# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Access Google Drive with a Google account (for personal use) or Google Workspace account (for business use).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Here are some amazing offline coding games and activities to try right now with your kids. They will help your children learn about binary code, building algorithms, and so much more. You will be amazed at how much even your young children will learn about coding as they explore these coding games.

Coding Games for Kids

Building Algorithms Based on Children's Books

Your children can sequence the events from children's books that you read to them or they read on their own. Then they can use one of the algorithm sheets I have created to connect the events by drawing arrows in the empty boxes connecting the effects. They will learn about using the commands up, down, left and right.
Little Miss Muffet Coding Activity and Printable Coding Activity- Going on a Bear Hunt The Very Hungry Caterpillar Algorithm Activity Gruffalo Coding Sheet Coding for Kids- The Day It Rained Hearts Brown Bear, Brown Bear Coding Printable
Building Algorithms Based on Science Concepts

Life cycles and other science concepts follow a sequence. They are great to use to create algorithms for. Your children can make finding the short route to the next step in the cycle a coding game.
Coding the Planets in Order Life Cycle of a Spider Coding Activity Plant Growth Coding Sheet
Exploring Binary Code

Binary code is the simple form of computer code. The coding games and activities below are a great way for kids to explore binary.
Exploring Binary Number While Making Jewelry Building Binary Code with LEGO Birthday Binary Building Activity
Exploring Algorithms and Coding

Each of the coding games below invites kids to build algorithms and explore how coding works.

Table Top Activities
Making a Coding Quiet Book Coding a LEGO Maze Cupstacking a Code Super Hero Computer Coding Help the Pirate Find His Treasure Computer Coding Free Printable STEM Activity STEM Coding for Kids- Building Cup Stacking Algorithms ABC's of How to Read Binary with Printable Coding Games for Critical Thinking
Floor Activities
Coding for Kids- X Marks the Spot The Orange Game If Then Backyard Coding Activity Building and Walking an Algorithm
(Visited 331 times, 8 visits today)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Amazing Offline Coding Games To Try Right Now With Your Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here are some amazing offline coding games and activities to try right now with your kids. They will help your children learn about binary code, building algorithms, and so much more. You will be amazed at how much even your young children will learn about coding as they explore these coding games.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As a guest today in my daughter's second-grade classroom, full of math-enthusiastic seven-and-eight-year-old girls, I led a mathematical investigation of graph coloring, chromatic numbers, map coloring and Eulerian paths and circuits. I brought in a pile of sample graphs I had prepared, and all the girls made up their own graphs and maps to challenge each other. By the end each child had compiled a mathematical "coloring book" containing the results of their explorations. Let me tell you a little about what we did.

We began with vertex coloring, where one colors the vertices of a graph in such a way that adjacent vertices get different colors. We started with some easy examples, and then moved on to more complicated graphs, which they attacked.

The aim is to use the fewest number of colors, and the chromatic number of a graph is the smallest number of colors that suffice for a coloring. The girls colored the graphs, and indicated the number of colors they used, and we talked as a group in several instances about why one needed to use that many colors.

Next, the girls paired off, each making a challenge graph for her partner, who colored it, and vice versa.

Map coloring, where one colors the countries on a map in such a way that adjacent countries get different colors, is of course closely related to graph coloring.

The girls made their own maps to challenge each other, and then undertook to color those maps. We discussed the remarkable fact that four colors suffice to color any map.

Next, we considered Eulerian paths and circuits, where one traces through all the edges of a graph without lifting one's pencil and without retracing any edge more than once. We started off with some easy examples, but then considered more difficult cases.

An Eulerian circuit starts and ends at the same vertex, but an Eulerian path can start and end at different vertices.

We discussed the fact that some graphs have no Eulerian path or circuit. If there is a circuit, then every time you enter a vertex, you leave it on a fresh edge; and so there must be an even number of edges at each vertex. With an Eulerian path, the starting and ending vertices (if distinct) will have odd degree, while all the other vertices will have even degree.

It is a remarkable fact that amongst connected finite graphs, those necessary conditions are also sufficient. One can prove this by building up an Eulerian path or circuit (starting and ending at the two odd-degree nodes, if there are such); every time one enters a new vertex, there will be an edge to leave on, and so one will not get stuck. If some edges are missed, simply insert suitable detours to pick them up, and again it will all match up into a single path or circuit as desired. (But we didn't dwell much on this proof in the second-grade class.)

