CES 2016 is underway, and today we got to check out a couple of products that are near and dear to my heart. Fisher Price and LEGO® announced new products aimed at getting kids coding. This is play segment where I’ve started to notice a gradual insurgence. There are currently initiatives created by Codarica and Code.org® that are geared towards getting children exposed to the fundamentals of Computer Science. With that said, when I saw products geared towards preschoolers and up I got very intrigued.
During CES 2016, Fisher Price announced the Think & Learn Code-A-Pillar™, a toy caterpillar with interchangeable segments that, when sequenced together, get the toy moving. Kids between the ages of 3 through 8 can arrange the segments into endless combinations that can get the Code-A-Pillar™ to move forward, left, right or stay still for a few minutes. As they place the segments onto the Code-A-Pillar™, kids can use their problem-solving skills to figure out the best path to reach a target. Not only will they be using their problem-solving skills but they will also be programming!
The Code-A-Pillar™ includes eight light-up segments, a motorized head segment with lights, sounds and blinking eyes as well as two targets; uses four AA batteries. Additional segments will also be available separately but details on these, as well as pricing, will be available at a later date. Also on the way is a companion app that will expand the fun by adding new challenges to get kids thinking about different ways to plan and update their sequence in order to complete the new challenges.
Interested in learning more? Expect to see the Code-A-Pillar™ in stores this Fall for a suggested retail price of $49.99. You can also visit the official homepage here.