Zing Stikbot Studio Pro
If you have arrived here with no real knowledge what a stikbot is we’ll give you a basic overview first. Stickbots are little stickmen figures around 3 inches in height that can be articulated into a wide range of positions, suction cups hold them in place. By downloading a free app you can make short stop animation movies with the figures using your tablet or phone.
This is a new set for 2016 that Includes green and blue screen background options as well as prop boxes, a phone holder and a red and orange stickbot.
How Much?
The recommended retail price for this set is $25 but we have seen it for lower prices online.
Try checking Amazon for the latest price.
Who Would Buy It?
The manufacturer recommends this set for 4 years and up but we’d say the target age would be 7-14 years or older kids who have a big interest in stop animation.
Stop animation involves moving the stickbots at very small increments to make a short movie so it will require patience from the video maker.
If the child has made similar short movies before, for instance using LEGO then he or she will probably appreciate this as the stickbots can be articualted into much more positions than Lego building blocks.
Things We Like About It
First up the app for phones and tablets is free, so you can download and test it before investing in the Stickbots.
While kids have grown up with tablets, smart phones and all sorts of technology we are still in awe of products like this that we would have loved as kids. Imagine your own little stop animation studio in your living room for less than twenty bucks!
The app is quick and easy to download and from the reviews we are reading online, kids seem to find it easier to get it working than adults. There are plenty of YouTube videos available showing instructions, tips and videos made by kids of all ages.
Things We Did Not Like About It
If the child hasn’t got their own tablet or phone you are going to lose the use of your phone for a number of hours so take this into account.
Some users found the app a bit glitchy, though most didn’t have this problem. As we mentioned earlier it’s a free app so try downloading it and trying it out before investing in Stikbots.
The stand that holds your device is small so will hold phones but not tablets.
Is It Worth The Money?
This is a good introduction to Stikbots or to stop animation movie making and we’d say twenty dollars is not too high a price to pay for hours of creative activity.
Where Can I Buy It?
Most online stores such as Walmart, Target and Amazon stock the Stikbot range. We recommend taking a look at Amazon as there are lots of customers’ reviews showing animations made by children using Zing Stikbot Studio Pro.
See the Full Range at Amazon Here
Final Thoughts
If you have kids who love technology but you want them to get a little more active and creative then this could be something to try out. To get the most from this it does need some creativity and patience. The right kids will have hours of fun making great little animation movies that they can share with family or friends on social media.