Motors
Wiggle bot
Build a little scooter that buzzes along tape lines. We laugh a lot when it flips.
For builders aged 7 to 12
Snap it.
Wire it.
Watch it roll.
Spark is a weekend robotics club where kids snap parts onto tiny motors, then race their creations across the shop floor. Try it right here: drag the parts onto the bench.
01 / Missions
Pick a mission card
Every session starts with a simple mission. Kids choose a challenge, grab a parts bin and start clicking things together.
Mechanics
Gripper arm
Snap on a claw, pick up the gummy bears, and try not to eat the cargo.
Code
Draw turtle
Tape a marker to the bot, write three lines of code and let it scribble shapes on floor paper.
02 / Bots
Robots from last Saturday
Named by their builders. None of them follow straight lines, and that is the fun part.
Captain Wobble
carries three bricks and one sticker
Blue Nibbler
eats paper clips across the mat
Purple Zoom
fastest lap, wobbly wheels
Orange Peep
beeps when it finds the tape
03 / Saturdays
How a session goes
- Mission cardEveryone picks a challenge that fits their level.
- Build timeParts bins, motors, sensors. Helpers float, kids lead.
- Test trackTape lines, ramps and one very suspicious tunnel.
- Show and tellParents come back for the grand demo and the bloopers.
- Ages
- 7 to 12
- Group size
- Up to 8
- Session
- 2 hours
- Where
- Portland
"She came home and rebuilt the toaster box into a robot garage. Worth every Saturday."
04 / Parents ask
Good questions
Does my kid need to know how to code?
Not at all. We start with snapping and wiring, and add simple code blocks once the bot moves.
What should they bring?
Comfy shoes and curiosity. All parts, tools and safety glasses stay at the club.
Can parents stay?
Yes. Grab a coffee in the corner or join the floor build. Most parents end up building too.
Saturday has room for eight builders
Two hours, a big table and scrap bins full of wheels. Tell us a little about your builder and we will save a seat.
Ruth Achterberg
Creative Studio
Runs the club, sweeps up the parts and still gets excited when a claw works.