A learning tool, not a toy... or both

Can a toy be a learning tool?  Can a learning tool be a toy?

Today, I brought my son's Sphero BB8 droid to the district office.  My purpose... to drive it around to start a conversation.  Many people asked about it and said that it was cute.  Then I got to talk about how a robot can be a learning tool.  What would a student do with it?  Program.  Code.  Learn math. Create.

My hope is to get Principals interested so they will bring it back to their sites to get teachers interested.  My hunch is the kids already are interested.

And now, hopefully, when the purchase request comes across the desk around our district office, we will know the possibilities and what it could be for.  Or at least to come and play with my droid.