Check out Code.org staff-recommended activities to get you started for Hour of Code!
Hour of Code 2024 is all about showing students that computer science isn’t just something they use; it’s something they can create. From video games to music, sports to art, we hope students will uncover something new they love with computer science.
With Hour of Code around the corner, we’re highlighting some Code.org staff favorites to help get you started, sorted by grade level and theme! You can explore all activities on hourofcode.com/learn, where you can select your classroom’s grade level, skill level, activity theme, and more to customize your Hour of Code.
We can’t wait to hear what your students create!
Grades K-2
“Well designed, relevant. Feels really fresh.”
-Katie F., Curriculum Content Developer, Code.org
Explore six cool careers and see how coding can be applied to each one! Discover what it’s like to be a Robotics Engineer, a Musician, an Astronaut, a Farmer, a Beekeeper, and a Pastry Chef. Use programming to animate characters, compose music, tell stories, design games, and even create art.
Anything Kodeable makes is great for K-2. This has the right amount of scaffolding for younger learners and they really love the coding the Fuzz characters!
-Katie F., Curriculum Content Developer, Code.org
Use math and coding skills to make your own maze and then try to solve it. Start with a basic square and then see how many different shapes you can include in your maze designs!
Join Grace, Zak and Dot the Robot on an adventure in the Loop Galaxy! Code with blocks to complete exciting tasks, and learn the basics of algorithms, sequences and loops!
Grades 3–5
Create a solar system that really rocks! Learn about music, astronomy, and coding in this self-guided activity (no coding experience required). Program planets to make music, creating your own musical solar system, complete with spacey melodies.
Explore how coding can bring poems to life, creating your own digital poetry masterpieces. Available in 25+ languages!
Learn about artificial intelligence (AI) concepts to create your own virtual dance party showcasing today’s top artists. It’s time to strut your stuff!
Use your creativity and imagination to bring the Google logo to life using code. Make the letters dance, tell a story or create a game. With Scratch and CS First, anyone can become a designer and programmer for the day!
Grades 6–9
Shuri, Okoye, and Riri must band together to help Wakanda. Code your own action-packed activity inspired by Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
Beat-Box is a project that celebrates music and the creation of your own sound device. Your task is to make wonderful sounds with your creation. Students will start with the traditional Scratch blocks and then incorporate artificial intelligence using the Text-to-Speech extension in Scratch.
Grades 9–12
Code Combat: Dungeons of Kithgard
My daughters love to play! This has just the right combination of student creativity, expression, and coding.
-Angelina D., Curriculum Content Developer, Code.org
Competitive coding has never been so epic! Learn the skills you need to play like the pros in our Esports Bootcamp. No coding experience needed. Start by training in the dungeon and discovering the coding strategies and tactics you’ll need to compete. After honing your skills, put your code to the test in our esports arena against other players worldwide! Are you our next AI League grand champion?
Need another reason to get excited for Hour of Code? If you’re in the United States, you can register your Hour of Code event and opt-in enter a DonorsChoose sweepstakes to support your classroom. Let’s get ready for the best Hour of Code ever!
Code.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to every student having the opportunity to learn computer science as part of their core K-12 education. We are publicly funded by people like you. If you would like to join our commitment to computer science education by making a donation today, please click here. For questions, please contact giving@code.org or (206) 593–5521. Thank you.
