The MakeCode team at Microsoft is small, but mighty! We are passionate about making technology fun, exciting and accessible for all kids. We work in a fun office space at Microsoft campus in Redmond, Washington and love coming to work every day!<\/p>\n
Over the next few weeks, we\u2019ll be publishing some easy MakeCode projects that you can do with your kids at home over the summer using a different MakeCode product each week.<\/p>\n
Grab your kids and a glue gun and come on the Summer of MakeCode tour with us!<\/p>\n
\u2013 The MakeCode Team<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/create-technology-projects-with-your-family-using-web-based-microsoft-makecode.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMakeCode Office Space<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Week 1: Micro:Pet<\/h2>\n
If your kids are like mine, they\u2019ll spend a few minutes playing with their fancy toys, and a few hours playing with good old-fashioned cardboard boxes, string and markers in the garage!<\/p>\n
Micro:Pet is a fun project that gets your kids\u2019 creativity flowing using materials you can find around the house while incorporating electronics and coding concepts and activities with the micro:bit.<\/p>\n
For the Micro:Pet project, you\u2019ll need:<\/h3>\n\n- A computer with internet connection and USB port<\/li>\n
- A micro:bit Go Kit (available at Microcenter.com<\/a>) that includes a micro:bit, a USB cable, a battery pack and batteries<\/li>\n
- Small cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls, paper cups\/bowls or anything you have around the house to construct your pet with<\/li>\n
- Markers, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, colored paper, feathers and anything else you have on hand to decorate your pet!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Check out our fun video about our micro:pets!<\/p>\n
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Step 1: What\u2019s your dream pet?<\/strong><\/p>\nThe first thing you\u2019ll want to do is think about what kind of pet you want to create. It could be something you\u2019ve always wanted to have as a pet, but couldn\u2019t \u2013 say a unicorn, a dragon or a skunk.<\/p>\n
Step 2: Make your pet<\/strong><\/p>\nUsing the materials at hand, create your dream Pet. Remember to include enough space in your design to attach your micro:bit and the battery pack.<\/p>\n
Step 3: Code the micro:bit<\/strong><\/p>\nIf you have a Windows 10 computer, you can download and install the micro:bit app at http:\/\/aka.ms\/microbitapp<\/a>. Otherwise, go to https:\/\/makecode.microbit.org\/<\/a>.<\/p>\nYou can use your micro:bit in many different ways on your pet. Here is an example of a program for your Micro:Pet, but be creative and come up with your own unique project!<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/create-technology-projects-with-your-family-using-web-based-microsoft-makecode.png\")
<\/p>\nFigure 1 \u2013 An example of a Micro:Pet program. Don\u2019t miss the video at https:\/\/youtu.be\/Sd_hB4nyUXI<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nOptional steps:<\/h3>\n
1. Adding audio<\/strong><\/p>\nYou can add audio and play sounds through your micro:bit by connecting it to headphones, earbuds or an external speaker. Note: there is only one volume level at which the micro:bit plays \u2013 and it is very loud! Don\u2019t put earbuds in your ear when you run your program. In addition to the micro:bit, you will need:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/create-technology-projects-with-your-family-using-web-based-microsoft-makecode-1.png\")
<\/p>\nFigure 2 \u2013 What you\u2019ll need for sound. Don\u2019t miss the video at https:\/\/youtu.be\/Wx73kbW5s9E<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/create-technology-projects-with-your-family-using-web-based-microsoft-makecode-2.png\")
<\/p>\nFigure 3 \u2013 Example program using sounds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
2. Adding motion<\/strong><\/p>\nYou can add motion to your Micro:Pet \u2013 for example, wagging its tail when your pet is fed. To do this, you will need to attach a servo motor to your micro:bit. You will need:<\/p>\n
Check out our fun video about our micro:pets!<\/p>\n
[embedded content]<\/p>\n
Step 1: What\u2019s your dream pet?<\/strong><\/p>\n The first thing you\u2019ll want to do is think about what kind of pet you want to create. It could be something you\u2019ve always wanted to have as a pet, but couldn\u2019t \u2013 say a unicorn, a dragon or a skunk.<\/p>\n Step 2: Make your pet<\/strong><\/p>\n Using the materials at hand, create your dream Pet. Remember to include enough space in your design to attach your micro:bit and the battery pack.<\/p>\n Step 3: Code the micro:bit<\/strong><\/p>\n If you have a Windows 10 computer, you can download and install the micro:bit app at http:\/\/aka.ms\/microbitapp<\/a>. Otherwise, go to https:\/\/makecode.microbit.org\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can use your micro:bit in many different ways on your pet. Here is an example of a program for your Micro:Pet, but be creative and come up with your own unique project!<\/p>\n Figure 1 \u2013 An example of a Micro:Pet program. Don\u2019t miss the video at https:\/\/youtu.be\/Sd_hB4nyUXI<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n 1. Adding audio<\/strong><\/p>\n You can add audio and play sounds through your micro:bit by connecting it to headphones, earbuds or an external speaker. Note: there is only one volume level at which the micro:bit plays \u2013 and it is very loud! Don\u2019t put earbuds in your ear when you run your program. In addition to the micro:bit, you will need:<\/p>\n Figure 2 \u2013 What you\u2019ll need for sound. Don\u2019t miss the video at https:\/\/youtu.be\/Wx73kbW5s9E<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Figure 3 \u2013 Example program using sounds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 2. Adding motion<\/strong><\/p>\n You can add motion to your Micro:Pet \u2013 for example, wagging its tail when your pet is fed. To do this, you will need to attach a servo motor to your micro:bit. You will need:<\/p>\n<\/p>\nOptional steps:<\/h3>\n
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![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/create-technology-projects-with-your-family-using-web-based-microsoft-makecode-3.png\")
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