This Pi Necklace coding activity is the perfect combination of math, binary, and hexadecimal coding for upper elementary and middle school students. 

We love to pair math and technology to create fun art! It’s also an engaging Pi Day activity! 

Kids don’t need to be advanced mathematicians to participate in this math + technology + art project, and of course it is easily adaptable for kids of all ages. 

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Our Family Code earns from qualifying purchases. Please see our Disclosure Policy for more details.

What is Pi?

Pi, or π, is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to the diameter. In case you need a refresher, the circumference of a circle is the distance all the way around and the diameter of a circle is the distance across the middle.

Pi begins 3.1415 and mathematicians have spent thousands of years studying this irrational number. Trillions of digits of Pi have been identified so far! 

Pi Necklace Supplies

• Perler Beads (aqua, white, red, fuchsia, purple, blue, green, lime, yellow, orange)
• Embroidery thread
• Large, blunt needle
• Pi Day Necklace Unplugged Coding Workbook (Grab this free math workbook at the end of this post.)

You might also like: Teach the Fibonacci Sequence with this Easy Math & Art Activity!

Pi Necklace Coding

The Pi Day Necklace Unplugged Coding Workbook comes with two different activities: a Pi Necklace Binary Code Challenge and a Hexadecimal Challenge.

A binary and hexadecimal code color key is provided to help decipher the correct color for each digit of Pi.

Pi Necklace Binary Code Challenge

The Pi necklace binary code challenge consists of determining the correct color bead by using the binary code listed for each number of Pi. Place the amount of colored beads for each number.

For example, the digit 3 requires 3 beads be placed on your necklace in the color shown in binary code. Use the binary and hexadecimal code color key to help decipher the correct color for each digit of Pi.

Pi Necklace Coding Hexadecimal Challenge

Hexadecimal numbers are used to set colors. The colors are defined by its mix of red, green, and blue. The Pi necklace coding hexadecimal challenge presents a hexadecimal color # for each digit of Pi.

Use this information to determine the correct color bead for each number of Pi. Place the amount of colored beads for each number for example, the digit 3 requires 3 beads be placed on your necklace in the color shown in hexadecimal code.

Use the binary and hexadecimal code color key to help decipher the correct color for each digit of Pi.

How to Code a Pi Necklace

Using a dull needle (we used ones from our crocheting needle set), thread embroidery thread through the needle hole and loosely tie the embroidery thread.

This is to help keep your embroidery thread from slipping and also prevent it from being too bunched up with a double thread. You’ll untie this knot at the end, so make sure it is loose. 

Use the binary code challenge and hexadecimal challenge worksheets to thread your Pi necklace. Make sure to add the right number of beads for the digit you are working on.

For example, the number 6 requires six beads. The worksheets have the first 50 digits of Pi listed on them. We marked off each digit as we put them on our necklace. This helped us to keep track of the number we were on.

After you have finished threading all of the first 50 digits of Pi, you can create a double strand necklace! It looks pretty neat and we love that we used our coding skills with Pi!

Pi Necklace Coding – Coding Catastrophe Worksheet!

To bring the entire activity together, the workbook also includes a a worksheet that is missing pieces of hexadecimal and binary code. Put your skills to the test and fill in the missing pieces.

Four binary digits = 1 hex digit

For example, the hex digit #F is equal to 1111 in binary code just like #0 is equal to 0000 in binary code. 

When you pair two hex digits together like #FF,  there are 8 digits of binary code because there are four digits per hex digit. #FF is equal to 11111111 in binary code just like #00 is equal to 00000000 in binary code. 

<<< CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PI NECKLACE UNPLUGGED CODING WORKBOOK >>>