Do you want to play a game?
Learning to code should be fun, so why not use KUBO to play a game? In this blog, we will show you a creative way to use KUBO to play the classic board game Snakes and Ladders.
It will develop students’ sequencing and problem-solving skills in a fun and innovative way.
The activity is great for younger students to practice counting and taking turns. It can be expanded for older students to include writing functions and could also be a great opportunity to include Art and Design as students can create their own boards.
The Snakes and Ladders game
For those of you not familiar with the game, here’s how it works. Each game requires at least two players. Players take turns to roll the dice and move the number of squares they roll.
If they land on the bottom of a ladder they go up, if they land on the snake’s head they go down. The winner is the first player to reach the top of the board.
How to play with KUBO
You will need 1 Board, 1 Dice, at least 1 KUBO Coding set, and additional colored counters.
Player one rolls the dice, they then make KUBO move the number of squares they roll. In this example, the student rolled a 3, so they have created a sequence that moves KUBO forward three squares. This makes KUBO finish on a ladder so the sequence also includes moving up the ladder. It is then player 2’s turn. If a group is sharing one KUBO, colored counters could be used to mark a player’s place in between turns.
Younger students may just lay the TagTiles® directly on the mat. Older students or more experienced KUBO users, can write a function and use the Play TagTile on the board. If their move ends on a ladder or snake this also needs to be added to the sequence of moves!
Other great examples
The board in this blog has been made by printing out two maps from KUBO’s mapmaker with a space theme background. The maps have been stuck together and the numbers, ladders, and snakes have all been drawn in hand. Students can create their own boards making them as simple or complex as they like. The boards could be laminated to make them more durable and used many times.
Below are examples of how to use functions in this game. The Play TagTile would be placed on the square KUBO is covering.
How about trying the same idea with another type of board game. We’d love to see your versions of this idea!
