When I was asked to be a Sphero Ambassador I was intrigued. I love testing out new fun gadgets and this one was amazingly fun to test out. Sphero is a new revolutionary tech toy that provides hours of open-ended play with multiple modes of interaction. Kids can use it independently, with friends or with the whole family. The best part? It can also be used as a seamless tool to introduce kids to STEM and the basics of programming. Your little ones will be having so much fun they won’t even realize they’re learning!
There is so much you can do with this little ball of energy it is almost too much to write in one post. As with most toys or items for children we receive I let my kids break into it on their own and see what they can do. I find that it is a great way to let them stretch their brains and figure things out on their own. Immediately my daughter learned how to control Sphero and had him running through the house at amazing speeds.
What is Sphero?
Powered with a new engine, Sphero 2.0 is capable of rolling at speeds of up to 7 feet per second.Sphero is an interactive and engaging robot that brings programming off the computer and into real life. With over ten different programming environments, and apps like MacroLab, kids as young as eight can learn how to program.Create racecourses and drive circles around your friends, turn your living room into a video game with augmented reality apps, and upgrade family game night with multiplayer fun. The possibilities with Sphero are as limitless as your imagination. With over 30 apps now available for Sphero, you’ll never run out of ways to play. Sphero works with iOS, Android, and Windows devices.
I read that Sphero can go anywhere, outside, the beach, even the water so we decided to test out his limits. He had no problems running around outside but for us when we tried to put him in the pool he lost connectivity. So Sphero is land bound for now, though I may test him out in the bath tub to see if it is the water or just the limits of our internet.
Update Sphero in the Pool: We were contacted about our possible issue with losing connectivity when putting Sphero in the pool and have solved the problem. He works GREAT in the pool. However he does not work in “deep” water. What we were doing was letting him fall off the edge and into the pool which was plunging him about two feet into the water which is what was causing it to disconnect. However if you set him into the water he will float on top and then you can drive him around the pool.
I have to admit even as an adult just spinning Sphero around the room is fun. He is controlled by an app on your phone or tablet. We decided to use the tablet as it is just easier to see the screen.
This is the basic Sphero screen in which you decide what you want to do drive, level up, or check out the many apps!
We decided to try out a few apps. Honey tried Sphero Pet but we didn’t really get this app so we picked one of the featured apps “ColorGrab”. We had a blast playing this app and it is great at testing your reflexes. You play against each other accumulating points by grabbing Sphero on the designated color when it is your turn. The first person to meet the goal wins!
You can decide how many players, how many points, and the level. We tried easy than normal, after a few rounds of normal we decided we needed to stick with easy LOL! The great thing is with the number of apps for this toy the kids can be entertained all summer. I have tasked my daughter with going through the apps and finding fun ones for us to play, for her to learn, or for everyone to just enjoy.
Sphero is Educational
Anyone can program Sphero. Beginners can get an introduction using Sphero MacroLab to create simple, repeatable programs and macros. More advanced students have the chance to dive deeper using orbBasic – a powerful application that takes programming with Sphero to the next level. To see these two programs in action, check out our Sphero Rangers Meetup page. If you’d like to host your own Sphero Ranger Meetup, shoot us an e-mail and we’ll help get you rolling.
For a limited time you get get Sphero for $99 check them out on Facebook and Twitter
Win Your Own Sphero!
That is right we are giving away a Sphero to one lucky Shibley Smiles reader. Trust me you will want to enter this thing is just plain cool and lots of fun. It is a truly interactive and versatile toy.
I received the above products or was compensated for this post. .
Tonja Deegan says
Many trips to the library!
Rachel Fuller says
Have them make a craft, and if they are like my son and hate crafts, get them a book they will look at/read. My son is 3 and loves super hero’s. Something to keep him un-bored is pulling out that book and reading it to him or letting him page through it under the covers with a flash light. he is literally entertained for hours at times.
Laura Miller says
The best tip I can give is to take the lead play WITH your child! Go on an adventure!
Kimberly Schotz says
The kids will be signing up for our local reading program at the library. That keeps them busy reading.
