a "doodling" robot with pens for legs and a "reptile" robot. These building kits for kids incorporate googly eyes and electronics, along with simple circuits that provide them with power.

The Barobo Mobot, for instance, is a cheap modular robot kit that's great for entry-level builders. Other examples of this are the projects that are powered by Raspberry Pi's miniature computers.

KinderLab Robotics, creator of the award-winning KIBO robot, is expanding its curriculum offerings to serve students in ...