Easy Coding Ideas for Kids

Computer code is everywhere: in electronic games, this website, and tills at the supermarket. Even though you can't see it, computer code is a huge part of our world, which is why it is really important to introduce children to the key principles of computer science from a young age.

The actual concepts involved in computer coding aim to be very straightforward and can be broken down into the following things:

• Take some input and do something with it. (e.g. press a button and make a doorbell ring, or take a number and multiply it by itself)
• Do a sequence of tasks to achieve a more complicated objective
• Repeat a sequence of tasks many times on a schedule or until a condition is met

Coding gets more complicated when we have to handle situations where things don't go right or if something unexpected happens.

Our brand new Coding for Kids series is full of fun, screen-free activities that introduce children to computational thinking, logical thinking, and the most basic programming concepts.

What is coding?

Coding is when a computer is given commands to which it responds, computer programmers use many different languages to write computer programs.  I'm not suggesting you teach your preschooler to write in Java, but the fundamental principles of coding are the same for every language and we can do activities to encourage the type of thinking programmers need from an early age.

How to encourage logical thinking in children

• Encourage children to ask questions and foster their creativity.
• Explain the reasoning behind your answers to their questions rather than expecting simple acceptance of fact.
• Consider bias. Are there reasons why some people would think one way and others a different way?
• Ask children to consider alternative explanations and solutions to problems, considering the advantages and disadvantages of each.
• Encourage children to explain solutions and answers in their own words.

Designing and carrying out scientific experiments is a great way to practice all the above.

Coding Activities for 2-4 year olds

Building blocks are a great learning toy. Stack them up and encourage counting. Build towers using blocks of different heights and ask which tower has the most blocks. Ask lots of questions and encourage children to use past experience, logic, and direct observation to arrive at their answers.

Practice making patterns. You could use building blocks, DUPLO, small toys, shapes, or a coloured pasta necklace.

Try some weighing and measuring, perhaps ask the child to make predictions first as to which object they think is heavier or which people are taller.

Have a go at making and testing predictions with a simple sink and float activity.

Try building small DUPLO® models and asking the child to copy exactly what you've made.

Coding Activities 5-7 year olds

Practice sorting and classifying objects. We've got a candy sorting activity you can try, or how about collecting and organising data on a LEGO® bar chart?

Designing and decoding codes is a fun logic based activity. Try replacing letters for numbers, shifting the alphabet along or using symbols. This spy decoder from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls is just brilliant for helping with the decoding.

Try following instructions using LEGO® or other construction toys.

Practice making patterns, again, you can use LEGO® to make it more fun.

If you have Bee Bots or similar I have some easy ideas for a Key Stage 1 ( age 5-7 ) coding club.

Outdoor ideas - learn to code

Have a game of pooh sticks, each choose a stick, drop into a moving stream and guess which will move the fastest. Are there any obstacles in the way?

Compare sticks, leaves or pinecones for size, can you make a pattern? Which weigh the most?

Try some science with scooters by estimating which will travel the furthest down a hill.

Board games to encourage planning and reasoning skills

Turing Tumble

Tic Tac Toe

Dominoes

Draughts

Monopoly

Cluedo

Rummikub

Mastermind

Genius Square

LEGO® also have some fantastic coding and robotic kits. That are easy to use, come with full instructions and provide hours of fun!

Coding extension tasks for older children

Practice writing instructions.

Take a look at Scratch and Makey Makey projects. We made a giant operation game with our Makey Makey which was brilliant fun!

Do you have any more coding ideas for kids for us?

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Last Updated on March 3, 2025 by Emma Vanstone