10 Computer Science Games & Activities for Middle Schoolers
If you’re a middle schooler eager to work on your coding skills or explore STEM fields, this blog is for you. Engaging with coding games and activities can significantly enhance your problem-solving skills, creativity, and logical thinking — all of which are essential tools for success in our tech-driven world.
These tools not only teach foundational coding and computational thinking concepts but also prepare you for future academic and professional opportunities in STEM. In this blog, we have 10 computer science games and activities for middle school students. Whether you're interested in building games, exploring real-world applications of coding, or simply having fun, these resources are tailored to help middle schoolers learn the foundations of coding.
Age Range: 8–16 years
Cost: Free
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Scratch is an interactive, block-based coding platform developed by the MIT Media Lab’s Lifelong Kindergarten Group to introduce young learners to programming and computational thinking. With a visual, drag-and-drop interface, Scratch makes it easy for students to create their own games, animations, and digital stories without needing prior coding experience. Students can explore and create projects using blocks that represent different coding actions, like movement, sound, and control structures. Scratch is used in schools worldwide to build essential skills like logical reasoning, problem-solving, and project design. Through its online community, students can share projects, receive feedback, and learn from others’ creations.
Available in over 70 languages and used in varied learning environments, Scratch is a good entry point for middle schoolers aiming to strengthen their programming abilities and enhance their STEM foundations.
2. SpaceChem
Age Range: 10 and up
Cost: $9.99 (purchase on platforms like Steam)
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
SpaceChem is a complex puzzle game that introduces players to concepts in chemical engineering and computational thinking. You take on the role of a Reactor Engineer for a futuristic chemical company and create systems (or "factories") to synthesize specific chemical compounds. This involves creating elaborate pipelines and reactors that allow users to practice logic, sequential thinking, and optimization.
The game is structured to engage middle schoolers interested in math, science, and logic-based challenges. While it requires patience and critical thinking, it is particularly rewarding for students who enjoy solving intricate puzzles. SpaceChem’s design encourages trial and error, allowing players to refine their solutions, learn about process automation, and develop algorithmic thinking.
Its flexibility and complexity make it ideal for students with some experience in coding or puzzle games and can serve as a primer for more advanced computational and engineering concepts in high school.
3. Vidcode
Age Range: 9 and up
Cost: $600 per year for a single educator account (or $2,900 per year for a school site license with up to 10 educators); free access available for some courses
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Vidcode is a creative coding platform that introduces students to JavaScript programming with a focus on multimedia projects. Vidcode’s curriculum allows you to learn coding concepts by modifying images and videos, adding filters, and creating games and animations. The lessons gradually advance, covering topics like object properties, conditional logic, and interactive design, giving students a strong programming foundation.
Vidcode’s lesson plans and project-based activities cover a range of topics, from object properties to conditionals, fostering essential coding skills while allowing for personalization and creativity. The platform aligns with national computer science standards, making it suitable for middle school classrooms and self-paced learning. Vidcode also offers free resources, including "JavaScript 101" and self-guided tutorials for students who are just starting out or want to sample the curriculum before diving deeper. This approach is particularly beneficial for schools or educators new to coding instruction.
4. Codesters
Age Range: Grades 5–9
Cost: Annual license options starting around $10 - $20 per student; free 30-day teacher trial available
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Codesters is an interactive platform that teaches Python coding through a blend of drag-and-drop and text-based coding, making it highly accessible to younger learners. With Codesters, middle school students can create animations, games, and interactive projects, fostering creativity while building fundamental coding skills. The platform’s curriculum is project-based and aligned with core computer science standards, providing lessons that gradually increase in complexity.
Each lesson includes hands-on projects with three phases: Build, Modify, and Create. Students start with guided exercises, move to modify their projects to demonstrate understanding, and finally, create original projects using their learned skills. Teachers can easily integrate Codesters into their curriculum with its comprehensive educator resources, including lesson plans and progress tracking.
5. Code.org
Age Range: Grades 6–10 (Recommended)
Cost: Free
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Code.org is a nonprofit organization expanding access to computer science education across the United States. One of its flagship offerings, Computer Science Discoveries (CSD), introduces students to foundational coding and computer science concepts through interactive lessons, projects, and collaborative activities. The course covers a wide range of topics, including programming basics, HTML/CSS for web development, data analysis, and physical computing.
Students engage in interactive activities that encourage creativity and problem-solving. They can create their own websites, apps, games, and even physical computing devices, making the learning process both enjoyable and educational. The curriculum is designed to be flexible, allowing educators to implement it as a semester-long or year-long course.
In addition to introductory courses, Code.org offers advanced curriculum options and development tools for classrooms looking to deepen their computer science education.
6. Self-Driving Car Flowchart Activity
Age Range: Grades 6–8
Cost: Free
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
The Self-Driving Car Flowchart Activity offers an insightful way for students to explore how autonomous vehicles make decisions on the road. Participants create flowcharts to simulate the decision-making processes involved in navigating various traffic situations, such as responding to stop signs or detecting pedestrians. This hands-on project enhances problem-solving skills while introducing key concepts in computer science, including algorithms and programming.
