Activities requiring computer and/or other technology
puppy. Build a puppy using an NXT Lego robot kit, and then program it to walk on a leash, or come when your puppy is called. I've run this once or twice, and it has been tested out by my daughter.
pico cricket bugs (pdf project sheet). I ran this for a brownie group once. See exercise sheet for requirements.
games with a purpose (pdf worksheet). These are some interesting games that were invented to improve the world. Watch the youtube video or visit the gwap site. [UNFORTUNATELY the sites this refers to are no longer available, but the youtube video is still pretty neat].
an introduction to logo (pdf worksheet). See the resources page for where to find logo interpreters.
write a scratch story (pdf). Created by Johnny Boldt.
build a scratch ping pong game (pdf). Created by Johnny Boldt.
learn to code with the khan academy (pdf). Needs a few programming-savvy people to help with hints and suggestions...
how to make a bristlebot. Haven't tried this yet, but I've ordered my pager motors (btw ebay seems to be the cheapest source for this type of thing, and in Canada the dollar store has coin batteries). UPDATE: tried it, it's awesome! Will post activity sheet when I get the chance...
sparkle bracelet, from hi-low tech. Needs coin batteries, leds, conductive thread, battery holder, and lilytiny (available from Sparkfun electronics).
soft circuits projects, also from hi-low tech. See handout for project requirements.
plush monster project, also from hi-low tech. See handout for project requirements. Background on both soft circuits and the monster can be found here.
the cutest "soft circuit" design I've seen yet: Salt and pepper, mother and baby elephants.
learning to code with khan academy.
Low-tech activities (no computer and minimal equipment needed)
build an abacus (pdf project sheet). Lots of fun, good for younger kids. Yes it's math; math is fun (and it's part of computer science). Popsicle sticks, beads, and glue are the primary requirements.
caesar ciphers (pdf worksheet). A great introduction to cryptography. Can even be made simpler (e.g use pictures of animals, instead of letters) for pre-readers. Requires pencil and paper. Also did this with the brownies.
crypto-crafts (pdf worksheet). More on encoding messages. Requires beads and something to string them on.
moebius strips (pdf worksheet). Math and crafts, how can it get any better? Requires paper, pencil and tape.
hexaflexagons (youtube). Just watch the youtube video, trust me. Requires paper, pencil and tape.
how to train -- I mean program -- your parents. Haven't tried this yet, but I will! Requires pencils and printed out instruction sheets (see sample on website) and an obstacle course to program your robot to navigate.
puzzles and problems to solve. I gave a few of these to a grade 6 student who I met at an outreach program. She emailed me every few days for at least two weeks about her progress, and asking for hints! It was a lot of fun, and I was glad to see her interest. I've also done these with my Gr. 4 daughter.
sudoku (for kids). I am personally addicted to sudoku, so when my kindergarten son needed practice with learning and writing his numbers I did sudokus with him. He loves them. To make them harder we do them in french, or I go through and put a 1 in front of all the digits (then he has to say them out loud, in english or french). It's great fine motor control practice, as the number *has* to fit in the box (which is self-evident even to a kindergartener) and as an added bonus we're honing our reasoning and logic skills! And of course, having fun (he sees me doing them all the time, so it's actually a treat to be allowed to do his own). He's at the point where he can solve the 6x6 version entirely on his own. The link at the start of this is to a page that randomly provides a sudoku of varying difficulty levels each day, but just search for "sudoku" and you can find plenty online (or buy a book of them at the dollar store...)