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I get asked frequently: how do I help my kid do more with LEGO gears and motors?
I love making LEGO move, especially when it creates fun effects. I teach LEGO classes on movement and am always looking for resources for parents.
Gears
Gears
LEGO gearing can sometimes feel like a foreign language. I offer classes that walk you through elements of gearing. But there are lots of other great resources to get you started! In my mind these resources need to include TWO components: the parts AND the instructions/explanations. Here are some options to help meet your family's needs:
LEGO Gear Bots with Klutz Books - fun and colorful, great for those who are intimidated!
LEGO Gadgets with Klutz Books - great parts pack and dips into engineering!
LEGO Chain Reactions - fun for those who love marble contraptions!
You can also get the miscellaneous parts from your collection and build this retired set using instructions. You can buy the parts from LEGO directly (the link takes you to the direct parts you need, showing how many quantities are required).
Check out my movement resources.
Motors
Motors
There are a few different approaches to using LEGO motors, which is using an electrical means to move LEGO instead of just a hand crank. I will list them in order of least to most expensive. Adults looking for how I power for shows, scroll down to Level 5.
Level 1: Circuit Cubes, third party (ie not LEGO brand) motors created by a LEGO fan. They are small, compact, affordable, and made by a small company. They have some that require an app to use and some that do not - you just turn on and power. You can find the kits on Amazon and sometimes even at Sam's Club/Walmart.
Circuit Cubes
Level 2: MouldKing motors, which are from a third party (ie not LEGO) company from China. They are carbon copies of previous LEGO model designs. The 4.0 model battery box can use an app (don't recommend) or the provided remote receiver -- you just have to stay within 5' of your model. You will also need a motor. These motors are what I use in my displays. I personally do not use the MouldKing battery box, but the MouldKing motors DO connect to the retired LEGO battery pack (which I do use).
MouldKing Battery Box
MouldKing Motor
Level 3: When LEGO retired the motors that I talked about above, they released a new one. It's called the Power Up Line. The specific unit I'm showing does NOT require the use of an app. You need the battery box and motors.
LEGO Powered Up Battery Hub
LEGO Powered Up Motor
LEVEL 4: LEGO Spike is LEGO's most advanced and most expensive robotics system. This kit also comes with LEGO parts to help you make things move. However, the kit is also very expensive. The app doesn’t teach you HOW to use the parts. Instead, the emphasis is on the power of coding. You can use word blocks or picture blocks with it. But if your kiddo is not interested in coding, my guess is they may find this frustrating. This requires an app used only on a tablet or computer.
LEGO Spike Prime
LEVEL 5: This is my system that I use at LEGO shows. It will require the purchasing of items from Amazon, MouldKing, and BrickLink and each component is critical. It is not cheap initially, but it does provide continual power without batteries of any kind. You must have each component for this to work. You will see me reference Power Functions (PF), which is an older motor system that LEGO used to make.
9v Train Regulator - this is the foundation of your power source. You can hook multiple motors up to this. Even though it was designed for trains, it is cross-compatible with Power Functions! Buy it on BrickLink for ~$25.
9VDC Power Cord - the 9v Train Regulator doesn't come with a power cord. This is the brand I use. ~$7.50
PF Cable - serves as the bridge between the 9v Train Regulator and PF motor. One end has a light bluish gray end. It comes in two sizes on BrickLink: 50cm and 20cm. Your motors cannot directly connect to the 9v Train Regulator.
PF Motor - the Medium Motor is an excellent starting place. You can buy the LEGO version from BrickLink for $15. I find MouldKing brand motors to function just as good as PF ones and is the only off-brand I use. DO NOT USE ANY RED MOTORS. I get mine from AliExpress for $5-$10 (here or here - order at your own risk), Amazon for ~$13, or MouldKing directly for $15.
Optional PF Extension - if you need help extending your reach from the 9v Train Regulator to your motor, these extension cords are great.
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