Lego Mindstorms?

[lukenick1]

Is it worth the hefty price?

 

[pjlla]

Well.... as the Mom to a Lego-crazy nearly 14 year old and 5 year robotics coach, I would definitely say YES! In fact, DS has TWO! He loves it and literally uses it and builds on it every single day (unless he is too busy with school or sports).

There are SO MANY projects out there that you can build with just the basic Mindstorms kit and so many more than you can build with add-on pieces. Just google it! My son has made some amazing creations and he has learned so much along the way! In fact, he just used his NXT bricks (the brain part of the robot) in two different school projects.... one for science class and one for Language Arts.

If you child likes Legos and/or robots or is interested in science and/or engineering and/or programming, I would definitely say that this would be a great first step. Feel free to ask any questions...............P

 

[lukenick1]

My son is only 8 but he is crazy about Lego's. I have a huge rubber maid bin filled with loose lego's from past sets that crumbled and he still manages to create different things with all of those. He definitely loves them so I thought maybe this would be fun and keep him off the video games. Is he too young for it? It's also a lot of money. Do you think it will be too complicated for him? I also have a 10 yr old legomaniac in the house as well but this gift is for the 8yr old.

 

[zoemurr]

My son is only 8 but he is crazy about Lego's. I have a huge rubber maid bin filled with loose lego's from past sets that crumbled and he still manages to create different things with all of those. He definitely loves them so I thought maybe this would be fun and keep him off the video games. Is he too young for it? It's also a lot of money. Do you think it will be too complicated for him? I also have a 10 yr old legomaniac in the house as well but this gift is for the 8yr old.

and is fine with the building part but the computer part he needs help from his older sister.

 

[pjlla]

Eight maybe a bit young for the programming, but he could learn it with help from an adult. The FLL robotics league that uses the NXT robots starts with 4th grade (9-10 years old). And at that age they are expected to do the programming/building by themselves. My son has been doing his own programming since the summer between third and fourth grade without any help from us.... but he did work with a friend and they learned it together using the friend's NXT. Robolab is the easier programming system of the ones out there.

You know your child best.... if he is bright and loves computers and legos, it might be a good fit for him. But if he is easily frustrated by learning new things like that, it might be best to wait.

My suggestion is to buy the kits new from Lego..... they are pretty pricey on Ebay and such, even used.... and honestly they don't last forever. But Lego is good about helping if there are issues.................P

 

[lukenick1]

Eight maybe a bit young for the programming, but he could learn it with help from an adult. The FLL robotics league that uses the NXT robots starts with 4th grade (9-10 years old). And at that age they are expected to do the programming/building by themselves. My son has been doing his own programming since the summer between third and fourth grade without any help from us.... but he did work with a friend and they learned it together using the friend's NXT. Robolab is the easier programming system of the ones out there.

You know your child best.... if he is bright and loves computers and legos, it might be a good fit for him. But if he is easily frustrated by learning new things like that, it might be best to wait.

My suggestion is to buy the kits new from Lego..... they are pretty pricey on Ebay and such, even used.... and honestly they don't last forever. But Lego is good about helping if there are issues.................P

I saw it advertised at Amazon for a good price

 

[dislal]

I saw it advertised at Amazon for a good price

I bought it for my DS 11 on amazon a few weeks ago for $214.00 I hope he likes it!

 

[MinnieForMe]

I just received ours from Amazon. My 10 year old placed in the FLL Robotics for regionals last month and went on to States. It was an incredibly rewarding experience and he learned sooo much, had an incredible amount of fun and met many people. Yes, buy it, as it may open doors for him/her in the future.

I can't wait to see his expression when he opens it up. We told him it was too expensive and that he was extremely lucky that he could use his team's robot multiple times per week. He's going to flip out as he was the team's lead programmer!

 

[scottmel]

Maybe they have improved but 2 Christmas's ago it was at the top of DD's list. She was 10 at the time. Dh is a computer guru and he was frustrated with it in terms of the programming - meaning for someone 10 (at least for my DD) he found it not that great. Again might be a new version, etc. We ended up returning it.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Maybe they have improved but 2 Christmas's ago it was at the top of DD's list. She was 10 at the time. Dh is a computer guru and he was frustrated with it in terms of the programming - meaning for someone 10 (at least for my DD) he found it not that great. Again might be a new version, etc. We ended up returning it.

Sorry I had to edit. I just reread it and you stated your husband was frustrated with it. Now, my response doesn't make sense. I do think the program has been updated. But anyone purchasing this might want to look into summer camp programs that teach the programming part. My son did a one week session at the local high school at 8 and has now done two enrichment semesters at his school (after school). It made all the difference in his programming ability.

 

[rnorwo1]

Do these ever go on sale? I'm done with Christmas shopping but would like to get one for DS10's birthday in June. Would they qualify for buy one get one half off sales for lego? He did the mindstorm 45 minute class/program at legoland last month and was in love.

 

[lukenick1]

Just had to share my GREAT bargain! Joined the kids club at Barnes and Noble for free and they sent me an email coupon for 30% off. I was able to use it on a Lego Mindstorm today and the final price was $195!

 

[Minnie]

My son is only 8 but he is crazy about Lego's. I have a huge rubber maid bin filled with loose lego's from past sets that crumbled and he still manages to create different things with all of those. He definitely loves them so I thought maybe this would be fun and keep him off the video games. Is he too young for it? It's also a lot of money. Do you think it will be too complicated for him? I also have a 10 yr old legomaniac in the house as well but this gift is for the 8yr old.

8yrs old is too young IMO - DS has the original and received it when he was 13 and that was a great age for the programming portion. There are tons of sets for the younger set and personally I'd wait on this one.

 

[lukenick1]

8yrs old is too young IMO - DS has the original and received it when he was 13 and that was a great age for the programming portion. There are tons of sets for the younger set and personally I'd wait on this one.

I have a pretty bright almost 11 year old DS so I think between the two of them they will manage. If anything it will keep them off the video games!