- [Robot kits](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/) / **LEGO SPIKE is retired. What to buy instead** Updated Oct 29, 2026 # LEGO SPIKE is retired. What to buy instead Researched by [Riley Hart](https://robotsforthat.com/author/riley-hart/) · updated Oct 29, 2026 · every fact links to its source · we may earn a commission - Our pick Makeblock mBot2 about $150 · ages 8+ · Easy The closest family swap for SPIKE Prime. Makeblock lists it at $149.99, rated 8+, and says it works with LEGO bricks and more than 500 Makeblock parts. [Check price on Amazon →](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0919F9CKS?tag=robotsforthatai-20) - Sphero BOLT+ about $199 · ages Grades 3 to 10[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3JBNLTQ?tag=robotsforthatai-20) - Makeblock Codey Rocky about $140 · ages 6+[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Makeblock%20Codey%20Rocky%20coding%20robot&tag=robotsforthatai-20) Short answer LEGO Education stopped selling SPIKE Prime and SPIKE Essential on June 30, 2026, and the best replacement for most families is the Makeblock mBot2: $149.99 at Makeblock, rated 8+, coded with blocks and then Python. The runner up is the Sphero BOLT+ at $199 on Sphero's store, rated for grades 3 to 10, for kids who want to start coding right away with nothing to build. SPIKE sets you already own keep working, because LEGO says the SPIKE app gets support until June 30, 2031. If you need a new robot now, buy a Makeblock mBot2 for ages 8 and up, or a Makeblock Codey Rocky for ages 6 and up if you were shopping for SPIKE Essential. LEGO's new Computer Science and AI kit starts at $339.95, but it is built for classrooms of four students per kit, not for one child at home. | Kit | Price | Maker age | Replaces | Coding | Sold to families? | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Makeblock mBot2 → | $149.99 (Makeblock) | 8+ | SPIKE Prime | Blocks, Python, Arduino C++ | Yes | | Sphero BOLT+ → | $199 (Sphero) | Grades 3 to 10 | SPIKE Prime | Draw, blocks, JavaScript, Python | Yes | | Makeblock Codey Rocky → | $139.99 (Makeblock) | 6+ | SPIKE Essential | Blocks, Python | Yes | | Finch Robot 2.0 with micro:bit → | $180 (RobotShop, Stemfinity) | Grades K to college | SPIKE Essential and Prime | FinchBlox, MakeCode, Snap!, Python, Java | Yes | | LEGO Education Computer Science and AI kit → | $339.95 (K to 2), $429.95 (3 to 5), $529.95 (6 to 8) | Grades K to 8 | Both SPIKE sets, in schools | Blocks in Coding Canvas, Python package | Sold for classrooms | Prices from maker and store pages read October 29, 2026, before tax and shipping. Sale prices change often. Findings come from the makers and stores cited, not from hands on testing. ## Kit finder: 4 questions 1 Who is building? A kid (8 to 11) with a parent A teen (12 to 15) An adult 2 What should the robot do? Drive around and explore Walk like an animal Pick things up Teach me electronics 3 Budget for the kit? Under $80 $80 to $150 Whatever it takes 4 Built anything before? Never, total beginner A little Answer the 4 questions and your best matches show up here. ## Our picks Prices change. We may earn a small commission, your price stays the same. #1 #1 ### Makeblock mBot2 about $150 on Amazon A small aluminum robot car with a CyberPi controller, color screen, ultrasonic sensor and four color line sensor. Ages **8+** Difficulty ●○○ **Easy** Learns **Block coding, Python** **Great if:** your child liked coding SPIKE Prime motors and sensors and wants to grow into Python. **Skip if:** your child mainly loved building new LEGO shapes every week. mBot2 is a robot car first. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0919F9CKS?tag=robotsforthatai-20) Why we picked it The closest family swap for SPIKE Prime. Makeblock lists it at $149.99, rated 8+, and says it works with LEGO bricks and more than 500 Makeblock parts. #2 #2 ### Sphero BOLT+ about $199 on Amazon A rolling coding robot that kids program in the free Sphero Edu app. Ages **Grades 3 to 10** Difficulty ●○○ **Easy** Learns **Draw and block coding, JavaScript and Python** **Great if:** you want coding on day one with no build, or you teach a class that shares robots. **Skip if:** your child wants to build and rebuild a robot. BOLT+ never changes shape. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3JBNLTQ?tag=robotsforthatai-20) Why we picked it A sealed, waterproof robot ball with a 128 by 128 pixel screen. Sphero sells the single robot for $199 and rates it for grades 3 to 10. #3 #3 ### Makeblock Codey Rocky about $140 on Amazon A small two part robot: Codey is the brain with a LED face, Rocky is the driving base. Ages **6+** Difficulty ●○○ **Easy** Learns **Block coding, Python** **Great if:** your child is 6 to 9 and wants a cute robot with a face and sounds. **Skip if:** you want long play sessions. Makeblock lists about 1 to 2 hours per charge. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Makeblock%20Codey%20Rocky%20coding%20robot&tag=robotsforthatai-20) Why we picked it The best match for families who were shopping for SPIKE Essential. Makeblock lists it at $139.99 and rates it 6+, with a path from blocks to Python in mBlock 5. #4 #4 ### Finch Robot 2.0 with micro:bit about $180 on Amazon A palm sized classroom robot built on a BBC micro:bit, with light, distance and line sensors. Ages **Grades K to college** Difficulty ●○○ **Easy** Learns **Icon blocks for pre readers, MakeCode and Snap!** **Great if:** you teach mixed ages or want Python and Java on the same robot. **Skip if:** you want a building set. Finch is a finished robot, not a kit of parts. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Finch%20Robot%202.0%20with%20micro%3Abit&tag=robotsforthatai-20) Why we picked it One robot that covers both SPIKE Essential and SPIKE Prime ages. BirdBrain says it works from kindergarten to college, and Stemfinity lists it at $180 with 7+ hours of battery. #5 #5 ### LEGO Education Computer Science and AI Kit from $339.95 on Amazon Classroom kits with LEGO bricks, motors, a color sensor and lessons for teachers. Ages **Grades K to 8** Difficulty ●○○ **Easy** Learns **Block coding, Loops and conditionals** **Great if:** you run a school, club or FIRST LEGO League team and want to stay with LEGO. **Skip if:** you are buying for one child at home. The kit and lessons are built for groups of four with a teacher. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LEGO%20Education%20Computer%20Science%20and%20AI%20kit&tag=robotsforthatai-20) Why we picked it LEGO's own successor to SPIKE. Single kits cost $339.95 for grades K to 2, $429.95 for grades 3 to 5 and $529.95 for grades 6 to 8, and each kit serves four students. Learn as you build · Builder Club ## Your kid learns how robots really work Builder Club turns a kit into real learning: one step at a time, with progress you both can see. - Step by step build screens with a check after every step - Photo help the moment you get stuck - Progress, levels and badges for each kid - A new project every month for the same kit - Works for parents who have never built anything ## What happened to LEGO SPIKE On January 12, 2026, LEGO Education announced its new Computer Science and AI kits and said the SPIKE portfolio would retire. That includes SPIKE Prime (45678) and SPIKE Essential (45345). LEGO Education's SPIKE update page says sales ended June 30, 2026. The SPIKE Prime product page on education.lego.com is now marked Retired. This follows the end of LEGO Mindstorms in 2022. Families who moved from Mindstorms to SPIKE now need a second replacement. ## Do old SPIKE sets still work? Yes. LEGO says the SPIKE app will keep getting support until June 30, 2031. After that date the app stays online but gets no updates or bug fixes. FIRST LEGO League teams can keep using SPIKE through the 2027 to 2028 season, per LEGO Education. Teams can use the new Computer Science and AI kits starting with the 2026 to 2027 season. If your child already has a SPIKE set, there is no rush to replace it. Buy a new robot only when you need a second one or a different age range. ## Should you buy a leftover SPIKE set? Usually not. LEGO no longer sells new SPIKE sets, so remaining boxes come from other sellers at high prices. BrickFact lists SPIKE Essential at a $319.95 original price, and it tracked a new set at $626.99 on Amazon. It lists SPIKE Prime at a $399.95 original price, with secondary market sales averaging around $494. At those prices an mBot2 plus extra parts costs far less. If you still want SPIKE, check that the hub and battery are in the box before you pay. ## Can families buy the new LEGO Computer Science and AI kit? The kit is listed on education.lego.com, but it is designed for classrooms. LEGO says students work in groups of four, and each kit comes with Teacher Portal lessons. The 3 to 5 kit has 321 bricks, a double motor and a color sensor. It needs one laptop, Chromebook or iPad per group for coding in