Robotics Kit 7+

You're standing in the robotics kit aisle, torn between two options. Both say ages 7+, but one costs £100 more than the other. You've read countless reviews, but you're no closer to making a decision. Your child's birthday is just three days away, and you still don't know which robot to buy.

I've been in your shoes.

The Decision Paralysis

This choice is hard because both kits have their strengths and weaknesses. The main reasons for this paralysis are:

• The significant price difference
• The similarity in age recommendations
• The overwhelming number of reviews and opinions
• The uncertainty about which kit will keep your child engaged long-term
• The difficulty in determining which kit is better suited for your child's skill level and interests

As a parent, you want to know:

• Which kit will my child still be using in six months?
• Is the more expensive kit worth the extra cost?
• Which kit is better for my child's skill level and patience?
• Can we upgrade or expand the kit later, or is it a dead-end investment?
• Which kit requires less parent involvement?

I'm answering all these questions and more in this comparison.

Side-By-Side Comparison

Kit A: LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox

Price: £149.99

Age: 7+ (manufacturer)

Real age: 7+ (our experience)

What's in the box:

• 847 LEGO pieces
• 1 Move Hub (motor and sensors combined)
• 1 interactive motor
• 1 colour and distance sensor
• Building instructions for 5 different models

Build Time:

• First model: 45-90 minutes
• Adult help: Recommended for first build
• Solo build: Ages 8+ can manage with minimal help

Coding:

• Platform: Tablet (iOS/Android)
• Type: Drag-and-drop icon-based blocks
• Complexity: Low-Medium
• Text code: No

The initial build takes 45-90 minutes depending on the child's LEGO experience and reading ability. The instruction app guides builders through the process step-by-step with visual and audio cues.

The coding app includes tutorial missions that introduce basic programming concepts: sequencing commands, using sensors as inputs, and creating loops. The interface uses icon-based blocks rather than text.

Users can rebuild the 847 pieces into five different models: Vernie (robot), Frankie (cat), Guitar 4000, M.T.R.4 (rover), and AutoBuilder. Each rebuild requires full disassembly of the previous model and takes 30-90 minutes. Each model has unique pre-programmed activities and coding challenges in the app.

What Works Well:

• Familiar LEGO building experience made it approachable
• The app was colourful and engaging with built-in missions
• Five different models meant variety and replayability
• Great integration between physical building and digital coding

What Doesn't Work So Well:

• Tablet required (no computer option)
• Battery life on the Move Hub was only 2-3 hours
• Some younger children struggled with the app's icon-based coding at first
• The models were impressive but required full rebuilds to switch between them

Kit B: Wonder Workshop Dash Robot

Price: £149.99

Age: 6+ (manufacturer)

Real age: 6+ (our experience)

What's in the box:

• 1 Dash robot (pre-built)
• 1 USB charging cable
• Quick start guide

Build Time:

• First model: 0 minutes (arrives ready to use)
• Adult help: None needed
• Solo build: Not applicable - no building required

Coding:

• Platform: Tablet or smartphone (iOS/Android)
• Type: Multiple apps with different coding approaches
• Complexity: Low to Medium (depending on app)
• Text code: No (but progresses to Blockly)

Dash arrives pre-assembled and requires 30-60 minutes of charging before first use. The robot can be operated immediately using the free companion apps available for iOS and Android.

The Go app provides direct control functionality - users can drive the robot, trigger pre-recorded sounds, and activate lights without any coding required.

The Blockly app introduces block-based programming with progressive difficulty levels. Users can create movement sequences, set sensor triggers, and build conditional logic. The Wonder app offers structured coding challenges and projects that teach specific programming concepts through guided activities.

Multiple apps are available, each targeting different skill levels and learning objectives. No rebuilding or reconfiguration is required to switch between apps or activities.

What Works:

• Instant gratification - no building required
• Multiple apps meant different learning pathways
• Dash's personality (sounds, lights, movements) was incredibly engaging
• Very durable - survived multiple drops and bumps
• Excellent progression from simple play to proper coding

What Doesn't Work So Well:

• No building aspect meant less hands-on construction learning
• Some of the best apps required separate purchases
• The robot itself couldn't be modified or rebuilt
• At £149.99, felt expensive for what appeared to be "just a robot"

Head-To-Head Decision Matrix

The Verdict

Choose Kit A (LEGO Boost) if:

• Your child loves building with LEGO and already has sets at home
• You value the hands-on construction experience
• Your child enjoys rebuilding and transforming their creations
• You want to integrate with existing LEGO collections
• Your child is more patient and enjoys longer projects

Choose Kit B (Wonder Workshop Dash) if:

• You want instant play without assembly time
• Your child is eager to code and program right away
• Multiple children will be using the robot (no rebuild needed between users)
• You prioritize coding education over construction skills
• Your child has a shorter attention span or less patience for building

LEGO Boost tends to see heavy use in the first few months as kids work through all five models. The building process is genuinely enjoyable, and there's real satisfaction in bringing each creation to life. However, many families notice playtime tapering off around the 3-4 month mark. The need to completely rebuild between models can feel like a chore when you just want to code something quickly. The programming options, while solid for beginners, don't always grow with kids as they get more confident.

Dash has a different trajectory. Because there's no setup barrier - just grab it and go - it tends to stay in rotation much longer. Kids often return to it even 6-8 months later, partly because they can progress through increasingly challenging apps at their own pace. The ability to pick it up for a quick 10-minute session or dive into an hour-long coding challenge gives it staying power. It's also noticeably easier for siblings to share, since there's no "but I just spent an hour building this" territorial feeling.Cost Analysis:

Both kits are priced identically at £149.99, which makes the decision purely about features and fit rather than budget. However, the hidden costs differ:

Kit A (LEGO Boost) hidden costs:

• Tablet required (if you don't already have one)
• Batteries for the Move Hub (4 AAA) - ongoing cost
• Potential expansion sets (LEGO compatible but not Boost-specific)

Kit B (Dash) hidden costs:

• Tablet/smartphone required
• Optional accessory packs (£20-£40 each - launchers, grippers, etc.)
• Optional premium apps (most are free)

In practice, Dash has more optional accessories available, which can add up if your child wants to expand. However, these accessories genuinely add new capabilities rather than just new building instructions.

Various Family Scenarios

Scenario 1: The LEGO Fanatic (Age 7-8)

If your child has bins full of LEGO and already builds complex sets independently, LEGO Boost is the natural choice. They'll appreciate the familiar building system and enjoy the challenge of constructing the different models. The coding becomes an extension of their existing LEGO play.

Scenario 2: The Screen-Time Kid (Age 6-7)

If your child is drawn to tablets and apps, Dash transforms screen time into learning time. Parents told us they felt better about their kids using tablets when they were programming Dash versus passive consumption. The physical robot makes the coding feel more tangible.

Scenario 3: Multiple Children (Ages 5-9)

Dash wins for families with multiple kids. There's no "it's my turn to use it but I need 2 hours to rebuild first" problem. One child can program a routine, another can immediately try it, and a younger sibling can just drive it around. LEGO Boost requires more turn-taking patience.

Scenario 4: The Impatient Learner (Age 7-8)

Some bright kids have amazing ideas but struggle with the execution phase of long builds. For these children, Dash's instant-on nature prevents frustration. They can focus on the coding and problem-solving without the barrier of assembly time.

Buying Tips

Where to Buy:

• Amazon: Both kits available at £149.99
• John Lewis: Both kits, often with better return policy
• Argos: Check for Click & Collect availability
• Smyths Toys: Sometimes bundles Dash with accessories
• Apple Store: Dash only (sometimes with exclusive educational discount)

When to Buy:

• Best sales: Black Friday (up to 30% off), Prime Day (15-25% off), post-Christmas clearance
• Good deals: Easter holidays, back-to-school season
• Worst time: September-October (full price before Christmas)
• Consider: Refurbished Dash directly from Wonder Workshop (£99-£119)

The Bottom Line

LEGO Boost is brilliant for children who already love LEGO and want to add technology to their building. It's a gateway to coding, but construction is equally important to the experience. It's perfect for methodical children who enjoy following instructions and seeing a plan come together.

Dash is exceptional for children ready to focus on computational thinking and programming concepts. It removes barriers to entry and maintains engagement over time. It's ideal for children who want results quickly and prefer iteration over construction.

If we could only choose one for a 7-year-old with no specific preferences, we'd choose Dash. Here's why: the learning curve is gentler, the engagement lasts longer, multiple children can share it more easily, and it requires less parental involvement. The coding progression is better structured, taking children from absolute beginner to surprisingly sophisticated programming.

However, if your specific child loves LEGO, that changes everything. LEGO Boost offers something Dash cannot: the satisfaction of building something with your own hands before bringing it to life with code.

The right choice isn't about which kit is objectively better. It's about which kit matches your child's interests, patience level, and learning style. And sometimes, the only way to know for sure is to start with one and see what happens.