Traditional-style toy system helps children learn to code

The Mochi system uses Legos, books, blocks and traditional crafts to teach children the fundamentals of coding

Spotted: The crowdfunded Mochi system uses traditional toys to teach young children how to code. The system replaces a computer screen with blocks, and contains a specially designed board.

Mochi is designed to inspire children to learn the basics of coding, which is becoming a more and more fundamental part of society, through stories and interactive play. The system uses blocks and a coding board, instead of screens, to make it more child-friendly. Children can listen to the Mochi stories and use the blocks and board to complete tasks. 

When used together, the coding blocks and board send messages to Mochi’s robot transport, so the bear can travel through the story map. 

The kit includes a bear — Mochi — and its robot vehicle, coding blocks, a coding board and the story map. The books provide a variety of scenarios and tasks and the robot vehicle is Lego-block compatible, so children can customise it using Legos, construction paper and other traditional crafts. 

A Kickstarter campaign is currently underway for the Mochi system. It is scheduled to ship by December 25, ready for Christmas deliveries.