Shemp DeYoung (@shempgames) says
Books and balls. That’s all they need.
amy williams says
swimming and fishing
Robin C. says
Educational day trips, the library and the aquarium. And we have a reading contest over summer, it’s not about how many books they read it’s about explaining what they read.
B LaMonica says
Lots of day trips…. to different parks, beaches, museums, pools. We all learn just spending time together.
ellen beck says
Keep them moving! Take walks, go for hikes, fun runs, and there are lots of free activities!
amy rouse says
have a stocked craft closet.
kimberly walker says
a summer session class. art, swimming lessons, pottery, dance class, drama class etc…etc..
Carol Clark says
play games with my son and i play along with running races and riding bikes just be fun with your kid
Ronda says
Switch things up by introducing new game and activities.
Maridan Valor says
Kiddie pools and books.
Carol says
We have a garden to keep busy.
Raijean says
How fun is this, I want to try it looks pretty neat.
Julie Davis says
I bought my kids lots of books to keep them busy this summer learning about new things.
latanya says
We do zumba kids at our local ymca
Mary Williams says
i like to do arts and crafts with my son. we also participate in the library’s summer reading program, go swimming, and go to the park too.
Courtney H. says
Lots of board games keep away boredom when it is hot outside, so does cooking, reading, and do-it-yourself crafts.
Beth @ TheAngelForever says
We sigh up for the library reading program every summer. Not only does it encourage reading, but they also have great events to keep the kids busy.
Patricia says
My kids love books so we go to the library often to get new books. It keeps them busy.
Sandy Cain says
It’s always nice to sign them up for new crafts classes/workshops, and challenge them.
Thomas Murphy says
Send the kids to camp.
Amanda Sakovitz says
I would say a camp. I went when I was little and loved it.
janetfaye says
We take my grandson swimming and he never gets bored when we go.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Linda Kish says
We have a pool.
Kris I. says
I keep my kids busy with playdates, visits to the local library, swimming in our pool.
Denice P says
I take my nieces and nephew for nature walks around out towns river. It ‘s keeps them occupied walking the trails and lets them see nature and they don’t get bored.
Teresa Organ says
Visiting the local library.
christy blank says
lots of comic cons and geekery!
ken smith says
minature golf and go to the beach with lots of snacks.
Rhiannon Rowland says
Bike rides, we love to go as a family or each on our own!
christy colln says
anything outside!! bike riding or swimming
Leigh Anne Borders says
I try to keep a schedule of activities. Planning ahead of time with days of just being lazy added in seems to help.
Kristina Faricelli says
Kids love to play in dirt so I always let mine plant their very own garden. They picked out the seeds for what they wanted to grow and tended to their gardens daily. At the end of harvest they would take overgrown cucumbers and make sailboats out of them to float in the creek or pond. The grand finale was the rotten tomato fight which was a tradition passed down from generations. Be sure to have a working hose on hand for the clean up. 🙂
Margaret Smith says
We like to have a number of idea’s ready before they get bored. Choices of swimming, bike riding, going to the movies, picnic at the park, just to name a few. If I see that the kids are starting to get bored, we’ll have a day or two each week with a special plan.
Bree Tinch says
I try to keep them busy with play time and work time.
Eileen Richter says
Limit tv and electronics and shoo em’ outside like OUR moms used to do! There is always some outdoor activcity they will do if encouraged!
Robin Wilson says
I used to make a jar of “coupons” and for every book my son read he got to choose a coupon. Go to McDonald’s, go to the park., etc. He read a lot of books!
Ann Fantom says
I set up play dates for my daughter about once a week where we rotate whose house it is held at
nickie says
We go for trips around the neighborhood.
RICHARD HICKS says
One tip to keep them from getting bored is take them to the public swimming pool
Jennifer Tilson says
Lots of outdoor time…it’s the one thing that all ages seem to enjoy.
T Michelle Trump says
I collect fun toys and activities thoroughout the year and then bring them out come summertime.
Tamar says
Weekend trips to the zoo and museum!
harold says
I send them to a daily summer camp where they can exercise and have fun!
