Make Wonder
This app has not yet been evaluated against our instructional invariants. The analysis below is based on independent research.
Make Wonder does not meet our data transparency standard.
The Bottom Line
Partially. While The Learning Standard has not yet formally evaluated Make Wonder, its design applies problem-based learning by having students program a virtual or physical robot. It effectively bridges block-based coding with observable outcomes, though the high cost of hardware or subscriptions presents a barrier.
Pros
- Uses problem-based learning to teach logic and sequencing through observable robot actions.
- Provides a virtual robot environment so students can test code without physical hardware.
- Scaffolds computational thinking by starting with basic commands before introducing complex loops.
- Offers pre-built lesson plans that align coding puzzles with specific learning objectives.
Cons
- The free version is entirely dependent on owning expensive physical robot hardware.
- Virtual environments lack the tactile feedback that makes physical robotics effective for young learners.
- Requires significant teacher facilitation to connect puzzle solving to broader computer science concepts.
Does Make Wonder Actually Teach?
Make Wonder is an effective tool for introducing computational thinking, provided your child has access to the required physical robot or a paid school account. The app relies on problem-based learning, asking students to program a robot named Dash to complete specific challenges. By dragging and dropping code blocks, your child immediately sees the consequences of their logic when the robot moves or reacts. This immediate feedback loop is critical for learning programming concepts like sequencing and debugging. However, parents should know that the free version of the app is completely useless without the physical Dash robot, which is a significant separate purchase. The virtual robot features are locked behind a classroom subscription designed for educators. Because The Learning Standard has not yet formally evaluated this app, we cannot provide definitive efficacy data. Still, the underlying mechanics of using block-based coding to manipulate a character successfully apply worked examples and progressive scaffolding. Your child will not learn complex syntax like Python here, but they will build the foundational logic required to understand how algorithms function in the real world.
How Does Make Wonder Help Students Learn?
Make Wonder uses problem-based learning and progressive scaffolding to teach introductory computer science concepts. Students use a block-based coding interface to drag and drop commands that control a robot named Dash. The app presents coding puzzles that act as worked examples, showing students a desired outcome and asking them to assemble the logic required to achieve it. In the physical mode, the code transmits to a real robot on the floor. In the virtual mode, a simulated 3D robot navigates an on-screen maze. This allows students to engage in trial and error, running their code to observe errors and debug their sequences. The curriculum advances from basic directional movements to complex logic involving loops, conditionals, and sensor inputs. Teachers can monitor student progression through a dashboard that tracks puzzle completion and identifies areas where students struggle to grasp specific computational concepts.
Where Does Make Wonder Excel and Fall Short?
The biggest strength of Make Wonder is its immediate visual feedback loop, while its biggest weakness is its high cost of entry. Immediate visual feedback is a cornerstone of effective coding education. When students execute a block of code, they instantly see the virtual or physical robot execute those commands. This grounds abstract logic in concrete, observable actions. Scaffolded puzzles guide learners by slowly increasing the cognitive load, ensuring students master basic sequencing before attempting nested loops or conditional statements. However, the reliance on expensive hardware or subscriptions limits accessibility. The physical Dash robot represents a significant investment for parents, and the annual virtual license targets schools, not individual families. Furthermore, the transfer of skills from block-based puzzle solving to independent programming often requires active teacher intervention. Without an adult guiding the reflection process, students may rely on trial-and-error guessing rather than deliberately applying computational thinking to solve the challenges.
Is Make Wonder Right for Your Child?
Make Wonder is best for elementary and middle school students who need a highly visual, concrete introduction to coding and logic. It effectively serves classrooms in Kindergarten through 8th grade where teachers want to integrate robotics without purchasing a physical unit for every single student. Parents who already own the physical Dash robot will find the app an essential companion to unlock the hardware's educational potential. It is ideal for young learners who struggle with abstract programming concepts and benefit from immediate feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions About Make Wonder
Is Make Wonder free?
