Enjoy fun coding activities for kids without needing a computer screen! Technology is a huge part of our lives today. Below we have come up with tons of fun ways for young kids to do coding without a computer for easy STEM activities. Free printable coding worksheets included!
Introduce Coding Activities For Young Kids
Yes, you can teach young kids about computer coding, especially if they are highly interested in computers and how they work.
My son was astounded to hear that a person actually wrote/designed the Minecraft game. We even had to use the iPad to lookup more about this guy. With the realization that my son could very well make his own game someday, he was pretty interested to learn more about computer coding.
There are a few ways you can introduce computer coding for the younger crowd, depending on the skill level. You can test out the world of computer coding on and off the computer.
These fun ideas for coding activities and games are a great introduction to coding, with and without the computer. Young kids CAN learn to code! Parents can learn about code too! Try coding today! You will love it!
Learn more about STEM for kids below, plus a helpful list of resources to get your started!
What Is STEM For Kids?
So you might ask, what does STEM actually stand for? STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. The most important thing you can take away from this, is that STEM is for everyone!
Yes, kids of all ages can work on STEM projects and enjoy STEM lessons. STEM activities are great for group work, too!
STEM is everywhere! Just look around. The simple fact that STEM surrounds us is why it’s so important for kids to be a part of, to use and to understand STEM.
From the buildings you see in town, the bridges that connect places, the computers we use, the software programs that go with them, and to the air we breathe, STEM is what makes it all possible.
Interested in STEM plus ART? Check out all our STEAM Activities!
Technology is an important part of STEM. What does that look in kindergarten and elementary? Well, it’s playing games, using coding language to make ornaments and other items, and in the process, learning about the basics of coding. Essentially, it’s a whole lot of doing!
Helpful STEM Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few resources that will help you introduce STEM more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
- Engineering Design Process Explained
- What Is An Engineer?
- Engineering Words
- Real World STEM
- Questions for Reflection (get them talking about it!)
- BEST STEM Books for Kids
- 14 Engineering Books for Kids
- Jr. Engineer Challenge Calendar (Free)
- Must Have STEM Supplies List
- Join us in the Club
What Is Coding?
Computer coding is a huge part of STEM, but what does it mean for our younger kids? Computer coding is what creates all the software, apps, and websites we use without even thinking twice!
A code is a set of instructions and computer coders {real people} write these instructions to program all sorts of things. Coding is its own language and for programmers, it’s like learning a new language when they write code.
There are different types of computer languages but they all do a similar task which is to take our instructions and turn them into a code the computer can read.
Have you heard of the binary alphabet? It’s a series of 1’s and 0’s that form letters, which then form a code the computer can read. We have a couple of hands-on activities that teach about binary code below. Check out these fun coding activities with free coding worksheets now.
The Benefits of Coding For Kids
- Problem-Solving Skills: Coding encourages logical thinking and problem-solving. It teaches kids how to break down complex issues into smaller, manageable parts and find solutions step by step.
- Creativity and Innovation: Coding empowers kids to create and try their hand at web development, game development, learning programming languages, etc. It fosters creativity and allows them to turn their ideas into reality.
- Math and Computational Thinking: Coding involves math concepts like variables, patterns, and sequences. It reinforces mathematical skills and encourages kids to think computationally.
- Critical Thinking: It teaches kids to think critically, analyze situations, and make decisions based on evidence. Debugging and fixing errors are important aspects of coding that enhance critical thinking.
- Persistence and Resilience: Coding often involves trial and error. Kids learn to persevere through challenges, learn from mistakes, and refine their solutions.
- Confidence Building: Successfully writing code and creating digital projects can boost a child’s confidence. It’s a tangible skill they can be proud of.
- Fun and Engagement: Coding can be incredibly fun. It’s like solving puzzles and playing games, which engages kids and keeps them motivated to learn.
