Any toys that can be used to teach kids about power in motion are good educational and fun toys. Kids can learn and discover as they play. They’ll learn about linkages and motion as well as cause and effect.
Toys like the VEX Robotics Ball Machines are reasonably priced toys that inspire kids to learn as they play and the manufacturer has a long list of these interesting robotics ball machines.
These are modular in construction and are very budget friendly. The sets can be used configured together to make even bigger machines. The VEX Robotics Hexcalator Ball Machine is one of the robotics that has a hand crank that kids can use to create the motion that drives the wheels to move the balls uphill to the ramp and down again.
This is all hand powered, so no batteries are needed – and the set comes with eight of the balls. Kids can build a forklift using the pieces from the Forklift Ball Machine set.
By putting together the linkage, kids will create a machine that has the ability to scoop and lift the balls. Like the other machines, this one has a hand crank that allows it to scoop and lift the balls quickly.
The VEX Robotics Handoff Ball Machine has more than 220 pieces that kids can use to build it. They’ll be linking gears and cranks that can make a machine that has the ability to move balls to holding bins.
By building this machine, kids learn engineering facts like rotational and linear movement. By using another set, 170 piece plus, kids can build a VEX Robotics Screw Lift Ball Machine.
This machine can lift small items and its design is based on the science of the Archimedes Screw. It works by having kids use a screw that rotates so that it can lift balls.
VEX Robotics Ball Machines
If you have a child that’s big on sports, they will love the VEX Robotics Hook Shot Ball Machine. This set combines more than 180 pieces to create a machine that uses a hand crank to toss balls through a loop.
The VEX Robotics Pick & Drop Ball Machine has an impressive piece count of over 400 pieces. Using kinetic motion, kids can use the crank to move energy that makes the hands of the machine work.
When they use the crank, the hands will pick up a ball and if kids continue to run the crank, it’ll lift the ball up and drop it on the ramp. While each of these 6 sets use linkage, gears and hand cranking, kids can still add power motors if they want to take the building experience a step further.
I can’t say enough about toys that educate and are tons of fun. These robotic ball machines are a huge favorite of mine and so cool!
Your toy enthusiast, Brenda
