Binary Code Projects

Can kids learn binary code? They sure can! Let’s learn and understand the basics of binary code. Binary code is the way a computer understands what it needs to do by using the code for reading and relaying information. You can see in the welcome message below how letters are represented in binary code.

BINARY BRILLIANT!

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What is Binary Code?

Well, let’s start with the word itself. Bi means two. Binary is something consisting of 2 parts. In the case of code, the bi refers to zeros and ones, which are the only two numbers that make up binary code. Each sequence of eight numbers that appear relates directly to a letter in the alphabet. For example, 01000001 is the binary letter capital A.

Let’s think of it as a game of red – green light. We know that when we hear “red light” we stop and when we hear “green light” we go – the computer understands the different sequences of numbers and converts them to language. You can find similar two-part codes in other areas too! Morse Code can be used by sending long and short signals of light or sound that can be translated into language. Morse Code was used a lot before you could transmit voice-over the radio signals. Another example is Braille used by the vision impaired. Letters, numbers, and punctuation are represented by raised and lowered bumps on a page.

How Does Binary Code Work?

How do we know what the zeros and ones represent? The table below has the primary translation for the alphabet in binary code for capital letters, lower case letters, and the numbers one through ten.

We can use this chart to do all sorts of fun activities with our kids at home or our students in school. I have included a packet with some ready-to-go, minimal prep activities to practice this fascinating code with the kids. There are 5 activities so you could easily include this in a week of coding activities! A great idea for a summer STEM Camp too!

BINARY CODE PROJECT IDEAS FOR KIDS

Write and Color Your Name in Binary

Have kids choose 2 colors – they can use crayons, colored pencils, or markers! Color the two boxes marked 0 and 1 – this gives them an easy reference while they’re working. Next, have them write their name down the side of the printed table. Each letter should correspond with a row on the table. Using your Binary Alphabet table fill in the zeros and ones that correspond to each letter in your name. Finally, color the boxes.

Make a Binary Code Bracelet

For this activity, we will need three colors of beads and a pipe cleaner. Similar to the first activity we will have the kids code and color but this time only their initials. Now that they know the code for their initials, have them choose beads to represent the zeros and ones. Don’t worry if your beads don’t match your marker colors – there are circles they can color to represent beads or they can simply place a bead in each circle so they know which is which. There are three circles: zeros, ones, and spaces.

Curl one end of your pipe cleaner so that the beads don’t slide off while you’re working. I started and ended my bracelet with a space bead to show the separation. Simple string the beads in the order you wrote for your initials code. Place a space bead in between each letter. When you are finished you can twist the two ends around each other to complete the bracelet.

Binary Computer Jokes

Do you know what you get when you cross a bug and a computer? Use your table to translate the binary code and find out the punchline! There are two jokes for the kids to translate.

Binary Code Secret Message

Pair the kids up and have them write a secret message in binary code. When they are finished they can switch with their partner and see if they can translate the message. I suggest having the kids write their message on another sheet of paper so they have an easy reference while they’re writing out their code.

Binary Scavenger Hunt

Have the kids translate the scavenger hunt clues and then find the items at home or in the classroom!

A quick and easy minimal prep week of coding activities! Reinforcing the code over the week will help the kids really get to understand how the zeros and ones represent different letters. Wondering how else you might incorporate this code? What about spelling lists? If you have your kids write out their spelling words each week, why not translate them into code – even better if you have proper nouns they will have to remember that capitals and lower cases are represented differently. Rather than a bracelet, have them do a zipper pull for their backpack or a hanging decoration to give as a gift! There are tons of easy ways to incorporate the binary alphabet and binary code into everyday learning!

BONUS Binary Code Decoding Challenges

Check out our popular Binary Code Puzzle Crackers activity that involves a little bit of science.

Or for your older kids that want to work on their engineering skills too, or to just have some fun with a coding game, check out this innovative coding game STEM project.

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