# STEM and Robotics Classes for Kids: Ages, Types and Costs

> When kids can start coding and robotics, how FIRST, LEGO and VEX programs split by age, what robotics teams cost, and how to spot a good program.

For families · Dee Taylor, Founder, Kaleto · Updated 2026-10-15 · https://www.kaleto.ai/blog/stem-and-robotics-classes-for-kids

**The short answer:** Kids can start block-based coding and simple robot building around age 5. ScratchJr is designed for ages 5 to 7, and FIRST LEGO League now starts at kindergarten. Competitive robotics usually begins around age 8 or 9, FIRST Tech Challenge covers ages 12 to 18, and FIRST Robotics Competition is for high schoolers ages 14 to 18.

"STEM class" can mean almost anything, from a library coding hour to a high school team building a robot the size of a dishwasher. The useful questions are what fits your child's age, what format suits them, and what the program will actually cost.

Below are the age bands the major programs publish themselves, the fees they list, and what to look for in any class or team.

## What age should kids start STEM and robotics classes?

Most kids can start simple coding and building around age 5, and competitive robotics around age 8 or 9.

The tools themselves set the floor. ScratchJr, the free coding app from Tufts and MIT researchers, is [designed for ages 5 to 7](https://www.scratchjr.org/about/info); its creators describe the full Scratch language as being for ages 8 and up. On the robotics side, FIRST and LEGO Education dropped their preschool division and now [start FIRST LEGO League at age 5](https://community.firstinspires.org/new-era-first-lego-league-future-edition), or kindergarten.

A rough path by age:

| Age | What usually fits |
| --- | --- |
| 5–7 | Block-based coding apps, LEGO building with simple motors, short exploratory classes |
| 8–10 | Scratch, beginner robotics kits, first competitive LEGO or VEX IQ teams |
| 11–14 | Text-based coding such as Python, competitive LEGO and VEX teams, FIRST Tech Challenge from age 12 |
| 14–18 | FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST Robotics Competition, advanced coding and engineering courses |

Age is a guide, not a rule. A 7-year-old who reads well and loves puzzles may be ready for more, and a 10-year-old new to computers may be happier starting with blocks.

## What types of STEM and robotics classes are there?

There are five common formats: coding classes, LEGO-based robotics, competitive robotics teams, STEM camps, and general science or engineering classes.

- **Coding classes** teach programming, usually starting with drag-and-drop blocks and moving to typed languages like Python. They can be in person or online.
- **LEGO-based robotics** uses LEGO Education kits with motors and sensors that kids build and program. Many after-school programs use these.
- **Competitive robotics teams** work through a season on a set challenge and compete at local events. FIRST and VEX run the biggest programs.
- **STEM camps** pack building, coding or science projects into a week or more over school breaks.
- **General STEM classes** cover science experiments, engineering challenges, electronics or 3D design without a single focus.

Classes teach skills. Teams add deadlines, teamwork and competition. Many kids do a class first and join a team once they know they like it.

## What are the FIRST robotics programs and what ages are they for?

FIRST runs three programs: FIRST LEGO League for grades K to 8, FIRST Tech Challenge for ages 12 to 18, and FIRST Robotics Competition for ages 14 to 18.

| Program | Ages | Grades | What kids do |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [FIRST LEGO League](https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/fll/) (US and Canada) | 5–14 | K–8 | Build and code LEGO robots, plus a research project |
| [FIRST Tech Challenge](https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/ftc/) | 12–18 | 7–12 | Design and build a robot from a kit of parts for a game released each September |
| [FIRST Robotics Competition](https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/frc/) | 14–18 | 9–12 | Build large robots with adult mentors for a game released each January |

FIRST LEGO League is changing, so check before you sign up. FIRST says the [2026-2027 BIOGLOW season will be the final season](https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/cost-and-registration) of FIRST LEGO League. This season runs in two editions:

- **Founders Edition** uses LEGO SPIKE kits, with Explore for ages 6 to 10 and Challenge for ages 9 to 14 in the US and Canada.
- **Future Edition** uses the new LEGO Education Computer Science & AI kits, with groups for grades K to 2, 3 to 5 and 6 to 8.

After this season, LEGO Education says it will run its own program, [LEGO League, starting in August 2027](https://education.lego.com/en-us/lego-league/program-update/) for students ages 5 to 16. It will have two age bands, 5 to 7 and 8 to 16, with older students scored separately from younger ones. From the 2028-2029 season it will require the Computer Science & AI kits. If your child's team owns older SPIKE kits, ask the coach what the plan is for 2028.

After LEGO League, FIRST points students to FIRST Tech Challenge or FIRST Robotics Competition.

## What about VEX robotics?

VEX runs the other large set of youth robotics competitions. The [VEX IQ Robotics Competition](https://events.vex.com/robot-competitions/vex-iq-competition) is for elementary and middle school students. VEX's [older-student competition](https://www.vexrobotics.com/competition) serves secondary school and university teams, with tournaments running year-round up to a world championship each April.

If you're choosing between FIRST and VEX, the practical answer is usually whichever has active teams and events near you.

## How much do robotics teams and STEM classes cost?

Competitive robotics fees are charged per team, not per child, and range from a few hundred dollars for a LEGO team to several thousand for a high school team.

