littleBits Electronics Extended Kit

Took this to the beach for my 3 11-year-old grandsons. They played with it once, then it sat. The 8-year old granddaughters played with it once, too. Apparently not as appealing as games on their computers. Expensive for what they got out of it.

This is an incredibly clever toy that can motivate children to learn about electronics, controls and electricity in general. However, at $10 a module (in a set; by the piece the modules are even more expensive) it's way beyond most people's budgets for what it is. To add insult to expensive injury, the modules are cheaply made. Most of them (although not all) look like they'll stand up to some play but are obviously manufactured for pennies on the dollar--$0.10 or less for components and labor for the "bits" that cost $10+. I am astounded at the creativity of the projects that real people make that the company showcases in its newsletter and web site. I have a set and have built this and that but nothing spectacular. The problem is I always need just one more piece and I will be d***ed if I'll pay that much for the overpriced little buggers.

Little Bits is an amazing company and bent over backwards to provide my son with the perfect box for his 13th birthday. He's since invented robots that can walk and sound machines with alarms. They're just a phenomenol company.

I love the concept, but for the hefty price tag ($149!), I feel a bit misled. The product description claims the extended kit is "a super way to get started." It's an EXPENSIVE way to get started. We didn't really know what we were getting until we got it, and IMHO, a very basic piece--(battery) power--is not included in this kit. Instead, the extended kit only comes with "usb power," which means that any project our kids put together has to be tethered to a bulky personal computer. To clarify, the extended kit is NOT a deluxe, two-decker version of the starter kit. It's a different kit, and even after you've spent the small fortune on the extended kit, you may end up having to spend more "to get started."

We got this for our 7 yrs old daughter that is great at following direction and loves to put things together. She had a lot of fun getting creative with this, after she spent time going through many of the modules they have in the book that this Deluxe Kit comes with. I even found that I had fun helping her, as it can be challenging. The only con I'd have for it is the price. I don't think that children's toys or activities should be over $100, given their attention span. The quality is certainly there, so that's no question, but I just know that I wouldn't typically pick up a toy or activity for this price point again. She spent the afternoon playing with it, had a great time, but hasn't been begging to play with it each day, to justify the cost.

My son is only 6 years old but he played with something similar st the Exploritorium in SF. This was his favorite gift at Christmas and he hasn't put it down since.