First, Coding with micro:bit introduces you to the hardware and software features of the BBC micro:bit, including the built-in microphone, speaker, and touch sensor added in micro:bit version 2. You’ll learn new skills such as how to code your micro:bit to play music, send messages, display pictures, and detect light.

• Getting started: This section gives you a tour of the micro:bit and gets you started with coding your first program.
• Basics: Here, you’ll learn to display images and text on the micro:bit’s LED grid.
• Inputs:: This section shows you how to work with the input systems on the micro:bit, like the buttons, the accelerometer, and the light sensor.

Once you’ve mastered these skills, the book guides you through 10 exciting projects, including a temperature sensor, simple interactive games, and even an alarm system!

1. The 99 game: This first project is a game of chance that involves throwing the micro:bit among a group of people. You’ll learn more about coding, like using variables and control flow techniques.
2. Heads or tails: In this project, you’ll use the LED grid and accelerometer to create a “coin toss” generator that detects when you flip your micro:bit, and displays heads or tails.
3. Steady hand game: This game challenges you to hold your micro:bit in your hand as long as you can without wobbling. You’ll also learn more about the micro:bit’s abilities and other fundamental coding techniques.
4. Temperature display: Here, you’ll use the micro:bit’s built-in temperature sensor to detect the temperature and scroll it across the LED grid.
5. LED control: In this project, you’ll learn how to wire up an external LED and control it with code. This exercise teaches you about using the micro:bit with other components so you can build even bigger projects.
6. Trespasser alarm: By connecting a speaker to your micro:bit, you’ll create an alarm system that detects when someone has broken into your room and alerts you by playing a tune.
7. Fortune teller: This project ramps up the coding complexity, showing you how to program your micro:bit to tell your fortune just like a Magic 8-Ball!
8. Compass: Here, you’ll turn the micro:bit into a real working compass using its built-in magnetometer.
9. Radio communication: In this project you’ll use two micro:bits to send and receive radio messages.
10. Bag alarm: Using your radio skills from the previous project combined with the accelerometer, you’ll build a bag alarm with two micro:bits. The first micro:bit stays inside your bag and alerts a second micro:bit in your pocket if someone tries to steal your bag.

Each project has been designed to work with both versions of the micro:bit.

You’ll find “Try This” sections that suggest other ways for you to try out your new knowledge. These ideas will inspire you to build your own projects with the micro:bit.

So whether you’re a coding newbie, or you think you know it all, grab your micro:bit and let’s get coding!

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Don’t just play computer games – help children build them with your own home computer!

Calling all coders, this is a straightforward, visual guide to helping kids understand the basics of computer coding using Scratch and Python coding languages. Essential coding concepts like scripts, variables, and strings are explained using build-along projects and games.

Kids can create online games to play like Monkey Mayhem and Bubble Blaster, draw mazes and shapes, build animations, and more using the step-by-step examples to follow and customize. Seven projects let kids (and their parents) practice the skills as they are learning in each section of the book. Kids get instant results, even when completely new to coding.

Packed with visual examples, expert tips, a glossary of key terms, and extras such as profiles of famous coders, Help Your Kids with Computer Coding lays a hands-on foundation for computer programming, so adults and kids can learn together.

Supporting STEM education initiatives, computer coding teaches kids how to think creatively, work collaboratively, and reason systematically, and is quickly becoming a necessary and sought-after skill. DK’s computer coding books are full of fun exercises with step-by-step guidance, making them the perfect introductory tools for building vital skills in computer programming.

User note: At home, all you need is a desktop or laptop with Adobe 10.2 or later, and an internet connection to download Scratch 2.0 and Python 3. Coding with Scratch can be done without download on https: //scratch.mit.edu.

Series Overview: DK’s bestselling Help Your Kids With series contains crystal-clear visual breakdowns of important subjects. Simple graphics and jargon-free text are key to making this series a user-friendly resource for frustrated parents who want to help their children get the most out of school.

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