MakeCode Tutorials and Projects for CS Ed Week

Computer Science Education week is coming up, and Educators can start planning for it now! We’ve updated last year’s 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 Arcade

Arcade card

Hey, this year MakeCode Arcade is available! Your students will love coding their own games!

Make a game in 20 minutes!

If you haven’t used MakeCode Arcade before, take a look at this video and see how a complete single player game is made in just 20 minutes:

1. Quick start game coding cards

Easy to follow, quick reference cards for game design and coding concepts -

2. Tutorials

3. Games coded with blocks

Fun games you can quickly code in blocks -

4. Games coded in JavaScript

Up the action! Play and modify these JavaScript games -

MakeCode for the micro:bit

micro:bit card

1. Introduction to the micro:bit

Guides to introduce students to the micro:bit hardware -

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

Circuit Playground Express badge

1. Introduction to Circuit Playground Express

Guides to introduce students to the Circuit Playground Express -

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 -

  • Cartoon Network Projects - try one of these fun Cartoon Network themed projects
  • 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

Minecraft badge

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!
  • Aquarium - build your own aquarium and fill it with fish!
  • 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 -

MakeCode for LEGO MINDSTORMS

LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 badge

1. Tutorials

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

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

Wonder Workshop Cue badge

  • Challenges and Code samples in the Cue App

MakeCode for Chibitronics

Chibitronics badge


Happy Making and Coding!

The MakeCode Team