Lightbot Jr : Coding Puzzles for Ages 4+
Common Sense says
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire
- $2.99
- Educational Games
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Lightbot Jr is a simplified version of the popular Lightbot coding puzzle app and features the same cute, programmable robot. Kids drag and drop basic commands -- such as move, hop, light, and turn -- into strings of instructions. Each blocky level challenges kids to string together a program that guides Lightbot through the level and to light up specific tiles. A puzzle game with a taste of coding, this title offers a neat way to let future developers sample what programming might be like. Most kids will need help as the difficulty of the puzzles ramps up.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Simple, fun, effective, not overly stimulating, no adds or in app purchases
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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 - Price: $2.99
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Release date: April 14, 2014
- Category: Educational Games
- Topics: Robots
- Size: 56.70 MB
- Publisher: LightBot, Inc
- Version: 1.6.7
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 5.1.1 or later; Android 2.3 and up
- Last updated: November 11, 2020
Our editors recommend
For kids who love to learn about technology
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.