The Tools Pack covers any CircuitMess kit that involves soldering. Not every kit does. Several of the 2.0 kits, Jay-D 2.0 among them, are screwed together with the screwdriver supplied in the box and have no soldering step at all, so check the product page before you add tools to the order.

Yes. The Complete Workshop Bundle costs less than buying the Tools Pack, the Silicone Work Mat and the Protective Goggles individually.

Not automatically. Each bundle page lists exactly what is in that bundle, so check there before you order. If you are buying a single kit that needs soldering and you do not already own the tools, you will need the Tools Pack as well. A spare set is worth having if you are running a class.

Use your own. The Tools Pack is assembled to suit our kits, so it is scaled to the small boards you will be working on, but there is no reason to buy a second iron if you already have one you like.

The included soldering iron is rated at 8 W.

The Silicone Work Mat is 24 cm x 21 cm, which is 9.45" x 8.27".

Yes to both. The mat is heat resistant and is meant to be worked on directly, soldering included. Park the iron in its stand between joints rather than laying it down on the mat.

Yes. The strap adjusts, so the same pair fits a child or an adult. We do not publish a safety-standard rating for them, so if you need eye protection certified to EN 166 or ANSI Z87.1, use goggles carrying that mark.

Music Bundle 2.0 includes two CircuitMess DIY kits: Jay-D 2.0, a build-it-yourself DJ mixer, and Synthia 2.0, an all-in-one synthesiser, drum machine, sequencer and sampler.

We recommend the Music Bundle for ages 11 and up. The kits involve assembling electronic components and a few slightly more advanced ideas. Younger builders manage well with an adult alongside them, and plenty of adults build these for themselves.

This bundle is a hands-on introduction to electronics and music technology. You will cover digital audio, sound synthesis, mixing, and the components inside synthesisers and DJ equipment. There is room to go further with coding and customisation once the kits are built.

Jay-D 2.0 takes about an hour and a half. Synthia 2.0 has more components and takes longer, so the pair makes a comfortable weekend project. Times vary with experience.

No. Both Jay-D 2.0 and Synthia 2.0 are built from illustrated step-by-step guides written for people who have never assembled electronics before.

RC Bundle 2.0 includes two CircuitMess DIY kits: Wheelson 2.0, a build-it-yourself self-driving robot car with a camera and headlights, and ByteBoi 2.0, a build-it-yourself retro game console.

Ages 9 and up. Both kits involve assembling electronic components, and Wheelson introduces some more advanced ideas. Younger builders can take part with an adult, and adults build them too.

An introduction to robotics, electronics and coding. Wheelson covers self-driving behaviour, camera vision and sensors. ByteBoi covers game development and the basics of how a handheld console is put together. You can also make one device control the other.

Both are substantial builds. Expect a few hours for each, longer if it is your first kit.

No. Both kits are designed for beginners, with detailed instructions for Wheelson and ByteBoi.

Retro Bundle 2.0 includes two CircuitMess DIY kits: Bit 2.0, a build-it-yourself retro game console, and Chatter 2.0, a pair of buildable encrypted radios that reach about 2 km with clear line of sight and a few hundred metres in built-up areas.

Ages 11 and up, and it works well as a family project. The assembly and the ideas behind it suit older children and teenagers, and younger children can take part with an adult guiding them.

Electronics, coding and wireless communication. Bit covers game console design and programming. Chatter covers LoRa radio, radio frequencies and encryption.

Bit 2.0 takes up to about an hour. Chatter 2.0 is two units, so allow longer for the pair. Both split neatly across more than one sitting.

No. Bit and Chatter are both designed for beginners, with step-by-step instructions throughout.

The Virtual Pet Bundle includes five digital companions: one Codee 2.0, a DIY virtual pet that you build yourself, and the complete crew of four ready-to-play Beep Boops (Kirin, Tochi, Mochi and Miao Miao).

It spans a wide range. The Beep Boops are ready to play and suit ages 5 and up. The Codee 2.0 building kit suits ages 7 and up, so the bundle works for a family or for a child to grow into.

Two different things. Codee 2.0 teaches hands-on electronics assembly and hardware fundamentals. The Beep Boops teach cause and effect, problem solving and logical thinking through play and looking after a digital pet.

The four Beep Boops are ready to play out of the box. Codee 2.0 takes about half an hour to build.

No. The Beep Boops need no setup, and the Codee 2.0 kit is built from step-by-step instructions written for beginners.

Five items in total: Bit 2.0, a DIY retro game console, plus four buildable kits — Sparkly, Codee 2.0, Planck and Harald. Each kit contains a token that unlocks a game on Bit, and the bundle comes with 7 unique games in total. A Silicone Work Mat is included at no extra cost. The bundle is currently sold out.

Ages 7 and up. The five projects sit at different levels, and younger builders can assemble them with an adult.

Hands-on electronics, robotics and coding. You will work with components such as photoresistors, vibration motors and LEDs, and cover wireless communication along the way.

With five kits to build, allow 10 hours or more in total. Each kit and the Bit console are separate projects, so they can be tackled one at a time.

No. Every kit in the Wacky Adventure Bundle is designed for beginners, with step-by-step instructions for each project.

Each Wacky Robot kit contains a token, and the token unlocks that robot's game on your Bit console.

Yes, and it is a large part of what Bit is for. You can build games in CircuitBlocks, our drag-and-drop editor, or write MicroPython directly if you prefer. CircuitBlocks generates MicroPython, so it is the same language either way.

One Bit 2.0 DIY console kit and all nine Wacky Robot Bit Expansion packs: the console, 9 game tokens and all 126 trading cards.

Ages 7 and up. Bit 2.0 is a beginner-friendly building kit and the expansion packs are ready to use, so it works well for children and families together.

Electronics and game development. Building the Bit 2.0 console teaches hands-on assembly, and the nine expansion packs unlock nine games to play and to modify in code. Note that the Artemis pack is one of the nine Wacky expansions and is not the Artemis Watch.

Building the Bit 2.0 console takes up to about an hour. The nine expansion packs need no assembly, so the games and cards are ready as soon as the console is.

No. The Bit 2.0 kit is designed for beginners, with step-by-step instructions, and the nine expansion packs need no assembly at all. The coding activities are beginner-level.