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Ask HN: Christmas Gift Ideas to Introduce Kids to Programming/Tech?
Hi,
I have these 3x kids in my extended family who I'd like to get Programming/Tech-related gifts for this Christmas.
Ages 6, 8, & 10.
When I was around their age I built electronics kits from Radio Shack- the ones with those springy connectors. I did that for years, & it paid off when I got older. I'd like to provide a similar opportunity for them to get started early on the 'tech of their time', in hopes that it'll catch on & help them later.
What do people here recommend?
Thanks :-)
- enhdless 10y agoDepending on what kind of "tech" you're looking for, Snap Circuits (http://www.snapcircuits.net/ http://www.snapcircuits.net/) can be a good intro to electronics.
- joelg 10y agoWow! I haven't even thought about Snap Circuits for years. My parents bought me a set when I was a kid (before I began coding), and I loved them. I distinctly remember learning how the relay switch worked, thinking about how to create a paradox with it - I turned it over and over in my mind and then built a circuit that turned the relay off when it was turned on, and vice versa. Made the relay make a shrill buzzing noise and made me feel like a god.
- cdvonstinkpot 10y agoRelays were my favorite component when I was a kid. At one point, I had built a switch panel out of a thick cardboard box that had pushbuttons on it with a bunch of relays inside. I had modded all the electronics in my room which emitted light of whatever sort, indicators & such- be it LEDs or those old gold incandecant lamps or whatever, so that they all had wires running back to the relays in that box. I was then able to turn off all the devices' lights so they were on & functioning, but the room would be completely dark. Later I had a job doing electrical assembly- panels & PLCs & all kinds of sensors. There I learned of the existance of solid-state relays we used. I imagine if they'd be connected to your paradox circuit, there'd be no noise, but probably a significant amount of heat, lol!
- marmot777 10y agoSnap Circuits rule!!!
- cdvonstinkpot 10y agoThanks! I guess this is what those old kits I had have evolved into. It's too bad these don't work with Macs, but I saw one that mentioned a smartphone app interface. Will have to look into it further & see if that one'll work with an iPad. I know the 10-year-old lives in a Mac household, but maybe the 8-year-old has Windows available.
- marmot777 10y agoRobots for sure. They're fun. The complexity scales so you can adjust that as needed. My 4 year old son absolutely loves little robot projects with Daddy. :-)