Teaching Coding Without a Computer

Unplugged Coding Activities for Kids

Teaching Coding Without a Computer. Coding is a unique way of communication that requires both creativity and logic. It is a language that is used to give computers instructions, and coding is a powerful tool that can be used to create anything from websites and games to apps and animations.

There are many different ways to code, and many different coding languages. Some languages are designed for beginners, while others are more suitable for experienced coders. Regardless of your child’s coding experience, there are plenty of unplugged coding activities that they can enjoy.

One of the simplest unplugged coding activities is coding with cards. All you need is a deck of cards and a whiteboard or piece of paper. Each card represents a line of code, and the Ace is equal to one line, the two is equal to two lines, and so on. To start coding, your child will need to choose a starting card (this can be any card, but the Ace is a good place to start). They will then need to look at the card next to their starting card and carry out the instructions on that card. For example, if the next card is a two, they will need to write down two lines of code.

Try more challenging unplugged activities…

Once your child has coded with cards a few times, they can try more challenging unplugged activities, such as making their coding language. To do this, they will need to come up with a set of rules that they will follow when writing their code. For example, they may decide that every time they use the letter ‘a, they will add two lines of code and every time they use the letter ‘b’, they will subtract one line of code. Once they have created their rules, they can write out a line of code and see what happens.

Other unplugged coding activities include creating algorithms (a set of instructions that tell a computer what to do), designing flowcharts (a graphical representation of an algorithm), and debugging (finding and fixing errors in code). These activities are all great for helping kids to understand how coding works and for developing their problem-solving skills.

Top Coding Toys for Kids Without a Computer

There are a lot of great coding toys for kids that don’t require a computer. Many of the best coding toys are completely offline. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Code-a-Pillar

Code-a-Pillar is a great coding toy for kids as young as three. It’s a simple toy that helps kids understand the basics of coding without being overwhelming. The toy consists of a series of connectable segments, each with a different function. Kids can connect the segments in any order they want to create a “program” for the Code-a-Pillar to follow. This is a great toy for helping kids understand sequencing and cause and effect.

2. Osmo Coding Jam

Osmo Coding Jam is another great coding toy for kids, this time aimed at kids aged five and up. With this toy, kids use colorful coding blocks to create musical patterns. They can then share their patterns with friends or family members by sending them a code. This is a great way for kids to get creative and have fun with coding.

3. Robot Turtles

Robot Turtles is a classic board game that teaches kids the basics of programming. The game is designed for kids aged four and up and can be played with up to four players. In the game, players program their turtles to move around the board and collect gems. The first player to collect all of the gems wins the game. This is a great game for helping kids understand concepts like loops and conditionals.

4. Code Master

Code Master is a coding board game for kids aged eight and up. In the game, players use a series of code cards to program their robot to reach the exit on each level. The game gets increasingly difficult as players progress, teaching them how to debug their programs and think strategically. This is a great game for helping kids develop problem-solving skills.

5. Kano Computer Kit

The Kano Computer Kit is a great way for kids to build their computers and learn to code with them. The kit comes with everything kids need to build a working computer, including a Raspberry Pi, a screen, keyboard, and speakers. Kids can then use the computer they’ve built to learn to code with the included software. This is a great way for kids to learn about computer hardware and how it works.

How to Teach Coding without a Computer?

Coding is a process of communication between people and machines. It is a process of breaking a problem down into a set of instructions that can be executed by a machine. To teach coding, you don’t need a computer. All you need is a whiteboard and a marker.

Start by writing a simple program on the whiteboard. For example, write a program that will take two numbers and add them together. Once you have written the program, explain each line to your students. Ask them what they think each line of code does. Then, have them execute the program by hand. They should write down the inputs and the outputs for each step.

Once your students understand how the program works, it’s time to introduce them to the concept of variables. Explain that a variable is a place to store a value. Write a program on the whiteboard that uses variables. For example, write a program that will take two numbers and add them together. But this time, store the result in a variable. As your students work through the program, explain what each line of code is doing.

The concept of loops

Once your students understand how variables work, you can introduce them to the concept of loops. A loop is a set of instructions that are executed over and over again. Write a program on the whiteboard that uses a loop. For example, write a program that will take two numbers and add them together. But this time, keep adding the numbers until the result is greater than 100. As your students work through the program, explain what each line of code is doing.

At this point, your students should have a good understanding of how to write programs without using a computer. They should also be able to understand how to read and write code. Teaching coding without a computer is a great way to introduce your students to the world of programming.

The Best Coding Books for Kids Without a Computer

There are a lot of great coding books for kids without a computer. But which ones are the best? Here are our top picks:

1. “Unplugged Code: Learn to Code Without a Computer” by Gopal Krishna

This book is perfect for kids who want to learn to code without a computer. It includes step-by-step instructions and illustrations for coding concepts like loops and conditionals. Plus, there are paper-based coding projects at the end of each chapter to put what they’ve learned into practice.

2. “Coding Without a Computer” by Tim Telford

This book is another great option for kids who want to learn to code without a computer. It uses a variety of activities, games, and puzzles to teach kids coding concepts. And like the previous book, it also includes paper-based coding projects at the end of each chapter.

3. “Coding for Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Programs” by Max Wainewright

This book is great for kids who are ready to start writing code. It walks them through the basics of coding clearly and concisely. Plus, it comes with a free online programming environment so kids can immediately start putting their new coding skills to use.

4. “Scratch Coding Cards: Create Your Games, Stories, and Animations” by The Scratch Team

These cards are a great way for kids to learn the basics of coding with Scratch, a visual programming language. Each card features a different coding concept, along with step-by-step instructions and an example project. Plus, the back of each card has a Scratch code that kids can use to create their projects.

5. “Coding Games in Scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Computer Games” by Jon Woodcock

This book walks kids through the process of creating their computer games using Scratch. They’ll learn how to code sprites, create backgrounds, and add sound effects and music. Plus, they’ll also learn how to share their games with others online.

Top 10 Offline Coding Activities for Kids

There are a ton of great offline coding activities for kids! Here are 10 of our favorites:

1. Pen and Paper Coding:

This is a great way for kids to get started with coding. They can use a simple language like Scratch or Blockly to write code on paper, and then run their programs by following the instructions.

2. Code Cards:

Another great way to get kids started with coding is by using code cards. There are a bunch of different code card games available, like Code Combat and Code Master. These games help kids learn how to read and write code, and are a lot of fun too!

3. Code Folding:

This is a great activity for kids who are already familiar with coding. Code folding is a way of writing code on paper so that it can be unfolded and read like a story. This is a great way for kids to see how their code works, and to share their programs with others.

4. Code Mazes:

Code mazes are a great way for kids to practice their coding skills. There are a bunch of different code mazes available online, and they range in difficulty from easy to hard.

5. Code Puzzles:

Code puzzles are another great way for kids to practice their coding skills. There are a bunch of different code puzzles available online, and they range in difficulty from easy to hard.

6. Code Golf:

Code golf is a great way for kids to challenge themselves and have fun with coding. In code golf, the goal is to write a program that solves a problem in the fewest number of characters possible.

7. Code Hunt:

Code hunt is a great way for kids to learn about algorithms and problem-solving. In a code hunt, the goal is to find a specific piece of code that solves a problem.

8. Debugging:

Debugging is a great way for kids to learn how to find and fix errors in their code. There are a bunch of different debugging games available online, and they range in difficulty from easy to hard.

9. Collaborative Coding:

Collaborative coding is a great way for kids to learn how to work together on coding projects. In collaborative coding, two or more people work together on a coding project, and each person has a role to play.

10. Coding Clubs:

Coding clubs are a great way for kids to meet other kids who are interested in coding. They typically meet once a week, and they’re a great place for kids to learn from each other and share their projects.