- Accessible Learning: There are many free online resources, games, and coding platforms that make learning to code accessible to kids of all ages and skill levels. See our list of websites and apps further down.
Grab your free printable coding worksheet pack!
Fun Coding Activities For Kids
LEGO Coding
Coding with LEGO® is a great introduction to the world of coding using a favorite building toy. Check out all the different ideas for using LEGO bricks to introduce coding.
Code Your Name In Binary
Use the binary code and our free binary code worksheets to code your name in binary.
Superhero Coding Game
A computer coding game is a really fun way to introduce the basic concept of computer coding to young kids. Even better if you make it a superhero computer coding game! This homemade coding game was pretty easy to set up and can be played with over and over again with any type of pieces.
Christmas Coding Game
Printable Christmas theme algorithm game for kids with 3 levels of difficulty. Easy to print and play!
Christmas Coding Ornament
Use pony beads and pipe cleaners to make these colorful scientific ornaments for the Christmas tree. What Christmas message will you add it to in code?
New Years Binary Code Activity
Use binary code to create a word of the year for the New Year. A fun family activity that all will enjoy!
Valentine’s Day Coding
Screen-free coding with a craft! Use the binary alphabet to code “I love you” in this cute Valentine’s Day craft.
What Is Binary Code
Learn more about the binary code for kids. Find out who invented the binary code and how it works. Includes a free printable binary code activity.
Morse Code
One of the oldest codes that is still in use to day. Get our printable Morse Code key and send a message to a friend.
Algorithm Game
Learn what an algorithm is with this fun printable coding game. Several ways you can play depending on the age of your kids. Choose a quest, and create an algorithm to get there.
Secret Coding Pictures
Get these printable secret coding picture worksheets with fun themes! Kids can decipher fun secret images by following a series of arrows or an algorithm.
Printable Beginner Coding Games
The objective of the game is to guide the vehicle through a path from the starting point to the building using a series of algorithms. The printable “Build the Way” coding game aims to make learning algorithms fun and easy for kids.
Color By Binary Code
This printable color by binary code is a fun variation of our popular color by number sheets. Learn about binary code and use it to find out which colors are represented.
Draw A Flower With Algorithms
Add this screen-free coding activity to the mix with a fun draw an algorithm game!
Printable Coding Activities Pack
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.
Additional Free Coding Resources: Websites & Apps
Scratch
Scratch is an online coding community for kids created by MIT Media Lab. The simple interface and collaboration make this website perfect for kids to learn more about coding.
Code Monster
Kids can learn about Javascript programming with Code Monster! The “Code Monster” gives you an instruction, and you have to do what it says! You can skip as needed if you get stuck and come back to the lesson later.
Hour of Code
An Hour of Code is a global movement that offers one-hour tutorials for free for people all over the world! This computer science curriculum teaches basic programming tutorials, making it a great resource for young learners to get hands-on coding experience!
Mblock
This coding program uses block-based coding to teach kids how to code. Kids can get free access to online course material to further their learning experience. The platform also involves a global online community where people from all over the world can share their coding projects! Try it for free with their free trial!
Tynker
Tynker’s hybrid learning approach teaches kids how to code via live online instruction. Kids can even get certifications and build a portfolio to showcase their skills!
Blockly
Blockly is Google’s coding program. Blockly uses colorful blocks to help visual coders build their projects.
Hopster Coding Safari
This coding game is directed toward preschool-age students to introduce them to code. This drag-and-drop app is an educational puzzle game where kids guide animals back to their homes or parents. As the game progresses, kids get more animals and pieces to work with.
Code Karts
Code Karts is directed at preschool-age students and teaches them the fundamentals of coding as they race. The goal of this game is to teach them problem-solving skills, binary counting, and the decimal system.
Sprite Box
Kids can solve coding puzzles using icons. This fun game claims to teach kids sequencing, parameters, loops and nested loops, procedures, and basic Swift / Java syntax.
