Continuing with our coding for kids series, I have a fun activity that's not only lots of fun, but perfect for helping improve logic skills.
We used masking tape to draw some obstacles on the floor and an end point, blindfolded one child and asked another to direct them to the end point.
An example set of instructions would be:
Move Forward 4 steps
Take 4 side steps to the left
Walk forward 1 step
Points to consider
How long is each step?
Do you need to work out how long each person's step is before starting?
How can you instruct people to turn? Do they know left from right?
Try this activity using one instruction at a time, then try two and three and so on. Can the blindfolded person remember the instructions?
Do you need to amend the second instruction depending on the outcome of the first? Or can you successfully give more than one instruction at a time.
When we write code for a computer we're basically giving the computer a set of instructions to carry out. The computer carries these out very quickly, and has to take into account the result of the previous instructions like we did with our instructions.
More about this coming soon.
Last Updated on March 25, 2015 by Emma Vanstone
Anuschka says
I love this idea, creative, fun and a simple explanation for little kids to get a grasp of how coding/programming works. I did this with my Daisy troop and it was a huge success! Thank you
TechyKids Canada says
It's so difficult to find activities which are fun and would help kids in developing some skills. The ideas which you have shared is creative and I am sure kids would benefit a lot from them. Thanks for sharing!