Families
Digital Technologies
Get started! - Purchasing
Digital technology tools and devices are becoming readily available for purchase. Please keep in mind that many of these come with a large price tag and although they are engaging for children, they are not the only way to learn how to program.
The range of equipment available to purchase includes games, programming consoles, programmable robots, robotics and STEM kits, books and programmable boards and components.
There are a range of stores around Australia that are now stocking a variety of Digital Technology equipment including:
- National Geographic Coding
- National Geographic DIY Kits
- Officeworks Technology and Engineering
- Jaycar Kits Science and Learning
Below you will find a range of links to various online stores where you can purchase these devices. Remember when purchasing online, it always pays to compare prices and search for Australian suppliers to reduce delivery costs.
GAMES
There is an ever-increasing range of board games and hands-on activities that allow kids to learn computational thinking. Some of them are shown below.
Code Monkey Island
Code Monkey Island is a family-friendly board game that introduces kids ages 8 and up to programming concepts used by real programmers.
Robot Turtles
Robot Turtles is the first game for the little programmers. It's really simple. Just get your turtle to the matching colored jewel.
Code Master
Make programming fun by learning the basics without a computer! In Code Master, your Avatar uses programming logic to search for power Crystals.
PROGRAMMING CONSOLES
Cubetto
Cubetto Coding toy for youngies aged 3 and up, which includes a physical programming console and colourful coding blocks to program the cute wooden robot.
Puzzlets
Half of Puzzlets’ games are played on a screen, while the other half are played by arranging and rearranging tiles on the Play Tray.
Osmo Coding
Learn to code with physical coding blocks from Osmo, the award-winning tangible play platform.
ROBOTS
Dash and Dot
Learn to program with Dash and Dot, toy robots that make coding fun. Use Blockly or Tickle to program Dash and Dot.
KITS
Hunt around your local electronics shop or website for robotics kits. You can find simple ones available online for less than $10.00.
Little bits
Become a little inventor with these easy-to-use electronic kits with bits that snap together.
BOARDS AND COMPONENTS
Tiny computers with all the capability of today’s desktop machines. While a small number are listed below, there are many more on the market.
Arduino
Arduino senses the environment by receiving inputs from many sensors, and affects its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators.
Makey Makey
Use a Makey Makey to trick your computer into thinking that almost anything is a keyboard. Then play music on a banana keyboard, create an Operation game, make a cardboard guitar and much much more. There is also a Makey Makey Go – a smaller, simpler, portable Makey Makey. See the guides for more information. You can use your Makey Makey with many free apps.
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