Valentines Day Coding STEM Binary Alphabet Beaded Hearts

Here’s a neat Valentines Day coding activity to go along with our 14 Days of STEM Valentine’s Day Countdown! Have you ever checked out the Binary Alphabet. It’s fascinating and also makes a great computer free coding activity for kids. Turn letters into a series of number patterns and create a cool computer coding craft. Awesome holiday STEM activities make learning easy!

COMPUTER FREE VALENTINES DAY CODING STEM ACTIVITY

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The Binary Alphabet we used for our Valentines Day Coding project is actually easier to understand than you might think. I did a bit of research to better understand the concepts behind it, so I could share simple facts with my son.

He had seen a similar project done at school in a different grade and wanted to know more about it. This resource is terrific for explaining a bit about the Binary Alphabet. Plus it’s a great STEM activity for young kids!

BOOKMARK FOR LATER: 14 Days of Valentine’s Day STEM countdown!

This is a really fun STEM craft for kids who aren’t necessarily into the crafty projects. There’s a specific purpose to the colors and patterns because you are using the binary code. Great hands on way to explore coding without the computer.

VALENTINES DAY CODING SUPPLIES

Pipe Cleaners

Pony Beads

Binary Alphabet {download at the bottom of the post}

VALENTINES DAY CODING ACTIVITY

I love this Valentines Day coding activity because it’s all about patterns, fine motor skills, and STEM.

Pick a color to represent the number 1 and pick a color to represent the number 0.

You also need a different color bead to separate letters.

Note: Start with short words! We fit three and four letter words on our single pipe cleaner heart.

VALENTINES DAY CODING ACTIVITY SET UP

First you want to bend a pipe cleaner in half to form the bottom of the heart.

Second, pick your first letter and thread the appropriate color beads onto the pipe cleaner. You will have to maneuver this set of beads past the bend as well as a few beads of the next letter.

Continue threading your letters using the binary alphabet.

Make sure to separate the letters with a bead!

We used theses words: MOM, DAD, SON, and LOVE for our Valentines coding activity!

Once you have completed your word, simply bend the ends in towards each other and twist. You can shape your heart as you go. This is the word LOVE below.

My son is holding the word “LOVE” which he made along with SON for our Valentines Day coding project. I made the words MOM and DAD. I would love to get some ribbon and making a hanging decoration out of all four beaded hearts!