# Programming Kit for an 11 year old who knows Scratch **URL:** \ **Category:** Product Questions\ **Created:** [20 March 2019 05:49 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/programming-kit-for-an-11-year-old-who-knows-scratch/4863 "2019-03-20T05:49:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bender](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Bender](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Bender)\ **Post date:** [20 March 2019 05:49 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/programming-kit-for-an-11-year-old-who-knows-scratch/4863/1 "2019-03-20T05:49:05Z")
Hello Core Electronics I’m looking for a kickass Birthday Present for my 11 year old. He knows how to program on Scratch. He has a Sphero Spark Edu (which he plays with sometimes) and his own Chromebook. We have an iMac at home. I want to get him a programming kit that he can have fun with immediately. I am happy to buy a kit that has lots of addons. No soldering at this time. He can learn to do that a little later. As a reference, I have a CR-10 3D printer at home and I use 3D printers at work for prototyping. I look forward to your reply. Thank You Bender ---
**Author:** ![Clinton](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/clinton/32/1515_2.png) [@Clinton](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Clinton)\ **Post date:** [21 March 2019 04:31 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/programming-kit-for-an-11-year-old-who-knows-scratch/4863/2 "2019-03-21T04:31:08Z")
If he has been using scratch the best board to move to to start doing a little more in the [BBC micro:bit](https://core-electronics.com.au/micro-bit-go-by-bbc.html). There is a wealth of information on the [Microbit site](https://microbit.org/) and kits for everything from [circuits](https://core-electronics.com.au/kitronik-inventor-s-kit-for-the-bbc-micro-bit.html) to a [robots](https://core-electronics.com.au/micro-maqueen-micro-bit-robot-platform.html). ---
**Author:** ![Bender](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Bender](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Bender)\ **Post date:** [21 March 2019 04:59 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/programming-kit-for-an-11-year-old-who-knows-scratch/4863/3 "2019-03-21T04:59:32Z")
Do You sell kits and addons so he can explore possibilities? Cheers ---
**Author:** ![Stephen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/stephen/32/1599_2.png) [@Stephen](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Stephen)\ **Post date:** [21 March 2019 22:17 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/programming-kit-for-an-11-year-old-who-knows-scratch/4863/4 "2019-03-21T22:17:21Z")
Hi Bender, I would also recommend the Circuit Playground Express. This is a bit more fun than the Microbit, and its programmed the exact same way. Plus we have an online workshop and tutorials on how to use it: > **[Circuit Playground Express](https://core-electronics.com.au/circuit-playground-express-developer-edition.html)** > > Circuit Playground Express is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. Adafruit have taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did they pack even more sensors in, They also... > **[Circuit Playground Express Workshop for Educators and Beginners - Tutorial](https://core-electronics.com.au/tutorials/circuit-playground-express-workshop-for-beginners-and-educators.html)** > > Welcome to the Circuit Playground Express Workshop! This workshop is geared toward educators and coding beginners, who want to get started programming with this easy to use platform. We will go over everything you need to know to get you started... It really depends on what you want to build as far as what goes with it. He will be able to do many projects with the board alone. There is a great robotics add on called the CRICKIT which would allow him to build a robot: > **[Adafruit CRICKIT for Circuit Playground Express](https://core-electronics.com.au/adafruit-crickit-for-circuit-playground-express.html)** > > Sometimes Adafruit wonder if robotics engineers ever watch movies. If they did, they'd know that .. read more ---
