HP TECH TAKES /...
Exploring today's technology for tomorrow's possibilities
Subscribe
Computer Science Fun for Kids
December 14, 2023
Computer science involves studying computers and computing. When you learn about computer science, you'll be learning all about computer technology that includes both the hardware and the software that makes a computer run. It's essential to understand how computers operate, but then, you can also dive into the programs that allow people to use computers for different purposes and to solve different problems. You'll learn how to think creatively to solve problems, and your thinking skills can also enable you to create and design computer games and activities. Coding skills are an important part of computer science. Computers understand different coding languages, which tell computers what to do. When you learn these languages, you can write computer programs for work or play. One of the best ways to learn about computer science is to play games online. Have fun with these games and you might not even realize that you're learning as you go. After just a short time, you should have the skills you need to write out commands in different programming languages. Your next step might even be creating your own computer game or other type of program.
- Odd Squad: Code Breaker: It's up to players to break the code so you can avoid booby traps in this game. Go through the multiple levels of play as you play this game for kids of all ages.
- Code Avengers: Data Representation DJ: A teacher at Oak Hills School is running out of time and needs student help to set up a DR DJ device. Use your logic skills to figure out how information is stored and recalled.
- Blockly Puzzle: Play the Blockly game to learn about algorithms and how to solve puzzles. You'll need to use programming visuals to fit pieces together, and even if you don't know anything about computer programming you can play.
- Binary Challenge: You don't need a computer to take this binary challenge. Make up five cards with dots on one side, and figure out how to send information using symbols.
- Robozzle Game: Robozzle is a social puzzle game that involves programming a robot to pick up stars in a puzzle. You are able to use three commands to make the robot move, and you have to place the commands into program slots in the game.
- Codemoji Workshop: Use Codemoji's tools to create an animated animal.
- The Continuing Adventures of Dr. Eval: Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move your player around the playing field. You have limited access to the code, but you're going to have to figure out more to get around the blocks.
- Code Combat Game: Play Kithgard Dungeon by grabbing the gem and escaping the dungeon. Be careful not to run into anything!
- VIM Adventures: The cursor keys or keys "H," "J," "K," and "L" on your keyboard allow you to move yourself around in this game. Follow the path in the maze to get through the levels.
- Flexbox Froggy: Play Flexbox Froggy to help Froggy and friends using code. You have to write CSS code to guide Froggy to the lily pad.
- Karel Mini-Course: This course can get you started with computer programming. You'll be introduced to Python, Java, C/C++ and more through this two-hour course.
- Code Maven: Code Maven will teach you some programming skills. The boxes have code on one side and the result of the code on the other side so you can see what commands do.
- Code Your Name Binary Code Bracelets: Try this hands-on activity with string and black and white beads to make a bracelet that spells out your name in binary code.
- Unplugged Coding Activities: These activities include creating coding instructions for a friend, making a treasure obstacle course with instructions for completing it, and making up a loopy routine for a friend to follow.
- Compute and Find: A Secret Code Activity for Kids: Learn how to make a secret code generator and then use it to create codes for messages. You can create simple or challenging codes.
- Coding a Lego Maze: Print and cut out the game boards and pieces, use Lego pieces to build a maze, and then use the command cards to create an algorithm that will get a mini-figure from the start to the end.
