A droid for all seasons [Hands On]

These robotics kits can liven up the holidays–and give a kid a taste of robotics engineering - Robot playthings have been charming youngsters at least since the first tinplate robots were mass-produced in the World War II era. Today's robotic toys do a lot more than the windup automatons of yore. And if you choose wisely, your gift can also help inculcate some of the rudiments of engineering.