Thames & Kosmos Robotics Workshop

For those needing more than just a hand to satisfy their bot lust, Thames & Kosmos also offers a more elaborate, $270 Robotics Workshop kit, which includes hundreds of snap-together pieces, including motors and a host of sensors. An included guidebook starts with simpler creations like robots that can avoid obstacles using ultrasonic sensors, but advances the complexity of the bots until you’re able to build a full-on robotic arm that can pick things up and move them around.