Being married to a software developer and general computer wizz, Peter, and of course being a pro-blogger myself, means the boys were introduced to IT from a young age. Both feel confident using iPads (hello Cbeebies app), my phone (give it back!) and even using the remote control for the TV!
It truly amazes me just how computer literate the younger generation is, so much so, Oliver under my supervision, can use YouTube and has even fixed the TV box.
Oh…and did I mention he’s only just 5!
Like parents, like son, Oliver was super excited when we were asked to review Kano – a computer that you build yourself from scratch. I love anything that makes learning feel like play and this computer is ideal for little people with curious minds.
Fun, creative, educational and most importantly accessible, the Kano computer kit is perfect for all budding baby bloggers.
It has also meant setting up a little desk for Oliver to use his computer in his room. It feels like a real rights of passage as my oldest boy grows up.
How it works?
Kano is developed in two stages. First comes the hardware where you build an actual computer with a keyboard, circuit board, speaker, cables, a wifi dongle, SD card and operating system.
It is powered by the credit card sized circuit board, Raspberry Pi, designed and made in the UK, a transformational piece of kit that has helped to technologically empower developing nations. Amazing huh?
…I love the funky bold orange design too, it really engages little (and big) people with technology.
Kano is simple to build and the creating, is as fun as actually using the device. A modern day lego style computer essentially.
All the components slot together really easily with no need for screws.
Next up comes the software, where your little one can develop their own games using coding.
Kano is aimed at all ages, but it is perfectly designed for children.
For example, rather than a text-heavy instruction manual, they included this cool picture book with a step by step guide on how to assemble the kit.
Et voila! Here is Oliver demonstrating his finished Kano.
Once you’ve built Kano, you simply attach it to your TV via the HDMI. It was such a satisfying moment knowing together we had built our very own computer!
Next, it all gets very Alice in Wonderland as you are asked to follow the white rabbit through to the Kano OS desktop. Here you will find the different game apps that offer an introduction to programming.
There are three: Snake, Pong, and Minecraft. I was pretty excited by this as I used to love playing Snake on my old Nokia back in the day!
Oliver opted to develop his own version of Pong.
You can also create your own sounds and music using Kano too.
Overall, Kano is a fantastic tool to teach children (and adults) the basics of coding. Plus it is fantastic value at just £119.99.
You can find out more about the possibilities of Kano on their Facebook page or by subscribing to their newsletter.
I’m excited to announce that Kano are offering one lucky Honest Mum reader the chance to win a Kano Computer Kit. All you need to do is enter via Rafflecopter below.
UK only.
Good luck!
Ends 20th April 2015.
Update: From Thursday 2nd April 2015, the Kano will retail at £119.99 (including Free shipping).
Promoted on Prize finder, BritMums, Super Lucky and Loquax.
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For my daughter who’s fascinated with computing xx
would be a great gift for my nephew
my oldest would love it
I would like to win this for my little sister, I think she would love it =) x
I teach a boy with ASD who loves computers and programming this would be an amazing gift for him and its his birthday Tuesday
This looks like the perfect thing for my smart little nephew.
My son would love this 🙂
My older boys are really into technology and computers and they would love something like this, I think it’s great for kids to learn how to build things and get basic knowledge for later in life
perfevt for my young son
My grandson deserves a treat for being so kind and helpful to me.
I think my little boy would benefit from this
because my daughter is very much into science and electrnics so i know this would fascinate her
I would like to win this for my daughter and I like winning
I would like to win for my daughter x
My son would love this. He’s just starting to code and has done a little at school but I don’t understand it so this would be great for us to learn together.
Would love my son to be able to see the technical side of computers
Wow, this would be fantastic to win and keep Charlie entertained whilst teaching him too
so that i would be able to have one of my own and not have to wait and share with my other half it would be great
I would love to win this to use in the schools I work in! 🙂 x
i would like to win for my young grandson, who has started school now and is beginning to understand about computers and how to use them
Would be really educational for my son
My youngest would love this
Since I have seen these I really want one for my son x
I would love to see how this works and my son would love it as well
My grandson would love this and it’s a good way to get kids using their imaginations whilst learning things. 🙂
Cool gadget.
My kid would like this
How funny it is to come across this – the other week I invited the whole family over for dinner and we were talking about when we were kids we had a computer and you spent about 3 hours inputting a code for it to say something to you – 1 little blip in the code and it wouldn’t work.
My niece would be really in to this and we could make it together in the school holidays – thats why I would like too win.
It sounds like such a good idea for introducing children to computing
Cody has an inquisitive mind and would love this 🙂
I’d love to win this for my nephew – hes just turned 5 and is starting to take an interest more in technology so would be a great play and learning tool for him
To teach my daughter the basics of coding
I’d like this for my son, he’d really enjoy putting this together.
I would love this for my son, looks great.
my daughter has no idea what kind of things are inside and would love to learn about it
I would love to win this for my niece as I think the earlier they learn the more successful they will be in the future xxx
I would love to win this for my 7 year old, he is very in to taking thing apart, and putting them together again, and loves all things technology
Would be a great educational product for my daughter
This would be perfect for my nephew as he is into everything technology at the moment! xx
This would be great for my son, but I will learn from it as well.
I want this for my step-son. He’s interested in Computers, but this would give hime a real grounding – much better than just playing games!
I think this would be a very useful tool for my kids to learn to code with.
I want to win this for my nieces – they’re going to be living with my mum long-term as their parents can’t care for them any longer.
She’s a pensioner, so isn’t very computer-savvy, and I live too far away to be on hand regularly to help them out with this, although I’m doing everything I can to support them and my mum.
So winning this prize would make an excellent gift for them to get started with learning about computers – I remember when my siblings and I were young and my mum got us computers and books on coding, even though she had no clue about it herself. She realised the importance of letting us learn about computing, and we benefited massively from that. I’d love for my nieces to be able to have the same opportunity that we had (an even better one, since they’ll learn about how the computer works much earlier than we did!), and it would be a great way for them to learn about computers without needing me to be there everyday, which I can’t do as I live in a different city to them.
would love to win as this would be perfect for my autistic great nephew
Because my daughter would love this for her birthday.
To give to my grandson
Because my daughter has always been as sharp as chefs knifes and I think she would love this kit.
I want to win as I have a 4 year old in Reception who is unable to do his interactive homework cos as of yet I cannot afford to get him a tablet. This would make an ideal 5th Birthday present!
id love this for my son. i might learn a thing or two aswell!
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