As you might guess, computer programming—also known as coding—can involve a lot of time on the computer. Kids nowadays also have an interest in coding.

What to do if your kid is showing an interest in coding but you’re worried about long hours in front of the laptop or tablet?

If you want to encourage your child to explore the fun of coding while minimizing screen time, you’ve come to the right place. This article will guide you and your child to some screen-free coding activities to help work those coding muscles—no computer required.

Puzzles and Worksheets
Coding makes significant use of mathematics and problem-solving. So any activity that challenges the mind or calls for practicing math skills can help prepare your kid for online programming.

Here are a few ideas to try: :
Sudoku – This 9x9 Japanese puzzle game encourages kids to think critically, recognize patterns, and look at different possibilities. While many Sudoku apps exist online, it’s just as easy to print out puzzles from the internet or buy a Sudoku book.

Math worksheets: Arithmetic is a core mechanic of many coding languages. Help your child hone their coding skills by practicing multiplication and fractions. Finding free, printable math worksheets online is a breeze. Inventing games or competitions with the worksheets can make math lots of fun for everyone!

Logic puzzles or riddles help your child flex their reasoning muscles.

At the end of the day, anything that sharpens the brain is a terrific activity for those learning to code.

"Coding" a Maze
This is the perfect activity for a hands-on, screen-free coding challenge. The exercise involves creating a maze out of LEGO or other blocks and creating a set of instructions to help guide a doll, action figure, or Monopoly piece out of the maze. In this case, the instructions act as the "code" that runs the "program" of exiting the maze.

The printable exercise, which comes in a variety of different levels for aspiring computer programmers of all ages, starts by teaching kids how to think from a perspective other than their own. As your child ascends through the levels, they can begin to create increasingly complex codes to free the character from the maze.

Moving it online
All of these offline activities are wonderful companions to the coding process, but when you get down to it, nothing beats the real thing—practicing programming on a computer. That’s why it’s important to choose a coding course that will cover as much ground as possible.

With Disney Codeillusion, you can have the best of both the offline and online worlds. Disney Codeillusion offers 125 comprehensive online lessons along with several offline components, including postcards and a keepsake magic book.

Disney Codeillusion complements all of the offline activities from this article by taking the experience online, providing a supportive and entertaining learning environment for your child. Your child will practice four of the most important coding languages:

-HTML
-JavaSCript,
-CSS

Processing
How will they practice these skills? Through an RPG-style program that takes place in the magical worlds of Disney! With help from favorite Disney characters, your kid will try their hand at web design, media art, and game development. And if your child ever makes a mistake or gets stuck, Disney characters will guide them step-by-step to the answers.

Since at least some of your kid’s coding journey needs to take place online, why not make it a fun, interactive experience for everyone with Disney Codeillusion? Start your free trial today!