Teach preschoolers coding concepts like patterns, sequencing, and collaboration through a hands-on, unplugged activity to decorate Santa’s presents in a 3-colored pattern.

Materials Needed:

• Pre-cut paper squares or small boxes (representing presents).

• Red, green, and white crayons, markers, or stickers (any three distinct colors).

• "Coding Cards" with simple instructions like:

  • Color A (Red)

  • Color B (Green)

  • Color C (White)

• Optional: A template for a gift-wrapping "pattern plan."

Setup:

1. Divide students into pairs: One child is the "coder" and the other is the "robot."

2. Provide each pair with a stack of blank presents and the 3-color supplies.

3. Shuffle the "coding cards" (Color A, Color B, Color C) or let the coder design their own 3-color pattern.

Instructions:

Step 1: Introduce Patterns and Rules

• Begin with a quick discussion:
  "Santa loves patterns on his presents! Today, we’ll decorate his gifts in a special 3-colored pattern."

• Show examples of 3-color patterns (e.g., Red-Green-White, Green-White-Red) to help them visualize the task.

Step 2: Pair Roles

• Explain the roles:

  • The Coder creates the color sequence for the gift wrap.

  • The Robot follows the code to decorate the presents in the right order.

Step 3: Coding the Pattern

1. The Coder selects or creates a 3-color pattern (e.g., Red-Green-White).

2. They "program" their partner by saying the pattern aloud or showing them the coding cards.

Step 4: Decorate the Presents

• The Robot colors the presents following the sequence exactly as "coded" by their partner.

• They continue until they’ve decorated 3-5 presents.

Step 5: Switch Roles

• After finishing, the pair switches roles, and the new Coder picks a different 3-color pattern.

This Coding@Christmas activity will introduce preschoolers to coding concepts such as sequencing and creativity through designing their own elf and imagining its adventure.

Materials Needed:

• A computer or tablet with access to the Elf Maker feature on the Santa Tracker website.

• Printouts of simple activity cards or pre-drawn grids (optional, for unplugged follow-up activities).

Instructions:

1. Warm-Up: Understanding the Task

• Discussion Starter:
  "Who loves Santa's helpers, the elves? Today, we’re going to create our own elves and plan their adventure to help Santa!"

• Explain that kids will:

  • Use the website to design an elf by choosing colors, accessories, and features.

  • Decide what the elf will do in a fun sequence of events.

2. Step-by-Step Elf Creation

• Open the Elf Maker and guide the kids to select:

  1. Skin color.

  2. Outfit details (shirt, pants, accessories).

  3. Hair or hat style.

  4. Special colors and decorations.

• Encourage kids to talk about their choices:
  "Why did you choose a yellow hat? What do you think your elf will do in Santa's workshop?"

3. Introduce Coding Through Sequencing

• Once the elves are ready, introduce the concept of sequencing as "giving step-by-step instructions."

• Use this analogy:
  "Just like Santa needs a map to deliver gifts, our elves need a plan for their day!"

4. Plan an Elf Adventure

Provide a story sequence template for kids to plan what their elf will do. Use a "First, Then, Next, Last" format.

Example:

• First: My elf wakes up and stretches.

• Then: It makes toys in the workshop.

• Next: It eats a cookie snack.

• Last: It loads the sleigh with Santa.

5. Act It Out (Optional Unplugged Activity)

• After designing their elf and planning its sequence, have the kids act out their elf's adventure.

• Use props like toy tools, Santa hats, or blocks to represent the workshop.

Teach preschoolers basic coding concepts like sequencing, direction-following, and problem-solving through a hands-on and paper-based activity.

Activity Part 1: Floor Grid Version

Materials Needed:

• A large floor grid (made with masking tape or printed on a large sheet) with 3x3 or 4x4 squares.

• Cutouts of Santa’s clothes (hat, coat, pants, boots, gloves).

• A Santa figure or picture placed at the starting square.

• A small toy to act as a “coder” character (like a robot or elf).

Setup:

1. Place Santa’s clothes on random grid squares. Each square can hold one item.

2. Place Santa in one corner of the grid (e.g., bottom-left). The goal is for Santa to "collect" all his clothes before reaching the sleigh or workshop.

Instructions:

1. Introduce the Goal:
   "Santa needs to get dressed before his big journey! Help him collect all his clothes by telling him where to go."

2. Explain Directions:
   Teach the kids basic movement commands:

   • Forward (Move up)

   • Backward (Move down)

   • Turn left

   • Turn right

3. Coding the Route:

   • A child acts as the "coder" and gives verbal commands (or uses direction cards).

   • Another child or a teacher moves the toy Santa or “robot” along the grid based on these commands.

4. Collect Clothes:
   Each time Santa lands on a square with clothes, he “collects” the item. Use phrases like:
   "Hooray! Santa found his hat! What’s next?"

5. Switch Roles:

   • After Santa collects all his clothes, let another child take a turn as the coder.

Activity Part 2: Paper-Based Version

Materials Needed:

• A paper grid similar to the one in the image (3x3 or 4x4).

• Small icons or drawings of Santa’s clothes placed randomly on grid squares.

• A pencil or crayon to draw Santa’s path.

Instructions:

1. Introduce the Paper Grid:
   "Now that we’ve helped Santa on the big floor grid, let’s use a smaller one to plan his route!"

2. Draw Santa’s Starting Point:

   • Mark a square on the grid as the starting point for Santa.

   • Place icons of his clothes on different squares.

3. Plan the Route:

   • Ask children to use a crayon to draw the path that Santa should take to collect all his clothes.

   • Use directional arrows (↑, ↓, ←, →) to guide the route.

