Common Sense Media Review
Colorful, engaging intro to programming for young kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
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Lightbot Jr : Coding Puzzles for Ages 4+
What's It About?
LIGHTBOT JR 4+ CODING PUZZLES presents kids with a cute little robot, small levels composed of blocks, and a handful of drag-and-drop programming icons. "Move," "turn," "light," and "jump" comprise the core of Lightbot Jr's available commands. And, by placing these command tiles in a row, Lightbot Jr moves merrily through the level, lighting up designated tiles. Light up the correct tiles, and the player moves on to the next level.
Is It Any Good?
As a puzzle game, Lightbot Jr is cheerful and fun. Littler kids will find the basic graphics appealing and the drag-and-drop programming a breeze. As the game progresses, some of the concepts may slip past the beginner and require some explaining. And the harder puzzles require long sequences of steps that may baffle even the adult partner. As kids get better at the game, they will have learned many of the basic concepts of procedural thinking. But, without follow-up, Lightbot offers only a taste of what programming is like.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how all computer programs are lists of commands that a computer (or robot) runs.
Families also can talk about how thinking in steps makes a big problem seem easier.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire
- Subjects : Math : addition , patterns , sequences
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : decision-making , defining problems , logic , problem solving , solving puzzles , Tech Skills : using and applying technology
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Release date : April 14, 2014
- Genre : Educational Games
- Topics : Robots
- Publisher : LightBot, Inc
- Version : 1.6.7
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 5.1.1 or later; Android 2.3 and up
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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