Best 2014 Toys Gyrobot Out of BoxEver wonder exactly how your iPhone can recognize when it’s orientation is changed? Or just how does the Wii Motion Plus detect your movements so flawlessly? While there is a whole lot of science behind these high-tech devices, one basic component is at the forefront: a gyroscope.

Thanks to Thames & Kosmos, now kids can easily understand gyroscopes with the Gyrobot experiment kit. Best of all? They’ll forget all about the learning process—because they are building an awesome, balancing robot that they can show off to friends and family.

With more than 100 pieces that all snap together, kids won’t need to worry about glue or needing additional tools or materials (apart from a couple of batteries). The kit includes a 24-page, full-color experiment manual, which gives kids step-by-step instructions on how to build up to seven different models, while also providing real-life examples of how gyroscopes work, building tips, and fun facts. From a tight-rope walking Gyrobot to a flight simulator, kids can complete each experiment in eight steps or less—so they won’t get bored or frustrated. However, the kit is designed for kids ages 8 and up, and younger kids may need assistance from adults to get the project completed.

Hottest 2014 Toys GyrobotThe tightrope walk is the most visually impressive trick in the kit. Kids can build the Gyrobot and a stand in just five easy steps, and then have an assistant hold one end of the included string as tightly as possible. While holding the other end, kids can place the Gyrobot right on the string, and watch as it glides right across. This element brings some magic to the science fun, but also teaches kids just how cool physics can be.

Toys that teach make intimidating subjects, like physics, more approachable, and kids will feel more prepared in school if they have a background in these concepts. American kids are particularly lacking in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, and these concepts are exactly those that drive our world today. The Gyrobot not only gets kids more interested in these fields, but it can prepare them for future learning experiences in school. Not to mention—it’s pretty amazing that kids get to play with a robot, and then they can explain to you how your iPhone works. Now that’s magic, if you ask me.

About the author

Marissa Silva

Marissa Silva

Marissa Silva is editor-in-chief of the Pop Insider and the Toy Insider, the leading consumer holiday gift guide and toy review and news website. As a professional toy reviewer and an industry expert, she consistently reports on toy, entertainment, and pop culture trends and hot products. In addition to digital content management, Marissa contributes feature-length articles to the Pop Insider and leading toy industry trade magazine The Toy Book, providing retailers, manufacturers, and licensors with information on the latest in toy news. Marissa has been featured on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, Fox and Friends, ABC World News Now, MSNBC, CBS, NY1, WPIX, and more. A board game fanatic and professional toy reviewer, she spends most of her free time shopping for superhero T-shirts, crushing at Mario Kart, and anxiously awaiting her Hogwarts acceptance letter. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @thattoygirl.

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