Sphero Mini Activity Kit: STEM Learning & Coding Robot

Build the Course. Code the Ball. Roll It. — Sphero Mini Activity Kit

The Sphero Mini Activity Kit is a complete STEM and coding starter kit built around the Sphero Mini — a golf-ball-sized app-enabled robotic ball that children drive, program, and play games with via their phone or tablet. The Activity Kit adds a 28-piece construction set, 15 step-by-step Activity Cards, pins, and cones to the ball, so everything needed to build mazes, obstacle courses, bowling lanes, croquet courses, and more is in the box from day one. Code it with block-based commands through the Sphero Edu app, or just drive it with the Sphero Play app. Ages 8+.

What’s in the Box

• ✅ 1 Sphero Mini robotic ball with cover
• ✅ 28-piece construction set
• ✅ 15 Activity Cards — step-by-step STEM challenges and games
• ✅ 6 pins and 3 cones
• ✅ 1 USB charging cable
• ✅ Sphero Edu app — free download; iOS, Android, Kindle, Mac, Windows, Chrome
• ✅ Sphero Play app — free download; iOS and Android

The 15 Activity Cards

The Activity Cards are the structured learning core of the kit. Each card presents a step-by-step STEM challenge using the construction pieces, pins, and cones — building mazes, designing obstacle courses, constructing towers, playing croquet, bowling, and more. The challenges progress in difficulty, introducing new building and coding concepts at each step. Children complete the cards at their own pace and then use the construction set freely to design their own courses and challenges once the guided activities are done.

Driving and Coding Modes

The Sphero Mini works with two apps, each suited to a different purpose:

• 🔵 Sphero Play app — drive and play
  • Joystick drive — drag the on-screen joystick to steer the ball in real time
  • Tilt drive — tilt your device to steer; the ball follows the angle of the phone
  • Slingshot drive — pull back and release to launch the ball forward
  • Mini games — use the Sphero Mini as a physical controller to play built-in games: dodge asteroids, race through a rotating tunnel, or break a polygon of bricks
• 🟢 Sphero Edu app — code and learn
  • Block Drive — beginner-friendly block command mode; select simple commands to navigate the robot around obstacles and change the LED colour; no prior coding experience required
  • Block coding — sequence blocks of code to program the ball to follow paths, react to sensors, and change colours; the block format introduces programming logic without syntax
  • Text coding (JavaScript) — advanced users can write JavaScript directly in the Sphero Edu app to program more complex behaviours

Watch It in Action

What Children Learn

• 🧠 Coding fundamentals — block-based programming in Sphero Edu introduces sequencing, loops, conditionals, and sensor inputs; Block Drive makes the connection between a command and a physical outcome immediately visible, which is the most effective way to learn cause-and-effect in code
• 🔧 Engineering and construction — building the activity card challenges with the 28-piece construction set develops spatial reasoning, planning, and iterative problem-solving; the course has to be designed before the ball can run it
• 🧪 Scientific thinking — the activity card challenges involve predicting, testing, and adjusting: build a maze, run the ball, adjust the code if it doesn’t work; this loop is the core of scientific method applied to a physical, tangible system
• 🎮 Play-based engagement — the mini games in the Play app and the course challenges in the activity cards mean learning happens within a play context; children who are engaged in play learn more effectively than children doing structured exercises; Sphero’s design deliberately keeps the ratio of play to instruction high

Good to Know Before You Buy

• Recommended age: 8+
• Brand: Sphero
• Ball size: Golf-ball sized (Mini)
• Apps required: Sphero Play (iOS/Android) and/or Sphero Edu (iOS, Android, Kindle, Mac, Windows, Chrome) — both free
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Charging: USB cable included
• Construction pieces: 28-piece set included
• Activity Cards: 15 STEM challenges included
• Batteries: Rechargeable — USB cable included

Frequently Asked Questions

What devices does it work with?

The Sphero Play app works on iOS and Android. The Sphero Edu app works on iOS, Android, Kindle, Mac, Windows, and Chrome. Both apps are free. A Bluetooth-enabled device is required — the ball connects via Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi.

Do I need any coding experience to start?

No. The Block Drive mode in the Sphero Edu app is designed as a zero-experience starting point — children select simple block commands to move the ball and change its LED colour with no prior knowledge required. The Activity Cards also guide children through challenges step by step. Coding experience becomes relevant as children progress to block coding and eventually JavaScript in the Edu app, but it’s not a prerequisite for getting started.

How long does the battery last?

The Sphero Mini typically provides around 45 minutes of drive time per charge, with a charge time of approximately 60 minutes via the included USB cable. Battery life varies depending on drive mode and LED usage.

Is it a good gift?

Yes — it’s a strong gift for curious, hands-on children aged 8 and up, particularly those with an interest in technology, robotics, or building. The Activity Kit format means it’s immediately usable out of the box — no sourcing additional materials, no blank-page problem; the 15 Activity Cards give a structured starting point and the construction set gives the pieces to build with. A standout birthday or Christmas gift that earns its keep across multiple sessions.