Resources for Parents and Kids: AI and Robotics

calendar_today July 16, 2025

Honest History magazine for kids Issue 28 cover

Have you seen the latest issue of our kids' magazine? In Issue 28 | Electric Brain , kids can uncover the fascinating world of artificial intelligence. From legends of ancient robots to AI today, there is so much to explore.

This month, we’re sharing additional resources to help kids and parents dive into the topics of AI, computer science, and robotics.

Researchers and Aspiring Academics

Use these texts to uncover the surprising history of robots and artificial intelligence.

Gods and Robots: Myths, Machines, and Ancient Dreams of Technology by Adrienne Mayor: Explore the ancient origins of artificial life and automata with this fascinating text . Mayor's book connects classical myths and ancient mechanical marvels to our modern understanding of technology and robotics.

Ada Lovelace: The Making of a Computer Scientist by Christopher Hollings, Ursula Martin, Adrian Clifford Rice: Issue 28 explores the life of the astonishing mathematician, Ada Lovelace. Curious to learn more about this pioneering computer scientist? This in-depth biography uses previously unpublished archive material to explore how a nineteenth-century Englishwoman became the first computer programmer.

Watercolor portrait of Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, c. 1840, possibly by Alfred Edward Chalon. Image from Wikimedia.

Medieval Robots: Mechanism, Magic, Nature, and Art by E. R. Truitt: Uncover the surprising history of automata and mechanical creations during the Middle Ages with this unique study . Truitt's book explores how medieval thinkers viewed and created what they considered "robots," blending their creations with magic, nature, and art.

The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari: In Issue 28, kids uncovered some of history’s oldest automata, including one created by the Muslim polymath al-Jazari. Explore 850 of al-Jazari’s mechanical creations in this book . Complete with images, the text offers a fascinating glimpse into the inventor’s incredible imagination.

Al-Jazari’s Elephant Clock. Image from Wikimedia.

Parents and Educators

Explore these digital resources to help create lesson plans for your home or classroom.

The Exploratorium’s Cardboard Automata: Want to build your very own automaton? The Exploratorium in San Francisco has the perfect activity for kids. Use their worksheet to create a moving cardboard machine. This playful project is a great way for children to understand mechanical movement and make it their own.

Scratch and ScratchJr: Designed by the MIT Media Lab, these tools help kids learn the basics of coding and the building blocks of AI. Older kids (ages 8-16) can use Scratch to create games, stories, and animations, while younger kids (ages 5-7) can experiment with ScratchJr.

AI for Oceans: Want to understand how machine learning works? This online game teaches kids the basics as they train AI to help clean up the ocean. It’s an engaging way to help kids unpack complex ideas surrounding machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Alan Turing Digital Archive: In Issue 28, kids uncovered the story of Alan Turing, the founder of modern computing. You can explore original documents from Turing's life through this comprehensive digital archive . The online resource provides valuable primary sources for educators and parents looking to delve into the legacy of the pioneering scientist.

Alan Turing in the 1930s. Image from Wikimedia .

Young Historians

Dive into the world of AI and robotics with these illustrated children’s books.

Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science: The First Computer Programmer by Diane Stanley and illustrated by Jessie Hartland: Discover the inspiring story of Ada Lovelace, the brilliant mathematician, in this beautiful picture book . The book’s colorful illustrations bring Lovelace’s creativity and pioneering spirit to life for young readers.

DKfindout! Robots by Nathan Lepora: Dive into the world of robots with this engaging and fact-filled guide. Perfect for curious kids, DKfindout! Robots uses helpful visuals and clear text to explain everything from how robots work to their role in our world.

STEM Starters for Kids Robotics Activity Book by Jenny Jacoby and illustrated by Vicky Barker: Get hands-on with robotics using this activity book . Packed with illustrations and fun challenges, the text is designed to spark creativity and introduce young minds to the exciting principles of STEM and robotics.

See Inside Artificial Intelligence by Alex Frith and Victoria Williams, and illustrated by Beatrix Hatcher: Plunge into the world of AI and explore what intelligent machines can (and can’t) do in this interactive book. This colorful text helps answer questions about how AI works, its presence in our daily lives, and its potential future impact.

If you want to learn more about the history of artificial intelligence, we hope you’ll check out our kids magazine Issue 28 | Electric Brain. Stay tuned as we continue to share research tips and resources for future issues!