Coding Charms

The kit includes a 44-page activity book, 2000 fuse beads (enough to complete about 15 of the 18 included projects), a pegboard, tweezers, 2 reusable iron sheets, and 15 oval hooks and key chain clips. An adult’s help will be required for younger children to iron the completed fuse bead design. The activity book introduces children to the basic principles of coding through the lens of fuse bead craft projects. Children learn what coding is and are then introduced to coding principles such as loops, functions, and debugging. Each topic provides project instructions in the form of a visual code to create the fuse bead keychain. The manual is very well written such that children will be able to understand and easily follow. Additional fuse beads beyond the included 15 projects’ worth can be purchased separately at a local craft store, allowing for endless hours of entertainment.

Coding Charms is a screen-free and hands-on way for children to build their coding and computational thinking skills. Children are actively encouraged at the end of the activity book to apply what they have learned to generate their own coding charms designs, promoting creative thinking and design skills. Coding Charms is a truly fantastic kit that allows children to learn coding principles by creating an exciting craft project while also utilizing their creativity for hours of fun!

Framework Categories

Computational Thinking
Processes of Design (POD)

Moore, T.J., Glancy, A.W., Tank, K.M., Kersten, J.A., Smith, K.A., & Stohlmann, M.S. (2014). A framework for quality K-12 engineering education: Research and development. Journal of Precollege Engineering Education Research, 4(1), 1-13.