Reviews
Thames & Kosmos My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon 620507, box front
Thames & Kosmos My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon 620507, box back
Thames & Kosmos My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon 620507, finished robot chameleon
Thames & Kosmos My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon 620507

Images: Thames & Kosmos

Researched

Thames & Kosmos My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon 620507

A build-it-yourself robot chameleon that changes color and follows screen-free code cards.

$54.95 at Thames & Kosmos · Price checked Oct 6

Check price at Thames & Kosmos

Prices at other stores may differ · Links go to the retailer

Our verdict

Coding Chameleon is a 133-piece robot kit that builds a 15-inch chameleon with a color sensor, infrared sensor and RGB lights. Kids program it with printed action cards, no screen needed, and it has three modes: coding, a wild mode where it changes color and flicks its tongue, and a pet mode. Thames & Kosmos lists ages as 8/12+, sells it for $54.95, and says it won 2026 Educational Toy of the Year.

At Target, sold as Color-Sensing Chameleon Robot, it averages 4.0 from 41 ratings. Owners say the color sensing and coding are fun once it works, but the build is long, from about 3 to 7 hours. Some found errors in the manual, relied on the QR-code videos, or had parts jam.

It suits a patient 10- to 12-year-old, or an 8-year-old building with an adult. Skip it for a child who gets frustrated with long, fiddly builds.

Key details

  • Ages 8+
  • 133 pieces
  • 1 build
  • STEM kits
  • Thames & Kosmos
  • Available

More info

  • Item number: 620507
  • Age: 8/12+ (per maker)
  • Pieces: 133
  • Length: 15 in
  • Manual: 48 pages
  • Batteries: 4 AAA
  • Released: 2025
  • Price: $54.95
Best for and who should skip it

Best for

  • Kids aged 8 to 12 who like robots and animals
  • Families who will build together over a weekend
  • Screen-free coding practice

Skip it if

  • Your child wants a quick build
  • You won’t have time to help; owners say under-12s often need an adult
What we like and what to keep in mind

What we like

  • Changes color to match what it sees
  • Coding cards, no tablet or app needed
  • Three play modes once built

Keep in mind

  • Owners report builds of about 3 to 7 hours
  • Some found manual errors; the QR-code videos help
  • Needs 4 AAA batteries
How we reviewed it

Researched, not hands-on tested. This review is based on the sources listed below. We have not tested this product ourselves. Check the current product listing and packaging before buying.

Based on the maker's specifications and public owner reviews, checked Oct 6, 2026.

Thames & Kosmos My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon 620507, box front

Thames & Kosmos My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon 620507

Researched · Ages 8+

$54.95

Links go to the retailer

Check price at Thames & Kosmos

Thames & Kosmos My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon 620507

$54.95 · Links go to the retailer

Check price

What owners say.

  • 1 positive
  • 1 mixed
  • 1 negative

Paraphrased from public owner reviews. Each one links to where it was posted.

Positive
Built it with her son and they had a great time; she liked that it got him reading instructions and says it boosted his confidence with building and coding.
Target customer reviewSep 16, 2025
Mixed
A parent and three kids aged 9 to 12 needed about 7 hours over two days; the manual had errors and the QR-code videos sorted it out. Coding and color sensing were fun once built.
Target customer reviewOct 1, 2025
Negative
A nearly 13-year-old who loves building got frustrated as parts kept jamming and steps had to be redone; the parent doubts he will finish it.
Target customer reviewJan 25, 2026

Sources.

What we read for this review, and when we last checked it.

  1. 01 Thames & Kosmos. My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon thamesandkosmos.com · Checked Oct 6, 2026
  2. 02 Target. Thames & Kosmos Color-Sensing Chameleon Robot reviews target.com · Checked Oct 6, 2026

How it compares.

This toy next to the alternatives we suggest, using the maker’s details.

Detail Thames & Kosmos My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon 620507, box front This reviewThames & Kosmos My Robotic Pet: Coding Chameleon 620507 CrunchLabs Build Box, Build Box shipping boxes CrunchLabs Build Box Snap Circuits Classic SC-300, box front Snap Circuits Classic SC-300
Price$54.95$29.95$98.99
Maker’s ageAges 8+Ages 8–13Ages 8+
CategorySTEM kitsSTEM kitsSTEM kits
Pieces133–60
Good forRobot fans aged 8+ ready for a long buildYoung engineers aged 8 to 13 who like Mark RoberKids aged 8+ who want a long-running circuits kit
StockAvailableAvailableAvailable

Prices are the list prices we saw on the maker’s site and change often.

If this isn’t quite right.

CrunchLabs Build Box

CrunchLabs Build Box

A monthly engineering toy for ages 8–13

See review
Snap Circuits Classic SC-300

Snap Circuits Classic SC-300

Electronics projects for ages 8+

See review

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