Summer offers the perfect opportunity for kids to explore new interests and develop useful skills, and coding is one of the best skills they can pick up. If you’re looking to introduce your child to the basics of coding, a 6-week coding challenge using Scratch is a fantastic and engaging way to get started. The best part? No prior experience is required—just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to learn!
Here’s a week-by-week breakdown of the challenge designed to make coding fun and educational for kids of all ages.
Week 1: What Is Coding?
Goal:
Introduce coding as a way to give instructions to a computer. Familiarize your child with Scratch and the basics of block-based coding.
What to Learn:
- What is a computer program?
- What are code blocks?
- How to move a character (sprite) on the screen
Activities:
- Set up a Scratch account and create a new project.
- Start with the “Get Started” tutorial from Scratch.
- Add the default cat sprite and use blocks to:
- Move it 10 steps
- Make it say “Hello!”
- Add a 1-second wait before the next action
Key Concepts:
- Code as instructions
- Events (e.g., “when green flag clicked”)
- Motion, looks, and sound blocks
Week 2: Step-by-Step Thinking (Algorithms)
Goal:
Introduce the concept of algorithms and teach kids how to create step-by-step instructions.
What to Learn:
- What is an algorithm?
- Why order matters in coding
- How to plan a project like a recipe
Activities:
- Write down or draw the steps to complete a simple task (e.g., making a sandwich).
- Try the “Animate a Name” tutorial in Scratch, using your child’s name or nickname as sprites.
- Make each letter change color, move up and down, and play a sound.
Key Concepts:
- Algorithms
- Sequencing
- Cause and effect in code
Week 3: Fixing Mistakes (Debugging)
Goal:
Teach kids how to spot and fix issues in their code. Encourage problem-solving and patience.
What to Learn:
- What is a bug?
- What is debugging?
- How to test and improve code
Activities:
- Open the project from the previous week and intentionally change one block.
- Observe how the changes affect the project and try to fix it.
- Complete a puzzle from Code.org or Tynker to practice debugging.
- Use Scratch’s “Say Hello” example and purposely make an error (e.g., switching block orders), then fix it.
Key Concepts:
- Bugs and errors
- Logical thinking
- Testing and revising
Week 4: Loops and Repeating Actions
Goal:
Introduce loops and show how repetition can simplify coding tasks.
What to Learn:
- What is a loop?
- When and why to use repetition
- How to use “forever” and “repeat” blocks
Activities:
- Create a project where a sprite walks in a circle using the “repeat” block.
- Try the “Chase Game” tutorial, adding two sprites—a player and a target.
- Use loops to make the target move randomly.
Key Concepts:
- Loops
- Efficiency in coding
- Basic game logic
Week 5: Create a Story with Code
Goal:
Teach kids to create an animated story with characters, background changes, and dialogue using code.
What to Learn:
- How to control multiple sprites
- How to create conversations using code
- How to manage timing and events
Activities:
- Choose a theme (e.g., adventure, space, animals).
- Add at least two characters (sprites) and make them interact by saying things and changing backgrounds.
- Use the “broadcast” block to link actions between sprites.
Key Concepts:
- Events and timing
- Broadcast messages
- Multi-sprite interaction
Week 6: Build a Simple Game
Goal:
Guide kids through creating an interactive game using the skills learned so far.
What to Learn:
- How to plan a game
- How to add scoring and winning conditions
- How to track variables (e.g., score or lives)
Activities:
- Plan your game on paper, considering:
- The goal
- The rules
- What happens when the player wins or loses
- Choose a game type (e.g., clicker game, maze game, quiz game).
- Add a main character, obstacles, and a score counter.
Key Concepts:
- Variables (for tracking scores or lives)
- Game loops
- Interactivity
Optional Week 7: Creative Project Week
Goal:
Encourage kids to use their creativity and everything they’ve learned to build a unique project.
Ideas:
- Create a digital comic strip
- Design a music video with animations
- Build a virtual pet game
- Make a quiz about a favorite topic
What to Learn:
- How to plan and execute an original project
- How to explore new blocks and features independently
Activities:
- Brainstorm ideas and sketch them out.
- Choose sprites and backgrounds.
- Combine all the coding blocks to create the project.
Key Concepts:
- Project planning
- Creativity in coding
- Self-guided learning
Parent and Educator Tips
- Encourage kids to explain their projects. Teaching others helps reinforce their own understanding.
- Be patient with mistakes and slow progress. Remember, every coder starts by learning through trial and error.
- Focus on effort and creativity rather than perfect results.
- Let kids take ownership of their learning by giving them the freedom to make choices and personalize their projects.
