Blog – the Code Zone

Minecraft Round Up - Let's mod an Auto Turret

Posted on November 17, 2023 minecraft

This week, we are continuing our 'Redstone Contraption' series and we are making another defensive machine with our latest mod: Auto Turrets!

Christmas Gifting: The Tech Way

Posted on November 13, 2023

We've rounded up some super cool gift ideas for kids who love everything to do with computers, tech and coding!

Modders: Kitchen Chaos

Posted on October 21, 2023 club updates

This week in Modders, we have a brand new game called ‘Kitchen Chaos’

Minecraft Round Up - Let's mod a TNT Rocket Launcher

Posted on October 18, 2023 minecraft

This week we are continuing our 'Redstone Contraption' series and are coding an EXPLOSIVE TNT Rocket Launcher!

Hacker Highlight: Deep Sea Diver

Posted on October 16, 2023 club updates

We are starting this week strong with our latest game: Deep Sea Diver.

Minecraft Round Up - Let's mod a TNT Launch Pad

Posted on October 08, 2023 minecraft

This week, we are continuing our 'Redstone Contraption' series and we are making a BIG impact with our latest mod: TNT Launch Pad!

National Coding Week: Robot Rivals

Posted on October 02, 2023 game jam

Celebrating National Coding Week with a Game Jam!

Hacker Highlight: Sword Thrower

Posted on September 25, 2023 club updates

Finishing off this week strong with our latest Game Dev Club Hacker Game: Sword Thrower!

Minecraft Round Up - Let's mod a Redstone Rubbish Chest

Posted on September 23, 2023 minecraft

This week in our Minecraft Mod Club, we are continuing our 'Redstone Contraption' series

Cops & Robbers

Posted on September 20, 2023 club updates

Zombies and Scientist!

Minecraft Round Up - Let's mod a Redstone Door

Posted on September 17, 2023 minecraft

In our Minecraft Mod Club, we are starting a brand new mod series called 'Redstone Contraptions'

Hacker Highlight: Ace Pilot

Posted on September 14, 2023 club updates

See Arabella's AMAZING Ace Pilot Game below - full of colour and her own mods

Minecraft Mod Club: Our Top 5 Minigame Mods

Posted on September 11, 2023 minecraft

Top 5 favourite Minecraft Minigames

The Importance of Balance Between Struggle and Support

Posted on September 06, 2023 coding news

Learning to tie your shoes sucks. It’s difficult....

Minecraft Round Up - Let's mod a Gliding game!

Posted on September 03, 2023 minecraft

In this week's Minecraft Mod Club, we are continuing our Minecraft Mini Game Series by coding and modding our very own gliding game.

Strange Sports Game Jam

Posted on September 01, 2023 game jam

We're back with another game jam to round out the holidays!

Tunnel Traversal

Posted on August 31, 2023 club updates

We are back in Modders Club again today and we are working on Tunnel Traversal!

How Old Games Can Help us as Game Makers: The Legend of Zelda

Posted on August 28, 2023 club updates

Why are older games worth playing? We take a look...

Minecraft Round Up - Let's Play On Rails Archery

Posted on August 24, 2023 minecraft

In this week's Minecraft Mod Club, we are continuing our Minecraft Mini Game Series and playing On Rails Archery:)🚂

Arch Enemy

Posted on August 22, 2023 club updates

What a day we've had here at The Code Zone!

What is Learning Through Play?

Posted on August 20, 2023

By Jaz - The Code Zone Mentor!

Elemental Powers Game Jam

Posted on August 19, 2023 game jam

We all hope you are enjoying your time off at half term! Are you ready for this half term's Game Jam event?

Minecraft Round Up - Let's Play Monster Arena

Posted on August 17, 2023 minecraft club updates

In this week's Minecraft Mod Club, we are continuing our Minecraft Mini Game Series by coding our very own Monster Arena Game!

Colour Run

Posted on August 14, 2023 club updates

We are back in Game Dev Club and this week our hackers are playing 'Colour Run'.

Game Jams - what are they and why are they important?

Posted on August 11, 2023 game jam

You’re probably asking ‘what on earth is a game jam?’ Well don’t worry! I am going to tell you.

