Lego Mindstorms

For years, LEGO Mindstorms was the gold standard for introducing kids to robotics, combining studded bricks with programmable bricks, motors, and sensors. Originally developed in partnership with MIT, it helped countless students learn to design, build, and code robots for classroom projects and competitions. Parents loved that it bridged free-form building and serious engineering in a single ecosystem. Although the Mindstorms line has now been discontinued, many families still use existing EV3 and earlier kits, supported by a huge library of books, videos, and lesson plans. That discontinuation is the main drawback—finding new sets or official app support can take extra effort—but the used market and community support keep it viable. Pro tip: if you pick up a secondhand set, confirm all motors, sensors, and cables work before diving into a big project.