Stats:
No. of players: 2-5
Amount of time to play: 15 min
Age requirements: 4+
Set-up time: minimal

Robot Turtles is a kid’s game that helps them learn the fundamentals of computer programming.

Robot Turtles Rules Description:

The goal of Robot Turtles is to direct your turtle to the jewel that matches its color. Well, that is not the only goal you also want to help your kids learn about programming. And the goal is to have fun doing it.

The game requires an adult to play but they just act out the turtles’ moves and make funny noises. They are called the Turtle Mover. Turtle Masters are kids and they dictate how the turtle act and where they move.

There are three basic types of Code Cards in Robot Turtles, go straight, turn right and turn left. Each turn one child selects on Code Card to direct their turtle. The Turtle Mover actually moves the turtle on the board based on the card played. Each Turtle Master also has a bug card they can tap if they want to undo their last move. Code Cards are played in a line and the game is over once all the turtles have reached their jewels.

As you progress you can introduce more obstacles to the board, stone walls, ice walls and crates. Stone walls cannot be broken and you must navigate your turtle around them. Ice walls can be melted by playing a Laser Code Card. And crates can be pushed until they hit a stone wall or the edge of the board.

The last Code Card to introduce is the Function Frog card. Once the Turtle Masters are comfortable with the other cards and obstacles they can start playing three cards at a time. This helps them adjust to writing their entire program at one time. After they can write a program Function Frog can be added to represent one repeating sequence of cards. The sequence is kept off to the side by the main program and Function Frog takes its place in the line of cards. The goal now is to get to your jewel in as few cards as possible.

Quick Review of Robot Turtles:

Robot Turtles is a fun way to help kids learn the basics of programming. You get to move the turtles and make funny noises while they maneuver their turtles through a maze of obstacles.

The components for this game are really nice. The art complements the fun theme and the cards are color coded to help younger kids understand how the move the turtles. The rules have example set ups to help introduce each obstacle and card and helpful tips for the Turtle Mover.

My kids enjoyed Robot Turtles and I enjoyed playing it with them. This is not a competitive game and the Turtle Masters are encouraged to cheer each other on. It was nice to see my kids help and root for each other.

I was worried that there were not enough set ups in the game, but you (or your kids) can make more up. You can even go to the ThinkFun website to submit and find other users’ scenarios (called Adventure Quests).

If you have played RoboRally then you will understand the basics behind Robot Turtles. This game is fun and educational for kids. In this digital age it can only help if your kids have a basic understanding of programming. This game can help them gain that, be creative and have fun.