✂️ No screens required

CS Unplugged

Hands-on classroom activities that teach real Computer Science concepts without a computer in sight. Free for teachers, home educators, and curious students.

GCSE aligned A Level aligned 100% free
🔥 Topical
📱

How Does a Social Media Algorithm Decide What You See?

Students simulate a social media feed algorithm using cards — exploring engagement loops, filter bubbles, and why the algorithm shows you what it shows you. Timely, curriculum-linked, and genuinely eye-opening.

Algorithms Data Ethics 30–45 mins Groups of 4–6
View activity →

Coming soon

Soon
🤝

The Sorting Network

Students become the nodes in a sorting network — physically swapping cards to understand how parallel sorting algorithms work.

Sorting algorithms Whole class
Soon
🔐

Pass the Secret: Public Key Encryption

A physical simulation of public key cryptography using coloured paint mixing — no maths required to understand the concept.

Encryption Cybersecurity
Soon
🗺️

Find the Shortest Path

Students walk Dijkstra's algorithm using a physical map and string — discovering how GPS finds the fastest route.

Graph theory A Level
Soon
🧠

Teaching a Robot to Make Toast

Students write precise step-by-step instructions for a "robot" classmate — revealing why computational thinking and precision matter in programming.

Computational thinking KS3 / GCSE
Soon
🃏

Binary Card Trick

The classic CS Unplugged card trick that teaches binary representation — guess any number from 1–31 with just five cards.

Binary Data representation
Soon
📡

Packet Switching with Paper

Students pass torn-up messages across a "network" of desks — experiencing routing, packet loss, and reassembly first-hand.

Networks TCP/IP

For teachers

Want to request an activity?

All activities are written by a Senior Examiner and Head of CS, with full curriculum links and discussion questions included. New activities added regularly.

Request an activity