The Raspberry Pi is incredible, a device that can be used a lot. But not only you, your children or minors in your care as well and that is why we are going to show you a set of kits that will trigger the potential of the Raspberry Pi among the youngest.
Raspberry Pi, a great device to start programming and much more
The Raspberry was created with the intention of providing computer students with an inexpensive equipment with which they could experiment and see for themselves all the existing possibilities. However, shortly after being presented, it became a success that millions of users began to take advantage of with all kinds of projects, not only academic but also leisure and intended for use at home.
However, something that not many might have imagined is that it would also end up being the ideal product to introduce the little ones to programming issues thanks to languages like Scratch and everything related to robotics. Therefore, here we are going to collect some of the most attractive kits for children and their use of the Rasbperry Pi.
Why Choose a Raspberry Pi Kit
When you start in everything related to Raspberry Pi projects, it is normal not to have much experience about each and every one of the elements that can be used together. For this reason, the main advantage of the kits is that they already include everything necessary to carry out that particular project. For example, building an autonomous or remote-controlled vehicle, a mini PC, etc.
Logically, you could also do all this by purchasing the parts separately, but you have to know exactly what you need and you may also resort to soldering certain components in some cases. Of course, none of this is impossible to do, but if it is for the little ones at home to start programming or robotics, it is better to opt for a solution that is already complete and with everything necessary to function.
Raspberry Pi 400
It is not a Raspberry Pi Kit itself, because the board it uses is a modification to fit the Raspberry Pi 4 case, but it is the best option for the little ones to find everything they need to get started on issues of programming and computing in general.
By having a keyboard and everything necessary for its operation, you just have to connect to a screen and that’s it. Without a doubt, it is the ideal option for all this. Hence, many schools have decided to bet on it. So you won’t go wrong if you do the same for your little one (or even yourself).
Kano Kit DIY
Having already the Raspberry Pi 400 it is true that the Kano kits have lost a bit of interest, although they still have certain attractions. The first is that they were pioneers in making it easier for the little ones to use a Raspberry Pi. And all this with the idea of introducing them to programming issues.
The second and no less important when it comes to bringing technology closer to the little ones is that its colorful design was less aggressive, more friendly. Also, while the Raspberry Pi goes separately in its own case, the keyboard also includes a trackpad which is always useful.
PiCar-S for Raspberry Pi
This car is one of those STEM projects designed for children and not so children highly recommended. It includes the vehicle and a set of sensors that allow you to perform actions such as avoiding objects or following routes that can be indicated in different ways.
The only thing to keep in mind is that you need to buy the Raspberry Pi separately , but that’s not really a problem. It is not the same to just buy the board from some other additional complement such as communication tapes, boards with sensors, etc.
For the rest, it includes documentation with which you can carry out the assembly in a simple way as well as instructions to get started with the first examples of practical uses. From there, thanks to Python and applications with a highly visual graphical interface, programming new routines is quite accessible.
PiCar-V for Raspberry Pi
If the previous kit was already interesting, this other from the same manufacturer will surely also like you. The PiCar-V is a version where its main difference is that instead of the sensors for the detection of obstacles you find a camera.
This camera that is placed on the nose of the vehicle allows the transmission of images in real time and with a good quality with what you see at that precise moment. In addition, thanks to included servos, the camera can be controlled and moved at an angle of 120º with which you can have a greater panoramic when you control it from a distance.
Adeept RaspTank
Similar to the previous ones, but instead of the typical car, this time we have a STEM robot shaped like a tank and in which that upper arm with tweezers stands out . That is the main attraction of this proposal, which together with the use of different sensors gives many options to understand much better how it is to control a robotic device like this.
All this coding of orders can be carried out in different ways, one of them being very visual as it is based on block programming that is executed successively. In addition, the kit comes with all the necessary documentation so that starting to use it is not complex at any level. Although the more knowledge you have, the better.
Ultimate Starter Kit
For children a little more advanced in the whole subject of programming, robotics and integration of different components is this Ultimate Starter Kit. It is composed of different types of components such as buttons, sensors, resistors, connection hoses, etc.
It is, as we say, a kit for those who already know a little more but just as interesting for all those minors who are learning all the advantages and possibilities that this development board offers.
NesPi Case Retro Arcade Gaming
Finally, because not everything is going to be programming and robotics, this kit is ideal for the little ones to have their own retro console. Through a housing similar to the design of the NES and with everything necessary for the assembly of it.
In addition to a case that gives it a very attractive appearance, the kit also incorporates two game controllers to make it much easier for you to start enjoying all the available emulators that exist at the moment.
An ideal device for STEM education
As you can see for yourself, the Raspberry Pi is an ideal device for STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and that is why it is already used in many schools. Therefore, having one at home is a very attractive way to allow them to continue experimenting and expanding their skills with everything related to programming and robotics.