Introduce algorithms with this hands-on bitmap coding unplugged coding activity for kids!
This activity takes the concept of programming and makes it tangible for young kids, even toddlers! I think Thea (2yrs) was more engaged than Charlotte, my Kindergartner though they both helped with the entire activity.
The whole point of this activity is to give directions (algorithms) for making drawings and to help young kids understand how to translate movements into programs and practice communicating those ideas through codes and symbols.
The 5X5 grid is a great introduction to algorithms for kids ages 2 through 8 and larger grids make the activity adaptable for kids over 8.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Our Family Code earns from qualifying purchases. Please see our Disclosure Policy for more details.
Why STEAM Activities?
STEAM is the abbreviation for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.
STEAM, like STEM, is an integrated approach to learning that encourages learners to make connections between the concepts they are learning and how they apply them to real-world problems.
STEAM helps students ask questions, problem solve, think creatively, and produce innovative solutions. Many schools have adopted STEAM learning activities into their curriculum, but it’s never too early to start building critical thinking skills.
We love to learn through play at our house and have a blast doing activities for toddlers all the way to tweens!
Looking for some more hands-on activities that incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)? Then you have to check out STEAM Kids!
This book features more than 50 hands-on activities that are organized into easy to implement categories, so you know exactly what concepts your kids are learning!
Grab your copy from Amazon today or get instant access to this great book by purchasing a downloadable PDF!
Key Activity Terms
An algorithm is a list of steps that you can follow to complete a task. A program is an algorithm that is coded into something that can be run by a machine.
Bitmap is a way of storing graphics on a computer that is laid out in grid format with each box containing one pixel or picture elements that are used in bitmaps to store images on computers
Resolution is how big the pixels are in the image usually measured in pixels per inch. The higher the resolution the greater the quality of your image.
Code Bitmap Art – Unplugged Coding Activity Supplies
- Dry erase board
- Dry erase markers (We used wet erase black marker to make our grid, so we could color and erase with regular dry erase markers)
- Post-it notes
- Apples
- Code Your Art workbook (grab this at the end of the post!)
Bitmap Coding Unplugged Coding Activity
Practicing Programming Bitmaps
Draw a 5×5 grid on a dry erase board or poster board. I used wet-erase markers for the black grid lines in order to erase the other markers without erasing the grid lines.
To introduce the activity, I started with post-it notes in every box of our bitmap coding grid.
Use the program symbols in your workbook to communicate your algorithms.
Instead of “color square”, I used “remove post-it” because we were starting with removing post-its to reveal the bitmap. For example, see the algorithm for the picture below.
The algorithm for this bitmap would be (starting in the top left corner):
Move one square right
Move one square right
Move one square right
Move one square right
Move one square down
Move one square left
Remove post-it
Move one square left
Move one square left
Remove post-it
Move one square left
Move one square down
Move one square right
Move one square right
Move one square right
Move one square right
Move one square down
Move one square left
Remove post-it
Move one square left
Move one square left
Remove post-it
Move one square left
Move one square down
Move one square right
Remove post-it
Move one square right
Remove post-it
Move one square right
Remove post-it
Move one square right
Next, we worked with putting the post-its down instead of removing them. The process works the same way. Start in the top left corner and verbally communicate the direction using your algorithms.
Watch out for 2yr old sisters that try to remove your post-its while you are adding them!!
Check out this coding activity: How to Code a Volcano
Teach Your Toddler to Code
I let Thea have a go at some toddler bitmap coding. Instead of the regular algorithms, I used a simple ON/OFF code that told her when to add a post-it note to her bitmap coding grid.
She did a really great job considering this was her very first time coding anything and she’s only two!
Apple Bitmap Coding
Next, we decided to change things up and used apples instead of post-it notes.
I gave the same directions using the ON/OFF programs and Charlotte joined in on the fun. Thea thought this was super neat! It was a fun Fall twist for our bitmap coding activity!
Turn Algorithms into Programs
Use your bitmap coding workbook to write your algorithms as programs using the reference sheet and practice worksheets provided.
<<CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE CODE YOUR ART WORKSHEET>>
Code Your Art
Use the worksheet in your workbook to design your artwork and then verbally communicate your own algorithms to your partner who will act as your computer and follow your program to physically make a fuse bead design.
Peyton is pretty skilled with binary code, so we decided to take 5-bit binary code and turn it into our perler bead designs and then read our programs to each other.
Want to connect this coding activity with other STEAM buckets? Check out these extensions!
Science – Discuss the physical properties of the objects that you use. What objects made the best picture?