4. Sequence the Commands:

   • Below the grid, write a simple code for the route using arrows. For example:
     → → ↑ (to move right twice, then up once).

5. Check the Solution:

   • Once the child finishes drawing the path, review together to ensure Santa collects all his clothes in the correct order.

Introduce preschoolers to the concept of sequencing, pattern recognition, and logical thinking by creating a dance sequence for Santa and his elves using Code Boogie.

Materials Needed:

• A computer or tablet with access to the Code Boogie game.

• Printed or drawn "dance move cards" (representing moves like jump, spin, clap, etc.).

• Space for kids to move and act out the dance sequences.

Part 1: Online Dance Coding

Instructions:

1. Introduce the Activity:
   "Santa and his elves are ready to party, but they need your help to code their dance moves!"

   • Explain that coding is like giving step-by-step instructions to make something happen.

   • In Code Boogie, the goal is to arrange the dance steps in the right order so Santa and the elves can dance.

2. Play the Game Together:

   • Start with the early levels where kids drag and drop the dance steps in order (e.g., Jump → Spin → Clap).

   • Let the children suggest which moves should come first, second, and third.

   • Run the sequence to see if the elves perform the dance as planned.

3. Encourage Debugging:

   • If the dance doesn’t work as expected, explain how they can fix it (debugging):
     "Oops! The elves didn’t spin. What step do we need to fix?"

4. Celebrate Success:

   • Each time a level is completed, encourage cheering and clapping to reinforce their achievement.

Part 2: Offline Dance Coding

Once kids understand the concept using the online game, bring it into the physical world with an unplugged version!

Materials Needed:

• Printable or hand-drawn dance move cards (e.g., Jump, Spin, Clap, Stomp).

• A "Dance Floor" grid (can be a printed sheet or a small taped area on the floor).

• A small Santa or elf figure (optional, for additional fun).

Instructions:

1. Set Up the Dance Move Cards:

   • Lay out the cards on a table or floor.

   • Each card represents a dance move that the kids can perform.

2. Design a Dance Sequence:

   • Kids take turns choosing 3-5 dance moves to create a sequence.

   • They lay the cards in order (left to right) to "code" the dance.

3. Act Out the Code:

   • The whole group follows the sequence and performs the moves together.

4. Debugging the Dance:

   • If anyone forgets a move or the sequence doesn’t work, pause and "debug" by reordering or replacing cards.

5. Challenge Mode:

   • Add extra fun by using a timer (e.g., "Can we complete the sequence before Santa’s music stops?").

   • Create longer sequences or repeat patterns for advanced learners.

Introduce preschoolers to basic coding concepts such as sequencing, direction-following, and problem-solving by guiding an elf to complete tasks and reach the presents.

Materials Needed:

• A computer or tablet with access to the Codelab game.

• Printed or drawn "direction cards" (arrows for Forward, Turn Left, Turn Right).

• A printed or taped grid for an unplugged follow-up activity (3x3 or 4x4 grid).

• Small toy elf or cutout (optional for the unplugged activity).

Part 1: Online Codelab

Instructions:

1. Introduce the Game:
   "Santa's elves need help delivering presents! You’ll write code to guide the elf through the maze to the presents."

   • Explain that coding is like giving instructions step-by-step to help the elf move in the right direction.

2. Play the Early Levels Together:

   • Show how to drag and drop commands (Forward, Turn Left, Turn Right) to move the elf.

   • Start with simple sequences like moving straight to a goal (e.g., Forward → Forward → Forward).

   • Ask the kids, "What happens if we give the elf the wrong command? Let's try to debug and fix it!"

3. Encourage Debugging:

   • If the elf gets stuck or doesn’t reach the present, explain how they can fix their "code" (debugging).

   • "What can we change so the elf goes the right way? Should the elf turn left or right?"

4. Celebrate Success:

   • Cheer when the elf reaches the presents and say, "You’ve just written your own code!"

Part 2: Unplugged Codelab Activity

Once the kids are familiar with the concept, bring coding into the physical world with this unplugged version.

Setup:

• Create a 3x3 or 4x4 grid on paper or the floor.

• Place a "start" position for the elf (bottom-left square).

• Place a picture of presents or Santa in a goal square (e.g., top-right).

• Add simple obstacles like "snow piles" (drawn or marked with stickers).

Instructions:

1. Explain the Goal:
   "Your job is to code the elf’s path to deliver the present. Be careful to avoid obstacles like snow piles!"

2. Introduce the Direction Cards:

   • Use pre-made direction cards (Forward, Turn Left, Turn Right) or draw arrows on paper.

3. Plan the Path:

   • Kids choose a sequence of direction cards to guide the elf. For example:

     • Forward → Turn Right → Forward → Turn Left → Forward.

4. Test the Code:

   • Either:

     • Move a toy elf on the grid following the cards, or

     • Have the kids "be the elf" and walk the path based on the code they wrote.

5. Debug if Necessary:

   • If the elf doesn’t reach the presents or runs into an obstacle, ask the kids to "debug" their code by fixing the sequence.

Challenge Mode:

1. Add more obstacles like "icy patches" where the elf must turn or take a longer path.

2. Create additional challenges, like collecting candy canes or stars before reaching the presents.

3. Introduce loops: If a section of the path repeats, explain how to use a "repeat" card (e.g., "Move Forward x3").

Learning Outcomes:

• Introduce coding concepts like sequencing, debugging, and loops.

• Encourage problem-solving and logical thinking.

• Develop spatial awareness and direction-following skills.

• Foster creativity and teamwork when coding in pairs or small groups.