You don’t need a screen to teach computational thinking! Unplugged activities help students develop problem-solving skills in a fun and interactive way.
You Don’t Need a Screen to Teach Computational Thinking!
When we think about coding, we often picture students in front of a computer, typing away as they bring their ideas to life. But computational thinking—the problem-solving process at the heart of coding—doesn’t have to start with a screen. In fact, some of the best ways to introduce students to coding concepts are completely unplugged!
Unplugged coding activities help students develop essential problem-solving skills in a fun, interactive, and hands-on way. I’ve always been a huge fan of unplugged activities and in this blog post and many more in the future will often refer to this as a Key way to get started. They encourage logical thinking, sequencing, pattern recognition, and debugging, all without the need for a device. Whether you’re looking for a screen-free alternative or just want to reinforce coding skills in a fresh way, these activities are a great addition to any classroom.
Here are three simple unplugged coding activities to try with your students, this coming term:
1. Algorithm Walk – Learning to Give Clear Instructions
Computers follow precise instructions, and this activity helps students understand the importance of sequencing. In pairs, one student acts as the “computer,” while the other gives step-by-step instructions to complete a task. This could be navigating a simple maze marked on the floor, reaching an object in the room, or even making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (a classic example of how detailed instructions need to be and often used as THE first example in may courses and lectures).
🔹 What They Learn: Sequencing, debugging, and precision in giving commands.
🔹 Adapt It: Make it collaborative! Have students work in small groups to refine and test their algorithms, or introduce obstacles for an added challenge.
🔹 Challenge: Write the instructions down using natural language, symbols, or key words.
2. Binary Bracelets – Writing in the Language of Computers
Computers process everything in binary: just 1s and 0s. If you know anything about me or have seen any of my other content shared online, you’ll know Im a huge fan of binary based activities and often create Binary related activities. (Most recently a launched a binary clock) This unplugged activity introduces students to binary code in a fun and creative way. Provide them with a simple binary alphabet chart (where each letter is represented by a series of 1s and 0s), then have them use beads or paper squares to create a bracelet that spells their initials in binary.
If you’d like such a chart, here’s a file you can use:
🔹 What They Learn: Binary number systems, pattern recognition, and data representation.
🔹 Adapt It: Have students encode whole words, or challenge them to decode a secret message from a friend.
3. Conditional Card Games – If This, Then That
Conditionals are a key part of coding, helping computers make decisions. This game turns that concept into a fun and physical activity. Using a standard deck of playing cards or UNO playing cards, assign different actions to different conditions. For example:
- If you draw a red card, clap twice.
- If you draw a black card, jump in place.
- If the card is a face card, spin around.
As students play, they’ll see how programs use if-then logic to control actions and responses.
🔹 What They Learn: Conditional statements, logical reasoning, and pattern recognition.
🔹 Adapt It: Let students design their own rules to reinforce the concept and encourage creativity.
Why Go Unplugged?
Unplugged coding activities are an excellent way to introduce computational thinking concepts in a way that’s accessible, engaging, and hands-on. They can be done with minimal resources, making them perfect for classrooms with limited technology access or as a warm-up before transitioning to digital coding platforms.
By starting with unplugged activities, students build a strong foundation in problem-solving and logical reasoning, making it easier to understand and apply coding skills later on. Plus, they make learning collaborative and fun—a key ingredient for keeping students engaged!
Have you tried unplugged coding in your classroom? Share your favourite activity in the comments an make sure to come back often to see more Unplugged activities you can try in your class!
