Kid-friendly and easy to use, with the Boolean Box kit we engage the child, inspire them to create, find creative solutions and develop critical thinking skills. The simplicity of the Kano is also one of its stronger points. The advantage of using a kit is that you don’t have to locate individual parts or worry about whether they will be compatible or have other issues. Breakdowns in the product can create frustrations for younger kids. The Kano Computer Touch Kit has nearly everything that the Piper Kit has, but with the added bonus of being able to program on the go. Kano vs. Piper | Computer Kits. From start to finish the entire build can be finished in a few hours. I thought I got her back after I unveiled a cool, rollup keyboard, but it didn’t last for longer than like 20 seconds. No, it doesn’t have a big tower case or any case, but you can get those. My son likes computers, but I have no idea how to help him learn more? BOTTOM LINE: When we consider all the factors — assembly experience, fun, utility post-build, durability, cost — the Kano Computer Kit wins the overall match-up. Since we assembled our Piper, weâve noticed several Amazon reviews highlighting similar issues. So, we canât comment on how good or bad it is as a resource. Build your own computer, learn to code with 100+ creative challenges, make your own art, music and games and join the Kano world free creative community. Kids will use the screwdriver to assemble the case, as well as the electronics. When I assembled it with my then 8yr old daughter, she lost patience after we had to look up/troubleshoot how to get the orientation corrected on the touchscreen. The Kano Computer Touch Kit has nearly everything that the Piper Kit has, but with the added bonus of being able to program on the go. Boolean Box, by Boolean Girl Tech, is a complete, build it yourself DIY computer kit for kids, with a particular emphasis on connecting girls with computer science and engineering. I could dedicate a whole post to how awesome these sweet, little machines actually are (we’re running a full media library off of ours with Plex.tv right now as a free alternative to AppleTV) but let’s stay on task and see how they are actually used in Piper and Kano Computer kits! 4.4 out of 5 stars 99 £199.00 £ 199 . Once it’s all connected — beep, bop, boop — you’re good to go. What we can say though is all of the manufacturers look very committed to making the kidsâ experience a positive and memorable one, and they likely will do whatever they can to correct problems. Also cool (since you are building a computer) is that Kano can function like a real computer. ð. Kano Extended Warranty Covers everything that the One Year Warranty does, but for an additional year. While the Piper adds much more to do, even giving you your very own screwdriver, the assembling time in comparison to the Kano is much, much longer. Read more Piper vs. Kano Computer Kit⦠Without further ado, letâs look closer at the individual kits: Piper vs. Kano. My suspicion though is with a seemingly broader range of games and other apps that give it that full computer sophistication (“it’s a real computer” per the kids), it would probably do better. The generic Raspberry Pi could not hold their interest for long. Do you have a child thatâs interested in electronics, engineering or coding? MAKING AND CODING: Nicholas Provenzano, blogger at The Nerdy Teacher, is getting in the Making spiritâtesting out products so you can hear about his experience before dropping a bunch of your own $$$.In the last few weeks, heâs experimented with LittleBits, played with a Kano Computer Kit to see if it really can help students learn to code, and assembled a ⦠Notify me of follow-up comments by email. We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Piper Computer Kit: Award-Winning Build-A-Computer age 8+ STEAM Learning, with Raspberry Pi, Google Blockly, StoryMode, Games, Python, and Amazing Projects! Specifically, the motion sensor or pixel kits (see below). But once thatâs over, your child will head straight into programming. When it comes to coding and computers, you may feel hopeless. The only downside is that it costs $10 more, but for the added interactivity and movement, I reckon that makes it worth it. Here we introduce to two great kits that help your kids build their very own computer â the Piper Raspberry Pi Computer Kit and the Kano Computer Kit. While the Kano Computer Kit build required less effort, the games seemed more appealing to them. The Kano Computer Touch Kit, however, is $10 more and possesses the ability to move around and the use of a touchscreen. And they found that other âflavorsâ of Minecraft were more fun because their friends werenât playing in the Piper version. Our kids lean towards the Piper system as their favorite. Not to mention, showing off a pretty