Although learning a true programming language isn't something I'd expect a kid to pick up until they're a bit older, they can start learning the principles of coding at a pretty early age — and you don't even need a computer to do it! The Botley 2.0 robot, for example, promises to teach kids as young as five how to code through 100% screen-free play.

Sure, it's nothing so fancy as smart companions like Cozmo and Loona, but Botley is plenty clever enough for young'uns.

It comes as part of a 46-piece or 78-piece activity set, both of which include a remote control used to program actions, two detachable faceplates with robot arms, 40 coding cards, and a coding starter guide. The larger set adds 6 double-sided tiles and 27 obstacle building pieces.

Botley can be “coded” to move in six directions, play music, follow a ‘track’ of black electrical tape, light up in the dark, play memory games with you, and it can even pretend to be a train, a police car, a ghost, or a dozen other things.

Up to 150 steps can be programmed into an action sequence, so there's plenty to keep your bright young coder busy as they learn creative problem solving and computational thinking skills.

Get the Botley 2.0 46-piece set for $64 or the 78-piece set for $81. There's also a classroom bundle for $269 that combines several robot + accessory sets into one teacher-friendly package.