SmartGurlzUK Siggy Scooter And Doll (age 5+)

At The Brick Castle we love science and we love the fact girls are getting their share of interesting science toys too. SmartGurlzUK are a new company who are passionate about getting girls into coding and engaged in tech toys from an early age, and they've come up with a really cool way to do it, creating a unique toy that supports STEM learning.

This is an interactive self-balancing robot scooter and doll that connects via Bluetooth to a tablet or phone via a free app. It has a range of features from remote control free-play, instructional coding challenges, games and coding area (using block code/ scratch approach). The range of features means it’s suitable for all ages from 5 to 16 years.

You can talk about non-gender-specific toys all day, I know I did, but the fact is you can't excite every girl (or every boy) by offering them a monster truck or a computer game and asking them to have a go at coding. Smart GurlzUK want to appeal to some of those who prefer their computing to be a bit more purple and I have no doubts my daughter, who is now studying Sciences and Maths at College, would have loved it. She wore a pink feather boa for 2 years.

Download the SmartGurlz SugarCoded app, connect via bluetooth on your iPhone/ iPad or Android device, and you can drive your Siggy (the 2-wheeled self balancing scooter) using your phone or tablet. Compatibility is BlueTooth 4 or above, so it'll even work with your 5 year old iPad or your child's 'emergencies only' 2013 phone.

The SugarCoded app is divided into 6 sections that combine learning and playing. It is game-like, self-directed and includes instructional play, games & challenges, and a free-code area as well (so you can test and learn whatever code you want). Your child can record and replay moves and learn the basic concepts of Computer Coding with drag and drop (block) programming.

The doll comes with the Siggy and you can use any doll who fits, although the SmartGurlzUK dolls are pretty cool. SmartGurlzUk's Siggy is available in 4 different colours, each with a different doll and a different storyline.

Emma - the Artist / Jun - the Chemistry Star

Jen - the Mechanical Engineer / Maria - the Maths Genius

Suitable from age 5 using the remote control function, through to instructional coding and path features, right up to free coding using scratch/ block coding for older children, the SmartGurlzUK toy was nominated Top Trend Toy at this year's largest international trade toy fair.

SmartGurlzUK costs £69.99, which is a very fair price for a toy with this amount of intelligence, and an excellent introduction to Computing and Coding for children who might not otherwise be easily engaged. It's understanding which will be a very valuable asset in their future.

You can find out more and place orders on the SmartGurlzUK website, and keep up to date on their Facebook page.The Siggy requires a standard 9V battery (not included) or you can buy a rechargeable Siggy Power Pack. Free postage on all UK orders.

I had a SmartGurlzUK Siggy scooter and doll to give away as a prize in my Christmas Present Giveaways. The winner chose which scooter and doll they'd like out of the 4 shown above - Emma, Jun, Jen or Maria.

This giveaway ended at midnight Sunday 3rd December in time for Christmas delivery. To see all of my other current giveaways, please go to my giveaways page...

I was paid for some of the time taken to administrate this giveaway.