Minecraft Round Up - Let's Play Dropper

Posted on August 03, 2023 minecraft club updates

In this week's Minecraft Mod Club, we are continuing our Minecraft Mini Game Series by coding our very own game of Dropper!

Evolution Game Jam

Posted on August 01, 2023 game jam

We all hope you are enjoying your time off at half term! Are you ready for this half term's Game Jam event?

Bin It

Posted on July 31, 2023 club updates

The latest on all the mods and hacks available this week to test your kids' coding skills!

A Glimpse into The Life of a Female Computer Science Student

Posted on July 26, 2023 diversity in code

By Becky Shepherd (Mentor, Game Dev Club)

Minecraft Round Up - Let's play Spleef

Posted on July 23, 2023 minecraft

In this week's Minecraft Mod Club, we are continuing our Minecraft Mini Game Series by coding your own Spleef Arena!

Shadowy Shootout

Posted on July 20, 2023 club updates

We are back at it again this week modding our Shadowy Shootout game

Why learning to code through games is a good approach

Posted on July 17, 2023 coding news

Children live and breath games regardless of their age; whether that be playing a game of tag on the playground or booting up their Nintendo Switch to play Roblox

Minecraft Round Up - Let's make our own Archery Range

Posted on July 09, 2023 minecraft

In this week's Minecraft Mod Club, we are continuing our Minecraft Mini Game series and coding our very own game of Archery Range

Coding for Grown-Ups

Posted on June 28, 2023 club updates coding for grown-ups

Since 2019, The Code Zone has been inspiring passion for coding in people of all ages.

Jetpack Jumper

Posted on June 26, 2023 club updates

Another week, another Scratch game for our GameDev Club members - this time we are playing Jetpack Jumper!

Minecraft Round Up - (and update!) - Let's Take the Castle 🏰

Posted on June 25, 2023 club updates minecraft

We are shaking things up in our Minecraft Mod Club!

How is Coding linked to the Curriculum?

Posted on June 21, 2023 club updates diversity in code

In 2014, changes to the national curriculum were made specifically in ICT to help with the introduction of coding to children, replacing ICT with ‘Computing’.

Look out - it's a SHARK!

Posted on June 19, 2023 club updates

This week at The Code Zone, hackers are playing GameDev Club's latest game 'Shark Attack'.

Minecraft Round Up - Let's go Pig Fishing 🐷

Posted on June 11, 2023 minecraft

Welcome back to another Minecraft Mod Club 'Let's Build' episode with Jaz and Calum. This week, we will be coding a new theme for this term: Minecraft Mini Games!

Welcome Back to Game Dev Club!

Posted on June 07, 2023 club updates

We are making a bold come back with Battle Tanks!

Half Term Coding Fun!

Posted on June 04, 2023 game jam club updates

A little round up of what happened over May Half Term!

Minecraft Round Up - Let's Build an Automated Melon Farm 🍉

Posted on May 28, 2023 minecraft

It's time for another Minecraft Mod Club 'Let's Build' episode

The Code Zone for Grown-ups - it's coming!

Posted on May 17, 2023 coding for grown-ups club updates

You asked...it's coming...we just need something from you...

Did someone say Pizza?🍕

Posted on May 12, 2023 club updates

The Code Zone's latest idle game: 'Click For Pizza'

Game Jam 2023: Hopping Mad Week 2

Posted on April 16, 2023 club updates game jam

Game Jam 2023: Hopping Mad Week 1

Posted on April 09, 2023 game jam club updates

Our Game Jam is Back this Half term!

Introducing LOLclub

Posted on April 01, 2023 just for fun april fools

Today, we're excited to announce the release of our newest club , "LOLclub"!

The Wall of Doom Game Jam

Posted on March 30, 2023 game jam

Happy half term everyone - we hope you're relaxing, chilling... and coding! Are you ready for this half term's Game Jam event?

Can you 'Dodge It'?

Posted on March 26, 2023 club updates

A quick overview of what happened in our Game Dev Club!

A week of Flyie Drone...

Posted on March 16, 2023 club updates

Read all about what our children have been creating in our Game Dev Club!

Minecraft Mod Club: What's it all about?

Posted on February 26, 2023 minecraft club updates

Kids Love Minecraft....so let's make it education & fun!

