Happy Kids Everything parents ask us
Straight answers about ages, cost, coding, competition and how to visit. If what you want is not here, call (413) 416-9192 or send the enrolment form and ask.
Getting started
What ages does Happy Kids Robotics teach?
We teach children aged 6 to 14. Younger students usually start on Little Engineers, older or more experienced students go into VEX IQ Build and Code, and students who want a deadline and a scoreboard join the competition team.
Does my child need any experience to start?
No. Most students arrive having never built a robot or written code. The first program assumes nothing. What matters more than experience is whether your child is willing to try something, have it not work, and try again.
Can we try a class before we enroll?
Yes. Book a trial class through the enrolment form. Your child builds something, you watch how the room runs, and then you decide. We would rather you saw it than read about it.
How do I enroll?
Through the enrolment form on this site. Every Enroll Now and Book a Trial Class button opens the same form, and it takes about a minute to fill in. We get back to you from there.
Classes and programs
What is the difference between VEX IQ and VEX Robotics?
VEX IQ is the elementary and middle school level, built on a snap-together plastic system with motors, sensors and a controller. VEX Robotics, often called V5, is the high school level and uses metal structure. Our teams compete in VEX IQ.
What programming language do students learn?
Students start with block coding, which is drag and drop and removes typing from the problem. When blocks start slowing a student down, we move them to text. The concepts carry straight across: sequence, loops, conditionals, variables, functions.
How long is a class?
Ask us when you book, because it depends on the program and the session. We will give you the real schedule for the class your child would be in.
Do students keep the robot they build?
Robots are built from lab kits and the parts go back into rotation, which is also how students get to rebuild and improve rather than being stuck with version one. Ask us if your family wants a kit at home.
How much does it cost?
Membership runs monthly at three levels: Explorer at $280 a month, Innovator at $480 a month which includes Competition Prep, and Champion at $899 a month. Camps are priced separately by the week. Ask us for current camp pricing.
Competition
Does my child have to compete?
No. Weekly classes work on their own and most of our students are not on a competition team. Competing is an option for the students who want it.
What happens at a VEX IQ tournament?
Teams set up at a pit table in the morning. Qualification matches run on a schedule through the day, a couple of minutes each, on a field with referees and a live scoreboard. Between matches teams repair and adjust. A judge visits the pit to interview the students about their robot and their season.
What is an engineering notebook?
It is the written record of the season: every design decision, every test, every change, dated. It is judged as part of the competition. Keeping it properly is one of the hardest habits to build and one of the most useful things a student takes away.
What is a judge interview?
A conversation where the team explains their robot to a judge who has never seen it: what it does, how they built it, what they would change, what they are proudest of. Judged awards depend on it. We rehearse it, because a student cannot fake understanding out loud.
Camps
When are the robotics camps?
Camps run in the summer as a rotation of themed weeks, with shorter camps over school breaks. Dates are confirmed each year. Ask us for the current calendar and we will tell you which weeks are open.
Can my child take several camp weeks?
Yes. The rotation alternates between Little Engineers, VEX IQ Build and Code, and VEX IQ Team Boot Camp, so stacking weeks does not mean repeating builds.
Visiting
Where is Happy Kids Robotics?
1311 S Grand Ave #170, Glendora, CA 91740. We are in the San Gabriel Valley, a short drive from San Dimas, La Verne, Covina, Azusa, Claremont and Diamond Bar.
Can parents stay and watch?
Yes. Sit down and watch a whole session if you want to. It is the fastest way to work out whether this is right for your child.
How do I reach you?
Call (413) 416-9192 or email contact@happykidsedu.com. The enrolment form is the fastest way to get a trial class booked.
Do you publish photos of students?
Not without a parent's written permission. On this site students are referred to by team rather than by name.
Still deciding?
Book a trial class. Your child builds something, you watch, and then you know.