Robohub.org
 

20 great books to hook kids and teens on robotics


by
18 December 2014



share this:
2015_books_kids

Kids love robots! And they love reading too. Ranging from preschool to teen, this selection of books includes fiction and nonfiction, activity books and maker manuals, all to help inspire the kids in your life to get into robotics.

 

 

2-5 years


fliess

“On the ground and in the air, Robots, robots everywhere! . . . Up in space, beneath the seas, Robots make discoveries . . .” A nice little board book for little kids.

 

 

2-5 years


boy_bot

A sweet story about a boy and his bot – a great bedtime story for little ones.

 

 

3-5 years


watkins

Robots build the alphabet! Featuring hilarious robots making goofy noises, this book is perfect for young readers.

 

 

4-8 years


clink

When this robot goes out of date, a child helps him find a new lease in life. From the award-winning author of Corduroy.

 

 

4 years and up


awsome

A girl and her mother turn a simple cardboard box into the robot of their dreams. Half story book, half activity book, this is perfect material for a fun family activity day or a kids workshop.

 

 

4-8 years


cool

Simple descriptions and designs for creating your own Lego robots.

 

 

6-9 years


ng

Photo-packed book showing kids real robots, and the science behind them.

 

 

8 years and up


recycled

How to make ten different robots—that move—out of the most ordinary things from around the house.

 

 

8 years and up


leo

LEO the Maker Prince teaches children (both young and old) about 3D printing.

 

 

Ages 8-12


space

Learn about incredible space robots and the amazing things that they have discovered about our solar system.

 

 

Ages 8-12


school

Sammy’s mother is an inventor, and their house is filled with her robots, which do everything from housework to tutoring. Plenty of humor of the same genre as Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

 

 

8 years and up


robot

Fifteen colorful punch-out robot designs with interchangeable parts make a great rainy day activity.

 

 

9-12 years


rampage

A mystery story that contains the blueprints to build five different robots projects. Make bristlebots that buzz, hoverbots that float above the ground, battlebots that duke it out, and more! Can Nick and Tesla catch the criminal mastermind—and foil his army of rampaging robots—before it’s too late?

 

 

9-12 year olds


robotics

Step-by-step instructions for building real robot models using ordinary craft materials and parts salvaged from recycled toys and other household devices. Kids will learn how to create working robot hands, hydraulic arms, sensors, solar-powered robots, light-seeking robots and more.

 

 

10 years and up


lego_technic

A collection of hundreds of working examples of simple Technic models of gears, shafts, pulleys, turntables, connectors, that you can build based on their pictures alone.

 

 

12 years and up


art

A look at the early visual development of the Pixar film Robots. If you loved the movie, you’ll love the book.

 

 

12 years and up

 

breazel

Who could be more inspiring to a budding young roboticist than sociable robotics expert Cynthia Breazeal? Though this book was written in 2005 and looks at her earlier work, Jibo’s emergence is bound to make this book resonate once again. If you’re looking to inspire a girl, check out also Dazzling Women Designers by Jill Bryant.

 

 

Ages 12 and up


mccomb

A classic introduction to building robots – now in its 4th edition. Well organized, easy to understand and fun!

 

 

Ages 12 and up


arduino

An easy and fun introduction to building Arduino by the author of the classic Robot Builder’s Bonanza – no special tools or knowledge required!

 

 

Ages 12 and up


seven

Caleb-Seven isn’t just another robot, he’s been created to be given to the king, who is childless, and who wants this robot to be blank slate that can be molded into a surrogate son. But Caleb is bent on escaping his fate.

Robohub is an online platform that brings together leading communicators in robotics research, start-ups, business, and education from around the world. Learn more about us here. If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

See all the latest robotics news on Robohub, or sign up for our weekly newsletter.




tags: , , , , ,


Hallie Siegel robotics editor-at-large
Hallie Siegel robotics editor-at-large

            AUAI is supported by:



Subscribe to Robohub newsletter on substack



Related posts :

RoboChem Flex: democratisation of the autonomous synthesis robot

  02 Jun 2026
A versatile, modular design and the option for "human-in-the-loop" analytics.

Robot Talk Episode 158 – Autonomous robot deliveries, with Ahti Heinla

  29 May 2026
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Ahti Heinla from Starship Technologies about their AI-powered delivery robots that operate independently on streets and pavements.

Light-activated gel could impact wearables, soft robotics, and more

  28 May 2026
In the field of ionotronics, data are transferred through ions, potentially providing a bridge between electronics and biological tissue.

Handle with care: Soft robot gripper picks ripe fruit without bruising

  27 May 2026
Stretchable fiber-optic sensors used to create a soft robot gripper.

Robot Talk Episode 157 – Generating new robot designs, with Josie Hughes

  22 May 2026
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Josie Hughes from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne about using AI to develop new designs for robotic manipulators.

Robotics Café brings together autonomous robot practitioners

  20 May 2026
Recently launched series for researchers, students and industry practitioners aims to provide a platform for students to present their work.

Table tennis robot defeats some of world’s best players – why this has major implications for robotics

  18 May 2026
Ace, from Sony AI, is the first robot to beat elite human players in competitive physical sport.

Robot Talk Episode 156 – Rugged robots for dangerous missions, with Gavin Kenneally

  15 May 2026
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Gavin Kenneally from Ghost Robotics about robot dogs for defence, security, and public safety.



AUAI is supported by:







Subscribe to Robohub newsletter on substack




 















©2026.05 - Association for the Understanding of Artificial Intelligence