Coding · 5 min

Loops for Kids: Find the Repeating Commands

Unplugged coding for preschoolers: read six commands and find the pair that repeats, the idea behind a loop.

This on-screen game asks your child to spot a repeated pair of everyday commands. It helps to understand step order and notice a two-item pattern. The full sequence is written on screen.

How to play

  1. Read the six commands from left to right with your child. Pause after every second command to mark each pair.
  2. Ask your child to choose the pair that, repeated three times, makes the whole sequence. Check each pair against the written commands.

You will need

Your turn

Start at command 1 and stop after command 6. The full sequence is: clap → tap the table → clap → tap the table → clap → tap the table. Which two-command pair, repeated exactly three times in this order, makes the whole sequence?

Start at command 1 and stop after command 6. The full sequence is: clap → tap the table → clap → tap the table → clap → tap the table. Which two-command pair, repeated exactly three times in this order, makes the whole sequence?
Answer and explanation

Each pair is clap, then tap the table: commands 1–2, 3–4, and 5–6 are identical.

Make it easier

Point to commands 1–2, 3–4, and 5–6 as three separate pairs while reading them aloud.

Make it more challenging

Cover the choices and ask your child to name the repeating pair, then explain why reversing its order changes the first command.

You can play entirely on screen. If you act out the commands, clear a safe space and have an adult supervise.

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