Thames & Kosmos Kids First Robot Factory 567016

Robot Factory is an early engineering kit from the Kids First line: 117 pieces, mostly large, chunky plastic building parts plus gears and one battery-powered motor, and a 32-page illustrated storybook. The story follows the Omegas, a family of makers, through a robot factory where the robots have gone haywire, and each chapter has the child build one of eight robot models that moves its arms or legs in its own way. Thames & Kosmos rates it for ages 5 to 7 and up, and Target lists it as 5 years and up. It needs 2 AA batteries, which are not included. Thames & Kosmos sells it direct at $29.95, the price we saw on October 7, 2026.

We could not find owner reviews to read. The Thames & Kosmos store shows no review widget for this kit, and the Target listing showed no ratings when we checked. What we can say comes from the maker: the robots are built one by one as the story goes, each showing how the motor and gears make arms or legs move, and the kit is about simple machines rather than coding. There is no app or screen involved.

It suits a 5 to 7 year old who likes being read to and wants to build something that moves at the end of each chapter. Skip it if your child is 8 or older and already building with LEGO Technic or similar sets, since the parts and models are deliberately simple, or if you want a robot that can be programmed.