Can't Stop Moving Game Jam

Posted on December 05, 2022 game jam

We've had a great time watching our Hackers and Modders taking part in our recent game jam "Can't Stop Moving"!

Christmas Gifting: Our Top Gifts of 2022

Posted on December 01, 2022

It's that time of year, and we've made a super simple guide on the gifts that are loved and recommended by our mentors themselves!

Take a look and give the gift of coding this Christmas!

"You Are The Monster" Game Jam - Game Dev Club Halloween 2022

Posted on October 24, 2022 game jam

During October Half Tem we opened up our doors for yet another Game Jam! After the success of the Summer ones, our children were fuelled and ready for another week of hacking!

"You Are The Monster" Game Jam - Modders Halloween 2022

Posted on October 24, 2022 game jam

During October Half Tem we opened up our doors for yet another Game Jam!

Game Jam 2022 - It's Dangerous To Go Alone, Take This" Day 5

Posted on August 26, 2022 club updates game jam

The end of a great summer of phenomenal Game Jams!

Game Jam 2022 - It's Dangerous To Go Alone, Take This" Day 4

Posted on August 25, 2022 game jam

In today's game dev clubs we've seen some unique stuff whether that be the Batculator (which actually works perfectly)

Game Jam 2022 - It's Dangerous To Go Alone, Take This" Day 3

Posted on August 24, 2022 club updates game jam

We've had some quite technical hacks and interesting visual changes today inside of Storm Survival!

Game Jam 2022 - It's Dangerous To Go Alone, Take This" Day 2

Posted on August 23, 2022 club updates game jam

The theme is "It's Dangerous To Go Alone, Take This". What "this" is, is up to you...

Game Jam 2022 - It's Dangerous To Go Alone, Take This" Day 1

Posted on August 22, 2022 game jam

The theme is "It's Dangerous To Go Alone, Take This". What "this" is, is up to you. Get jamming and good luck!!

Last week we had our first of this Summer's Game Jams, a free event for all members where the children were given a theme (The Floor is Lava) and had to come up with their own game or animation, and wow did they come up with some amazing ideas! We've selected a few (below) and our mentors have done a round up. Have a watch below!

All children who took part have also earnt this cool badge for their profile! A super well done to all of them, there was such enthusiasm and enjoyment (although apologies to the parents who's children were still up in the evening working on their games...we heard stories!)

Do encourage your children to share their projects so everyone can have a play (message us if you're unsure how). All children now have a profile online to show-off their badges and their projects so anyone can have a play! Check their dashboard for their own unique link to share.

So now the children are all warmed up, we're back at it next week for the second Summer Game Jam! We'll announce the theme on Monday but I can promise one thing... it's going to take some creativity! Watch this space :)

Play some of the games that have been shared from this Game Jam...

Game Jam 2022 - Day 5

Posted on July 29, 2022 club updates game jam

Last day of the floor is lava Game Jam

Game Jam 2022 - Day 4

Posted on July 28, 2022 game jam

A little catch up with what's been going on in the online Game Jam today!

Game Jam 2022 - Day 3

Posted on July 27, 2022 game jam

A little catch up with what's been going on in the online Game Jam today!

Game Jam 2022 - Day 2

Posted on July 26, 2022 game jam

Game Jam 2022 - Day 1

Posted on July 25, 2022 game jam

Day 1 of our very first Game Jam yesterday and we saw loads of children join us online to start work on their "The Floor Is Lava" themed game!

The Live Stream with Tom & Ant - Pirate Palaver

Posted on June 29, 2022 the live stream

Tom and Ant take a look at last week's game, Pirate Palaver and some of the best hacks from the game!

The Live Stream with Tom & Ant - Asteroid Attack

Posted on June 22, 2022 the live stream

Weekly round up from the 22nd June - join Tom & Ant on our live stream talking all things coding!

Welcome to the Circus 🎪

Posted on June 07, 2022 club updates

New term means fun new badges to earn!

We've been nominated!!

Posted on May 25, 2022 in the press

We are very excited to have been nominated in the What's On 4 Kids Awards this year.

4 Reasons Why Coding Is Essential Today

Posted on May 10, 2022

Coding is slowly becoming a crucial part of society, and we can’t continue without it, but why?

