Four Lessons Adult Engineers Can Learn From Children's Toys

Children’s toys aren’t just for children. Inside every toy, engineers find real-world experience that can transform your projects.

From a young age, I’ve been drawn to disassembling devices, eager to uncover how they function. It wasn’t until I handled Elecrow’s Crowbits modular learning system that my curiosity shifted from hobbyist to professional insight.

While I appreciate the value of exploring components, I advise caution when dismantling modules—pogo pins must be handled delicately to avoid damage during reassembly.

As a past backer of Elecrow’s Kickstarter campaigns, I received a complimentary CrowPi kit. After writing this piece, I plan to donate it to a local school to inspire the next generation.

Beyond its educational purpose, Crowbits offers four practical lessons for adult electrical engineers.

About Crowbits and Makeblock Kits

Crowbits is structured in three tiers—no‑programming, programming, and advanced—each containing lego‑compatible modules that snap together via magnetic pogo pins. The modules are color‑coded by function:

• Blue – power and logic
• Yellow – input
• Green – output
• Orange – special features

These modules enable projects ranging from a simple earthquake sensor to building a functional cellphone.

The Crowbits kit includes magnetic pogo pin connectors. Image used courtesy of Elecrow

They share design philosophy with Makeblock’s Neuron line, which I explored earlier. Both kits use a Scratch‑derived language called Letscode for programming.

Lesson 1: Eliminate Unnecessary Microcontrollers to Cut Cost

Makeblock’s Neuron modules incorporate a microcontroller in every block, enabling data flow across all components. While this simplifies system integration, it inflates BOM costs.

Crowbits takes a different approach: only modules that truly require a microcontroller include one. Switches, resistors, and simple logic blocks remain microcontroller‑free, reducing production expense while maintaining functionality.

Streamline Connector Design

Makeblock uses a single molded magnetic pogo pin assembly, which can cost about $1 per pair at high volume. Crowbits separates the pogo pin from the magnet, allowing each part to be sourced at a few cents. This seemingly small change can significantly lower overall costs, especially for large‑scale production.

Makeblock vs. Crowbits pogo pins and magnets

Lesson 2: Design for Adjustability

Modular systems enable easy replacement of components without compromising system integrity. If a part becomes obsolete, designers can resubmit a new PCB variant with minimal effort, ensuring continuity for users.

Adjustable design also supports scalability—adding or removing modules as market demands shift.

littleBits is another modular electronics kit that benefits from adjustable products. Image used courtesy of littleBits

When building custom solutions, consider:

• Leaving spare GPIO or UART lines on the microcontroller for future expansion.
• Provisioning unused header pins.
• Allocating board space for alternate land patterns if a part is discontinued.
• Choosing FCC‑certified modules to replace custom wireless subsystems.

Lesson 3: Build Idiot‑Proof Interfaces

Assuming users will read a manual is risky. By using polarized, magnetically‑aligned connectors, designers can prevent incorrect assembly, reducing troubleshooting and returns.

Color coding, pitch differentiation, or unique keying are additional techniques that reinforce correct connections.

Lesson 4: Validate Market Demand Early

Before committing to a new product, investigate whether similar solutions already exist. Elecrow identified a proven market for modular kits through Makeblock’s success, then introduced Crowbits with its own innovations.

Kickstarter campaigns and early prototypes help gauge customer interest, mitigating risk before full‑scale manufacturing.

Summary

Children’s toys are more than playthings—they are compact laboratories packed with engineering lessons. By studying their design, adult engineers can uncover strategies to reduce cost, increase flexibility, and build user‑friendly products.

So the next time you encounter a promising modular kit or a new Kickstarter launch, examine it closely before deciding to share it with a classroom or your next client.