Piper Computer Kit

Product Description

The Piper Computer Kit is a beautifully designed build your own computer kit disguised as play! includes everything your child needs to build a fully functioning computer from start to finish. When they've finished building, kids learn the basics of connecting electronics through engaging game-based projects using the Raspberry Pi. Learn to code of coding with engaging projects based on Blockly's easy drag-and-drop visual programming language. With Piper, kids are taught how computers work and how to code in a fun and tangible way that builds the confidence for a lifetime of success with technology.

Features

• BUILD A COMPUTER: Includes all the components needed to build a fully-functioning computer! A Raspberry Pi, 7" screen, DIY speaker, rechargeable battery. Teaching kids to be STEAM-capable; coding their own games, interactive projects and more!
• HANDS-ON STEAM PROJECTS: Building the computer is only the beginning! Using Piper’s StoryMode, kids are guided through a secret mission, attaching wires and connecting electronic components to move around an immersive world and controlling the outcome.
• LEARN TO CODE: With a Piper Computer Kit, kids learn the basics of coding with 11 progressively challenging projects based on Google Blockly's easy, drag-and-drop visual coding language. Using PiperCode, kids progress through tangible tasks that increase their level of confidence.
• CREATED FOR KIDS AGES 8+: Designed by educators to foster self-paced learning, kids advance from foundational tasks through more challenging projects at their own pace. They can progress to pre-loaded Python programming language, deepening their engagement and competence.
• THE BUILD IS JUST THE BEGINNING: Piper Computer Kit features an integrated, build-it-yourself speaker and 7" HDMI screen. The kit is engineered for multi-rebuilds, with a sturdy carrying case. Beyond the build, Piper Computer Kit launches kids into an expansive, adventurous world of learning disguised as fun, with dozens of playable projects from Day One.

Top Reviews

A decent STEM product that needs refining
by Brian M. Lew (2 out of 5 stars)
November 10, 2018

The Piper Computer kit is a bit larger than other kits out there, but does include elements that other kits don't. The approach is good for kids and the hands on building of the kit is good for teaching how to follow instructions, use tools, and patience just to name a few. Building instructions are straight forward and fun, but, some components need thought as to which goes first (if you connect a section, the other might need to connect first or you need to take it apart). Packing could be better and I was surprised that the battery pack, cables/cords, buttons, and the Pi itself were not in anti-static bags or no desiccant as well. The micro-sd card was loaded into the Pi, which should be shipped separately and protected. Our SD card didn't work right off the bat; the OS would not load and there is no place online to download the OS. The power cord didn't work either, had to use a spare I had laying around. We are missing parts too; the kids tried to continue a section of the game and it required parts, that were not included in the box. It is a fun and easy interface for the kids to use, the interaction, use of the software and physical buttons/ wires is great, but missing/non working parts hampers the experience.
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We sold our 2010 $2000 TV for $60!
by Amazon Customer (5 out of 5 stars)
November 30, 2018

I'm sick of my kids watching garbage so we decided to move across the street from a library and I bought them coding kits including the Piper Computer Kit. Kim Kardashian is not doing anything for the world.
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Build, Create, and Enjoy!
by Daniel Werner (5 out of 5 stars)
November 27, 2018

I have two boys, 8 & 11, who decided to take on the Piper Computer Kit. My boys were able to build the computer with ease. It took them about 2-3 straight hours of working on it and did not want to stop for dinner or bedtime because it was so fun. The instructions included were self-explanatory and they required no help from me or from the tech support offered by the company. They offer real phone numbers and chat services if you do have questions at any point, they are there as a lifeline. The game included with it is similar to Minecraft so for the kids, it was fairly intuitive. The story mode associated with it took them about 2 hours to complete so it is not overly challenging but they absolutely loved it and said the graphics were better than Minecraft. As for coding, there seems to be nothing super challenging at first glance. It includes 11 different tutorial games to create different programs/functions. If your child already has some coding experience, I don't see anything here that challenges them beyond simple commands and introductory coding. For beginners, then the Piper Computer is well suited for learning through hands-on experience. Now, you have the opportunity to do your own coding and create your own things; you just have to have motivated kids who want to think and try some things on their own. The screen is a good size and the input is HDMI so even if they want to take a break from the computer, they can plug in other items, like our Raspberry Pi emulator. There is a web browser in the computer so they can access the Internet but you'll need a keyboard which isn't included. My son used his Kano keyboard from another computer build project. Between Kano and the Piper, both boys said they definitely prefer the Piper as it is more fun, interactive, and offers more opportunities. Considering both are about the same price, I would definitely choose this. Those boys definitely feel pride and ownership in their computer knowing they built it all by themselves and enjoy showing their friends what they can do with it.
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Excellent gadget for kids. Love it!
by S Shankar (5 out of 5 stars)
October 21, 2018

My son loves to build gadgets and is super creative. I've been looking for the right gadgets to buy for him for a while now and found Piper through extensive research. The kit is just brilliant! It is exactly something I was looking for. I wanted something which would be more outcome-driven and sustainable fun for hours together. This is just that.

It was as exciting for me, as my 7-year-old to unpack the box and assemble the entire computer. It was a wonderful experience building from scratch and my son just enjoyed it!

He learnt to program the switches, buttons, etc. all on his own. While I was supervising his work, my help wasn't required all that much, apart from clarifying instructions at times. There were blueprints to help out and overall was not over-complicated for a 7 year old. I would say its medium complexity for a 7-year old.

The overall kit had high quality components which just come together like a beautiful puzzle. There is even a mini-mouse!

