Computer Science Games To Add To Your Classrooms

Games are a great way to keep students engaged in the classroom, and computer science games are no exception! In fact, Association of Computing Machinery says that computing is an essential part of a well-rounded academic preparation.

A study showed that playing science board games can help improve problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity. Additionally, they can help students learn more about computer science concepts in a fun and engaging way.

With so many coding games to choose from, it can be hard to know which ones to add to your classroom. But don't worry, we've got you covered! In this blog post, we'll share our top picks for games related to computer science that are sure to engage and challenge students. So read on for some great ideas, and get ready to add some fun and learning into your classroom!

1. Potato Pirates: Battlechips

Age Group: 9 years old and above

Potato Pirates: Battlechips is a stem board game that teaches computer science in a fun and engaging way. The games can be played by children 9 years old and above. Two to six players can play Battlechips and each session can last any time in between 30-60 minutes.

To win the game, a player can win by either being the last Potato standing or by unlocking the Art of Potato War using a Decryption Key. The energy harvested by the players during the game can be used to purchase Power cards or NFTs from the Spudnet to gain the upper hand.

Battlechips can be used to teach algorithms, variables, for loops, while loops, conditionals, and more. This educational board game is perfect for both beginners and experienced programmers alike.

To incorporate the game into your class, you can let the students play this before introducing a topic. This is a good way to introduce new topics since the students will be able to see how the concepts they learn can be applied in a fun and interactive way. You can also use the game as a refresher for topics that have already been covered.

2. CodeCombat

Age Group: 9 years old and above

CodeCombat makes learning to code fun and engaging for students of all ages. In CodeCombat, students learn to code by playing through levels where they have to write code to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. The game starts off easy and gradually gets more difficult, so students can learn at their own pace.

CodeCombat is a great way to introduce students to the basics of coding, and it can also be used to teach more advanced concepts. The game is also highly customizable, so you can tailor it to fit your classroom's needs.

Furthermore, CodeCombat has a robust classroom management system that lets teachers track student progress and give feedback. This makes it easy to use CodeCombat in the classroom, and it's a great tool for helping students learn to code.

You can use CodeCombat as an introduction to a new topic. For example, if you're teaching a lesson on HTML, have students complete the game development or web development level before starting the lesson. This will give them an idea of what they'll be learning and get them excited about the topic.

3. Robot Turtles

Age Group: 4-8 years old

(Image Source: Marbles the Brain Store)

Robot Turtles can be played by kids of all ages. The goal of the game is to guide your robot turtle through a maze and reach the finish line. The game can be played alone or with friends. Robot Turtles is a great addition to any classroom as one of many educational games for students.

There are several different levels to the game, each with its own unique challenges. As the game progresses, kids will learn new programming concepts that will help them solve the puzzles. The game is also a great way to introduce kids to basic logic and problem-solving skills.

What makes this coding game really interesting is that it can be used to teach real-world computer science concepts. For example, the game can be used to introduce kids to algorithms and data structures. By playing the game, kids will develop a better understanding of how these concepts work in the real world.

Teachers with younger students can use this as a fun activity for children all while learning computational thinking. On the other hand, teachers with older students can use this as a review or even as an introduction to more difficult concepts. They can use this as a supplement to what they are already teaching in class.

4. Cargo-Bot

Age Group: 9-11 years old

(Image Souce: Microsoft)

Cargo-Bot is one of the best coding games in the form of a puzzle. The object of the game is to move crates around on a conveyor belt using a set of simple commands. The catch is that each level must be completed in a limited number of moves.

As the game progresses, new challenges are introduced, such as conveyor belts moving in different directions and multiple crates that must be moved at the same time. In addition, the game features colorful graphics and engaging sound effects.

Since its release, Cargo-Bot has been used as a teaching tool in schools and universities around the world. The game is a great way to introduce people to the basics of programming, and it's also a lot of fun to play.

Specifically, Cargo-Bot is used in classrooms as a way to teach the fundamentals of programming. For example, you can incorporate this game into your lesson by having students code their own solutions to the puzzles. This will help them understand how to give instructions to a computer and see their effect in real-time.

5. Lightbot

Age Group: 4 years old and above

Lightbot is a puzzle game that challenges players to use coding commands to light up squares on a grid. The game starts out simple, with only a few squares to light up, but quickly becomes more challenging, requiring players to use more complex coding commands.

Players must input a sequence of commands, which the robot will then follow. The catch is that the robot can only perform certain actions, such as moving forward or turning. As the levels progress, the puzzles become more difficult, and players must use increasingly complex sequences of commands to solve them.

As a result, players must carefully think through each level before making their move. With its clever gameplay and adorable pixel art graphics, Lightbot is a great game for anyone who enjoys puzzle games. And best of all, it's completely free to play!

You could use Lightbot to review basic math concepts such as patterns, sequencing, and counting. Additionally, Lightbot can be used to introduce students to more complex programming concepts such as loops and conditionals.

Conclusion

While these are only a few of the computer science games that are available, they are a great place to start when looking for ways to add some fun and excitement to your classroom.

Computer science is a rapidly growing field, and it is important to ensure that students are getting the best education possible. By incorporating games into the classroom, you can help your students learn while still having a good time.