TODAY’S KIDS will think it weird that robots were ever considered some space-age novelty. Children are already surrounded by voices (see Siri, Alexa) that respond to their every whim, and pet-like Roombas that relentlessly clean up after them. Why would they blink at a universe full of self-driving cars and A.I.-augmented everything else?

Nevertheless, there are still reasons to buy robot kits for these worldly kids. Building a friendly bot-toy helps children adapt even more readily to a changing world and develop STEM skills.