My oldest son has an interest in learning to code from some time now. He first exposure to coding was at school, with some online games. Then he learned to block code using a coding robot. But I really wanted him to learn a coding language, like I had learned in college. I researched other toys, online games, and subscription boxes, and found Bitsbox. Bitsbox is a monthly subscription box that teaches kids to program apps using JavaScript. I soon contacted Bitsbox to have our first box!
Bitsbox: Our First Box Experience
I received our Bitsbox for free to review. Opinions in this post are completely my own.
Our first box came with a binder, several large pages with coding, and 5 cards with coding. Each page and card included the JavaScript code needed to create an app or game. To watch my son unbox our Bitsbox, head over to my YouTube channel, or watch the following video!
The first app my son wanted to code was called “Lazer Burner”. On the back of the card he found the JavaScript to code the app.
After logging into Bitsbox online, my son entered a code from the “Laser Burner” card. Then he copied the JavaScript code from the back of the card.
When he finished copying the code, he had programmed an app that used a lazer to draw!
The next app from his Bitsbox he decided to code was called “Its Raining Cats and Dogs”. He entered the code for the app (7722) into Bitsbox online, then copied the JavaScript from the back of the card.
When he finished writing the JavaScript code, he could make cats and dogs rain down the screen!
The card also included a few challenges. The challenges required him to manipulate the code to complete the task. First my son had to figure out how to make the cats and dogs bigger. He searched through the code for a command he thought determined the size of the animals. Then he changed the existing number to a larger number. Viola! It started raining huge cats and dogs! He also played around with different numbers to see how big the cats and dogs could get. Eventually, he settled on a size he liked the most.
The next challenge was to figure out how to add make it rain hamsters, in addition to cats and dogs. This time, my son searched the code for a place that specified cats and dogs, then added hamsters. He ran the code, and the app started raining all 3 animals!
The third challenge taught him to change the rate at which the animals fell down the screen. First he changed the code so the cats, dogs, and gerbils fell slowly down the screen.
Then he changed the code so the animals would drop from the sky at lightning speed!
My son had a lot of fun coding these two apps. I thought his first Bitsbox was a great introduction to coding with JavaScript. I can’t wait for him to gain more experience programming with the other apps. Each app he completes helps my son become more familiar with JavaScript, and programming in general.
My favorite part about the apps he programmed were the challenges. Each one made my son dive deeper into understanding what he was coding. I loved watching him explore the code while trying to complete each challenge. Even more exciting was watching the light bulb moments! When he finally realized what the code was doing, and came up with challenges of his own!
And on a side note, I also love the cost of Bitsbox! One of my son’s closest friends attends a coding club once a week. A few months ago, his mom invited my son to join. But when I saw the monthly price tag, my eyes nearly popped out of my head! Bitsbox, on the other hand is much more affordable, with a 6 month subscription equal to the cost of one month at a coding club! If you’re interested in trying Bitbox, buy subscription for more than $50, and get $20 off when you use my coupon Christy20!