Milcah says
Family, friends, bikes, parks, electronics, beaches, sunshine, hugs, movies. Hopefully this works 😉
alena svetelska says
we spent whole summer in wildwood beaches,they r never bored;-)
Seyma Shabbir says
We go on mini vacations and visit different places or go the library and read books.
Jan Hammersmith says
play different games with them each day
jenny s. says
Stock up on fun outdoor toys from the dollar store.
Nicole Sender says
Take trips to the library, pool and zoo.
darby says
going to camp
Kristi C says
We go to the library once a week for new books.
Serge B says
I send them to a couple of different camps
jeannine s says
we take them to the park, festivals, plan days at the zoo
Denise C says
Send them to summer activities scheduled at the library.
Jane Thomas says
I like to do family activities with them like board games and such.
April Brenay says
my husband puts a daily schedule up in the morning thats always different
Monique Rizzo says
We join all the free bowling, reading clubs etc.
Linda Landes says
I always make sure i got stuff like water balloons sidewalk chalk and squirt guns on hand in the summer
Virginia Rowell says
We go on a lot of nature walks with picnics.
Nicole C. says
My daughter volunteers at The Humane Society during the summer. She doesn’t get bored because she is helping animals, which she loves!!
Georgia Beckman says
We keep them on a schedule. Not as tight as school, but still a schedule so they know what is happening & when. We have game nights twice a week instead of once & we have planned family/neighborhood outside games every weekend. We take turns hosting & planning the activities.
Leigh Anne Borders says
I like to plan things for my children to get them out of the house like taking hikes, going to museums, etc…
jeannine s says
we take day trips to local sites, make crafts
Cassandra Eastman says
My kids love to be outside, so we go to the zoo, canoeing, camping or swimming!
Sacha Schroeder says
We go bowling, to the public pool twice a week, take mini trips and spend a lot of time camping so we don’t get bored.
Tina Demarco says
tablets with plenty of apps!
cindy ray says
Make them read books or read books to them if they are to young to read 🙂
kathy b says
Reading clubs are a must for my kids
Sarah VM says
Horseback riding lessons for my daughter so keep her busy.
ReggieMann says
Summer book reading helps also math workbooks
Jill Myrick says
I try to plan something in advance for each day for them to look forward to like a trip to the museum, a hike in the woods or swimming.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
christine jessamine says
we play alot of outdoor games
Britnee says
Cleaning the kitchen cabinets! That’s what my mother used to do when we couldn’t “find” anything to do ha.
Erica C. says
Summer camps are great.
steph j says
We go to the park, play outdoors, ride bikes, go to the library, have picnics.
Donna Jacoby says
Have backup plans ready when the weather doesn’t cooperate & don’t tell the kids what the plan for the day is until you’re sure–that will save a lot of headaches! Thank you for the giveaway!
kathy pease says
we like to go hiking or swimming at the lake
Lisa L says
I have my kids do arts ‘n crafts or write letters to relatives
gayle gildehaus says
They manage to keep themselves busy.If someone says i am bored they get a helping mom job.
Leela says
There’s always something to do for fun, even when it rains. Games, toys, movies, crafts, etc.
Aaron Humphrey says
Going to amusement parks
Gina says
Easy, they find something to do, or you find something for them LOL
Samantha Daleo says
I got new books and DVDs for her to enjoy to pass some of the time.
trixx says
Cook or bake with the kids to keep them busy!
tina reynolds says
We get involved in local programs like from the library and geocaching, etc
Daniel M says
movies games tons of crafts available on the net
Kelly D says
My tip is to buy some outdoor toys to keep them busy.
Cathy Burnett says
We always played games in the summer while the boys were out of school to keep them from being bored. As their Granny told them, “only boring people are bored”.
Jessica Lodge says
My tip is to find free activities throughout the city to break up the monotony.
Brian E. says
Thanks for the giveaway…when all else fails, drag them to the public library !
Melanie Comello says
Find interactive games for them that appeal to them, but also keeps them from getting the brain drain 😉