**Author:** ![Bender](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Bender](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Bender)\ **Post date:** [22 March 2019 00:02 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/programming-kit-for-an-11-year-old-who-knows-scratch/4863/5 "2019-03-22T00:02:14Z")
What About Makeblock? > **[Makeblock Inventor Electronic Kit](https://core-electronics.com.au/makeblock-inventor-electronic-kit.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw7MzkBRAGEiwAkOXexKkv6VAHA69MBcCgWEfyQAoKTtuY-xYPcatzkL5K8Kci9Pm5_ONFEhoCSxsQAvD_BwE)** > > The Makeblock Inventor Electronic Kit is a modular electronic platform for quick prototyping. This kit contains 12 sensors and actuators, each with a color-coded connector to simplify wiring. Each module comes with Arduino library for quick... How is this to use? ---
**Author:** ![Bender](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Bender](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Bender)\ **Post date:** [22 March 2019 00:10 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/programming-kit-for-an-11-year-old-who-knows-scratch/4863/6 "2019-03-22T00:10:42Z")
The Circuit Playground Express Looks Sweet. So that’s a definite. The Adafruit CRICKIT add looks sweet to. Can you recommend a list of items to connect to it so he can try motors, and sensors that are compatible. Also are power supplies including with these boards as I have forgotten them in the past. Cheers. ---
**Author:** ![Stephen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/stephen/32/1599_2.png) [@Stephen](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Stephen)\ **Post date:** [22 March 2019 02:34 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/programming-kit-for-an-11-year-old-who-knows-scratch/4863/7 "2019-03-22T02:34:52Z")
Hi Bender, Power supplies are not included. You can use a battery pack: > **[3 x AAA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch and 2-Pin JST](https://core-electronics.com.au/3-x-aaa-battery-holder-with-on-off-switch-and-2-pin-jst.html)** > > This battery holder connects 3 AAA batteries together in series for powering all kinds of projects. Adafruit spec'd these out because the box is slim, and 3 AAA's add .. read more or just power from the USB. There a lot of sensors on-board the Circuit Playground Express, so he will have plenty to work with initially. If you decide to get the CRICKIT, here are some great companion parts that are compatible: Two of these: > **[FEETECH FS90R Micro Continuous Rotation Servo](https://core-electronics.com.au/feetech-fs90r-micro-continuous-rotation-servo.html)** > > The FS90R is a micro servo that has been built by FEETECH (formerly known as Fitec) specifically for continuous rotation, offering an inexpensive and easy way to get your miniature robot moving or small turret spinning. Key specs at 6 V: 130 RPM... Two of these: > **[Power HD Micro Servo HD-1600A](https://core-electronics.com.au/power-hd-micro-servo-hd-1600a.html)** > > The HD-1600A analog servo from Power HD is a great general-purpose micro servo at a great price. Servo horns and associated hardware are included. Key specs at 6 V: 0.10 sec/60°, 17 oz-in (1.2 kg-cm), 6.0 g. One of these: > **[Adafruit NeoPixel LED Strip w/ Alligator Clips - 60 LED/m - 0.5 Meter Long -...](https://core-electronics.com.au/adafruit-neopixel-led-strip-w-alligator-clips-60-led-m-0-5-meter-long-black-flex.html)** > > Adding glowy color to your projects has never been easier: no more soldering or stripping wires, clip 'em on and glow! This Adafruit NeoPixel LED Strip with Alligator .. read more If you get the CRICKIT, you will need a bigger battery pack: > **[6 x AA battery holder with 5.5mm/2.1mm plug](https://core-electronics.com.au/6-x-aa-battery-holder-with-5-5mm-2-1mm-plug.html)** > > Make a portable power brick with plenty of juice! Use Alkaline AA's for a 9V 3000-4000mAh power supply, or rechargeable NiMH for 2000mAh 7.5V supply. Either one .. read more You can always add more later, but this would be enough to build a simple robot and have some extra lights. Adafruit has many guides on using the CRICKIT to make robots and projects, here is a fun one! > **[Building the Robot Chassis | CRICKIT WobblyBot | Adafruit Learning System](https://learn.adafruit.com/crickit-wobblybot/building-the-robot-chassis)** > > A small CRICKIT based hopping robot you can build 3 ways ---
**Author:** ![Bender](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Bender](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Bender)\ **Post date:** [22 March 2019 04:18 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/programming-kit-for-an-11-year-old-who-knows-scratch/4863/8 "2019-03-22T04:18:31Z")
Cheers. This is Great! I will be ordering soon. Thanks for your help.