Meanwhile, this was an excellent opportunity to talk about The Seven Bridges of Königsberg. Is it possible to tour the city, while crossing each bridge exactly once?

The final result: a booklet of fun graph problems!

The high point of the day occurred in the midst of our graph-coloring activity when one little girl came up to me and said, "I want to be a mathematician!" What a delight!

Andrej Bauer has helped me to make available a kit of my original uncolored pages ( see also post at Google+), if anyone should want to use them to make their own booklets. Just print them out, copy double-sided (with correct orientation), and fold the pages to assemble into a booklet; a few staples can serve as a binding.

See also my followup question on MathOverflow, for the grown-ups, concerning the computational difficulty of producing hard-to-color maps and graphs.

Finally, check out my new book:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Math for seven-year-olds: graph coloring, chromatic numbers, and Eulerian paths and circuits

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As a guest today in my daughter's second-grade classroom, full of math-enthusiastic seven-and-eight-year-old girls, I led a mathematical investigation of graph coloring, chromatic numbers, map coloring and Eulerian paths and circuits. I brought in a pile of sample graphs I had prepared, and all the girls made up their own graphs and maps to challenge each other.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
From robots to Minecraft, there are thousands of different ways to introduce programming to your class in fun and interactive ways for the upcoming Hour of Code (December 8-14). While most apps and tutorials do require internet connected computers or mobile devices, it does not mean that schools without this level of technology cannot get involved. In fact, coding with paper can be an even more engaging and meaningful way to introduce students to early programming concepts.

The Game

The object of the Space Race game is to navigate your rocket ship safely through the galaxy of aliens and satellites, all the way to the moon. Using the pre-made coding blocks students can create a 'program' of directions for their rocket to follow and complete its mission.

I would encourage you to have your students work together as pairs or groups on this exercise. One student can set up the 'course' using the printed character blocks (Earth, moon, aliens, satellites). Their partner can then attempt to program the solution using the printed code blocks, and together they can 'execute' the program to navigate the ship. This not only gets your students working together but it will help them practice some of the collaborative aspects of coding and problem solving.

Getting Started

1. Print copies of both of the below files for each student or group

2. Have your students cut out the objects and code blocks from sheet 1

3. Using the cut out objects, place objects on the display (sheet 2) to create a course

4. Using the cut out code blocks, create directions for the rocket to follow

5. Run the program!

Objects and Code Blocks (sheet 1)

Use this sheet to cut out each individual object to place on the display and each code block to place on the console.

Display and Console (sheet 2)

This sheet is used for the gameplay. Use the display to set up a course and use the console to assemble the program.
Feature image adapted from image courtesy of Flickr, Sweetie187.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Coding with Paper: FREE Printable Space Game for Students

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
From robots to Minecraft, there are thousands of different ways to introduce programming to your class in fun and interactive ways for the upcoming Hour of Code (December 8-14). While most apps and tutorials do require internet connected computers or mobile devices, it does not mean that schools without this level of technology cannot get involved.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Can kids learn to code before they can read or write? Absolutely! Does that sound crazy, or even a bit unnecessary to you? I admit, at first I thought it did. Then I started exploring the world of coding with my kids, instead of just dabbling around on my computer alone, and wow! We're totally hooked.

Learning coding starts the same way learning any new skill or language does, with the basics. Am I saying that my 4 and 6 year old can make their own, commercial quality video game by coding? Absolutely not. Honestly, they don't even play them yet.

I wholeheartedly believe that in order to appreciate today's high definition, advanced technology, they must first play Duck Hunt or Mario Brothers￼ on the 8-bit Nintendo￼. (Yes, I still have one. Don't be jealous, you can buy your own on Amazon.)

Just because the latest greatest technology IS available, doesn't mean they have to have immediate access to it at age 4 or 5. Instead, I believe in giving them a strong foundation in the basics first, so they never take what they have for granted.
Even better, they can learn the basics of programming logic in many fun, exciting ways, even without a tablet or computer. In fact, many of the concepts can also be taken "offline" so you don't necessarily need anything special at first.

How to introduce learning code for preschoolers and early elementary students without a computer

Most apps and learning tools for coding start with a recommended age of 4. For us, that felt appropriate. I first introduced my oldest to tablets around age 4.5, but even my youngest, at 3, could still do some of the offline applications of the basics. I also think it's important to learn and practice skills in a variety of ways, and kids can learn these basic concepts even without a computer. So where do you begin as a parent?