The Mecha Bots are here

Posted on April 25, 2022 club updates

Easter has passed through and we're in to a brand new half term!

April 25th Weekly Round Up

Posted on April 25, 2022 club updates

It was a Frog Feeding Frenzy this week at the code zone!

April 17th Weekly Round Up!

Posted on April 17, 2022 club updates

First of all I would like to wish everyone a happy Easter and/or Ramadan on behalf of all of us at the Code Zone!

Ant's Weekly Round up 10th April

Posted on April 10, 2022 club updates

Hold the Fort had some amazing creativity involved!

Tom's Round up 3rd April

Posted on April 03, 2022 club updates

Everyone loved this week's game Scaredy Crows - but what's coming up next?

Dell's Weekly Round up March 27th

Posted on March 27, 2022 club updates

We hear from one of our newest mentor's Dell, on what sounds like an eventful week of fun & games!

Tom's Round up March 13th

Posted on March 13, 2022 club updates

A little recap on Jungle Run plus what's coming next week!

Holly's Round Up March 6th

Posted on March 06, 2022 club updates

Another busy week training new mentors & new clubs!

Tom's Round up 27th Feb

Posted on February 27, 2022 club updates

Diving into what's been happening in the week @ The Code Zone!

Stars in Spring

Posted on February 22, 2022 club updates

A new term has begun and we're heading out of the snowy season and in to Spring where there are tonnes of stars to collect over the next 6 weeks!

The Live Stream with Tom and Holly - Sky High Speedy and Race-A-Round

Posted on February 08, 2022 the live stream

"You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become in to the villain"

The ZoneBot will live forever!

We declare the Winter Olympics 2022, open!

Posted on February 04, 2022 club updates

Join us here at The Code Zone for two weeks of cool Winter Olympics coding projects!

To kick things off, we present to you the Opening Ceremony!

Tom's round up Jan 23rd

Posted on January 23, 2022 club updates

A big welcome to new teammates, a quick update of the hacks from last week, and the game coming up this week in the Game Dev Club!

Holly's round up Jan 16th

Posted on January 16, 2022 club updates

Have you heard of a Unimouse? Well...this week we discovered it in one of our Game Dev Clubs! Read more...

The Live Stream with Tom and Holly - Paint Battle!

Posted on January 11, 2022 the live stream

Hellooo!! Tom's finally worked out how to say "hello" and Holly's a....sponge... in this weeks round-up of the game dev clubs and this week's hack "Paint Battle"

January & the Winter Warriors badge

Posted on January 10, 2022 club updates

Our new years week is over and we're back into the swing of things. Here's an update of the last week from Tom, a round-up of last week and kicking things off this term with a new badge for you to get!

Happy New Year!!

Posted on January 01, 2022 club updates

We hope you've had a great Christmas - welcome back for another fun-filled term of tech and coding. Check out the new years badge as well!

The Live Stream with Tom and Holly - Reverse Tower Defence?!

Posted on December 21, 2021 the live stream

It's our last one before Christmas and the festive hats are out! Tom and Holly talk tower defence, and this week's game dev club challenge - building a reverse version of the game, where you are the runner!

Holly's Roundup Dec 19th

Posted on December 19, 2021 club updates

Holly gives us a round-up of the last week in the clubs, some featured projects and a sneak peak in to what's coming up next week!

The Live Stream with Tom and Holly - Whackamole

Posted on December 14, 2021 the live stream

Our first ever live stream! And a festive one to kick things off...are you ready for Holly's surprise? And is your project featured this week?

The Codey Smart Speaker

Posted on March 31, 2021 just for fun april fools

If you haven't seen Tom's intro video for The Codey Smart Speaker - check it out on our Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram. We hope you enjoy...

5 Women Who are Changing the World Through Tech

Posted on March 08, 2021

In an industry dominated by men, these women are carving out their own path.

And the world is all the better for it.

Why Should Children Learn to Code?

Posted on March 06, 2021

STAY AHEAD - LEARN TO CODE

Screen Time Doesn't Have to be Scary

Posted on December 06, 2020

With the pandemic pushing us further online, it’s more important than ever that we understand screen time and the effect it can have on our children – both positive and negative.