Overall the steps are quite intuitive and they involve building the "controller box" and the power-ups for storing the mouse, etc. Finally, installing the Raspberry Pi 3 board and then putting together all the enclosures. The LCD display thankfully is pre-built. Now for hours of mine-craft and fantastic projects! I'll soon update my review with the cool projects :-)

If you're looking for a fantastic project for your child that encourages critical thinking and problem solving, along with developing their engineering skills, look no further!
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Great computer kit for kids
by Debbie (5 out of 5 stars)
October 22, 2018

I was really excited about having my 7 year old put this computer kit together. It was a lot of fun seeing him read the Top Secret mission note before he started. He built it pretty independently and it took about 1.5-2 hours to build. Would've been a lot quicker if I had guided the process more, but I mostly supervised and helped out if he needed it. He felt so proud of his computer kit, and I agree that it looks pretty cool. The building blueprint was also very well done and pretty straight-forward. I also really like how the computer is in a case where you can fit everything into. So it's easy to clean up after he's done working on it. He's only started to play the games/complete the mission but he's really enjoying it and he is learning quite a bit about how computers and electronics work. I'd recommend this to anyone that is looking for a hands-on educational game that is fun to put together and fun to play.
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TOP PICK for Making STEM Fun and Hand-On
by Skylar Baker (5 out of 5 stars)
October 27, 2018

Brilliant product! Instead of playing on a computer, the Piper kit lets kids build one from scratch. My son was so excited when he opened and dove right in. The kit comes with a blueprint and a lot of pieces so it takes about 2 hours to build. It was challenging for my son (age 9) but not anything he couldn't figure out on his own. When he finished building the kit he was so proud of himself! His very first computer - just like Steve Jobs!

Once the computer is built, there is a whole Minecraft-based set of adventures to teach kids to wire and connect electronics onto a breadboard. My son is absolutely taken with his Piper and I can't wait to see what he does with it next. This is the ultimate product for learning about REAL science and electronics while having incredible fun at the same time.
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Piper Computer Kit is Amazing for my 8 year old
by Blake S Hennon (5 out of 5 stars)
October 24, 2018

My daughter and I were able to assemble the computer kit in about 2 hours. We charged the battery of after we assembled the computer and waited until the next day to fire up the system. The Minecraft experience is amazing and its really exciting to see her plug in wires and understand how the HW relates to the SW. She has been playing with the computer kit for hours and now considers it "her computer". There will be many hours of play ahead of us with this great product.
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Love + skilled engineering => something very special
by Nathan Arthur (5 out of 5 stars)
January 4, 2019

I don't usually take the time to write Amazon reviews - just for the best and the worst of the products I buy. I'm happy to say this one lands way into the "best" category.

I bought this for my 8yo Lego- and Minecraft-minded son for Christmas, who had been asking me to teach him how to program. At first he was a bit trepidatious about it - he just knew it was "a computer" and it looked like a big project. Then this morning he woke up and said he wanted to start on it, and he did, without waiting for me!

You've seen the product description, and it does a pretty good job of explaining it. But the thing that's important to understand is that this kit was designed by someone who LOVES what they do, and who took the time to think about how every little piece should work, and then took even more time to iterate and iterate on it, making it just as good as they can. The design of this this is just amazing - my son worked through each step (building, hooking everything up, debugging issues, getting started with the wiring, working through all the "missions"), eager to do them, smoothly figuring out what to do (with the barest minimum of help from me, when e.g. something wasn't working right), and he was sad when we finally made him stop (late in the day).

This is so much more than a computer... so much more than an awesome case... so much more than an awesome software game that teaches basic circuit design... it's an end-to-end well-designed and well-integrated product. At one point he quietly turned to me and emphatically said "I really really like this kit", and went right back to working on it.

One thing I questioned before I bought it was how much "coding" there actually is with it - and so far there's been essentially none. It's been about wires and buttons and circuits and exploring instead. But that's another part of what makes this thing so great - my son spent a whole day on it, and there's still a lifetime of things he can do with it, and at least days and days more of content from Piper to get through - and I know a bunch of it is actually coding stuff. And I expect that he'll keep pulling his Piper out, and keep finding new challenges, day after day after day, even without prompting from me.

We did have two issues - the USB power cable for the Pi just didn't work at all (which made the whole thing seem broken - it just wouldn't turn on!), and the mouse buttons didn't work. But we debugged the issues, and I had spare parts (a USB cable and a mouse), so they didn't block us. And I told Piper about them, and they made it as easy as "Pi" to get replacement parts ordered and on the way, for free. So not just a great product, but a great company to work with, too.

So buy this! Don't debate whether it's the right one, or whether a cheaper kit would be better. So much work has gone into this, and it's made so well, and my kid loves it so much, it's worth every penny, and more. This is a product of love *and* skilled engineering, and together they created something very special.
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7 year old boy approved
by Christina C (5 out of 5 stars)
October 16, 2018

Piper was the perfect purchase for my 7-year-old son who loves all things tech. He was so proud of himself once the computer was built. He built most of the project himself and needed minimal help completing the project. We are very happy with this purchase and look forward to more products from this company!
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Love the Piper
by Amazon Customer (5 out of 5 stars)
October 28, 2018

A fascinating product that grabbed my 9-year -olds attention for hours. It never occurred to him that he could build a computer. We loved watching him open the box and get pulled into an entire world of technology, but inside out. His older siblings (13 + 11) found themselves totally immersed in the Piper as well. Now he wants to take apart the rest of our computers! Great, innovative fun!

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