We have put together a list of Hour of Code™ resources for parents and teachers.
What is the Hour of Code? The Hour of Code was created to give all students around the world an opportunity to learn to code. It is a weeklong celebration that started in schools but anyone can participate!
The event happens during Computer Science Education Week. You can read more about CSEd Week here.
Code.org founded the Hour of Code; here is what they say about it: “The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify “code”, to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts.” – Code.org
You do NOT need to know programming to participate in An Hour of Code or use the resources listed below.
I taught myself programming in graduate school and spent 15 years in a STEM career where coding played a significant role. It’s easy to learn and teaches logic, critical thinking, and math skills.
My children, now in or pursuing STEM careers (mechanical engineering and biology), have had to use coding to perform instrumentation design, project management, statistical analysis, and more.
You never know what future activities or jobs your children will have that might require some coding knowledge. Plus, your child will use the logic and problem-solving skills they develop in many future situations, not just a career.
Use the Hour of Code week and some of the resources below to introduce your children to coding.
Don’t have a computer to use?
If you are short on computer resources, you can still teach your child programming logic and concepts. There are some unplugged Hour of Code activities listed below too. See the Unplugged section.
You can use these throughout the year, just let these Hour of Code resources help your child get a start in coding!
Table of Contents
New to Hour of Code? START HERE
Here are two Hour of Code resources to read to get familiar with the event:
We continue to add to our list of Hour of Code resources to help parents and teachers. Please note that we add to the top of the varying lists below. So, if you have used this list in previous years, you can easily find the recently-added resources.
Hour of Code by Code HS – there are activities for varying knowledge levels and by grade level. A good option for older students or those ready to step from blocks into text-based programming; they offer Hour-of-Code “Karel the Dog” and beginner-friendly coding tutorials.
Kodable – Offers Hour-of-Code-friendly activities (games, block-based & early coding) that work especially well for younger students / early elementary.
Mimo App – This is for older students and adults who want to learn to code. It is rated 4.7/5.0 and 4.9/5.0 in the Play and Apple stores. Reading through numerous forums, many say this is the best app for learning to code, especially if your student hasn’t coded much. The link in Google Play is Mimo: Learn Coding/Programming – Apps on Google Play
When we talk about teaching kids to think like a coder, we often imagine screens and apps, but some of the most powerful learning happens when young minds get up, move, and create with their hands. Unplugged coding activities help kids experience core computer science ideas like sequencing, patterns, logic, and data representation without a device in sight. These screen-free exercises build problem-solving confidence, boost perseverance, and make abstract ideas concrete in a way that’s playful and meaningful for learners of all ages.
One of my favorite activities that combines creativity with coding thinking is inspired by the code your name in jewelry project shared on Mama Smiles, where kids translate their own name into binary code and turn it into a beaded bracelet. This kind of project turns kids into little programmers and jewelry designers; it’s an engaging bridge between art, pattern recognition, and the very basics of how computers store information.
Whether you’re guiding your children through sequencing with movement games or helping them code their name with beads into wearable STEM fun, unplugged coding activities offer a joyful way to grow computational thinking skills without a single line of digital code.
CSUnplugged – A full collection of games, puzzles, and offline CS-concept activities using cards, crayons, string, etc. Works for ages ~5–12 (but flexible for older or younger too)
Unplugged coding activities from Kodable – Love this resource because there are over 20 print-and-go unplugged coding-concept activities (sequencing, logic, algorithms) that don’t require a computer.
Request the Free Hour of Code Resource List for Parents and Teachers – Clickable Edition
I hold a master’s degree in child development and early education and am working on a post-baccalaureate in biology. I spent 15 years working for a biotechnology company developing IT systems in DNA testing laboratories across the US. I taught K4 in a private school, homeschooled my children, and have taught on the mission field in southern Asia. For 4 years, I served on our state’s FIRST Lego League tournament Board and served as the Judging Director. I own thehomeschoolscientist and also write a regular science column for Homeschooling Today Magazine. You’ll also find my writings on the CTCMath blog. Through this site, I have authored over 50 math and science resources.