cool finished product to friends and family. The instructions are heavy on the figures and light on the text, so this should be accessible to a broad age range. We focus here on the Complete kit that has the screen/laptop version. This other picture shows a pretty cool Kickstarter campaign that created Porta-Pi Arcade games (with you guessed it Raspberry Pi devices!). No neat blueprints. The Kano OS looks like it is a bit more kiddie friendly and comes with stickers etc. SEE: Kano: How the $150 computer kit can teach kids their first coding concepts. No problem! Want to get started with a Raspberry Pi? Remember: for beginners, the goal will be to minimize frustration and maximize fun! We are talking bare bones here. The Pixel Kit is a âsmartâ light box featuring 16 million colors that kids use to create different games and light shows. Piper vs. Kano. 99. Especially if you as a parent have limited experience. However, itâs important to note that we had an issue with some Piper components not working properly (buttons) that ultimately required replacement parts. In this version, you still build the computer but hook it up to a TV or monitor (via HDMI) rather than assemble the screen portion. Limited time deal: Save 20% on select Samsung tablets today. Again, while our problems might have been a one-off issue, at the end of the day, we donât feel like we can really speak to the reliability of the Piper components because our experience has been so limited. Of course, the packaging of the Piper Computer Kit is a lot more appealing. While this can be seen as creative, it can also be very unwieldy and frustrating for those who only want to do simple tasks with the kit. Once you get Kano assembled and powered up, get ready for a TON of coding challenges and apps within the system that kids can work on. Want to teach them how to build a web page? The packaging, the unboxing, the delivery attached to the Piper and Kano can’t be ignored. That’s where computer kits come into play. I think the generic Raspberry Pi kit route is definitely the cheapest route to go. I wonder if that would honestly be a better version than the Complete kit because there are fewer potential technical snafus that can emerge. Based on our own past experiences, the Piper and Kano options are probably the most kid-friendly route to go that offers the fewest technical roadblocks. In the end, I think you get a little more bang for the buck with the Kano Computer Kit. By (36 Tiles Included) to Teach Advance C... Kubo Coding Robot - Single Set with 46 Tag Tiles. Now⦠that does NOT mean these arenât cool! The Piper Computer Kit takes things back to basics and teaches young learners an understanding of how things work and why coding does what it does. Why bother building one? Kids (and parents) have fun building and learning how to code. Just what you need to turn your little Pi into its own PC that can go anywhere you do. Unlike Piper, Kano has story-like instructions through which kids âlevel upâ as they learn to add functionality like internet browsing and tweak games. Sign up now! Why? The Piper Computer Kit is an ISTE 2019 Best of Show Award winner. Itâs a common problem for parents today. The Piper Computer Kit assumes that you know some things about STEM, and thus doesn't hold your hand all of the time. Both come installed with a Blockly-style programming language that serves as ⦠The build process incorporates a story-based approach that introduces kids to what the various pieces are, what they do, and why they are important (âthis is the brainsâ). Kano makes coding simple and fun with build-it-yourself computer kits and coding for all ages! Two popular computer building kits aimed at kids are the Piper Raspberry Pi Computer Kit and the Kano Computer Kit. Kind of hard to describe â the pictures below help (worth a 1000 words, right?). Piper and Kano kits both are similar, but the Kano has a broader set of programming applications. By Mark Coster, BSc(Hons) PhD December 2, 2019 March 11, 2020. The Kano Computer Kit Touch is priced similarly to Piper, and uses many of the same components and a similar build process to the regular Kano Computer Kit. Overall, there are many similarities across the core components for the Piper and the Kano. Make sure you have all of the storage you need for the Rasbperry Pi 4, Make sure to get the best display for your Raspberry Pi, Supercharge your Raspberry Pi with the best accessories. Ideal for ages 8 and up, it retails for $299.00. The aim of the Kano computer kit complete is to teach the kids, and the beginners of electronics field the computer hardware and software in an engaging and fun way. Unable to add item to Wish List. If you or your kid are real avid fans of Minecraft and are fond of LCD screens, then you most definitely won't be ashamed to show that off with the Piper