The start of a new year is perfect for setting goals and intentions, such as your word of the year. This year, why not make it a family affair by introducing a fun and educational activity that combines technology, creativity, and a touch of mystery with screen-free coding. Below we’ll guide you through a New Year word binary code activity, making resolutions a playful and engaging experience for the whole family.
What is Binary Code?
Binary code is the language computers use to communicate and process information. It consists of combinations of the digits 0 and 1, each representing a bit.
These bits form a binary code that computers can interpret. Understanding binary code is a fundamental skill for computer programming, and it can be introduced quickly to kids.
Here are a few more binary code activities:
- Color By Binary Code
- What is Binary Code
- Code Your Name In Binary
- Valentine’s Day Binary Code Bracelets
- Binary Code Christmas Ornaments
Why Teach Kids Binary Code?
Learning binary code is a valuable skill that promotes logical thinking and problem-solving. It provides a foundational understanding of how computers work and introduces the concept of coding, which is increasingly becoming an essential skill. Plus, learning about binary code is a fantastic way to engage children in a screen-free coding activity!
Embrace the new year with a fun and educational family activity that combines technology, creativity, and teamwork. Gather your family and friends, grab the printable coding worksheets below to start encoding those words, and let the decoding fun begin!
Also have fun with more New Years STEM activities for kids!
Free Printable Code In The New Year Worksheets
New Years Binary Code Activity
Supplies:
- Binary Code Printable
- Pencil or pen
- Keychain materials (optional; see below)
Instructions:
STEP 1: Choose Your Word: Select a meaningful word representing your goals or intentions for the upcoming year. It could be something like “happiness”, “joy,” “adventure,” or “growth.”
Note: One printable page has the word “happiness” printed down the side to give you an example. There is also a blank page.
STEP 2: Encode Your Word: Use the binary code printable to convert each letter of your chosen word into binary. Write down the binary code for each letter.
STEP 3: Share and Decode: Exchange your encoded words with each other and use the decoding key to work out everyone’s New Years Word.
Extension Activity: Make A Binary Code Keychain
Take the New Year binary code activity a step further with a creative extension activity!
Supplies:
- Two colors of beads (representing 0s and 1s)
- Cord (stretch, elastic, hemp, or cotton cord are all great for beaded keychains)
- Keyring (lanyard with snap hook or the simple circular split ring style work well)
Instructions:
STEP 1: Decide which color beads represents ‘0’ and which represents ‘1.’ For example, you could use black for ‘0’ and white for ‘1.’
STEP 2: String the beads onto the string or keychain ring following the binary code you’ve created for your Word of the Year.
STEP 3. Tie the ends of the string or attach it to a keychain ring to create a personalized Binary Code Word of the Year keychain.
More Fun Coding Activities for Kids
Want to set up a kid friendly New Year’s Eve? Check out the best New Years Eve activities for kids!
- Draw A Flower with Algorithms
- Morse Code For Kids
- Build The Way Coding Game
- Make a secret decoder ring
- Printable algorithm coding 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.
