GreedyBot | miniMINT | Science Kit

Drop in a coin and the GreedyBot springs into action, finds the metal and gathers it up. This miniMINT kit from fischertechnik lets an eight-year-old build a small wooden robot with an electromagnet at its heart, and then discover what that magnet can do.

The build is step by step from the digital instructions, wooden parts fitting together without glue. Once it is running, children work out for themselves how an electric current makes a magnet, how the magnet grabs the coin, and how the mechanics carry it away. It is robotics at a size and price that suits a first go.

Behind the fun are early lessons in electricity and magnetism, plus the patience and careful fingers that building asks for. The wooden robot can be painted once finished, so it gets a personality too.

Suitable from 8 years. Takes two AA batteries, not included. A gift that gets built on the kitchen table the same day it is opened.