littleBits for Makers

littlebits

Exploration Kit Series from littleBits on Vimeo.

Now that I’m thinking about Challenges as a way to get my kids inspired, I am finding more and more of them every day.  This particular resource was so awesome that I had to share it.  littleBits is a website, a product, a community and a challenge for kids to start making things that use an energy source that is able to be controlled by a smartphone app.  It’s awesome.

They teamed up with Disney, too!  Lots of their challenges have Disney themes and use characters from Disney movies to hook kids and get them thinking about how they can invent, or re-invent their world. Kids submit their finished inventions and winners are chosen.

You’d have to buy a kit, but once you have one or two or three of their kits you can then use their app to see challenges that are customized to fit the kits you own.  These challenges are really cool, and so great at tying in things they love with a maker-spirit.  For example, the current challenge is called The Magic of Invention and is all about Harry Potter!

littlebits_deluxe_kit_18_bits_modules

The downside is that the kits aren’t cheap.  Starting around $100 and going up to around $250, these are an investment.  In order to get a kit suitable for the classroom you’re starting at about $2000 and going up to $4000 if you want to be able to support a group of 32 kids.  But if you are looking for a Christmas gift that will get your kids THINKING and CREATING, I don’t think you can go wrong here!

32 thoughts on “littleBits for Makers

    • I think these have a pretty good track record, and are used by clubs and classrooms with lots of kids handling them. They are not known for breaking easily.

  1. this is amazing i wish my parents would buy this for me i would be able to create a bunch of things that i wouldn have dreamed of.

    • Not everyone is an inventor, but I think we all start out with inventor spirits. This isn’t the only product or material out there with which you can invent though. Hope you find something better!

  2. I think that this is really cool and I want one so I can kick everyone else’s butts in the Harry Potter challenge. When things are Disney or Harry Potter themed, watch out, here comes the very competitive fangirl!! Disney and Harry Potter is my life! (Let it go, let it go, you are not gon-na win!) 😉 Seriously though….. :/ the prize is mine! 🙂

  3. I think that littleBits is really cool and it will give kids inspiration and creativity to do more cool things and I think that the challenges are a good thing because if kids see the challenges they will do the challenges more and they will do creative ideas to get them going for them to win.

  4. I think that littleBits is really cool and it will give kids inspiration and creativity to do more cool activities. I think that the challenges are a good thing because if kids see the challenges they’ll want to make more crafts. I also think they’ll want to do more challenges to win.

  5. This looks really cool. My mom will probably never get it for me since it is really expensive. I could save up for it if I really want it. If I really want it, I could probably get it. They look really cool and the challenges look very interesting.

    • Hi Rebecca,
      You seem to enjoy making things. I would love to see you save up and try this out- but if it’s not your cup of tea then spend your money elsewhere! If you do enjoy inventing and want to make automated inventions, this would be an investment that could spark a passion inside you. Who knows?

  6. Those look very…interesting! Not something I’d expect in an art community, but okay! It looks fun! It’s awesome that you look for fun things for us students.

  7. I think this looks amazing! I remember using this in my old school, and my class really enjoyed it! Also, where would I be able to get this?

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