Try doing some connected device, esp8266 that turns on an led when you POST to a server (minimal soldering maximal programming). And develop from there. Also there are a lot of tuts for this things. Later try to integrate some sensors. A lot of hardware today is software inside a plastic box.
What is Your thought on shiping prototype stage products to early backer as a way of getting user feedback. Even if product is not yet certified, with the promise that you will ship them the finished product?
This way you are not selling the product you shipped them, so I'm not sure what are regulations regarding this strategy. The product would be clearly labeled as prototype version and not fit for end use.
Bonus points for complexity: The product is intended for children age 6+.
The real question would be is there a goal of the AI. The true superhuman AI, that is problematic, is when AI decides to learn something on its own. And I think that is a long road.