Start Offline

We began with a game called Robot Turtles, by Thinkfun ￼. Robot Turtles is a cooperative game, which means that players work together toward a common goal, instead of competing. Some of my absolute favorite board games for preschoolers fall into this category, because they make games fun for everyone and foster family teamwork and togetherness. (More about that in an upcoming post).

￼
In the game, children learn general concepts of coding by using directional cards to move their turtle to a gem. The game gets increasingly difficult as you add obstacles to the game board, like ice castles that you can blast by placing laser cards into your program.
The best part? The child acts as the Turtle Master, while the parent acts as the Turtle Mover. Kids absolutely LOVE this role reversal. The game also requires parents to make beeping noises as they move the turtle to follow the child's instruction cards (the program). As the game gets more advanced, children (and parents), learn the basic logic of functions.

What are functions?

Writing a program using the least amount of commands as possible makes it more efficient. So, Turtle Masters replace patterns of directional cards that repeat with function cards and get the same result from the Turtle Mover as they did at first, only using fewer cards. If you mess up, the game also teaches the concept of debugging in a fun, silly way.
My son zoomed through the basic levels and soon started creating his own mazes of obstacles on the game board. We still haven't fully explored functions yet, but he absolutely loves the game.

What do my kids learn while playing Robot Turtles?

* The Programmer/Computer Connection
* How to Write a Code
* Mistakes are Ok
* Code is a Language
* How Functions Work
* How to Solve Problems
* Other life skills like:
* breaking big problems into small steps,
* working backward from goal to solution,
* visualizing multiple solutions,
* perseverance and experimentation,
* and patience.

￼

More ways to explore learning code for preschoolers and early elementary students without a computer

Warning, once you try out Robot Turtles￼, your kids may be hooked and you'll find yourself making a lot of beeping and bopping noises as you fulfill your role of Turtle Mover.
To give you a parental break from all of that beeping and zapping, I created this fun printable game that use the same concept of directional cards, one per space on the grid, to move the pirate to his treasure.
￼
Click Here to Download my Free Printable Game! Also, check out this similar Super Hero Coding Game using materials you probably already have on hand over on Little Bins for Little Hands. I love her blog- it seems like our kids are into the same things.

While you wait for more games, grab one of these wonderful Usborne books to explore computers and coding:

Can't get enough? Stay tuned, the next post in this series will explore a few simple online games and apps that translate the concept of using directional arrows to the digital world.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Learning Code for Preschoolers Without a Computer - Umbrella Tree Cafe

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Can kids learn to code before they can read or write? Absolutely! Does that sound crazy, or even a bit unnecessary to you? I admit, at first I thought it did. Then I started exploring the world of coding with my kids, instead of just dabbling around on my computer alone, and wow!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When young readers gain confidence with sight words it gives them a tremendous boost. The trick, of course, is getting them to practice without making them feel like they're working.

Making it FUN is the key here!

Learning, and being able to remember the words later on, is all about being fully engaged in the moment.

The Battle

This game is based on the old 'Sink the Ship' game, where you have to find the opponent's 'ships' to sink them. I've changed it from a sea battle to a Treasure Hunt and instead of using coordinates to find the chosen square I have individually numbered all the squares. This is for 3 reasons:

Young children can find the concept of coordinates quite difficult which can distract rather than add to the game.

It generally takes longer to find coordinates than a number which can take a child's focus off the sight words so that they're thinking more about the actual game board than the words.

Research has shown that dealing with the numbers in this format adds a side benefit of consolidating number sense.

The Set Up

1. Download your free copy of Battling for Sight Word Treasures.

2. Print off the Find the Treasure game board - each child will need one copy. To make them re-usable laminate them or put them in plastic sheet protectors. They need to be folded in half so that the Find the Treasure section sits flat on the table and the My Treasure section points up in the air. (Scroll down to see how Kathleen at KidpeopleClassroom.com adapted this in her classroom to make it easier to use).

3. Print off the Treasure Coins. There are 16 coins on the page so check how many you'll need before printing. For eg, if each child is focusing on 5 sight words they'll need 5 coins each.

The Treasure Coins

These can be managed a couple of different ways.

1. You can print off enough to write down every sight word you intend to teach then each time the children play they can choose coins from the Treasure Chest to focus on. Just cover a small container with brown and gold paper and it can become the Treasure Chest.

2. You can laminate blank coins and keep (for example) 10-14 coins with each pair of Find the Treasure game boards to write their chosen words on with dry erase markers. Then when they've finished playing they can simply wipe the coins clean again so they're ready for next time. Storing 2 game boards and the coins in a ziploc bag will keep them together nicely.

