Guide
How do you start a robotics team for your child?
Updated August 2026
You can start a robotics team yourselves even if your town has no robotics club at all. In the FIRST LEGO League programme, 4–10 young people aged 9–16 and one responsible adult is enough — no robotics background needed. The team needs a LEGO robot set (e.g. SPIKE Prime or EV3; many schools already own one), a space to meet weekly, and about 8 weeks of practice before the spring regional events. In Finland the programme is run by Aurora Math ry.
What FIRST LEGO League is
FIRST LEGO League is an international robotics programme for children and teenagers, running in over 110 countries with hundreds of thousands of participants each year. A team builds and programs a LEGO robot, does its own research project, and presents both at a spring regional event. A tournament is a celebration, not an exam — first-timers are welcome.
Two ways in
You can either join an existing team or start your own. Starting one does not require being a teacher: one enthusiastic adult and a group of interested young people is enough. After registering you get the season materials and a coach guide, and you will hear back within 1–2 business days.
What a team needs
Four to ten young people aged 9–16, one adult in charge, a LEGO robot set (SPIKE Prime, EV3, Robot Inventor, Powered Up, NXT or RCX), a place to meet about once a week, and roughly eight weeks before the tournament. If you have no set, you get advice on where to source one — many schools already have one in a cupboard.
Season 2026–2027
The BIOGLOW 2026–2027 season is under way and registration is open. Regional events take place in spring 2027. Below are the robotics and coding clubs KivaHobby lists — and if your town has none, starting your own team is a real option.
FIRST LEGO League Finland (Aurora Math ry) · getting in touch commits you to nothing
Robotics & coding clubs by city
Clubs listed on KivaHobby. If your town is missing, starting your own team is a genuine alternative.
- ROBBO Finland OyEspoo · ages 5–15
- KiddiClubsHelsinki · ages 6–15
- Käsityökoulu RobottiHelsinki · ages 7–16
- Suomen KoodikouluHelsinki · ages 7–18
- Tiedeluokka Linkki (Helsingin yliopisto)Helsinki · ages 9–16
- Järvenpään OpistoJärvenpää
- KodaritTampere · ages 8–20
- Tampereen seudun työväenopiston toimisto: SampolaTampere · ages 7–18
- Robotiikan oppimiskeskusVantaa · ages 4–19
Browse by city too: /laji/robotics, /laji/programming
Frequently asked questions
What ages is FIRST LEGO League for?
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Teams take 9–16-year-olds. Younger children have the separate Future Edition 8+.
Does the adult need to know robotics?
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No. One responsible adult is enough and no robotics background is needed — the season materials and a coach guide come with the programme.
What equipment is needed?
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A LEGO robot set: SPIKE Prime, EV3, Robot Inventor, Powered Up, NXT or RCX all work. Many schools already own one; otherwise you get sourcing advice.
When are the tournaments?
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Regional events run in spring 2027. Plan for roughly eight weeks of practice before the tournament.