The app itself is completely free to download from your device's app store, but its core functionality requires external purchases. To use the free version of the software, you must pair it with a physical Dash robot, which is a significant standalone hardware purchase. Alternatively, educators can purchase a Make Wonder classroom subscription for $199 per year. This paid tier unlocks access to a virtual, simulated robot on the screen, allowing students to learn and code without needing the physical robot hardware in front of them.
Is Make Wonder good for elementary students?
Yes, Make Wonder is highly effective for elementary students in Kindergarten through 5th grade, as well as middle schoolers. The software utilizes a block-based coding interface that completely removes the barrier of typing complex computer syntax. By dragging and dropping colorful command blocks, young children can focus entirely on foundational computer science concepts like logic, sequencing, and problem-solving. The app slowly increases the cognitive load through scaffolded puzzles, ensuring younger learners are not overwhelmed before they grasp basic directional commands and simple action loops.
What does Make Wonder teach?
Make Wonder directly teaches computational thinking, applied logic, and foundational computer science concepts. By interacting with the virtual or physical robot, students learn how to properly sequence commands to achieve a specific goal. As they progress, they are introduced to more advanced programming structures, including continuous loops, conditional if-then statements, and sensor-based inputs. Crucially, the app teaches the iterative process of debugging. Because students immediately see the robot fail a task when the code is wrong, they learn how to identify errors and systematically correct their logic.
Is Make Wonder safe for kids?
Yes, Make Wonder is a highly secure application that provides a closed learning environment for children. There are no direct messaging features, chat rooms, or social media integrations that would allow your child to communicate with strangers. All coding challenges and robotic interactions occur within a standalone ecosystem. For the classroom edition, teachers have complete administrative control over student accounts and progress tracking, ensuring data privacy and maintaining a secure digital space that fully complies with standard educational privacy requirements for K-8 schools.
Has The Learning Standard evaluated Make Wonder?
Make Wonder is currently pending formal evaluation by our team. We have not yet run this application through our rigorous testing process or scored it against our standardized rubric. While the pedagogical design relies heavily on established learning science principles like problem-based learning and immediate visual feedback, we cannot issue a definitive efficacy rating until we analyze student outcome data. You can read more about how we rate educational efficacy and review our specific testing criteria by visiting our methodology section on the website.
Make Wonder vs. Scratch: Which is better?
Deciding between Make Wonder and Scratch depends entirely on your learning goals. Scratch is a completely free, open-ended platform designed for creating digital games and animations, making it the better choice for creative expression and unstructured exploration. In contrast, Make Wonder provides highly structured, objective-driven puzzles specifically focused on robotics and physical computing. Make Wonder is better for guided, problem-based learning where students need structured tasks to master specific concepts. Both use block-based coding, but Make Wonder focuses on robotic execution rather than digital storytelling.
Is Make Wonder COPPA compliant?
Yes — its privacy policy references COPPA. We are fully compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
Is Make Wonder FERPA compliant?
Yes — its privacy policy references FERPA. RPA) is a federal law that prevents Educational Institutions from releasing certain information
Does Make Wonder have a children's privacy policy?
Yes — it has a dedicated children's privacy section. Children’s Privacy We care about children’s privacy. We are committed to complying with the Children’s Online Privacy
Does Make Wonder sell student data?
No — its privacy policy states it does not sell student data. We will not sell your kids’ personal data. Or yours.
Can you delete your data from Make Wonder?
Yes — its privacy policy describes how to delete your account or data. We delete our customers’ data on request.
Data Transparency
Make Wonder does not meet our data transparency standard.
22 of 35 checks passed
Evaluated May 2026
View privacy policy →View all 35 checks
Parent Access7/8
Does the policy mention parents specifically?
“We give parents and teachers control over how we use kids’ data.”
Can parents view their child's data?
“With proper authentication, a parent or legal guardian always has the right to: review the Personal Information”
Can parents modify their child's data?
“The policy allows parents to review, delete, and refuse collection, but does not explicitly mention modifying child data.”
Can parents delete their child's account?
“You have the right to request that we delete some or all of your kids’ data.”
Is there a dedicated Children's Privacy section?
“Children’s Privacy We care about children’s privacy. We are committed to complying with the Children’s Online Privacy”
Does it reference COPPA compliance?
