MakeCode Tutorial List

With Computer Science Education week just around the corner, we’ve been getting some questions about finding quick and easy MakeCode activities to do with students. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite tutorials, guides, and projects that you can do in under an hour.

We’ve organized this list by product:

MakeCode for the micro:bit

1. Introduction to the micro:bit

Guides to introduce students to the micro:bit hardware -

• Micro:bit hardware components
• Quick Start guide
• The micro:bit is a mini-computer

2. Tutorials

Short, step-by-step tutorials for students to go through on their own -

• Flashing Heart – create a simple flashing heart animation on your micro:bit
• Name Tag – display your name on the micro:bit to use it as a name tag
• Smiley Buttons – program the buttons on the micro:bit to display a smiley or sad face
• Dice – shake the micro:bit and display a random number
• Rock Paper Scissors – create this fun game using a micro:bit and play with friends!

3. Projects

Facilitated making and coding activities for students -

• Micro:Pet – build a little creature out of your micro:bit
• Banana Keyboard – turn your micro:bit into a Makey Makey using fruit to play music!
• Duct Tape Wallet/Purse – code a counter and create a wallet or purse out of duct tape
• Soil Moisture – use the micro:bit to measure the soil moisture level for plants
• Downloadable, Printable PDF’s and PPT’s for some activities posted here

MakeCode for Circuit Playground Express

1. Introduction to Circuit Playground Express

Guides to introduce students to the Circuit Playground Express -

• Adafruit Circuit Playground Express hardware components
• Circuit Playground is for Everyone video
• Get to know Circuit Playground Express & MakeCode PDF file

2. Tutorials

Short, step-by-step tutorials for students to go through on their own -

• Siren – turn your Circuit Playground Express into a police siren complete with sound and flashing lights!
• Magic Wand – create an animation and sound effect when you cast a magic spell
• Clap Lights – turn on the lights with a clap!
• Loudness Necklace – create a necklace with your Circuit Playground Express that triggers lights when you talk
• Nightlight – turn your Circuit Playground Express into a softly glowing nightlight

3. Projects

Facilitated making and coding activities for students -

• Magic Wand – using a wooden stick and decorations, create your own custom magic wand!
• Dandelion – blow on your Circuit Playground Express flower to see the lights glow
• Guitar – make an air guitar from cardboard and Circuit Playground Express
• Headlamp – turn the lights on automatically in the dark
• Downloadable, Printable PDF’s and PPT’s for some activities posted here

MakeCode for Minecraft

1. Tutorials

Short, step-by-step tutorials for students to go through on their own -

• Chicken Rain – make it rain chickens in Minecraft!
• Flower Trail – make a trail of flowers follow you wherever you go
• Agent Move – get your little Agent robot to follow your commands
• Agent Build – have your Agent build you a house!
• Mega Jump – give yourself super powers to jump super high!

2. Code Samples

Examples of different programs and game mods students can run and customize -

• Walk on Water – give yourself the ability to walk on water
• Cats & Dogs – make it rain cats and dogs
• Bouncing Pigs – create a field of bouncing pigs
• Earthquake – simulate an earthquake in Minecraft
• Leap of Faith – jump from a very high platform into a very small pool
• Build a House – automatically build a house

MakeCode for LEGO MINDSTORMS

1. Tutorials

Short, step-by-step tutorials for students to go through on their own -

• Wake Up! – show your EV3 brick waking up
• Animation – create a custom animation to show
• Music Brick – transform your EV3 into a musical instrument
• Run Motors – control the motors of your robot
• Red Light, Green Light – play red light, green light with the color sensor
• Line Following – have your robot follow a line

Note: you will need to make sure your LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 brick is updated with the latest firmware. Instructions on how to do this is posted here.

MakeCode for Cue

• Challenges and Code samples in the Cue App

MakeCode for Chibitronics

• Download and print the Love to Code workbook

Happy Making and Coding!

The MakeCode Team