Computer science family fun
- Available on request
- Flexible
- Available in Welsh
Our family fun activities aim to make learning computer science principles fun, engaging and interactive.
These resources can be used both at home and in school. They cover a range of computer science topics and are all unplugged – this means no computer is required!
On this page you will find 14 different activities:
- Abstraction: Speedy sketch (foundation phase and key stage two)
- Decomposition: Dance challenge (key stage two and key stage three
- Abstraction and decomposition: Guess who game (key stage two and key stage three)
- Algorithms: Chicken and egg hunt (key stage two)
- Algorithms: Crazy characters (key stage two)
- Barcode checksum challenge (key stage two and key stage three)
- Binary egg hunt challenge (foundation phase and key stage two)
- Binary: Bracelets (foundation phase and key stage two)
- Binary: Name tags (foundation phase and key stage two)
- Cryptography: Code name challenge (key stage two and key stage three)
- Cryptography: Treasure chest challenge (key stage two and key stage three)
- Pixel art challenge (foundation phase and key stage two)
- Pixel hex art challenge (key stage two)
- Conditional statements: Robot board game (key stage two)
The School of Computer Science and Informatics at Cardiff University is a Technocamps hub. These resources have been created in partnership with Technocamps. Technocamps’ mission is to inspire, motivate and engage people with computational thinking and promote Computer Science as underpinning all aspects of modern society. You can find more activities on the Technocamps website.
Abstraction: Speedy sketch
This activity helps us understand the concept of abstraction. Abstraction is the process of removing any unnecessary detail and only focusing on the overview or key elements. It is an important part of computer science, because it means computers need less memory and makes processes much faster, making it more efficient.
The activity is for:
- foundation phase
- key stage two
Download the speedy sketch activity pack, PDF
Decomposition: Dance challenge
In this physical dance activity, the concept of decomposition will be introduced. This is the process of breaking large complex problems into smaller, manageable parts. This is important to computers as it allows the brain of the computer (CPU) to function better.
The activity is for:
- key stage two
- key stage three
Download the decomposition dance challenge activity pack, PDF
Abstraction and decomposition: Guess who game
This Guess Who activity builds on the concepts of abstraction (Speedy sketch) and decomposition (Dance challenge). Computers require abstraction and decomposition in order to function efficiently.
The activity is for:
- key stage two
- key stage three
Download the abstraction and decomposition guess who game, PDF
Algorithms: Chicken and egg hunt
Computers need algorithms to work. This game helps us practice using algorithms in a way that lets us see the instructions working. This activity will also introduce the concept of debugging. Debugging is used to fix mistakes and improve computer programs.
The activity is for:
- key stage two
Download the chicken and egg hunt activity pack, PDF
Algorithms: Crazy characters
This activity helps us understand algorithms and why they are important. Algorithms are sets of instructions used to complete a task – for a computer to understand and work properly, the instructions must be very clear and precise. Computers love clear algorithms!
The activity is for:
- key stage two
Download the crazy characters activity pack, PDF
Barcode checksum challenge
Barcodes are everywhere around us on the items we buy at the shops. The barcodes help organize and index information, or prices, for different objects. This activity will explore the world of barcodes and help us understand what the digits mean.
The activity is for:
- key stage two
- key stage three
Downloads:
Binary egg hunt challenge
This activity helps us understand binary and why it is important. Computers work in binary which uses only two digits, 0 and 1. Computers store data using these zeros or ones. This helps a computer to understand information and instructions.
The activity is for:
- foundation phase
- key stage two
Download the binary egg hunt challenge activity pack, PDF
Binary: Bracelets
This activity introduces binary to children. To create binary bracelets, children will use the two binary digits,1 and 0, and begin to develop an understanding of why binary is important to computers.
The activity is for:
- foundation phase
- key stage two
Download the binary bracelets activity pack, PDF
Binary: Name tags
Another activity to introduce binary to children. To create binary name tags, children will use the two binary digits, 1 and 0. Through the activity children will begin to understand why binary is important to computers.
The activity is for:
- foundation phase
- key stage two
Download the binary name tags activity pack, PDF
Cryptography: Code name challenge
In this activity, we will explore the world of secret messages. Cryptography is the writing of secret messages using codes and keys, and then working out the secret message using the secret code or key. Making the message secure using a code is called encryption. Working out the message or decoding is called decryption.
The activity is for:
- key stage two
- key stage three
Download the code name challenge activity pack, PDF
Cryptography: Treasure chest challenge
In this activity, we will explore the world of secret messages by creating a lockable treasure chest. Cryptography is the writing of secret messages using codes and keys, and then working out the secret message using the secret code or key.
The activity is for:
- key stage two
- key stage three
Download the cryptography treasure chest challenge activity pack, PDF
Pixel art challenge
This colouring activity will demonstrate how pixels are used to create images. You can find pixels all around you at home in T.V screens, computer screens, ipads, smartphones and cameras! A pixel is the smallest element in a whole image. Computer screens display thousands of pixels, and these are put together to create pictures. They are made up of three main colours: red, green and blue.
The activity is for:
- foundation years
- key stage two
Download the pixel art challenge activity pack, PDF
Pixel hex art challenge
This pixel art challenge will introduce Hexadecimal values. These are important because hex values are used to define different colours, including shades and hues. Each colour is made from a mix of red, green and blue.
The activity is for:
- key stage two
Download the pixel hex art challenge activity pack, PDF
Conditional statements: Robot board game
In this activity we explore how computers follow rules by using conditional statements. Create your own conditional statements and programme your robot to play the board game.
The activity is for:
- key stage two
Download the robot board game activity pack, PDF
Find out more
For more information about the activity, please visit our website.
About the organiser
This activity is organised by School of Computer Science and Informatics. Contact us at mcnamee-brittainc@cardiff.ac.uk for more details.
How to book
If you have any questions, please get in touch:
No booking required.
This activity is free
