Computer coding for kids without a computer! Learn about algorithms with a simple, screen-free printable Christmas coding game! We love easy-to-use holiday STEM activities and this is a perfect addition to our 25 Days to Christmas Countdown. Print out the three difficulty levels and blast with the kids. Explore algorithms, binary code, and our reader’s favorite secret coding pictures.
Christmas Worksheet Games
Kids love games, and adults love games with a little educational learning, too. If you have kids interested in computers and coding, our Christmas coding games are a fun opportunity to give the kids a simple and screen-free introduction to the world of code.
We have enjoyed making a few of these games, and you can find the original robot coding game here. Algorithms can be simple and easy for kids to learn with this free printable Christmas coding STEM activity.
You can find the download at the bottom! Check out the different page options along the way. I made three difficulty levels for beginners, intermediate users, and more advanced users. Read on below for more information on how to use these sheets.
What is Coding?
Computer coding is a huge part of STEM, but what does it mean for our younger kids? Computer coding creates all the software, apps, and websites we use without even thinking twice about them!
A code is a set of instructions, and computer coders write these instructions to program all sorts of things. Coding is its language. For programmers, it’s like learning a new language when they write code for a new program.
Take a look at Code with Margaret Hamilton.
There are different types of computer languages, but they all do a similar task: taking our instructions and turning them into a code for the computer to read.
Have you heard of the binary alphabet? It’s a series of 1’s and 0’s that form letters, forming a code the computer can read. We have a couple of hands-on activities that teach about binary code, including a binary code Christmas tree ornament kids can make. Plus, grab these free Christmas Coding Pictures.
What is An Algorithm?
Simply put, an algorithm is a series of actions. It’s a sequence of actions that are strung together to solve a problem. Our printable algorithm coding game is perfect for learning how these actions string together through hands-on play!
There are many fun and interactive ways young kids can get interested in computer coding without even using the computer. We have lots of fun playing with this algorithm coding game because you can change the variables each time for a completely new game.
Check out all our coding activities without needing a computer!
LEVEL 1: Beginner Coders
Level one contains game boards, game pieces for creating new boards each time, and direction arrows for writing the algorithm to solve the game board.
This level is perfect for your youngest coder, even in preschool! Introduce the fundamentals of coding early on for those kids who are interested.
LEVEL 2: Intermediate Coders
Level two also contains game boards, game pieces for creating new boards each time, and direction arrows for writing the algorithm to solve the game board. However, the squares are smaller, allowing for more moves and a longer program.
This level is perfect for young coders working on the basics of coding!
LEVEL 3: Advanced Christmas Coding
Level three contains more game boards, game pieces for creating new boards each time, and direction arrows for writing the algorithm to solve the game board. These squares are even smaller, allowing for more moves and a longer program.
This level is more challenging and perfect for kids who are into coding and learning about algorithms.
Free Printable Christmas Coding Game
Grab all three levels of the Christmas coding game in one download here!
How to Use Your Christmas Coding Games
- Print out one of the sets of grids to set up your board. Choose a blank grid with either the Rudolph or Santa hat. Cut out the Christmas trees, candy canes, and arrows for your pieces.
- Place the Christmas trees and candy canes on the board in the blank spaces. You can play a couple of ways where the trees are obstacles to move around and/or the candy canes need to be collected.
- Christmas Trees: Choose your directions to have to go around the trees to reach the end.
- Candy Canes: Choose your directions to collect the candy canes and get to the end.
You can use a LEGO figure as an object to move through the board. Additionally, you can cut out a Rudolph piece to move through the board to get to Santa’s hat or vice versa.
Your arrows are your direction cards and how you write the code to solve the puzzle. I have included left, right, and straight-arrow pieces to use. I love that you can use and reuse the grids repeatedly. You can even laminate the sheets.
Play Your Christmas Coding Algorithm Game
Encourage your kids to use the directional cards to create an algorithm to reach the desired object. Have them try to get the Rudolph to the Santa hat, the Santa hat to the Rudolph, or your own figure to either one!
You can add the obstacle cards to create a new board each time. You can use the trees, candy canes, or both on the same board! Start simple using just a few, and work your way up!
- Easier version: Place out one directional card at a time as you move the object one square at a time.
- Harder version: Think out the sequence of actions beforehand and place a string of directional cards to show your program. Run your program according to your directions and check your results. Did you make it? Do you need to fix a card?
More Fun Christmas Activities for Kids
Printable Coding Pack for Kids
Explore coding through easy-to-print, set-up, and do activities that don’t need a screen! This is an excellent and inexpensive way to let kids explore algorithms and binary code!
- 15+ screen-free coding activities with instructions and explanations with helpful hints and tips.
- Explore Algorithms with printable DIY games!
- Explore the Binary Alphabet with fun coding challenges.
- Go on a coding adventure with a fun story to read and a challenge to complete.
- Have fun breaking codes with our code-breaker activities!
- Solve fun riddles and addition problems using code.
- Play Robot Bingo.
Also, try Morse code, make a secret code ring, and explore binary code with Margaret Hamilton.
These algorithm games are great. We are just starting coding and have to do it without technology so these boards really fit the bill for the little ones. So glad you shared~