Coding for Preschoolers with Cubetto

Are you looking for an introduction to coding for preschoolers? This post is sponsored by Cubetto, a toy robot that teaches kids coding and computer programming through hands-on play. Cubetto is Montessori approved and recommend for ages 3-6.

Coding for Preschoolers with Cubetto

Primo Toys is launched a series of Kickstarter campaigns to offer brand new, limited edition world maps and collectible game cards for Cubetto. Their calling it the Cubetto Super Series, a set of short, 14-day Kickstarter campaigns offering collectible Adventure Packs for Cubetto. You’ll only be able to get each of the Adventure Packs on Kickstarter. Once the 2 weeks are over, the items won’t be available again. The first campaign in the series features an adventure through the African Savannah, with a wild safari ride that takes explorers across sunbaked plains and rolling grasslands. Learn more about the Kickstarter campaign here.

My daughter, Lily, turns 4 at the end of April. She was excited to get Cubetto in the mail and couldn’t wait to play with him.

Cubetto comes with an interface board, coding blocks, a word map (Lily calls it a rug), and a story book. The world map is machine washable. The coding blocks fit onto the control board like puzzle pieces. Green represents forward, red is right, and yellow is left. The blue blocks are function blocks. You can use them to program subroutines and loops.

After teaching Lily what the coding blocks meant, I showed her how they created the program to move Cubetto. We read the storybook and followed the challenges to move Cubetto around the map.

Then, Lily worked on creating her own programs for Cubetto. She enjoyed adding the coding blocks and seeing where the little wooden robot would go. The more she played with him, the more she started to understand what was happening. She was able to start designing a path for him.

I like how programming Cubetto is hands-on. Adding the coding blocks to the control board helps you visualize the program. As Cubetto is moving, the lights blink under the block that is being executed. Cubetto moves slowly enough that it’s easy to watch the control board and then see where the robot moves next.

Watch the video below of Cubetto in action.

Cubetto is designed to grow with kids. It’s not a one and done type of toy. Lily doesn’t quite understand the function blocks. We’ll work on that more in the future. Cubetto is perfect for open-ended play. Tell a story as he moves through the map. Help him get from one place to another. Add toys to the map for Cubetto go around or interact with. Flip the map over and create your own obstacle course or maze.

Primo Toys has a lot of ways to play with Cubetto on their website. From crafts to mazes to family games, you’ll want to check it out.

More Coding Activities for Kids

Work on problem-solving skills, following directions, and understanding programming language with these screen-free activities for kids. They pair wonderfully with Cubetto.

• Are You My Mother? Coding Activity for Preschoolers
• Robot Clean Up Game | Coding for Kids
• More Coding with Cubetto – Science Sparks adds LEGO walls and cardboard tubes to the Cubetto story map.

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