Activities for pupils - Barclays Code Playground

This was our very first Code Playground Live video and we need you to help our character get in to the castle. Code along to create a simple game and start learning some of the basics of coding. Click to watch the video, and for this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

Hello, Hola, Ciao, Guten Tag and Shikamoo! This project helps to introduce extensions in Scratch by creating a simple language helper. Code along to create a fun project that will talk to you. Click to watch the video, and for this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

Music was our first love, it can be yours too. Introduce music into your Scratch coding with this fun session. Code along to create a simple melody and as well as learning how to create your own tunes. Click to watch the video, and for this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

Can you help the cat to catch the mouse? We look at ways to make your coding more efficient by creating functions using custom blocks. These blocks help you to not repeat yourself when coding. This will make your projects easier to fix, or debug, if they go wrong. Click to watch the video, and for this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

Dodge the snowballs and get a chance to throw one back. In this session we explore how using clones in Scratch can make your projects more powerful. Use the starter guide to code along with the video. Or, if you would like more of a challenge, try the full project to create the full game. Click to watch the video, and for this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

Turn your scribbles into colourful patterns. In this project we start to use the pen extension and variables to create geometric shapes. Click to watch the video, and for this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

Ask the magic dinosaur any question to get an answer. Code along as we start to look at how we use list variables in our projects. Using lists is a great way to help make your coding neater and easier to use. Click to watch the video, and for this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

Power up your wizard to beat the clock and solve the maze. For this project we learn how to create power ups for our games. A great way to make your games more fun, by adding extra features and an element of chance. Click to watch the video, and for this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

How quick are your reactions? In this project we're using loops and conditional statements to test your reflexes. How many hedgehogs can you catch? Click to watch the video, and for this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

Do you dare to drop a watermelon on the lion's head? Go back to basics in this simple project. It's a great way for anyone to get started or to test your skills. Click to watch the video, and for this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

Here's our special halloween spook-tacular. In this project you'll need to code along to help the witch to her find the bat. This project is a great introduction to how we use conditional statements in Scratch. Click to watch the video, and for this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

Here's our Safer Internet Day 2022 quiz. For this project we’re creating a fun quiz using list variables, or ‘arrays’ to manage how questions are asked. For this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

This workbook will take you through making our first ever Code Playground project. The Shark game is a simple project which is a great way to learn some of the basics of Scratch and how to use it. For this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

Can you make a project using only 20 lines of code? Use this workbook to see our example and then challenge your friends to see who can make the best 20 line project. For this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

Create your own times tables tester. In this workbook you'll make a project to help improve your multiplication skills as well as your coding. For this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

In this workbook, we’re bringing magic and coding together. Using sequencing, we’ll learn how timing is everything, especially for this Princess and one very lucky frog. For this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

Let's knock this out of the park! Tap the space bar at the right time to hit the baseball. In this challenge we need you to first code our game to make this home-run score possible. Click to watch the video, and for this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

Ready to make a splash? This project, in partnership with ORCA, needs you to use ‘selection’ and ‘conditions’ to help our whales catch fish and avoid some man-made hazards. Click to watch the video, and for this project you will also need to access scratch.mit.edu

This was our first workbook for the BBC micro:bit and has a selection of simple projects to help you get started. 

A basic introduction to coding with the Micro:bit MakeCode editor. 

This workbook will help you create our Micro:bit invaders game using the micro:bit MakeCode editor.  

This workbook will help you create our Micro:bit pet using the micro:bit MakeCode editor.  

'Tis the season to be jolly! It’s that time of year again, so let’s introduce some festive music into your Micro:bit coding! Code along to create the melody of the classic Christmas carol, ‘Deck the halls’. To help guide you through, click to view the simple to follow workbook. For this project you’ll need to access Micro:bit.org, then select ‘New Project’.

Get to grips with the basics of Python. Our first project looks at loops and functions to create a colourful spiral. 

Time to get creative. Using logic, definitions and block coding in Python, we’re helping our turtles create colourful shapes.

The race is on. Project three looks at coding random movement and logic to our turtle race.

Feeling lucky? We’re coding the ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ game using variables, statements and logic.

What have you learnt about Python so far? For our final project we’re coding a multiple choice quiz.

When you think of the cold and snowy winter, you probably don’t think of turtles, right? Well that’s about to change! For our winter Python coding project, we’ll show you how to move a very festive turtle around the screen, using ‘loops’ and ‘definitions’ to draw a snowflake design. For this project you’ll need to access EduBlocks.org, then select ‘Editor’ and choose ‘Python 3’ as your coding language. 

Opening the doors on your advent calendar helps count down the days until Christmas, but in this HTML project we’re getting super accurate. We’ll be showing you how much time is left down to the very last second. Just as accurate as the countdown at a certain North Pole workshop! Code along to create a webpage with a built-in festive countdown timer. For this project you’ll need to access EduBlocks.org, then select ‘Editor’ and choose ‘HTML’ as your coding language.

We all have something we’re really interested in. Favourite animals, computer games, TV shows, movies and bands. What better way to show off your super-fan knowledge than creating a blog to share with friends? This project will allow you to use your coding skills to create a simple blog post with EduBlocks HTML editor. We'll look at how to structure your code to create a fun post about any topic, and allow you to see what block coding looks like in HTML coding language.  For this project you’ll need to access EduBlocks.org, then select ‘Editor’ and choose ‘HTML’ as your coding language.

School’s out for Summer! Well, not quite yet, but in this HTML project you’ll be able to find out exactly how long is left until it is – right down to the very last second. Code along to create a HTML webpage with a built-in Java Script countdown timer. Find out how long is left until NO MORE SCHOOL (for six weeks anyway!). For this project you’ll need to access EduBlocks.org, then select ‘Editor’ and choose ‘HTML’ as your coding language. For this project you’ll need to access EduBlocks.org, then select ‘Editor’ and choose ‘HTML’ as your coding language.