As students develop their flowcharts, they will gain a clearer understanding of how technology utilizes coding to make critical choices in real-world applications. This activity not only fosters analytical thinking but also highlights the importance of computer science in shaping the future of transportation.
7. CodinGame
Age Range: 13 and up (recommended)
Cost: Free
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
CodinGame is an online platform that offers an interactive way for students to enhance their coding skills through games and challenges. It supports over 25 programming languages, including Python, Java, C++, Ruby, and more, making it versatile for students with different coding backgrounds. CodinGame’s platform offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, including games like "The Descent," which teaches looping structures, and competitive coding battles in "Clash of Code."
The platform encourages gamified learning, where students can tackle increasingly difficult challenges while gaining experience in algorithmic thinking and problem-solving. CodinGame also features a discussion forum, tutorials, and a progression system to keep students motivated as they learn new skills.
Additionally, CodinGame includes a job platform that connects talented coders with potential employers, highlighting the real-world applications of the skills learned through gameplay.
8. Program Your Own COVID-19 or Flu Simulator with Scratch
Age Range: 8+
Cost: Free
Skill Level: Beginner
In this activity, students explore the fundamentals of disease transmission and public health modeling through programming. Using Scratch, a user-friendly coding platform, participants create a simulation that illustrates how diseases like COVID-19 and the flu spread among populations.
By designing their own simulations, students learn to visualize the effects of social distancing and other preventive measures. The project encourages critical thinking as students manipulate variables such as the number of participants and their interactions to observe changes in disease spread. This simulation encourages critical thinking and introduces real-world applications of coding in epidemiology and public health.
9. CodeGym
Age Range: Recommended for ages 12 and up
Cost: Free access to beginner levels, with monthly plans starting at $49 (basic) and $99 (Premium Pro) for full access
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
CodeGym is another online platform designed to teach Java programming through a gamified approach. Built to appeal to beginners and learners who prefer a hands-on approach, CodeGym offers over 1,200 exercises within various learning "quests" that help students progress through increasingly complex programming topics. One of the fun elements CodeGym offers is the game "Hungry Snake," which comprises 20 sequential tasks that build on one another, allowing students to apply what they've learned in a playful context. The platform emphasizes hands-on practice, enabling learners to write code from the very first lesson and receive instant feedback on their solutions, which fosters a supportive learning environment.
Each lesson is 20% theory and 80% practice, allowing students to jump into coding right away. Lessons cover essential Java concepts like syntax, object-oriented programming (OOP), data structures, and algorithms. Another key advantage of CodeGym is its community support system, where learners can connect with peers and mentors for guidance and feedback.
10. Imagine Ways that Artificial Intelligence Could Change the World
Age Range: 10–14 years
Cost: Free
Activity Level: Beginner
This activity encourages middle school students to explore the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society. Students will begin by researching existing AI technologies, such as facial recognition and machine learning, to gain a foundational understanding of how these systems work and their applications in various fields. This knowledge will serve as a springboard for your creativity, as you will then conceptualize your own innovative AI solutions designed to tackle specific societal issues.
Participants also engage in critical thinking, reflecting on the ethical implications of their proposed solutions and considering potential misuses or societal risks associated with AI technologies. By the end of the activity, students will have developed a deeper understanding of AI's capabilities and limitations, equipping them for future studies in science and technology.
Bonus Programs!
Ladder Internships offers an innovative virtual internship experience designed specifically for middle school students starting from grade 8. Developed by Harvard alumni, this program provides an excellent opportunity for students to work with startups and nonprofits around the globe. Participants can engage in various fields, including technology, engineering, journalism, healthcare, and more, allowing them to explore their interests through real-world projects.
The internship lasts for eight weeks, with multiple cohorts available throughout the year. The program is open not only to middle school students but also to undergraduates and gap-year students.
One of the standout features of Ladder Internships is the close collaboration between students and startup managers, complemented by the guidance of a dedicated Ladder Coach. This mentorship provides a supportive environment where you can develop new skills and receive feedback on your work. By the end of the internship, participants have the chance to showcase their projects, making this program a meaningful way for young learners to engage with their passions and gain valuable insights into their chosen fields.
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a virtual initiative designed for middle school students in grades 6 to 8, offering an enriching 8-week experience to dive into academic interests with personalized mentorship. Participants are paired with mentors from prestigious research universities such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, guiding them as they explore a subject they are passionate about.
The program begins with an exploration phase during the first four weeks, where students engage with various topics within their chosen track to expand their understanding. In weeks five and six, students concentrate on a specific area of interest, allowing for a deeper dive into their research. The final week culminates in the completion of their research projects, with mentors providing essential support throughout the process.
The program's structure encourages students to develop critical thinking and research skills while working closely with experienced mentors. For those interested, financial aid options are available to help make the program more accessible.
Image Source - SpaceChem Logo