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You can build the Space Battle game in PictoBlox on a computer and use a smartphone as its controller through Dabble, evive and a Bluetooth module. The documented project is a beginner Scratch-based game with a rocketship, space-monster enemies and bullets; the phone sends gamepad input rather than running the game itself.
What you need
- A computer running PictoBlox, the Scratch-based graphical programming environment used in the STEMpedia Space Battle tutorial.
- An evive board connected to the computer. The tutorial instructs you to select the board and port in PictoBlox and upload the firmware.
- An HC-05 Bluetooth module for the tutorial’s documented phone-control setup.
- A smartphone with the Dabble app installed. Dabble acts as the virtual gamepad and sends input to the hardware over Bluetooth.
STEMpedia describes the project as playing “with a Smartphone using the ingenious project interaction and controlled app, Dabble.” In this workflow, PictoBlox runs the game on the computer; Dabble supplies the controller input.
Check Bluetooth compatibility before connecting
The Space Battle page specifies an HC-05. However, compatibility depends on the phone’s operating system: STEMpedia’s evive and Dabble instructions list HC-05, HC-06, HM-10 and AT09 for Android, while iOS devices are listed as working only with HM-10. If you are using an iPhone or iPad, plan on an HM-10-compatible module rather than assuming the tutorial’s HC-05 will pair.
Dabble and PictoBlox are separate apps here. Dabble is the phone controller; PictoBlox is the computer-based game programming environment. STEMpedia also describes a PictoBlox mobile app based on Scratch 3.0, but that is not the phone-as-controller workflow used in this project: PictoBlox product information.
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#1 Best Overall
Sillbird Building Robot Kit with Remote Control STEM Gift for Boys Age 8-12
- 🎁Ideal Gift for Kids & Teens: Celebrate child’s growing skills and important milestones with this 5-in-1 Programmable robot set. Whether for birthdays, holidays, or achievements, it’s the perfect gift that encourages learning and hands-on fun—a gift that grows with them
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Set up the game and phone controller
- Prepare PictoBlox and evive. Connect evive to the computer, open PictoBlox, choose the board and port, and upload the firmware as directed by the project tutorial.
- Build the scene. Choose the Stars backdrop and add the rocketship and enemy space-monster sprites. Follow the tutorial to program the rocket’s movement and shooting behavior with bullets.
- Connect the Bluetooth hardware. Attach the HC-05 module to evive as shown in the tutorial. Use a compatible module if your phone’s operating system requires one.
- Pair through Dabble. Open Dabble on the smartphone and connect to the hardware. If pairing from within the app does not work, the tutorial suggests trying the phone’s Bluetooth settings.
- Select the controller mode. In Dabble, open the Gamepad module and select Digital mode, which is the mode specified by the Space Battle tutorial.
- Play and check the controls. Use the on-screen gamepad to send input while the game runs in PictoBlox on the computer. If input is not reaching the game, check the Bluetooth pairing, selected Gamepad mode and evive connection.
What the phone does—and what it does not
Dabble’s official getting-started documentation describes it as a smartphone virtual I/O device for controlling hardware over Bluetooth. Its GamePad module offers analog, digital and accelerometer modes; the Space Battle tutorial specifically calls for Digital mode. The documented arrangement therefore uses the phone as an input device connected through evive, while PictoBlox on the computer hosts the game.
The cited project instructions do not establish a phone-only version or a way to control this game from a smartphone without evive or equivalent hardware. Follow the documented evive-and-Bluetooth arrangement when reproducing this setup.
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Best Value
Robotics for Kids Ages 12-16, ACEBOTT 4 in 1 Smart Robot Arm with 5DOF + Tank Car, STEM Toys Coding Kit Compatible with Arduino & Scratch, App & Remote Control, for Kids & Teens
- 4-in-1 Modular Robot Car for Endless Builds – Includes the base robot car (QD001), tank track expansion (QD004), and robotic arm kit (QD007), letting kids build multiple robot styles. Create a robotic arm car to grab and move objects, a tank robot for outdoor adventures, or combine both into a robotic arm tank. This versatile robotics kit for kids encourages creativity, hands-on STEM learning, and problem-solving—perfect for home learning, classrooms, and STEM training programs.
- Build Your Own Programmable Robotic Arm. This advanced robot kit includes a 5DOF programmable robotic arm, powered by an ESP32 controller. Kids and teens can build their own robot, learning how to grab, lift, and place objects. With 16 guided tutorials and HD assembly videos, this robotics kit offers hands-on experience in coding robot control, real-world robotics, and problem-solving—ideal for STEM kits for kids age 12–14 and engineering kits for kids age 14–16.
