SIK 4.1: Redboard Qwiic vs Arduino Uno

Kits
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I would like to get one of the SIK 4.1 for my son, a bright 8.5 year-old. He has had fun with Snap Circuits, so I thought this would be a good next step to integrate the programming he is also starting to learn. I am familiar enough with electronics (have done some RasPi GPIO programming), but I am not familiar with all of these different component ecosystems, so I’d appreciate some advice on which way to go.

I was debating between the Redboard Qwiic kit (KIT-15267) and the Arduino Uno kit (KIT-15631). The description of the Qwiic kit says that it is an Arduino board. The description of the Arduino says “This version of the SIK replaces the SparkFun RedBoard Qwiic with the Arduino Uno (SMD version).” So, what’s the difference between these two, practically? Of course I see the Arduino kit doesn’t come with the printed manual and the carrying case. Are the board components the same, it’s just that the connectors are different? The programming language is the same for both?

If I buy the Redboard, are we locked into that ecosystem of connected components after he’s done with the parts in the inventor’s kit? Is the ecosystem of Arduino Uno parts larger, and more versatile?

I hope it’s obvious that I’m trying to understand why someone with a completely blank slate would buy one of these over the other. If you were buying one of these for your kid, which one would you get, and why?

Thanks!

2

The redboard qwiic is an arduino that happens to have a qwiic connector on it, so both of them should work with all arduino parts. If you have the one with the smd uno, there are ways to add a qwiic connector (qwiic is really just a 4-pin connector connected to the i2c pins on the arduino) if wanted. Programming is the same.

/mike