If you’ve ever watched your child light up while building with LEGO, figuring out how something works, or asking “what if we could make a machine that does this?”—you’ve already seen the beginning of a roboticist in action.

But what exactly is robotics? It’s a word we hear often, yet few people realize just how broad, creative, and important this field truly is—especially for kids.

Let’s break it down in a fun, parent-friendly way.

As a parent, you might feel like you don’t have the technical background to teach your kids about engineering or robotics. But here's the good news: you don’t have to be an engineer to help your child think like one!

At Kids Explore Robotics, we’ve seen firsthand how children can develop engineering skills, creativity, and critical thinking without needing an engineering degree in the family. Here’s how you can encourage your child to think like an engineer — all while having fun and learning new skills.

If your child has ever said, “I want to build a robot!” — great news: they absolutely can.
And it’s easier than you think to get started.

In this post, we’ll walk through how your child (even as young as 6 years old) can design and build their very first robot — no advanced skills or experience required. All it takes is curiosity, imagination, and a few basic parts.

Let’s begin with something simple and fun…

When most people think of robotics, they picture complex machines, wires, and advanced coding. So it’s no surprise that many parents wonder, “Is my 6-year-old too young to start learning robotics?”

The answer? Not at all.
In fact, the earlier kids are introduced to hands-on problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity, the more confident and curious they become — not just in robotics, but in all areas of learning.

So… how exactly do you start?

Robotics is one of the most exciting and valuable skills kids can learn today—blending creativity, problem-solving, coding, and hands-on building into one fun, future-ready activity. Yet despite its benefits, many parents hesitate when it comes to getting their children involved in robotics.

And we get it. Life is busy, options are confusing, and for some, robotics feels like a world that’s hard to enter. But what if these concerns could be flipped into opportunities?

When a child shows interest in robotics, it’s more than just a phase—it’s a window into creativity, problem-solving, and real-world skills that can shape their future. As a parent, you don’t need to be a tech expert to support your child’s curiosity. With a little encouragement and the right tools, you can turn their spark into a lifelong passion.

Here’s how to foster your child’s love for robotics at home—even if you’ve never built a robot yourself.

In today’s digital age, screen time is almost impossible to avoid. Between games, videos, and apps, kids are spending more time than ever staring at screens—and while some of it can be educational, much of it is passive consumption.

But what if we could flip the script?

As parents, we all want to give our kids a head start—but when it comes to something as “high-tech” as robotics, it’s natural to wonder:

“Is my child too young for this?”

Here’s the short answer: Probably not.

In today’s fast-changing world, preparing our kids for the future means giving them more than just good grades—it means helping them become creative thinkers, confident problem-solvers, and curious learners. One of the best ways to do that? Robotics.

As parents, we’re constantly making decisions to give our children the best chance at a happy, successful life. We invest in sports, music lessons, books, tutors — all in hopes of uncovering their passions and helping them thrive.

The rise of robots and automation has sparked significant concerns about job displacement. While it’s true that certain types of jobs are at risk of being replaced by robots, the evolution of robotics is also paving the way for an entirely new category of high-paying jobs. These opportunities will transform industries and create millions of roles over the coming years.

Robots and automation have been integral to industries for decades. Early applications began with manufacturing and military operations, where basic forms of automation were used to streamline repetitive tasks and enhance precision. The introduction of robotic arms in assembly lines during the mid-20th century revolutionized industries like automotive manufacturing, significantly improving efficiency and consistency. In the military, early drones and automated systems provided new capabilities for reconnaissance and defense. These innovations laid the groundwork for the diverse applications of robotics we see today.

Robotics isn’t just about building flashy robots or winning competitions; it’s about the experience. It’s about providing kids with hands-on learning opportunities where they can design, build, and bring their creations to life. It’s about teaching them to problem-solve, make mistakes, experiment, and foster their creativity in a supportive environment. Robotics offers a glimpse into the future and equips kids with skills that are increasingly valuable in a tech-driven world. If you’re considering enrolling your child in a robotics program, here are some key factors to keep in mind:

Kids Explore Robotics began as a heartfelt collaboration between an experienced engineer, Vinod Agrawal (dad), and his son, Aarav Agrawal, now an engineering student at Purdue University. Aarav’s passion for robotics sparked in elementary school, where he participated in a robotics team. Although life’s changes momentarily shifted his focus, high school reignited his love for robotics through engineering and computer science courses. He realized the profound potential of robotics and felt compelled to share this excitement with younger generations.

When it comes to robotics, many parents assume, “My child just isn’t interested,” or, “They’re not going to be an engineer, so why bother?” But how can you know that robotics isn’t for your child unless they try it? The truth is, robotics isn’t just for future engineers—it’s for all kids, regardless of their interests or career aspirations.

One of the most common questions we hear from kids is: "How do you create a robot?"

While the answer can be complex, we’ve broken it down into a simple and engaging process that’s easy for kids to understand and, more importantly, can inspire them to start their robotics journey. The key? Start simple. Building a robot doesn’t require expensive or complicated tools. With a few essential parts and a little creativity, anyone can create a basic robot. Here’s how to go from an idea to a fully functioning creation:

Robotics is a technical field where you learn about robots. It involves engineering, technology, science, mathematics, and software programming. In robotics, you learn about designing, constructing, programming, and operating robots. The end product is a robot which is essentially a machine that can be programmed to do certain tasks. Many people think that robots look and act like people but that is not necessarily true. In reality, most robots do not look like people. Every robot is different. They are built differently, they are designed to do different things, they vary in shapes and sizes, and they vary in a level of complexity. Robots do only what they are designed and programmed to do - in most cases some routine tasks.