LEGO's Coding Canvas app. LEGO also mentions a Python package for advanced learners. For one child at home, a $150 to $200 coding robot gives more robot for the money. The LEGO kit makes sense for schools and clubs. ## How to pick a SPIKE replacement Match the robot to the SPIKE set you meant to buy. Prices change often, so check before you buy. - Was buying SPIKE Prime for ages 10 and up: Makeblock mBot2. - Was buying SPIKE Essential for ages 6 to 9: Makeblock Codey Rocky. - Wants to code right away with no build: Sphero BOLT+. - Teaches mixed ages, or wants Python and Java: Finch Robot 2.0. - Runs a school program or FIRST LEGO League team: LEGO Education Computer Science and AI kit. **Black Friday price alert** We email you when these kits drop in price. One email per drop, nothing else. ## Questions parents ask ### Is LEGO SPIKE Prime discontinued? Yes. LEGO Education stopped selling SPIKE Prime and SPIKE Essential on June 30, 2026. The SPIKE app keeps getting support until June 30, 2031. ### What is replacing LEGO SPIKE? LEGO Education's Computer Science and AI kits, which start at $339.95 per kit for grades K to 2. They are built for classrooms, with four students sharing each kit. ### What should I buy instead of SPIKE Prime for my kid? The Makeblock mBot2 is the best swap for most families. It costs $149.99 at Makeblock, is rated 8+, works with LEGO bricks and grows from blocks to Python. ### What is a good alternative to SPIKE Essential for a 6 year old? The Makeblock Codey Rocky is rated 6+ and costs $139.99 at Makeblock. Kids code it with blocks in mBlock 5 and can switch to Python later. ### Will my child's SPIKE set stop working? No. LEGO says the SPIKE app gets support until June 30, 2031, and the app stays online after that without updates. FIRST LEGO League allows SPIKE through the 2027 to 2028 season. ### Why is SPIKE Essential so expensive on Amazon now? LEGO stopped selling it, so only leftover stock remains. BrickFact lists a $319.95 original price and tracked a new set at $626.99 on Amazon. ### Can I buy the LEGO Computer Science and AI kit for home? It is listed on education.lego.com from $339.95, but it is designed for groups of four students with teacher lessons. For one child, a Makeblock mBot2 at $149.99, rated 8+, is a better value. ### Is Sphero BOLT+ a good SPIKE alternative for a classroom? Yes. Sphero BOLT+ costs $199 for one robot or $3,499 for a 15 robot Power Pack, and Sphero rates it for grades 3 to 10. Kids code it in the free Sphero Edu app with draw, blocks, JavaScript or Python. ## More robot kit guides [Best Robot Kits for 10 Year Olds The best robot kits and robot toys for 10 year olds: real builds, block coding to Python, no soldering. Prices and maker ages checked October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/best-for-10-year-olds/)[Best Robot Kits for 12 Year Olds Robot kits for 12 year olds ready for real Arduino projects: camera cars, robot arms and walking spiders. Prices and maker ages checked October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/best-for-12-year-olds/)[Best Robot Kits and Coding Robots for 6 Year Olds Screen free and simple coding robots for 6 year olds: Botley 2.0, Dash, Sphero indi and more. Prices and maker age ratings checked October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/best-for-6-year-olds/)[Best Robot Kits for 8 Year Olds Robot kits an 8 year old can build and code with little help. Prices, maker ages, build time and what your child learns, checked October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/best-for-8-year-olds/)[Best Robot Kits for 9 Year Olds Robot kits a 9 year old can build and code: mBot2, Wheelson 2.0, an ACEBOTT football car and Sphero BOLT+. Prices and maker ages checked October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/best-for-9-year-olds/)[Best Robot Kits for Teens Robotics kits for teens who want real code: Arduino tanks, ESP32 robot dogs and Raspberry Pi robots with cameras. Prices checked October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/best-for-teens/)[Robot Kit Black Friday Deals 2026 Will robot kits go on sale for Black Friday 2026? Past lows for mBot2, ELEGOO, Petoi Bittle X and more, plus the price that counts as a real deal.