Kano offered to send over a coding kit. Being utterly phobic of anything like that, but knowing the rest of the family would approve I said yes. I absolutely love the way it was packaged, the simplicity of it, the way it deconstructs a computer safely and imaginatively. It is such an irresistibly clever idea, to approach coding like Lego. It was a joy to receive and unpack.
What is a Kano?
‘Kano is a computer you build and code yourself. Lego simple, Raspberry Pi powerful, and hugely fun.’
So the Kano is basically a computer, but in separate components – it is really easy put together, like Lego, it even comes with a book instead of an instruction manual. Which seriously appealed to me. It is beautifully constructed to tell the Kano story. Top marks for design.
The raspberry Pi is it’s brain, you can see it here, cased and wired up, which kids get to do all by themselves, a bit like building Lego.
There’s a speaker (it’s voice box?)
A memory card (for well, it’s memory)
Cables to connect it to screen (central nervous system?) and a keyboard and wifi (the human body analogy seems to end here)
‘But what on earth do you do with it after that?’ I asked my husband, because he makes video games happen.
‘All kinds of stuff!’ he said.
So obviously I was clear as mud.
So I let him loose with it with the kids, and let him explain and be honest about how it worked in our house.
Mr A the ex coder speaks…
‘Brilliant idea, well implemented. Kids LOVED putting it together in pieces, showed an interest in what each bit was and wanted to customise it immediately.
Where it fell down in our house was that they both wanted to ‘own’ it, and as neither could, it had to be shared which meant it lost interest once the building was complete. We got into the start of the coding and understanding the keyboard, only 8yo L was with me at this stage, 6yo G had wandered off.
L already knew the basics of computing so this didn’t hold her interest for long, then we had to wait for an update, which was the deal breaker for interest levels.
Loved it as a past coder myself, with just one child, more focused it could have worked better.’
Mr A
The Verdict
I think Mr A was a little bit disappointed the kids weren’t keener, but that is no reflection on Kano, more where our kids are at interest wise right now, but this is the kind of kit we could definitely revisit over time, I’ve also been talking to L’s school about loaning it to the coding club as I think alongside her peers, rather than sibling, L might be more confident and keener to crack some coding.
We absolutely think for the right child, at the right time this would make a perfect gift ad open up a whole world of interest and opportunity. My son is a little young and my daughter perhaps not prepared to be patient for this sort of thing. But with a child who is really keen and ready, this is absolutely the right piece of kit.
You can read how other children and families got on with it, and even got as far as playing games, to help make up your mind here, here, here and here.
I need this now! Where can I buy a Kano?
Kano kits are £119.99 and you can buy it here
I’m feeling lucky, how do I win one?
So you have a child who is keen to really get to grips with coding, fancy winning a Kano?
Just follow the rafflecopter instructions!
Terms and Conditions
There is one prize of one Kano set The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative is offered.
Open to UK residents aged 18 and over, excluding employees and relatives of Parentshaped and Kano.
Closing date for entries is 14/6/2015
One entry per person
Entrants must log into rafflecopter and leave a comment
Optional entry methods are to follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. Pinterest and tweet on Twitter.
The winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries
The winner will be informed within 14 days of the closing date and will need to respond with a postal address within 28 days or a new winner will be chosen
The winner’s name will be available on request
The prize will be sent within 28 days of receiving the winner’s address
This is a joint promotion between Parentshaped and Kano.
Entry to this confirms that participants have read, understood and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
Free competitions at ThePrizeFinder – See more at: http://www.theprizefinder.com/content/kano-childrens-coding-kit-rrp-%C2%A311999#sthash.Uw4iK3kv.dpuf
Seems easy for children to learn/pick up on and therefore give them more confidence with technology.
It is new age and easy to pick up which is crucial in this day and age x
It’s a great kit because it has infinite possibilities. Computing is something that all our children need to learn these days.
It looks easy for little hands to build and I love the funky orange colour!
I think it’s great to get kids thinking, learning valuable skills for the future
A great way to introduce crucial skills for the future at an early age, and ‘demystify’ computers and programming.
i think it’s brilliant that children can use this. These days computers are used for so many things , and would make sense for children to learn early. my eldest will do coding club next year (year 5) so this would be great to give him a head start
a great way for the kid to learn how computer works
Great for those important computer skills and learning about technology
Perfect for showing kids what goes on inside a computer, and to give them confidence with beginning to code
It looks great, I like the way it makes coding look fun and comes with the book which will be more interesting for children.
That its child friendly but will also push them
Such an interesting kit – My daughter would love this. She loves making things and coding
It looks fun and educational for children
My son would love this he enjoys problem solving and technology
I like how simply brilliant Kano is!
I love that it gets kids thinking!
Fantastic way for kids to learn about how it works by building together
I love how easy it makes things for the kids to learn.
Shows computers are about more than games
Simple & educational
It looks fun
How easy it is to set up and use! Much better than a full computer and it allows them to start really early too!
I like that it enables kids to learn whilst playing
It looks fun and i’m sure the children would love it
my son want s to be a computer programmer so this is a fab way of learning
I think my daughter would love this and I am sure that it will be the norm in the future for all adults to know about computer programming
It all looks chunky and easy to manage.
I really like the design of the components. They look bright and friendly to catch children’s interest. Traditional computer parts are so industrial looking (and usually with little scratchy bits that don’t go down well if they catch a finger!).
It looks simple and easy – great for teaching the basics
I love that it includes, almost, everything you need to start coding. Incidentally, I would have absolutely loved this as a child.
I like that it’s a fun way to encourage child to learn more about computers.