FIRST's [published 2026-2027 US prices](https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/cost-and-registration):

| Program | Season registration | Main extra costs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FIRST LEGO League Explore (Founders) | $150 per team of up to 6 | LEGO SPIKE Essential kit |
| FIRST LEGO League Challenge (Founders) | $285 per team of up to 10 | $105 challenge set, LEGO SPIKE Prime kit |
| FIRST LEGO League (Future, grades 3–8) | $285 per 8-student team | $105 annual set, Computer Science & AI kits ($429 to $3,499) |
| FIRST Tech Challenge | $350 | About $1,500 in robot parts; FIRST says a team can start for around $1,800 |
| FIRST Robotics Competition | $6,500 | Includes the kit of parts and one or two events |

Local event fees are extra for FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge, and local partners set them. Kits can often be reused, so a returning team's costs drop after year one. FIRST lists [grants and a fundraising toolkit](https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/cost-and-registration) for teams.

What your family pays depends on how the team is run. A school club may cover everything. A community team may split costs across families or charge dues. Ask for the full season cost per child, including events and travel.

For coding classes and STEM camps, we didn't find a reliable national price survey, so we won't quote one. Prices vary by format, group size and region. For general activity costs, see [how much kids' activities cost](https://www.kaleto.ai/blog/how-much-do-kids-activities-cost).

## What does a good STEM or robotics program look like?

A good program gives every child real hands-on time, has a trained adult leading it, and is clear about what kids will build and learn.

Look for these signs:

- **Enough equipment to go around.** Watch for a room where one child builds while four watch. As a reference point, FIRST's K-2 option calls for one annual set per four students, and LEGO Education recommends 8 students per team for older kids, with a maximum of 10.
- **Kids do the work.** Adults should coach, not build. On competitive teams, ask how coaches keep parents from taking over.
- **A clear progression.** Good programs explain what a beginner does and what comes next.
- **More than robots.** FIRST LEGO League pairs the robot game with a research project and presentation. That mix builds communication skills, not just coding.
- **Age grouping that makes sense.** A 6-year-old and an 11-year-old need different challenges.
- **Clear costs.** Know what's included, who owns the kit, and whether event fees are extra.

Before you enroll, our list of [questions to ask before enrolling your child](https://www.kaleto.ai/blog/questions-to-ask-before-enrolling-your-child) covers staffing, safety and refunds.

## Should my child take a class or join a competitive team?

Start with a class if your child is new to STEM or under 8. Choose a team if your child already likes building or coding and wants a goal to work toward.

Teams ask more. A FIRST Tech Challenge team builds toward a game released in September and competes through the season, and FIRST says each team needs two adult lead coaches. A class can be a few weeks long with no events.

To see what's near you, FIRST has a teams and events search on each program page, and VEX lists events on its site. Visiting a local tournament is one of the easiest ways for a child to decide whether they want in.

## How do I find STEM and robotics classes near me?

Start with your school, library and local parks department, then widen to private providers. Families search camps, classes and enrichment programs on Kaleto, including STEM and robotics, and providers list their programs there. [Find activities near you](https://www.kaleto.ai/family).

## Common questions

### What age can kids start robotics?

Kids can start simple robot building and block-based coding around age 5. FIRST LEGO League now starts at kindergarten, and competitive robotics teams usually begin around age 8 or 9.

### What ages is FIRST LEGO League for?

In the US and Canada, FIRST LEGO League covers ages 5 to 14, or grades K to 8. FIRST says the 2026-2027 season is the program's last, and LEGO Education plans to launch LEGO League for ages 5 to 16 in August 2027.

### What is the difference between FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition?

FIRST Tech Challenge is for ages 12 to 18 (grades 7 to 12) and uses smaller robots built from a kit. FIRST Robotics Competition is for high schoolers ages 14 to 18 and builds large robots with adult mentors.

### How much does a robotics team cost?

FIRST charges per team, not per child. For 2026-2027, FIRST LEGO League Challenge registration is $285, a new FIRST Tech Challenge team can start for around $1,800, and FIRST Robotics Competition registration is $6,500. How much each family pays depends on how the team splits costs.

### What coding language should kids start with?

Most young kids start with block-based coding. ScratchJr is designed for ages 5 to 7, and Scratch for ages 8 and up. Older kids often move to typed languages like Python.

## Sources

1. [FIRST — Cost & Registration, 2026-2027 season pricing (2026)](https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/cost-and-registration)
2. [FIRST — A New Era for FIRST LEGO League (2026)](https://community.firstinspires.org/new-era-first-lego-league-future-edition)
3. [FIRST — How to Get Started with FIRST Tech Challenge (2026)](https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/ftc/get-started)
4. [FIRST — FIRST Robotics Competition (2026)](https://www.firstinspires.org/programs/frc/)
5. [LEGO Education — Introducing LEGO League, launching August 2027 (2026)](https://education.lego.com/en-us/lego-league/program-update/)
6. [ScratchJr — About ScratchJr (2025)](https://www.scratchjr.org/about/info)
7. [VEX Robotics — VEX IQ Robotics Competition events (2026)](https://events.vex.com/robot-competitions/vex-iq-competition)
8. [VEX Robotics — VEX Robotics Competitions (2026)](https://www.vexrobotics.com/competition)