Computer Kit. A Minecraft theme computer kit that teaches you about computers THROUGH Minecraft! Give the gift of a motion sensor kit and more! 00 However, we have not reviewed these products yet. Follow Piper on Social Media. It felt like they were legitimately constructing something “real”. While the Piper platform offers better exposure to introductory electronics, the Kano Computer kit final interface looks more advanced and offers increasing challenge. The Piper computer kit appeared to win out, but it was really driven by the act of the build rather than technical aspects of the machine. Both the Piper and Kano platform were easy to assemble and offered a kid-friendly approach. Kano Computer Kit Touch $195.00 on Amazon Prime. The heart and soul (or rather brain I guess) of these computer kits is something called a Raspberry Pi. Raspberry Pi 4 Desktop kit is supplied with: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2GB, 4GB or 8GB version) Raspberry Pi Keyboard & Mouse; 2 ⦠Update – 1/4/20: Kano released a new Windows 10 version of their Kano Complete kit. Computer kits are a great way to learn about coding and building, and they're perfect for adults and kids! Example – we built a Raspberry Pi-powered tablet with a touchscreen. My preference â the Kano. The Raspberry Pi is a credit card sized computer that is COST AFFORDABLE. The Kano PC kit is a great launchpad that can get kids ages 6 and older ... it goes online, has a word processor, and so on. However, the Raspberry Pi does offer some core features. Piper teaches STEM learning through the Minecraft PC kit and that too without proper instructions. So we want to make sure you know which kit is best for you (or your child). Lastly, the Raspbian NOOBS operating system also arrives pre-loaded with Scratch and Minecraft to get those kids working right out of the gate. The Kano Computer Kit has a design aesthetic that's cute and colorful, but also quite functional. Both feature a Raspberry Pi as the “brains” of the operation. The generic Raspberry Pi could not hold their interest for long. Why building a computer could kickstart your childâs STEM future, Starting Off: Which computer kit is best for kids? Instructions are far too difficult for certain age groups. The price of it can be off-putting, but the components involved are valuable. Seems unnecessary, no? You can even get a stylus to use for it, in case you don't want to dirty the screen. Piper Computer Kit The affordable, palm-sized Raspberry Pi 3 Model B motherboard is an excellent starting point for an entry-level DIY computer. For older kids, with stronger tech skills, Iâd consider going with a Raspberry Pi starter kit and hooking it up to an old TV or monitor. Like the Kano, youâll need to build your Piper Kit. However, the Piper lacks even that and overcomplicates with not having a full keyboard at all, just buttons. The already-installed Minecraft is also an added bonus. For example, both use a Raspberry Pi computer. The additional components that go with the Kano computer kit (e.g. Today we play with PIPER! These accessories include ways to make your Pi even more useful, or letting you sit back and play some games. Ports for USB devices allow you to hook up keyboards and a mouse, while HDMI ports let you connect a monitor. Pretty creative approach in our view and one that really resonated with the kids. It comes with a microphone so lights become animated from sound. However, we do note that Kano offers a kit without the screen (which is a little cheaper than the model with the screen). Kano follows a different approach to the build than Piper but still a âkid-friendlyâ one that attempts to make it a unique and memorable experience. My daughter wants to learn how to code, but her school doesnât offer classes⦠how can I help her? Its simple design doesn't complicate what it sets out to do: teach you something new. ... Piper Computer Kit (2016 Edition) 4.0 out of 5 stars 362. Let me guess: building a computer from scratch wasn’t the first thing you considered to help expand their coding chops. Turns out, it’s not the norm these days for people to build their own computers. We had trouble with a faulty button (more on that below), but overall the kids really enjoyed building the Piper computer kit. Learn more. What is a computer kit? Ok. I’m going to level with you… This one is probably going to be the least appealing to younger kids. Overall, I'd have to say that the Kano Computer Touch Kit left this showdown as the victor. The Piper Computer Kit is the ultimate D.I.Y. There are several beginner projects they can try to do including some of the following: As we mentioned earlier, our kids preferred the Piper. While the Piper Computer Kit offers more for advanced users, its poor battery life and chunky build make it a poor match to the Kano Computer Touch