Technology has become an integral part of our lives and there’s no denying it. Similarly, computer programming will surely help to shape the future of our kids. Therefore, it is better to learn some coding from a very small age. Here we are going to cover the STEM project of coding a LEGO Maze where your little ones can learn about some basics of programming. This amazing STEM activity offers ideas on how to scale the activity down for little kids, as well as how to twist it for elementary school and even middle school children. So, get ready for some simple and engaging coding activity for kids!

About Coding a LEGO Maze Activity

The Coding a LEGO Maze Activity is perfect for elementary, middle, or students with special requirements who want to learn computer science concepts without a computer. With the help of easily available materials such as LEGO mazes and papers, your kids can put themselves in the shoes of the computer programmer and execute different codes (printed instructions). Through this interesting activity, kids will build a basic understanding of command codes, sequence, and looping that can help them to become creative, design, and test their own patterns. So, if your kids have never played coding games or are unfamiliar with coding, it’s a great place to start!

Supplies Required For Coding a LEGO Maze Activity

• Papers that will be used for printing
• Scissors
• LEGO Figure or any building blocks that looks like LEGO
• Thermal Laminator

Steps Involved In The Coding a LEGO Maze Activity

1. Firstly, Parents need to print and cut papers. Print all the necessary instructions that you require in building a LEGO maze. You only require to do this once in the whole process.
2. Now, let your kids make their own maze with the blank building blocks.
3. Build the maze as your child desires. It is better that you advise your kid to build the walls first as it will help the maze to be connected.
4. Tell your kid to think about how to get a character out of the maze. Your child must understand the path of how a character can come out, then only he should start the code.
5. Now, provide your child with all the cards that you have printed. There will be some instructions like END, GO FORWARD, GO LEFT, GO RIGHT. This was the level 1 of the activity. Parents should be aware of when your child turns his character left or right.
6. When your child has passed level 1 successfully, parents can help kids understand the for loop methods. The instructions will go like this. FOR ____ Steps. Your kids need to understand how many steps they need to move their character. After the FOR LOOP statement, use an END statement that indicates the end of the loop.
7. In the third level of the activity, practice your kid the use of IF statements. It may seem a bit more difficult for a 5 or 6 years old kid, but make them understand when to use it and see your child trying to apply it in his LEGO Maze.
8. Once they build the entire code for the maze, tell them to build another maze and ask him to try the same code there. Your kid will notice the same code doesn’t work for all mazes.

Learning code without a computer may seem absurd, but it makes complete sense. Unplugging the computer and teaching coding through more natural mediums such as hands-on activities, can make the subject less confusing and more interesting. The basic principles of programming teach metacognition, problem-solving, and abstract thinking. These are valuable skills for your kids to have even if a career in computer programming isn’t in the immediate future.  Little kids can learn to code and their parents can learn about code too! Try this hands-on computer science Today!