Build a Box That Opens Like Magic!
What if a box could sense you walking toward it—and open all by itself?
With the Magic Box Robotics & Coding Kit, students build and program an interactive box that responds when someone approaches! Along the way, they'll explore coding, circuits, sensors, electronics, and mechanical design while creating a project that feels a little bit like magic.
Students learn to connect real electronic components, program a sensor to detect their environment, and control a servo motor to bring their creation to life. Then they can experiment with the code and customize their Magic Box into a creation of their own.
-
Recommended Ages: 8–17
-
Project Duration: 4–20 hours, depending on version
-
Coding: Block-based or text-based
-
Classroom Sets: Available in sets of 16
Choose Your Version
KIT-8-3 — 3rd–8th Grade
A fun, hands-on introduction to coding and robotics. Students use block-based coding and an IR sensor to make their Magic Box detect someone approaching and automatically open.
They'll explore coding, circuits, sensors, servo motors, inputs and outputs, mechanical movement, and troubleshooting.
-
Ages: 8–13
-
Project Duration: 4–6 hours
-
Curriculum: 9 lessons | ~2 hours of video
KIT-8-2 — 9th–12th Grade
A deeper exploration of coding, circuits, and electronics. Students use text-based coding and an ultrasonic distance sensor to build their Magic Box while diving deeper into breadboarding and electronic circuits.
Along the way, they'll experiment with LEDs, resistors, buttons, switches, potentiometers, sound sensing, RGB LEDs, servo motors, and sensor-driven programming.
-
Ages: 14–17
-
Project Duration: 15–20 hours
-
Curriculum: 14 lessons | ~10 hours of video
What's in the Kit?
Everything students need for the electronics and robotics portion of the project is included.
Both versions include an Arduino-compatible computer board, breadboard, servo motor, LEDs, battery holder, jumper cables, screwdriver, and building materials.
-
3rd–8th Grade Version: Adds an IR sensor and button for the introductory block-coding curriculum.
-
9th–12th Grade Version: Adds an ultrasonic sensor, sound sensor, buttons, switches, potentiometer, RGB LED, LEDs, and resistors for a deeper exploration of coding and circuit design.
Free Step-by-Step Online Curriculum
Every Magic Box includes access to our free online learning portal with step-by-step video lessons. Students can follow along at their own pace at home, in the classroom, or as part of a STEM program.
-
3rd–8th Grade Curriculum — 9 lessons | ~2 hours of video | 4–6 hour project
-
9th–12th Grade Curriculum — 14 lessons | ~10 hours of video | 15–20 hour project
Build It. Code It. Make It Your Own.
Once the electronics are working, the fun doesn't have to stop!
Students can decorate their Magic Box as a character, creature, seasonal project, or completely original creation—then experiment with the design and code to see what else they can make it do.
Free Printable Designs:
Great for Classrooms, Homeschool & STEM Programs
Magic Box works well for STEM and robotics classrooms, homeschool, makerspaces, after-school programs, camps, libraries, and enrichment programs.
Classroom sets are available in 16-kit sets. Students can work independently or collaborate in groups of 2–3.