5 Screen-Free Coding Activities to Try At Home

These screen-free activities are guaranteed to sharpen your child’s coding knowledge.

There’s no denying that coding and computer science are important concepts for young kids to learn early on. To start, studies show that kids who study coding at school tend to earn higher scores in Math, Science, and English standardized tests. And let’s not forget that computing jobs are the number one source of new wages in the US alone, indicating that coding is an essential skill for children to succeed in and outside of the classroom.

The shift to remote learning, however, has raised the concern for both parents and teachers that kids are spending too much time in front of a screen. Thankfully, at codeSpark Academy we understand the value of both on-screen and off-screen activities when teaching kids how to code

To aid you in your quest to find screen-free learning activities, check out these five activities that will keep your kid coders entertained while practicing their coding skills.

1. Practice writing skills by making cards for friends. Try creating an interactive version of their card in codeSpark Academy!

2. Develop observation skills with this bug hunt activity. Just in time for summer, this printable activity can be completed from your backyard, on your daily walk, or in a playground. Challenge your kid coders to go outside, find five crawly critters, then draw and note their differences.

3. Build problem-solving skills with a deck of cards. This super simple activity is designed to introduce kids to the basics of coding. The best part? All you need to play is a deck of cards, painter’s tape, and a variety of small toys (legos, figurines, etc.).

4. Practice sequencing and logic with this outdoor game. All you need to play this game is chalk and a water squirter. Tip: Try water balloons to reenact Splash Clash in real life!

5. Learn about algorithms with this cup stacking activity. This printable activity invites kid coders to create a cup stacking design and then make an algorithm to bring their creation to life.

We hope these activities bring your kid coders hours of coding fun! Sign up for our Foosletter for more fun resources to keep you kids engaged with learning for the rest of the school year.