LEGO Boost

(LEGO $159.99)

Coding is the big trend in toyland this season and introducing the power of coding begins earlier and earlier. This season, LEGO has created Boost, a five-model kit for kids of 7 & up. It’s designed to get younger kids into building, coding and playing with their models. You might call this the prequel to LEGO Mindstorms, an award-winning kit with challenges appropriate for older tweens and teens. Boost is similar, but also less complex. They can build Vernie the Robot—a moving and talking robot; the M.T.R.4 (Multi-Tooled Rover 4)—a rover with 4 tool attachments including a spring-loaded shooter; the Guitar4000—a musical instrument with pitch bend and sound effects; Frankie the Cat—an interactive pet that plays, purrs and expresses its mood; and the AutoBuilder, that builds miniature LEGO models. We could have done without the farting sound effect on several of the models, but we know a lot of 7-9 year olds will not agree. Kids will need access to a tablet to make this work and they’ll need to download the free app, as well. The kit includes over 840 LEGO® pieces, a LEGO Move Hub, Interactive Motor and a Color & Distance Sensor. We know Boost is marked 7-12 and we’d say it is going to be best for the upper range of that age label.