DIY Coding Projects

DIY Coding Projects

Screen-Free Activities for Ages 9-12

Introduction

Welcome to the world of screen-free coding! This guide provides hands-on activities that teach fundamental programming concepts without using computers. These projects help children develop computational thinking skills—like breaking down problems, recognizing patterns, and creating step-by-step solutions—while having fun with tangible materials.

Activity 1: Human Robot Navigation

Concept: Algorithms, Sequential Instructions

Materials:

  • Masking tape
  • Index cards
  • Markers
  • Small objects (toys, cones, etc.)

Setup:

  1. Create a grid on the floor using masking tape (5×5 or larger)
  2. Place obstacles and destination points on the grid

Instructions:

  1. One child acts as the programmer, the other as the robot
  2. The programmer writes commands on index cards:
    • FORWARD (move one space ahead)
    • TURN LEFT
    • TURN RIGHT
    • PICK UP
    • DROP
  3. The robot must follow the commands exactly as written
  4. Challenge: Get the robot from start to finish while collecting items along the way

Extension: Add loops by creating “REPEAT 3 TIMES: [commands]” cards to introduce the concept of iteration.

Activity 2: Sorting Network

Concept: Algorithms, Parallel Processing

Materials:

  • Chalk (for outdoors) or masking tape (for indoors)
  • Number cards or items of different weights

Setup:

  1. Draw a “sorting network” on the ground with paths that split and rejoin
  2. Mark comparison points with circles where two paths meet

Instructions:

  1. Give each child a number card or weighted item
  2. Children walk the paths simultaneously
  3. When two children meet at a comparison point, they compare values
  4. The higher value goes to the right path, lower to the left
  5. If done correctly, when children exit the network, they’ll be in sorted order

Extension: Try sorting by different criteria or design your own sorting network.

Activity 3: Binary Bead Bracelets

Concept: Binary Number System, Data Representation

Materials:

  • String or elastic cord
  • Beads in two different colors
  • Alphabet binary code chart (provided below)
  • Small containers for beads

Binary Alphabet Chart:

A: 01000001    J: 01001010    S: 01010011
B: 01000010    K: 01001011    T: 01010100
C: 01000011    L: 01001100    U: 01010101
D: 01000100    M: 01001101    V: 01010110
E: 01000101    N: 01001110    W: 01010111
F: 01000110    O: 01001111    X: 01011000
G: 01000111    P: 01010000    Y: 01011001
H: 01001000    Q: 01010001    Z: 01011010
I: 01001001    R: 01010010

Instructions:

  1. Choose a word or name to encode
  2. Use the chart to find the binary code for each letter
  3. Use one color bead for “1” and another color for “0”
  4. String the beads in the correct order to represent your word in binary
  5. Tie off the ends to make a bracelet

Extension: Learn to count in binary using your fingers.

Activity 4: Conditional Card Game

Concept: Conditional Statements (IF-THEN-ELSE)

Materials:

  • Index cards
  • Markers
  • Dice (optional)

Setup:

  1. Create condition cards with statements like:
    • IF card is red, THEN clap twice
    • IF card shows even number, THEN spin around
    • IF card is a face card, THEN hop on one foot
    • ELSE do jumping jacks

Instructions:

  1. Players take turns drawing a card from a standard deck
  2. Player must follow the conditional instruction based on the card drawn
  3. For added complexity, combine conditions with AND/OR statements:
    • IF card is red AND greater than 5, THEN…
    • IF card is a heart OR a spade, THEN…

Extension: Create your own branching story where different conditions lead to different story paths.

Activity 5: Function Machines

Concept: Functions, Input/Output

Materials:

  • Large cardboard box
  • Scissors
  • Decorative supplies
  • Small objects or number cards
  • Paper and pen

Setup:

  1. Create a “function machine” from a cardboard box with an input slot and output slot
  2. Child sits inside the box with a secret “function rule”

Instructions:

  1. Children take turns being the function machine
  2. The machine operator creates a rule (e.g., “add 3” or “multiply by 2”)
  3. Other players pass in number cards or objects through the input slot
  4. The machine operator applies the rule and returns the result through the output slot
  5. Players must guess the rule based on input/output pairs

Extension: Create more complex functions with multiple operations or conditional results.

Activity 6: Debugging Scavenger Hunt

Concept: Debugging, Error Detection

Materials:

  • Index cards with “buggy” instructions
  • Small prizes or treasures to find

Setup:

  1. Hide several small prizes around your space
  2. Create instruction cards with intentional errors to find each prize

Instructions:

  1. Give children the buggy instructions
  2. Children must identify the bugs in the instructions
  3. After fixing the bugs, they follow the corrected instructions to find the prizes
  4. Example bugs:
    • Incorrect directions (turn right instead of left)
    • Missing steps
    • Ambiguous instructions
    • Infinite loops

Extension: Have children create their own buggy instructions for others to debug.

Activity 7: Pattern Block Programming

Concept: Algorithms, Pattern Recognition

Materials:

  • Geometric pattern blocks
  • Grid paper
  • Colored pencils

Instructions:

  1. One child creates a simple pattern with blocks
  2. They then write instructions for recreating the pattern without showing the final design
  3. Another child follows the instructions to recreate the pattern
  4. Compare the results to the original
  5. Discuss what made instructions clear or unclear

Extension: Create more complex patterns or challenge students to write the most efficient instructions (fewest steps).

Activity 8: Sandwich Algorithm

Concept: Precise Instructions, Algorithms

Materials:

  • Bread, spreads, and fillings for sandwiches
  • Paper and pencils
  • Plastic knives, plates, napkins

Instructions:

  1. Children write detailed algorithms for making a sandwich
  2. Another person follows the instructions EXACTLY as written
  3. Highlight the importance of precision – if instructions say “put peanut butter on bread” without specifying to use a knife, the follower might use their hands!
  4. Enjoy eating the results (even the imperfect ones)

Extension: Try more complex recipes with multiple decision points.

Activity 9: Loop Tag

Concept: Loops, Iteration

Materials:

  • Open play space
  • Index cards
  • Timer (optional)

Setup:

  1. Create loop cards with instructions like:
    • REPEAT 3 TIMES: Hop forward
    • WHILE not tagged: Run in a circle
    • FOR each player: High five them

Instructions:

  1. One player is “It” and draws a loop card
  2. They must follow the looping instruction
  3. Other players try to tag them during this time
  4. If tagged, the new “It” draws a different loop card

Extension: Create nested loops where one action contains another repeating action.

Activity 10: Pixel Art Communication

Concept: Data Representation, Coordinates

Materials:

  • Grid paper
  • Colored pencils
  • Blank paper for writing coordinates

Instructions:

  1. One child creates a simple pixel art image on grid paper, coloring in squares
  2. Instead of showing the image, they write out coordinates and colors:
    • (2,3): Blue
    • (2,4): Blue
    • (3,3): Red
  3. Another child recreates the image following only the coordinates
  4. Compare the results to see if the communication was successful

Extension: Try encoding the image using run-length encoding: “3 blue, 2 white, 4 red” instead of individual coordinates.

Resources for Further Learning

  • Unplugged coding activity books
  • Card games that teach logic (like Chocolate Fix or Robot Turtles)
  • Physical coding toys like Cubetto or Code & Go Robot Mouse
  • Local library coding clubs and workshops

Remember, the goal is to develop computational thinking skills—not just to learn coding syntax. These activities build the fundamental mental models needed for programming success when children eventually move to screen-based coding.

Happy coding!

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