Robot Clean Up Game

Our robot clean up game is a fun way to introduce coding to kids. It’s also no secret that I often use games to get my kids to clean up. This makes it less of a struggle and way more fun. I get commissions for purchases made through the affiliate links in this post.

Our robot clean up game is a simple following directions game except you have to program the robot up front. Write the code for the robot and send it off to clean up. We created our own programming language that uses symbols to represent actions. I first introduced my son to coding using the Lightbot app. The goal of the app is to program the Lightbot to maneuver through the puzzle and turn on all of the blue lights.

Creating the Code

We talked about what our Pick Up Bot needed to do – go forward, turn, pick up, and drop off. Aiden wanted our Pick Up Bot to use similar symbols as the Lightbot app. Here is our code:

↑ = move forward one step
↷ = turn right 90°
↶ = turn left 90°
PU = pick up toys within your reach
D = deliver the toys

Programming the Pick Up Bot

Aiden and Lily had scattered DUPLO all over the living room floor. This made for the perfect test for the robot. I showed Aiden how to write instructions for the Pick Up Bot. I wrote a series of commands on a laminated piece of paper. (You could also use a white board or plain paper.)

Aiden played the role of the Pick Up Bot. I read my written commands and he followed the directions.

Next it was Aiden’s turn to write the code. I became the Pick Up Bot.

There were times when our code didn’t do what we expected. We programmed left when we should have said right. We didn’t program the robot to go far enough, so it delivered the toys to the wrong location. This was a great opportunity to learn about debugging (seeing errors in the code and fixing them).

This game continues until all of the toys are picked up or until everyone is done. Now I just need to get Lily in on the game so she and Aiden can play without me.

Let me know how you like our game! If you like it, share it with a friend.

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