Lego are upgrading their Mindstorms kits. Years ago I got the first Mindstorms and had great fun with it. If you are keen to get your kids into programming and technology (or you just want to have fun) Lego Mindstorms is a great place to start. The problem for the last few years is that the system has lagged behind Windows a bit, and the technology was looking a bit old.

That has now changed in a big way. Mindstorms II, due for launch in August, looks like a real advance. You get servo motors for accurate positioning, Bluetooth for communications and integration with LabView. This is one to watch. I'm going to be in the queue at ToysRUs when it launches later this year. Find our more here.