- Rugged Tracks for All-Terrain Adventure. This STEM tank robot kit features rubber tank treads that handle grass, gravel, slopes, and carpet with ease—ideal for outdoor and off-road play. The upgraded drivetrain ensures stability and traction, making it the perfect robotics kit for hands-on exploration and real-world navigation.
- Build Your Own Robot with Hands-On STEM Fun. Equipped with an ESP32 controller and compatible with Arduino & Scratch, this robotics kit includes 16 story-based tutorials that guide beginners step by step through assembly and coding. Perfect for science fair projects, classroom use, or fun family STEM nights, helping kids or teens master electronics, mechanics, and programming. Tutorial & code download path: ACEBOTT Official Website → Resources → WIKI and Assembly Video.
- App & Remote Control. With both IR remote and smartphone App (iOS & Android), this programmable robot car offers easy, flexible control indoors and outdoors. Whether kids are coding or just playing, it enhances confidence and excitement while exploring technology—an excellent robotics kit for independent learning.
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Sillbird Robot Building Kit with Remote Control STEM Gifts for Boys 8-13
- 🎁Ideal Gift for Kids & Teens: Whether it's a birthday, holiday, celebrate your child’s achievements or a special milestone, this robot building toy is the perfect gift turns every occasion into an opportunity for creativity, hands-on learning, and fun
- 📚STEM Learning & Coding: Designed for kids ages 8 and up, this programmable robot set combines the fun of robot with STEM learning. It enhance children's logical thinking, problem-solving skills and creativity
- 📱Dual Control for Fun: Control the STEM robot with the intuitive remote or app, featuring modes like path, gyro, one-handed driving, and programming. Kids can enjoy the fun of simple programming while exploring endless interactive play
- 🤖5-in-1 Creative Design: Build five exciting models—robot, dinosaur, tank, car, and more! Kids can begin with simple builds and move on to more complex ones. The robot kit has adjustable hands, a rotating head, and more, allowing kids to discover new play experiences with each model
- 📚Clear & Colorful Instructions: This robot kit includes 488 building blocks with clear and detailed illustrations. Kids can independently assemble the robot, while families can join in, creating cherished moments and bonding time together
Rank #3
Sale
Sillbird STEM Robot Building Kit with Remote Control Gifts for Boys 8-13
- 🎁Ideal Gift for Kids & Teens: Celebrate child’s growing skills and important milestones with this 5-in-1 Programmable robot set. Whether for birthdays, holidays, or achievements, it’s the perfect gift that encourages learning and hands-on fun—a gift that grows with them
- ✨STEM Educational Toys: The robot set for kids ages 8+ combines the fun of STEM learning. It encourages hands-on learning and early programming as they build, which can spark creativity and imagination and provide hours of screen-free play
- 📱Flexible Dual Control Modes: Control the Robotic kit with the intuitive app (Bluetooth) or remote. Enjoy fun features like basic programming, path, and precise movement, exploring endless interactive play
- 🔄 5-in-1 Buildable with Varying Difficulty: The Robot Kit with Progressive Difficulty! From simple robots to complex models, kids can build a robot, dinosaur, car, tank, and more. Adjustable head, arms, and tail allow for fun, playful poses. Perfect for kids 8-12 to develop skills step by step and ignite creativity
- 🛠️Clear & Detailed Build Instructions: This robot kit includes 488 pieces, with clear, colorful step-by-step instructions to make assembly easy. Kids can build their own robots independently or with family, enjoying quality time together and a confidence-boosting building experience
Rank #2
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ELEGOO UNO R3 Smart Robot Car Kit V4 with Camera, Compatible with Arduino
- BUILD, CODE & DRIVE YOUR OWN ROBOT CAR: Turn coding, electronics and engineering into a working programmable robot car you can assemble, program and drive; ideal for weekend family projects, STEM classrooms, coding clubs, robotics lessons and maker challenges
- EXPLORE FPV, LINE TRACKING & OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE: Control the robot with the ELEGOO app or IR remote, view live FPV video through the onboard camera, follow black lines, avoid obstacles with the ultrasonic sensor and explore multiple interactive driving modes
- BEGINNER-FRIENDLY BUILD WITH GUIDED WIRING: Keyed XH2.54 connectors help reduce wiring mistakes, while the illustrated tutorial and example programs guide beginners step by step from chassis assembly and module connection to programming and the first successful run
- GO BEYOND ASSEMBLY WITH CREATIVE CODING: Program with Arduino IDE to explore movement, sensors and control logic, then modify example code to create custom routes, reactions and robotics experiments that develop coding, problem-solving and engineering skills
- COMPLETE RECHARGEABLE STEM ROBOTICS KIT: Includes an ELEGOO UNO R3 controller board, ESP32-WROVER-based camera and Wi-Fi module, line-tracking and ultrasonic sensors, motors, IR remote and a 2000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery; recommended for ages 8+ with adult guidance for first-time builders
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