Kit's smooth, slim interface. So, not only are you able to access near enough the same things as the Piper Computer Kit, the Kano Computer Touch adds more interactivity. With that in mind, let’s compare the Piper and Kano computer building kits below. The drawback would be the Complete kit holds a good degree of âcoolâ factor. While there is definitely less hands-on assembly with the Kano, there seems to be more advanced functionality in the end versus the Piper. While the Piper Computer Kit offers more for advanced users, its poor battery life and chunky build make it a poor match to the Kano Computer Touch Kitâs smooth, slim interface⦠That can be done too! The modified Minecraft thatâs deployed on the system provides alternative ways for kids to learn how the components work to change whatâs on the screen – basically, solving a game with electrical engineering. $269.19 $ 269. The wooden hand-crafted computer case serves as down-to-earth storage for the technology it beholds and is an original take on your everyday computer. However, if you feel more comfortable with a Windows machine (vs. Kano OS), this could be worth a closer look. I think this has more to do with the Piper kit assembly being done â while they enjoyed the build, they werenât really interested in doing it again. Here's everything you'll need (beyond the Pi itself). With the kitâs custom Raspberry Pi Edition of Minecraft, theyâll be experiencing an adventure through building and programming electronic modules. You will need to charge certain items like the battery pack so make sure you do this first. As we walk through in more detail below, there are two specific computer kits we’ve used that are geared for kids. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Our personal Kano Computer Kit experience was only temporary as it was incorporated into a summer course, so itâs unclear if it would have had a better retention time with our kids. After unboxing, the Piper features a âcoolâ set of blueprints (yes, they are really blue) to illustrate the components and the build process. Where do you start?? With Kano's Harry Potter Coding Kit, you assemble a wand that uses an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer to detect every twirl and flick of your wrist. Both are well suited for younger kids, while we would opt for the generic Raspberry Pi starter kit for older kids. Our featured kits: Piper vs. Kano Computer Kit, Comparing Piper and Kano Computer Kits: Specifications, Rolling up the sleeves â Building a Piper Computer Kit, Rolling up the sleeves â Building a Kano Computer Kit, Rolling up the sleeves â Building a Raspberry Pi kit, Conclusion â Piper may appeal more to younger kids, but we like the Kano Computer Kit, a Raspberry Pi kit currently offered on Amazon, Piper â Minecraft Pi edition like this one, Make a RetroPie with old school video games, The Ultimate Guide to Coding Websites for Kids, Math Board Games Your Kids Will Love (But Won’t Realize They’re Practicing Math), Raspberry Pi 3 Model B with 1GB RAM and a 1.2GHz Quad Core CPU, 2.5A USB power supply with micro USB charger, Speaker with system that includes 3.5mm headphone jack. 19. Plus, it's easier to build for those looking into their first computer kit. The major difference between the two is the Piper focuses more on the construction and component-interface experience, and the Kano operates more like an actual computer (tablet) once itâs up and running. My child wants to learn more about coding⦠letâs build our own computer! Itâs all about the experience and the education. In our past build, weâve never interacted with Kano support. A product that, while expensive, deserves your attention if you have the money to buy it. Itâs a common struggle for parents. For younger kids, building computers are fantastic for building excitement. You can use almost any old SD card in your Pi, but you'll be happier if you choose the right one. While the Kano Computer Kit build required less effort, the games seemed more appealing to them. There are interfaces so kids can work with outside programs like Codeacademy and work on more advanced coding projects. While it certainly could be with how we assembled things, not exactly what you hope to see right off the bat and at that price point. She loves to find creative, fun ways to help engage kids in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math). When she’s not busy in meetings or carpooling kids, she loves spending time with the family and dreaming up new experiments or games they can try in the backyard. Many kids have no concept about the components in their devices or how basic things like network connections and file systems work. The pieces. Specification . Also, because you are leveraging a Raspberry Pi system, games and coding projects on the system include Minecraft and Scratch.