Coding Games for 5 Year Olds—Without a Screen in Sight! (+ Cute and Free Coding Task Cards)

Are coding games for 5 year olds really a thing? You bet they are. And no—they don’t have to involve tablets, apps, or endless screen time. In fact, one of the best ways to introduce coding is to take the screen out of it completely. Yep, we’re talking about unplugged coding.

I introduced these simple activities to my 5 year olds and they loved them! 

Sponsored Post Disclosure: This post contains sponsored content. I only share activities and resources I truly love and use with my own students—and this one’s a keeper!

If you’re a teacher, homeschooler, or a parent trying to make learning fun (and sneak in some problem solving and direction-following skills), this one’s for you.

Today, I’m sharing an easy, low-prep coding printable for 5-year-olds that teaches core computational thinking skills without a single device. And yes—it involves a monkey and a banana, which already makes it a win.

I’ve previously shared the Star Heroes coding task cards version and the kids absolutely loved them and wanted more!

Let’s dive into why this works so well, how to use it, and how you can take the next step into online coding when your kids are ready.

Why Teach Coding at Age 5?

Kids at this age are already developing logic and problem-solving skills, whether they’re lining up their toy dinosaurs or retelling their favorite bedtime story (with very questionable plot twists). Coding just gives a name and a structure to something they already do naturally.

Here’s what coding at this stage builds:

• Spatial reasoning
• Sequencing
• Directionality (left, right, up, down)
• Pattern recognition
• Early computational thinking

And the best part? You can teach coding without a computer. In fact, it often sticks better that way.

If you’re looking for logic games for preschoolers, need ideas to teach problem solving in kindergarten, or want to explore screen-free STEM games, this is a perfect place to start. No charging cables required.

Unplugged Coding Activity: Monkey Moves to the Banana

This printable is built for tiny hands and growing minds—and yes, it grows with them. The full set of task cards ranges from super simple (like “move one space left”) to more advanced multi-step directions that challenge kids to think ahead.

The first set of cards (pictured above) starts with basic direction matching: kids choose the correct arrow to help the monkey reach the banana. These are ideal for preschoolers and 4-year-olds just starting to grasp directionality.

As the cards progress, they introduce grid navigation where kids start at a designated point and follow commands like:

“Move 3 spaces left. Move 2 spaces up. Where did you land?”

Students then clip a clothespin to the correct answer on the side—a great way to reinforce fine motor skills too!

By the time kids reach the final cards, they’ll be solving multi-step direction puzzles on a 6×6 grid—perfect for ages 6 to 7 or any child ready for a new challenge.

How to Set It Up:

• Print and laminate the task cards (or just slide them into sleeves!)
• Add clothespins or markers for answering
• Keep in a basket for early finishers, morning tubs, or STEM centers

If you’re looking for progressive, engaging coding games for 5 year olds, this activity provides differentiation and growth—no screens needed.

How to Use It in the Classroom or at Home

This activity is super flexible, which is what makes it work so well. Here are a few ways to implement it:

• Use in math centers or STEM bins
• Add it to morning tubs or quiet time
• Introduce it in small group work or early finishers
• Let students create their own grid and commands (bonus: it keeps them busy for at least 7 minutes)

You can also adapt for multiple levels by:

• Using visual direction cards for younger learners
• Adding extra steps or turns for older students
• Offering a blank grid for students to write their own “code”

This is a fantastic way to include unplugged coding for kindergarten, reinforce preschool coding worksheets, and integrate hands-on coding activities into your daily routine.

Extend the Learning

Once your kids get the hang of the grid, it opens up so many possibilities. You can:

• Have them write the code using arrows or directional words (hello, mini programmers!)
• Create their own version of the map with different themes (robots, animals, treasure—or a dragon that guards cookies)
• Pair the activity with read-alouds like How to Code a Sandcastle and pretend the monkey is their coding mentor

These types of STEM activities for kindergarten and sequencing games for kids are great for building directionality and early logic. Plus, they support literacy, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.

Ready to explore screen-based coding? CodeMonkey is the perfect place to begin. You can try it out for free and see how your child or students enjoy the experience! Don’t forget code: CMSOK25 for an exclusive 25% off.

Try incorporating direction following activities as part of morning warm-ups or stations!

Bridge to Online Coding: Try CodeMonkey!

Ready to take the next step? When your child is ready for screen time that actually builds their brain (instead of just turning them into a couch burrito), CodeMonkey has incredible block-based coding games for young learners.

Their early programs like CodeMonkey Jr, Beaver Achiever, and Linus the Lemur are:

• No reading or typing required
• Bright, engaging, and age-appropriate
• Perfect for ages 5–7

I especially recommend starting with the parent sign-up link, which includes a 7-day free trial:

🔗 CodeMonkey Parent Sign-Up with Free Trial

Or explore their full homepage here: 🔗 CodeMonkey Homepage

Don’t forget to use this exclusive code CMSOK25 at checkout to get 25% off Home Subscriptions! (Note: this code is for home use only.)

Teacher trial link: Free Teacher Trial Sign-Up

If you’re looking for the best coding programs for young kids or just starting out with beginner coding activities, CodeMonkey is a great step forward after screen-free exploration.

Grab Your Free Printable + Bonus

Ready to get started? You can grab your free Monkey Moves to the Banana printable here or below.

It includes:

• A simple 6×6 grid
• Multiple task cards
• Clip card answers with visual cues

This makes an awesome addition to any coding games for 5 year olds collection and works especially well in SPED and homeschool environments.

Teaching coding games for 5 year olds doesn’t have to mean tech overload. In fact, when you start with play-based, screen-free activities, you’re helping children build strong logic foundations without the distractions (or blue light headaches).

Try the monkey grid game, introduce some CodeMonkey magic when they’re ready, and most importantly—have fun watching your little coders grow. And remember to always work at the child’s pace and introduce the cards slowly.

Have questions? Tried the printable? Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram—I’d love to see your coders in action!