Are you looking for some fun holiday activities for your students?  Google just might have you covered with Santa's Village!

This nifty webpage is full of fun, interactive games including coding, critical thinking puzzles, translating common holiday phrases in multiple languages, ​and even  information on holiday traditions around the world.  And, it looks like they will be adding a new game each day until Christmas!

In this game, users must manipulate different gadgets, such as springs and conveyor belts to make the present drop into Santa's bag.  Each level has a specific number of items that can be used and the puzzles become more difficult as the levels increase.

​This would be great for critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork in the classroom!

It's important that students understand that different cultures have different holiday traditions.  Click on various locations around the world and learn about their special holiday customs.

This game is another great way to practice simple coding in the classroom!  Users must use the designated code blocks to maneuver the elf to the present.  Each square in the grid requires one move or block.  Hit the play button at the bottom to watch your code play out.    

After you have completed a level, you click to see the JavaScript version of the code, too.

This an interactive canvas FULL of creative options!  Students can create images with backgrounds, digital markers, spray paint, jingle bells, and falling snow!  After finishing their project, users can download the image and print it out.

Ideas for the classroom:

• Use it as your digital whiteboard with students.  (It will work on SmartBoards, interactive TVs, etc.)  Write with the jingle bells, spray paint, and more!
• Play, Win, Lose or Draw with vocabulary words.  Have students take turns drawing clues for a secret vocabulary word.  The class has to guess the word based on the drawing.
• Create a design and identify the different angles, polygons, shapes, etc. within it.
• Students can create an image and then write a story about it.

There are two versions to this game - Dance class and Dance freestyle. 

Dance Class' premise is simple and fun - use blockly (coding with blocks) to make the elves dance in unison.  Watch closely as the first elf dances and then use the blocks to create the same dance moves in the correct order.  After you have completed a level, you can also click to see the JavaScript version of the code. Make sure the sound is on and try not to smile!

Dance Freestyle allows users to create their own moves and then share their creation through a link or on social media.  

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The Hour of Code is a global movement to teach kids all over the world about computer science.  The goal in doing this is to help break stereotypes and leave students feeling empowered.  The fundamental theme behind this movement is that ANYONE can code and ANYONE can learn.  

The idea of coding can be intimidating, which is why many teachers avoid it.  However, there are many programs and resources out there that can make the beginning process incredibly easy and FUN!  Most programs start off very simple and then increase in difficulty as you go and there are resources available for K-12 classrooms. 

Below are 4 of my favorite resources for introducing coding to your students.

If you are interested in The Hour of Code, hourofcode.com is a great place to start.  It has promotion ideas & resources, student-guided tutorials and linked activities for all grade levels - including pre-reader all the way to high school.

Students can filter activities based on technology, topics, coding language and more.    

Swift Playground is an app specifically for iPads that turns learning to code into a fun, interactive set of games called "Playgrounds".  Students will solve interactive puzzles in order to learn the core concepts and language of coding.

Using a drag/drop feature at first, students will work their way through the levels writing single lines of code to control a character with specific commands.  For example, the task in a beginning level could be as simple as moving the character from one square to another.  After creating the code, students can immediately try it out to see how it will play out.  The immediate feedback helps facilitate engagement and excitement!   

 According to the Made w/Code website, 74% of girls in the United States express interest in STEM in middle school; however, by high school, only 0.4% of teen girls plan to pursue or major in Computer Science.  Made w/Code by Google was started to encourage teen girls to follow their passion for science and technology.

There are many projects to check out on the website, but Wonder Woman is a fun way to get started.  Students will work to create sequences to help Wonder Woman escape the scene.  As the levels increase, so does the difficulty.  Within in a few levels students will be exposed to variables, sequences, loops, and conditionals!      

According to their website, Cord.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding access to computer science and increasing participation with girls and underrepresented minorities.  If you are interested in trying out simple coding for yourself or your students - this is the place to start!

There are lots of FREE games, courses and resources (including posters, handouts, and videos) to help you promote coding or Hour of Code in your school or district.

The Hour of Code page has resources for all ages and students can choose a game that interests them.  Here are a few places to start:

Star Wars - Build a Galaxy with Code
There are 2 versions to this game - Blocks and JavaScript. 

​The Blocks version is recommended for ages 6-106 and creates code using drag-drop blocks.  When in doubt, this is a great place to start.  After completing each level, users can also click to view the JavaScript code, too.  The blocks version can be played on modern browsers, smartphones and tablets.       

Frozen
Use code to join Anna and Elsa as they explore the magic and beauty of ice!  The game starts out with a video to engage and tell students a little bit about coding before they begin.  

​Classic Maze
An Hour of Code classic!  Use the Angry Birds characters to try out the basics of computer science and coding.