by now. This particular kit is not PC dependent— all you need comes right in the package. Included are over 500 LEGO building pieces, a small Micro Scout microcomputer and three easy to follow construction manuals — one for each level of building: Sith Apprentice, Sith Lord and the most difficult, Sith Master. The brother-sister pair stayed within the Apprentice level and built robots that responded to light and walked. At the more difficult levels, you can create more sophisticated droids that have increased strength and agility. Also included are tips and tricks for creating robots of your own design. For kids who love building and figuring things out, this product is terrific.
$99, Smart Toy
Teaches: critical thinking, logic, creativity