Erik Kroes ✅erikKroes@mastodon.social
Oct 4, 2026, 2:41 PMI want my kids to program (more).
Is there something like a USB RGB LED matrix that you can control with Python?
Replies
Oct 4, 2026, 3:10 PM@erikKroes I think you can run Micro Python on Pi’s? Paging @itsthejoker
You could also look into LEGO Mindstorms. They use Scratch these days and the direct real-world feedback can be really engaging for all ages. You can even use them on your existing builds.
- Erik Kroes ✅erikKroes@mastodon.socialOct 4, 2026, 3:39 PM
@MostlyBlindGamer @itsthejoker I still have a lego boost set I should rebuild with them 💚
- Oct 4, 2026, 4:26 PM
@erikKroes @itsthejoker do it! LEGO is directly responsible for my career.
- Erik Kroes ✅erikKroes@mastodon.socialOct 4, 2026, 5:35 PM
@MostlyBlindGamer @itsthejoker Is that a good thing? 😄
- Oct 4, 2026, 5:47 PM
@erikKroes yes, I really likewhat I do!
Joe Kaufelditsthejoker@hachyderm.ioOct 4, 2026, 4:22 PM@MostlyBlindGamer @erikKroes absolutely! If you want to stick with the raspberry pi ecosystem, the LED HAT is a great place to start: https://thepihut.com/products/raspberry-pi-sense-hat-astro-pi I'm not aware of any standalone options, though.
- Erik Kroes ✅erikKroes@mastodon.socialOct 4, 2026, 5:34 PM
@itsthejoker @MostlyBlindGamer No sticking at all. There's actually a laptop involved, so something USB-y would work nicely.
Just spotted this one, but seems more complicated than needed. And no idea how python-support is.
https://www.waveshare.com/wiki/RP2350-Matrix 
Sophielabellaragassa@exquisite.socialOct 4, 2026, 4:23 PM@erikKroes Coming from someone who's dad was a programmer, I want to offer a different viewpoint.
Don't.
If your kids (or one of them) wants to program, they will show interest themselves. Especially when you are doing something yourself and it looks cool. It will be a path of frustration for both parties otherwise.
- Erik Kroes ✅erikKroes@mastodon.socialOct 4, 2026, 5:32 PM
@labellaragassa The interest is there. I'm only here to facilitate!
- Sophielabellaragassa@exquisite.socialOct 4, 2026, 5:46 PM
@erikKroes In that case Lego Mindstorms or Lego Boost would indeed be a nice starting point!
Oct 4, 2026, 8:07 PM@erikKroes probably not what you are looking for, but have you seen these soldering kits? https://shop.blinkyparts.com/en/Soldering-Kits/?properties=6f9359239c994b48b7de282ee19a714d&p=1&order=topseller
- Erik Kroes ✅erikKroes@mastodon.socialOct 5, 2026, 11:38 AM
@flori Oh wow, yes. Nice, but for another purpose 😄