Bitsbox Homeschooling Review
We were given a 3-month trial of Bitsbox, as always, all opinions and ideas are my own.
What is Bitsbox?
Bitsbox is a fun and engaging learning system that teaches coding.
Each level focuses on a new concept in computer science.
What ages is Bitsbox for?
Bitsbox is designed for kids 6-12 years old.
Children do not need any previous coding experience in order to have fun with Bitsbox, and neither do parents!
I was relieved to see that all of the instructions were easy to follow for my children.
As a busy mom I look for activities that are self-guided and Bitsbox is a great way for children to learn to code and have fun at the same time, without a lot of parental assistance.
What comes inside a Bitsbox?
Inside a Bitsbox there are:
Coding cards (range from simple to advanced)
Grownup Guide- a parent guide that lets you know what your kids are learning.
Stickers- the stickers are used for children to keep track of the apps that they have coded.
*In the first box we received, we also received an Apper Keeper.
It is a small binder that holds the coding cards and keeps everything neat.
What’s needed:
In order to code the apps, children need access to a computer with a web browser.
Since they are coding, they need to be able to use a keyboard and type the correct keys for each function.
Once your child finishes coding their apps, they can use the apps on a computer, tablet, or phone.
How we used Bitsbox in our homeschool:
My children love coding and STEM, so we incorporated Bitsbox as part of their science curriculum.
As a credentialed teacher, I follow the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) at home with my children, and Bitsbox fits perfectly with the Engineering and Design concepts for each grade level.
Since there are so many activities included, it was easy for my children to share and code at their own pace.
What subscriptions are available?
Bitsbox offers three affordable subscription plans:
Digital $16.95/month
The Digital box includes a pdf instruction guide of all the apps.
Basic $24.95/month
The Basic box includes a dozen app projects and a binder to organize them.
Deluxe $37.95
The Deluxe box includes everything in Basic, plus more extras.
Go to the website to check out and compare all of the boxes.
There are no commitments, and you can pause or cancel at any time.
My kids’ opinions:
8-year-old:
“I like Bitsbox because I get to make my own apps!”
10-year-old:
“I think Bitsbox is cool because it challenges me
12-year-old:
“I like that Bitsbox gets harder and there is something for everyone, even though I know how to code, I still find it fun to make my own apps.”
Conclusion:
I think Bitsbox is a simple and engaging way to get kids interested in coding.
I also like that when you code, if your child has an error, it will explain the error and where it is located.
This gives children (and adults) instant feedback on their coding progress.
Since there are multiple cards, the apps are differentiated and can be used for multiple siblings at different coding levels.
Try Bitsbox today!
Use the code MIMT20 to receive $20 off any 3-, 6-, or 12-month subscription (not an affiliate code).