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Hopster Coding Safari for Kids
Pros: Kid-friendly presentation and easy game mechanics help make the levels super accessible.
Cons: Feedback on wrong block placement is basic and may not be enough for some students.
Bottom Line: Puzzles give young students a chance to practice some computational thinking, though teachers will need to be available for help and scaffolding.
How Can I Teach with This Tool?
Hopster Coding Safari for Kids uses puzzles with drag and drop blocks to introduce young students to the idea of computational thinking. Students get to experiment with directing animals along a path using different types of input such as directional arrows. There are two worlds of puzzles, one for free. Completing levels is a solo activity, and students unlock levels as they progress. Teachers can use Hopster Coding Safari for Kids as a fun individual center option. Be aware though that there's only limited feedback and very little help if students don't get what they're supposed to do. Teachers should be available for questions and guidance if needed. Help expand on learning by digging into the logic students use to pass through the levels and -- when they're ready -- exploring ways to let them get more creative through coding.