Thames & Kosmos Bionic Robotic Arm
by Thames & Kosmos · Ages 9–12 · STEM
No confirmed recall for this toy.
We check it against CPSC recalls every night; our recall list runs through September 24, 2026. Possible matches are reviewed by a person before anything shows here. Always check the model number on the box at cpsc.gov/Recalls.
Why we picked it
A robotic arm you build yourself, nearly 300 pieces, then work from two joysticks. The joysticks pull nylon cables threaded through the arm, the way tendons move a hand; buttons on top open, close and rotate the claw. The building is the lesson (levers, gears, how a joint works); the operating is the reward, and the claw swaps for an eel's head if the mood takes them.
Why it made our list: it is a real engineering project a ten-year-old can finish over a weekend with help, with something impressive at the end, and it was a 2025 Toy of the Year finalist in the educational category.
Before you buy: Thames & Kosmos grades it 10 and up with help, 14 and up alone. No batteries or motors; it is all mechanical. Three hundred small pieces need a tray and a table that can stay set up for a few days.
Before you buy
- Check the age grade on the box; it can differ from ours.
- If younger children share the room, check for small parts.
- Look up the model number at cpsc.gov/Recalls before first use.