Technology – Learning algorithms with this hands-on activity is a great stepping stone for future programming activities. Add one some binary code and create bitmaps with binary code instead of algorithms.
Engineering – Making your own grid with a dry erase board or poster board is a great critical thinking activity.
Art – Create a bitmap image in a grid and then write your own program for it!
Math – Count your apples after each picture! Talk about the amount of blocks in a 4×4 grid, a 5×5 grid, and a 6×6 grid.
Some Books to Read with Your Activity
We love incorporating books into our activities. Here are some great books about coding to read with your activity!
- Lauren Ipsum: A Story About Computer Science and Other Improbable Things by Carlos Bueno
- Who Says Women Can’t Be Computer Programmers? The Story of Ada Lovelace by Tanya Lee Stone
- Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding by Linda Liukas
- How to Code a Sandcastle by Josh Funk
Similar Coding Activities
- Coding the Way Unplugged STEAM Activity
- Get Your Kids Coding With Swift Playgrounds
- Get Your Kids Coding With Osmo
- Crack the Code & Binary Code 5-Bit Challenge
31 Days of Low-Prep STEAM Activities for Kids
This activity is part of our 31 Days of Low-Prep STEAM Activities for Kids. Every activity focuses on each of the buckets of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) although these integrated projects fit in more than one bucket.
You and your kiddos are going to love all of the activities that we have in store! Visit the 31 Days of Low-Prep STEAM Activity hub and pin it, so you can come back and visit it daily!
PIN THIS IMAGE TO SHARE THIS LOW-PREP STEAM ACTIVITY!
Unplugged Coding Activities
Find more Elementary unplugged coding activities to work on basic coding skills!
Teach Kids Binary Code with this 5-bit Binary Code Challenge
Teach kids binary code by exploring the binary number system, translate letters and numbers to binary code, convert binary code to text, decode a binary code message with the ASCII binary code alphabet, and grab a free binary code workbook for kids!
Fitness Coding Card Game: Unplugged Coding Activity
Are you ready to play the Fitness Code! This Fitness coding game teaches kids coding concepts, including conditionals and variables. This activity focuses on remaking the way we traditionally teach these concepts and uses large motor movements to reinforce the activity and make it a tangible, fun learning experience!
Earth Day Coding Recycling Sorting Activity
This Earth Day coding recycling sorting activity teaches children how conditional statements work while learning how to sort recyclables!
How to Code a Lion Directed Drawing Algorithm Art
Can you follow the algorithm and draw a lion in this directed drawing unplugged coding + art activity?
Pi Necklace Coding Unplugged Coding Activity
We love to pair math and technology to create fun art! This Pi Necklace coding activity is the perfect combination of math, binary, and hexadecimal coding for upper elementary and middle school students. It’s also an engaging Pi Day activity!
Guess the Animal Unplugged Boolean Coding Activity
Learn about boolean and comparison operators with this Guess the Animal boolean coding activity!
Layers of the Rainforest Unplugged Coding Activity
Explore the layers of the rainforest and code the correct animals to each layer using logical reasoning!
Rocket Ship Decomposition Unplugged Coding Activity
This rocket ship decomposition unplugged coding activity is designed to teach kids the concept of decompositions and algorithms!
Ahoy Algorithms Treasure Hunt Unplugged Coding Activity
Pair this pirate algorithm activity with the Magic Tree House! Use your coding skills to find the treasure in this treasure hunt unplugged coding activity!
Introduce Computer Programming with this Elementary Coding Activity
This elementary coding activity is a great introduction to the basics of computer programming and is ideal as a classroom coding resource or homeschool resource for kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Teach kids to code!
How to Code a Volcano
Learn about variables, sequences, algorithms, and loops and code a volcano!
Meet Toni, the Maker Mom behind Our Family Code
Hey there, I’m Toni! I’m a software engineer and Maker Mom that finds my joy in unleashing my children’s curiosity by exploring STEAM concepts with my fantastic five!
When I’m not chasing toddlers or raising tweens, you can find me tearing things up and putting them back together over here at Our Family Code.
I am the owner and content creator of multiple educational websites designed to increase access to STEAM & STEM education with a focus on teaching computer science and coding to kids of all ages!
You can also find out more about me by visiting ToniGardner.com!
TechyKids
Thursday 8th of October 2020
That's a great & creative way to educate kids about the basic concepts of coding for kids. Never thought we can make learn to code kids with such interesting activities. I think it's a perfect integrated approach which not only teach coding to kids but also encourage them to use such techniques to solve real world problems. Every parent should definitely be using this great activity to develop skills among kids like logical thinking & problem solving abilities. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful blog with us.