3. Children can keep their own store of coins, gradually increasing the number as they work through specific sight words.

Engaging in the Battle for Sight Word Treasures

1. Each child chooses the sight words they want to use in the game. I suggest each pair agree upon how many there will be.

2. They either find those sight word coins or write their chosen words on their coins making sure their partner doesn't see and place them face down on the table, perhaps hiding them under the game board.

3. They write their chosen words on their My Treasure grid, again keeping it secret.

4. Sitting facing each other so they can't see each other's game board they take it in turns to call out a number. If the space is empty they say 'there's no treasure there' or they could say 'aaarhh...no' like a pirate. The other child then crosses out that space so they remember it's blank. If there is a letter there they need to say the letter so their partner can write it in the correct space.

5. When a whole word is discovered on their Find the Treasure grid they need to say the word and then be given that Treasure Coin for the word they've found. The children should decide whether each whole word needs to be discovered completely by saying each number, or whether they can take a guess once they've got some clues. For eg, if they've uncovered 'ere' they may be able to guess 'here.' To stop them guessing everything too quickly they could forfeit a turn or lose the chance of winning that coin altogether if they guess incorrectly. After all, 'here' could have been 'there.'

6. The winner is the one who collects all their partner's Treasure Coins first.

A Simpler Way to Set Up

Kathleen from KidpeopleClassroom.com ran the game boards onto different coloured papers, laminated them and attached them together using paper clips. This not only made them more solid, it helped prevent accidental cheating! They didn't use the coins but just counted up the words instead. Pop over to her post to see the details and read how much her kids enjoyed playing it, how they quickly started playing independently and how she adapted it for different learning levels. Thanks, Kathleen!

Additional Bits

A note with numbers: if your kids are still learning their numbers above ten it's perfectly fine for them to say '3 and 2' for 32 as it will help them understand tens and ones and how they fit together on a number line.

Too many squares?: If you want a smaller grid so kids can focus on fewer words just have them cover up part of the grid. For eg, cover up the right half and only have the left half of the grid exposed, or cover the top 2 rows so the numbers only go to 30.

Directions: You might like to make a rule about what directions the words can travel

left to right

top to bottom

diagonally down

running backwards right to left or from the bottom up

Sight Words: If you're not sure about sight words skip over to This Reading Mama. I love this article she wrote talking about phonics and sight words.

Battle for The Alphabet?

Danielle from Mom Inspired Life has created a similar game focused on learning the alphabet. So if your little one loves Battle Games pop over there and pick up another one! This way your child can start with the alphabet, then progress to 3-letter words before taking on the sight word challenge in this post. Awesome!

Free Online Sight Word Games

Sightwords is a great place to find sight word games and flashcards as well as teaching ideas.

Do you have a favourite blog post or Pinterest board that's focused on sight words? If so, please link to it in the comments!

I hope you can make use of this game and that your kids have a great time playing it!

I wish you happy teaching and learning.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Battling for Sight Word Treasures - Liz's Early Learning Spot

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When young readers gain confidence with sight words it gives them a tremendous boost. The trick, of course, is getting them to practice without making them feel like they're working. Making it FUN is the key here! Learning, and being able to remember the words later on, is all about being fully engaged in the moment.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
CS Unplugged is a collection of free teaching material that teaches Computer Science through engaging games and puzzles that use cards, string, crayons and lots of running around.

# data[].attributes.body
n this activity, your students will be challenged to use more than two instructions to solve the puzzle, and will guide a Bird towards the Watermelon.

# data[].attributes.body
Hand out the Move the Fox worksheet to each of your students. Show them how to draw their directional arrows in the instruction box next to the grid with the fox inside of it. Next, instruct them to solve each puzzle by directing the Fox to the Strawberry.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Equipping kids with coding skills empowers them to navigate and shape the world around them. The Robot Turtles game supports coding literacy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Education resources for schools teachers and students - ABC Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
ABC Education has 5000+ educational games, videos and teaching resources for schools and students. Free Primary and Secondary resources covering history, science, English, maths and more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Resources for Primary and Secondary Students - ABC Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
4000+ educational games, videos and teaching resources for schools and students. Free Primary and Secondary resources covering history, science, English, maths and more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Resources for Primary and Secondary Students - ABC Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
4000+ educational games, videos and teaching resources for schools and students. Free Primary and Secondary resources covering history, science, English, maths and more