“We are fully compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.”
Does it reference FERPA compliance?
“RPA) is a federal law that prevents Educational Institutions from releasing certain information”
Is parental consent required for child accounts?
“Per COPPA, the parent’s email address may be used to notify and obtain verifiable consent from a parent”
Data Portability1/5
Can users access their personal data?
“With proper authentication, a parent or legal guardian always has the right to: review the Personal Information”
Can users download/export their data?
“The policy does not mention users being able to export or download their data.”
Is there a self-service data access tool?
“There is no mention of a self-service tool for accessing data.”
Is a specific data format mentioned for export?
“No data export format is specified in the policy.”
Is there an API for data access?
“The policy does not mention an API for accessing personal data.”
Data Minimization5/6
Is data collection itemized?
“We may collect Personal Information from you, such as: payment... contact... identity...”
Can the app be used without a real name?
“You can choose not to provide any information that we request of you.”
Can the app be used without an email?
“You can choose not to provide any information that we request of you.”
Does it state collection is limited to what is necessary?
“we limit the use of personally identifiable information (PII) to the minimum necessary for the use of our products.”
Is IP address anonymized or truncated?
“They also collect anonymized information sent by your browser... including cookies and your IP Address.”
Is location tracking explicitly excluded?
“Location tracking is not excluded; the policy states Personal Information may include "precise geolocation".”
Third-Party Protection5/7
Does it explicitly state no selling of data?
“We will not sell your kids’ personal data. Or yours.”
Are third-party providers named?
“We use Amazon Web Services to provide our infrastructure... Google Analytics is an example of such a service.”
Are providers contractually restricted?
“We require these third parties not to use your Personal Information for any other purpose.”
No-targeted-advertising commitment?
“The policy admits to targeted ads on General-Audience Sites, using Third Party Advertising Companies.”
Is AI/ML data sharing addressed?
“There is no mention of Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning data sharing.”
Child-specific sharing restriction?
“does not currently offer any features on our Child-Directed Products that would allow Children Users to publicly post”
Cookies/tracking limited or opt-out?
“To learn how to opt out of receiving targeted ads, visit the websites below... http://optout.aboutads.info/”
Deletion & Retention2/5
Can users delete their account?
“We delete our customers’ data on request.”
Self-service deletion mechanism?
“Account deletion requires contacting support via email (support@makewonder.com), not a self-service mechanism.”
Specific data retention timeline?
“Data is stored for "a time determined to be reasonable for internal operations," lacking a specific timeline.”
Auto-deletion of inactive accounts?
“There is no mention of auto-deleting inactive accounts.”
Post-deletion handling described?
“It may take 60 days for data to be completely removed from our backups.”
Advertising2/4
Advertising model explicitly disclosed?
“Third-Party Ad Networks For our General-Audience Sites, Wonder Workshop may partner with...”
Free from third-party advertisements?
“The service is not free from third-party ads, as General-Audience sites partner with Third Party Advertising Companies.”
Children excluded from ad targeting?
“On our Child-Directed Products, we do not show behaviorally-targeted or re-targeted ads to Child Users.”
Ad-free option available?
“There is no mention of a paid ad-free option.”
What This Means
This app does not provide adequate data transparency for parents. This may mean you cannot easily access your child's data, understand what information is collected, or request deletion of personal information. We recommend considering alternatives that provide better data transparency, or using our template letters to request your data rights be honored.
About this evaluation: Based on automated analysis of Make Wonder's privacy policy using the Common Sense Privacy Program framework. Evaluation covers 35 binary checks across 6 dimensions. Privacy policies can change — this evaluation reflects the most recent version we analyzed.
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For Make Wonder
If you represent Wonder Workshop, Inc. and believe this evaluation is inaccurate or outdated, we welcome the opportunity to re-evaluate your product.
Request Re-evaluationDetails
- Pricing
- Free version requires a physical robot. Classroom version is $199/yr.
- Platforms
- iOS (Apple mobile), Chrome OS (Google)
- Grade Levels
- Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade
- Website
- Visit site