Gravity Bugs

Thames & Kosmos Gravity Bugs Free-Climbing MicroBot is an easy to build STEM kit for kids 9+. There are easy to follow instructions and plenty of pieces to build and play with this amazing Gravity Bug. Make sure you follow the directions exactly, and there are YouTube videos that explain where mistakes can be made, and how to avoid them, so that the Gravity Bugs work correctly. This is a fun set for adults to work side-by-side with their child to assist in the build. The gravity bugs work best on glass, mirrors or similar surfaces. Anything with any texture will cause the gravity bug to fail and fall. It does well crawling and climbing across the floor as well. Fun and enjoyable for all ages.

The media could not be loaded. We ordered a bunch of “fun” stuff for Christmas. Just now getting to this one. Don’t buy it. It will not run as soon as you put it together. Very discouraging for kids to put together because the gears do not actually work. Its a big joke and waste of time. Oh well to late to return this piece of crap. It is NOT user error! The battery works as long as its not together. This company has to know it doesn’t work!

I bought it for my 10-year-old nephew and we loved it! I was in charge of cutting the components off (I thought it's too dangerous for him to use a cutter) and he assembled it by himself. It took us about an hour to finish and it worked so smoothly. It climbs up so well on my window!! As a toy lover, I was really surprised that it can climb up the window with such easy mechanism with so little cost! Really amazing design! I will recommend my friends to buy one! 🙂

Update: Kiddo's Grandpa is a very experienced engineer. He spent another 40 minutes after Christmas dinner troubleshooting the suction cups, testing each one on a flat surface until they were all sticking pretty well. For us, the key was, once the suction cups were seated evenly, to SPIN them in the foot and make sure they're perfectly even. Now it's climbing windows and my son loves it. I added two stars back up, because when it climbs, it's VERY COOL. If I could I'd give it 3.5. the tuning of the suction cup feet was just a bit TOO STEM for me! ;)Original Review: The assembly wasn't bad honestly, but I say that without any success having it "defy gravity." Did almost a full rebuild, checking gear fit, rebuilt and cleaned the suction cup assemblies multiple times. (Following the troubleshooting tips.) No luck climbing a clean glass window. If you just want a bug that walks, it's okay. If you're hoping for a real climber, I'd skip this.

I purchased two of these bugs. I still think they are pretty cool, however, neither of the bugs ever worked, so not sure how well the suction worked or if they could climb a wall. Neither my husband nor our 37 year old son could get the bug assembled so that it worked. So, if two adults couldn't get it assembled and working, it could end up being a frustrating build for a teen.

This robot kit was great. It was so educational and so fun for them to make. Robotics is such a great area and I really liked exposing them to it.We really like science kits. I would much prefer them doing something than watching something. Science is such an important subject, and I really like that they can learn about it.It is nice because they can spend the time doing it. They are excited when they make something themselves. They love to make new discoveries.This is a great activity for a rainy day or a day when your child is sick or when you are just stuck at home. It is a good way to keep a child busy.I thought it was age appropriate. It wasn’t too hard. The children really liked how it turned out.I feel like this is good for child development. It kept my children's interest. It would also make a nice gift.I would recommend it.

This is the second kit I have purchased from this company and neither has worked. Well, not entirely true. The first one (solar bots) worked for 30 seconds and then fizzled out. This one worked when it was halfway constructed but by the time we got to the last step, the gears didn't turn and work. The instructions tell you to take it apart and try again, it's part of science! Okay, but I took it apart and reconstructed it 5 times (with a very frustrated birthday boy next to me) and ultimately, he just threw it in the trash. Fool me once . . . I won't be buying anything from this company again.

The media could not be loaded. This little robot toy is pretty darn cool. Built it in about an hour and it really climbs a window. Watched the video to put it together and it wasn't that hard. You have to be somewhat careful, so this is not the easiest project. But it's small and not very expensive, so doesn't take that long. Will definitely keep kids who are mechanically inclined occupied for a few hours, and then they can play with it too