Coding is definitely the way forward and children are becoming quite efficient with computers so I think Kano would be an excellent introduction into coding and my two computer nuts would have great fun with this!
My children are learning coding and it would be great to give them something physical to learn as well as practical.
It’s curiosity generating, it’s confidence building – and it’s orange!
I like that it is easy for the kids to use
simplicity 🙂
Educational for both kids & adults!
I like that it’s fun and educational x
It is easy to pick up
I love thats its a fun and simple way to get kids into computers
the potential learning benefits for kids!
Kano looks amazing. Its something that would be great for all ages and i love the endless fun and also the benefits for the future in learning coding
Love the bright colours
great way for the kid to learn how computer works
…that anyone can use it.
Looks very grown up whilst being child friendly.
Such an important skill for children to learn 🙂
I like the fact that it teaches kids very understated but valuable life skills that they do not get taught properly at school
it educates new skills to kids
its something really different that my children would enjoy
its great for children x
What I like about the Kano is that it is all inclusive, meaning that it is not just for children, it would be an ideal platform for adults to learn about code and electronics as well.
That they’re a fun way to learn a really useful skill.
looks bright and clean and easy to put together
It’s keeping kids up with technology x
The simplicity of it all… And its ORANGE (Y)
looks easy to use xx
I love the orange keyboard
Its a great idea for starting kids off young, they are learning something that could be of great benefit to them in the future.
i like the use of bright colours
Building it yourself … my son thinks this is soooo cool!
It’s such a great learning tool for kids.
excellent learning tool
It’s different and educational
Getting kids into technology is so important and I love this idea.
Its great for the kids to be able to be involved in building something from scratch and taking pride in what they have done
Easy way to encourage children to be more involved with how things work instead of just playing
It’s a great kit as the children will have fun and learn at the same time.
The design is great, and its a fantastic way for the kids to learn some real skills for the future
it engages imagination
it engages imagination
it’s the future of jobs
My grandson would love it, and so would I to be honest.
I love the way you build it yourself, rather like the build your own transistors of the past, which gives you a real understanding of how the modern world works and a real sense of achievement that you could build something that looks so complicated.
I love that this is something my son would have to build himself, I think that he would treasure the fact that he built it.
great way for the kids to learn how computer works
Think is a great idea, would of loved to have one as a kid
Its a fun way to encourage learning for kids
It helps kids to think about what they’re doing and makes them realise that there’s more to a computer than games!
Great for kids to get an early start on learning something which is beginning to be a must need to know thing for the upcoming generations
It is educational but fun at the same time, great for learning.
That it’s designed to teach kids such an essential tool
Its a fun way of learning! : )
Educational and fun
Where was this tech when i was younger. I often feel i was born too early!
Coding learning fun
I can’t get over how tiny they are. The kids will know what to do with them, I’m not sure I will though
I think this is a fantastic, very practical way for kids to be hands on and learn at the same time.
fantastic !! something dad and son can join forces on and spend quality time together x
It’s not only a fabulous technology educational tool, but it’s a bonding session too!
It’s a great way for kids to learn how computers work which will help them for their future.
I love how it gets children involved. I know my husband would be the same and would be really keen.
It’s so educational and when you put time and effort into making something I think you appreciate and learn from it more
I love the thought of have quiet this would keep my sign, he is obsessed with technology and would love this
A fun way to get kids learning
An attractive and easy to use introduction to computing and coding, both key skills all children will need to use and develop as part of their education and for their future careers.
It’s great for children’s vital skills these days- I would never of thought about it though!
This looks amazing! My daughter would love this!
A great unique way to learn! This is super!
This is a great way to gets kids to programming with the complexity of it all. Love it!
Awesome idea, my three would love one!
The creativity aspect is superb for the children plus its all valuable skills as they grow up
It’s an easy way for kids to learn how to code which is a skill which will help them get a job later in life.
Great way to show kids how computer works : )
That it looks so much fun!!
fantastic way to teach kids more about computers which is so important now.
I think this a great way not only to introduce coding, but will certainly attract my son as he has to build it himself. Coding is now such an important part of learning for children.
My eldest loves coding and this would be amazing for her xx
teaches them how computers work
It is practical and educational
It teaches kids programming skills in a really fun way, and it looks cool too!
This is a fab gift for children, my son has been wanting to code for about 6 months and after checking in our area there were no courses as yet, I logged him on to the Barclays bank coding area for children but this is a great idea and I love the fact it is aimed at children so you know what they are embarking on is aimed at them and therefore will be safe. Such an innovative and different toy definitely will have to have a word in santas ear near christmas
It would be really educational for my grandchildren but centred around their favourite hobby – computers, and orange – wow!
That’s its educational and fun
It is fun and learning, what is better
looks fun and educational
Love how kid friendly it is and teaches such a good skill. x
that your child learns all about computing
Ease ose
all kids should learn about computers in this way
That it’s educational AND fun. 🙂
You produce products which are essential to our children learning about computers. Thank you.
It’s very fun and educational
I like that there are both hardware and software aspects to learn about
It looks like a fun way to learn.
I remember trying to code my own game as a kid many moons ago, and the reward i had when it finally worked was bigger than the reward of completing the game itself, which wasn’t the best! These days this creativity has been lost so I love this system for bringing it all back!
it is so unique and I believe it would be sooooo fun to put it together
it looks fun and simple to use 🙂
great learning tool
Educational and fun
its a fun way to learn
A great fun way for children to learn coding!
Great for reinforcing what they are already learning about in school 🙂
This is everything I would have loved as a child.
I love that it isn’t complicated. It looks like a computer and will allow children to learn how each component is linked to the next. Add the basics of coding and this will be amazing.
I like its simplicity.
how interesting learning can be
educational and fun