• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
  • Science Experiments For Kids
  • Science Fair Projects
  • Science Facts
  • Science Questions
  • About
    • Emma Vanstone
    • About Science Sparks
Science Experiments for Kids
Menu
  • STEM Challenges
    • STEM Challenges
    • FREE STEM Challenge Templates
  • Early Years Science
    • Preschool Science
    • Sensory and Messy Play
    • Understanding of the World
    • Pirate Science Experiments
  • Primary Science
    • Baking Soda Experiments
    • Candy Experiments
    • Biology
    • Climate Change for Kids
    • Coding for Kids
    • Chemistry
    • Electricity for Kids
    • Magic Science Experiments
    • Harry Potter Experiments
    • Human Body Science
    • Air Pressure Experiments
    • Life Cycles
    • LEGO Science Experiments
    • Kitchen Science
    • Famous Scientists
    • Forces and Motion
    • Science Sparks Snippets
    • Key Stage 1 Science
      • Animals
      • Everyday Materials
      • Plants
      • Coding Activities
      • Humans and Health
      • Fine Motor skills
      • Science and Literacy
    • Key Stage 2 Science
      • Animals, Including Humans
      • Electricity
      • Light
      • Plants
      • Materials and their Properties
  • Holiday Science
    • Christmas Science
    • Halloween Science
    • Easter Science
  • Storybook Themed Science Experiments
  • Wonderful Women in STEM
  • FREE Science Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE Experiments
  • Science for Kids
    • Kitchen Science
    • Climate Change
    • Egg Experiments
    • Fairy Tale Science
    • Edible Science
    • Human Health
    • Chemistry
    • Inspirational Women
    • Forces and Motion
  • Science Fair Projects
  • STEM Challenges
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Contact Science Sparks
  • Science Resources for Home and School

×
Home » Primary Science » Key Stage 1 Science » Coding Activities » Writing instructions – coding for kids

Writing instructions – coding for kids

Modified: Apr 5, 2016 · Published: Jan 22, 2015 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

First up in our coding for kids series is practice at writing instructions. This is a really simple activity with potentially very funny results.

I asked my 7 year old to write me two sets of instructions, one for packing his bag for swimming and one for making his favourite sandwich.

DSC_0157

He did really well, but missed a couple of key things. He forgot to add a towel to the swimming bag, and didn’t mention what tools to use to make his sandwich, I’m also not sure where the second slice of bread came from.

DSC_0155

 

The key point of this activity is getting the detail, a computer doesn’t know you need a towel to dry yourself after swimming, it can only follow instructions, so they must be complete. I didn’t send him swimming without a towel as that would just be mean, but we did try to make the sandwich without a knife and without knowing where to get the second slice of bread or the peanut butter from.

See our coding for kids introduction post for more creative ideas to help children think like a programmer.

Writing-instructions

 

 

Last Updated on April 5, 2016 by Emma Vanstone

More Coding Activities

  • WeDo 2.0 from LEGO Education
  • Extension from Constructa-Bot
    Coding with Constructa-Bots
  • LEGO
    Easy Coding Ideas for Kids

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Enchanted Schoolroom

    January 23, 2015 at 12:57 am

    So very glad that you focused on “Writing Instructions” 🙂
    As a programmer, I am very happy to see it.
    Looking forward to reading more of the series.

    Reply
  2. TechyKids Canada

    December 11, 2020 at 10:46 am

    This is a really good idea and a great way to get kids into practice. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Imagine a world where science education is accessible to everyone and is all about hands-on, exciting discoveries. That’s the world I want to create.

More about me

Around the World in 50 Experiments

50 experiments about countries of the world

Footer

↑ back to top

Science Sparks - FREE science experiments for kids

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Services
  • Media Kit
  • FAQ

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Science Sparks - Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd