I have a secret to tell you.
My kids are a little behind the times when it comes to technology. Let’s just say my daughter is super excited I just gave her my old cassette tape walkman and Debbie Gibson tapes this year.
There is something awesome about having kids that aren’t connected to devices all day.
At the same time, as a homeschooling parent I want to make sure my kids are getting the opportunities they need to compete in today’s world.
Technology is everywhere in our world today. Instead of just being passive consumers of the world’s technology, kids need to be able to understand and feel confident with it.
Welcome to the world of Bitsbox, which helps teach kids how to code.
It’s the latest in STEM activities for kids.
While we have explored all kinds of fun STEM challenges, my kids haven’t had a lot of hands-on time with the technology that most of their peers use on a daily basis. Although they have had fun taking apart electronics.
Learning about computer coding with our Bitsbox kit is opening up a whole new area of STEM to them. (And me!)
I received this box free and have been paid for my time spent writing this review. All opinions, however, are 100% my own. For more information, see my full disclosure policy.
Bitsbox: Teach Kids How to Code
Bitsbox is a fun new website that teaches kids computer coding. It’s perfect for kids ages 6-12.
Your child can try out coding the sample app, “Food Fight,” for free. Mine had a blast with this one!
One of the awesome things about Bitsbox is that once your child had done the coding, they start to figure out how to customize the app.
Mine quickly figured out how to change the image of the pie in “Food Fight” to a cupcake, a cactus, and even a rocket, and then they had fun making the objects explode following the directions on the computer.
Bitsbox is more than just a website, though. It is also an awesome STEM subscription box.
With the subscription box option, your child will receive a new box each month that will help them create lots of new apps all while teaching a new computer science concept. They will learn about coordinates, variables, simple arrays, functions, and more.
Each box also includes a “Grown-Up Guide” for adults. This is perfect for those of us who don’t have much experience in the world on computer coding. The guide breaks down for you what your child is learning and helps you feel more confident if and when your child asks for help.
I love the fact that this program has inspired both of my kids to practice their typing. And while they are typing in the commands, they are learning a simplified version of JavaScript. So cool!
You want to know my favorite thing about Bitsbox?
It has my son working on his spelling.
You see, spelling is tricky for my son. He usually fights anything remotely related to having to spell words.
With Bitsbox he is so excited about creating a new app and then modifying it, he doesn’t see it as work. In order to change that pie into a rocket on the “Food Fight” app, he has to be able to spell correctly.
He’s starting to understand why his spelling is important, and instead of getting upset when he makes a mistake, he just goes back in and fixes the error.
I may have fallen in love with Bitsbox just for that.
When a child makes an error in the coding, Bitsbox let’s them know there’s a bug in the code and then directs them to the line(s) the errors are in so they can check their work.
That’s one of the many reasons coding is great for kids. It teaches them to problem solve and to not give up, but instead go back and try again.
We have been having so much fun exploring and learning about computer coding with Bitsbox. It may just be our favorite part of our homeschool curriculum this year.
It would also make a wonderful gift idea for homeschool families or any child that likes to create.
Do your kids love to design and create?
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