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/black-friday-deals/)[Best coding robots for kids, by age The best coding robots for kids ages 5 to 7, 8 to 12 and 12+: Botley 2.0, Dash, Codey Rocky, mBot2, Sphero BOLT+ and Ozobot Evo. Prices checked Oct 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/coding-robots-for-kids/)[Best Robot Kits for Adults and Beginners Robot building kits for adults new to robotics: Arduino starter kits, a robot dog and Raspberry Pi robots. Prices and specs checked October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/for-adults/)[Best robot kits for kids and adults The best robot kits for ages 8 to adult: a coding robot, robot cars, a walking robot, a robot arm, a robot dog and an electronics kit, with prices and ages.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/)[LEGO Mindstorms is retired. What to buy instead LEGO ended Mindstorms in 2022 and SPIKE sales ended June 30, 2026. See if a used EV3 is worth it and the best robot kits to buy now.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/lego-mindstorms-alternatives/)[Makeblock mBot2 vs Sphero BOLT+ mBot2 vs Sphero BOLT+ compared on price, age, sensors, screen, battery, Python and classroom use. Which one fits your family. Prices checked Oct 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/mbot2-vs-sphero-bolt/)[SunFounder PiDog vs Petoi Bittle X SunFounder PiDog vs Petoi Bittle X: price with a Raspberry Pi, ages, coding, servos, sensors and build time compared, plus Hiwonder MechDog.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/pidog-vs-petoi-bittle-x/)[Best Raspberry Pi Robot Kits for Teens and Adults Raspberry Pi robot kits for teens and adults: PiCar-X, PiCrawler, PiDog, AlphaBot2 and RaspTank. Which Pi works, total cost and prices, October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/raspberry-pi-robot-kits/)[Best robot dog kits to build and code The best robot dog kits for teens and adults: Petoi Bittle X, SunFounder PiDog, Hiwonder MechDog and Freenove, with real total cost and ages.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/robot-dog-kits/)[Best Robot Kits Under $50 Cheap robotics kits under $50 that still teach real skills: Arduino cars, a robot arm and a screen free hydraulic kit. Prices checked October 2026.](https://robotsforthat.com/robot-kits/under-50/) ## Sources - [LEGO Education: SPIKE update 2026](https://education.lego.com/en-us/spike-update-2026/) - [LEGO: LEGO Education announces Computer Science and AI learning solution](https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2026/january/lego-education-cs-ai) - [LEGO Education: SPIKE Prime Set 45678](https://education.lego.com/en-us/products/lego-education-spike-prime-set/45678) - [LEGO Education: Computer Science and AI Kit K to 2 (45520)](https://education.lego.com/en-us/products/lego-education-computer-science-and-ai/45520/) - [LEGO Education: Computer Science and AI Kit 3 to 5 (45521)](https://education.lego.com/en-us/products/lego-education-computer-science-and-ai/45521/) - [LEGO Education: Computer Science and AI Kit 6 to 8 (45522)](https://education.lego.com/en-us/products/lego-education-computer-science-and-ai/45522/) - [Makeblock: mBot2](https://www.makeblock.com/products/buy-mbot2) - [Makeblock: Codey Rocky](https://www.makeblock.com/products/buy-codey-rocky) - [Sphero: BOLT+ coding robot](https://sphero.com/collections/bolt-plus/products/sphero-bolt-plus?variant=42004713078829) - [BirdBrain Technologies: Finch Robot 2.0](https://www.birdbraintechnologies.com/products/finch-robot-2-0/) - [Stemfinity: Finch Robot 2.0 with micro:bit](https://stemfinity.com/collections/bird-brain-technologies/products/finch-robot-2-0-with-micro-bit) - [Engadget: LEGO's latest educational kit teaches AI as part of computer science](https://www.engadget.com/ai/legos-latest-educational-kit-seeks-to-teach-ai-as-part-of-computer-science-not-to-build-a-chatbot-184636741.html) - [The Brick Fan: LEGO Education Computer Science and AI announced, SPIKE discontinued](https://www.thebrickfan.com/lego-education-computer-science-ai-announced-spike-discontinued/) - [Brick Fanatics: LEGO Education retires SPIKE and launches Computer Science and AI kit](https://www.brickfanatics.com/lego-education-retires-spike-launches-ai-kit) - [BrickFact: SPIKE Essential Set 45345](https://brickfact.com/sets/lego-education-spike-essential-set-45345) - [BrickFact: SPIKE Prime Set 45678](https://brickfact.com/sets/lego-education-spike-prime-set-45678) Black Friday is Nov 27 Get the Black Friday prices on robot kits the day they drop We check prices every morning and compare them with each model's 2026 low. 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