Learn to Code With a Futuristic Lite-Brite

Kano, the learn-to-code company that treats computing like virtual LEGOs, is releasing what it heralds as a Lite-Brite for the 21st century. The Pixel Kit, funded by a 2016 Kickstarter, is now available to buy.

The Lite-Brite-esque display is loaded with 128 LED lights that can display 16 million colors. Using Kano’s online coding app, users can program the lights to change colors and respond to real-time events, creating digital art, games, and visualizations.

They can also create still images or sequences, using the system’s drag-and-drop coding commands to direct the light show, or program it to change with the weather, visualize sports scores, or scroll through tweets. The kit includes a tilt-sensor which allows for playing motion-based games with the device.

Kano’s community message boards provide a place for users to share projects, so you don’t necessarily need to come up with a way to play a game of Snake on a pixel board by yourself. Kano-made tutorials are also available to guide you through different functions, though they won’t tell you the full code—you have to work your way through the problems yourself.

It’s available for $80, or a virtual version of the light box is available to play with online.

All images courtesy Kano.