What’s Happening
What’s Happening
Which iCode Belt Is Right for My Child? 🥋
A Parent's Guide to Deciding the Best Program for Their Child If you're looking into after-school STEM programs, you've probably run into a question that's harder to answer than it should be: where does my kid actually fit? The good news is you do not need to know anything about coding to figure this out. You just need to know your child, because that's really where the answer starts. Start with what they already love. A kid who lights up building block towers or asking "how does that work" is different from a kid who wants to design their own video game, and both of those kids belong at iCode. They just belong in different Belts. 🌱 STEM Jr (Ages 5–7) is where the youngest builders start. No prior experience needed. It's a playful, hands-on introduction to STEM concepts through building, experimenting, and games, designed for kids who are just starting to ask how things work. ⚪ White Belt (Ages 7–11) is the next step for kids who are curious about coding and robotics and ready for a little more structure. Students start planning projects, building them, testing them, and improving them, which teaches real problem-solving alongside the technical skills.…
School’s Out, But iCode Is In: Your Guide to October Day-Off Camps
School closure days can be chaotic. Your kids will love not going to school, but we as parents know they need something to do. This fall, if you’re still looking for a day-off camp, we’ve got you covered. We agree day-off camps don't have to be glorified babysitting. They can actually be the thing your kid talks about for weeks afterward. That's what we built October's Day-Off Camps to be. 🤔 What's a Day-Off Camp, Anyway? When Chicago schools close, iCode opens. We give kids a full day (8:30 AM–3:30 PM, with aftercare available) to deep-dive into one thing they actually want to do, not a watered-down carousel of activities. 🎮 Your second grader can do 3D design. ⛏️ Your sixth grader can code custom Minecraft mods. 🚁 Your fifth grader can fly a drone. They pick. They dive deep. They build something real. You get a full school closure day handled. And they come home tired but happy, which is a bonus. 🚀 What We're Running in October ⛏️ Minecraft Modding Kids learn game design logic by building custom mods. They're solving problems, learning code patterns, and creating something they'll actually play. By the end of the day, they've…
When School is Closed? iCode Is Open 🤖🏫
Day Off Camps give kids a productive and fun place to spend days when school is closed. Instead of another day at home on a device, students can spend the day building, coding, creating, and meeting other kids who share their interests. Join iCode Ravenswood at Apple Fest this October for games, hands-on fun, and prizes for the whole family. Stop by our booth, say hello, and see what makes iCode such a fun place for kids to learn, create, and explore. Mark Your Calendars: What’s Coming Up at iCode Fall is a busy season at iCode Ravenswood, with Belt Programs, Game Nights, community events, and plenty of opportunities for kids to spend their school days off creating, building, and exploring. Subscribe to our iCode Ravenswood calendar to keep these dates handy. September 8 | First Day of Belt Programs September 25 | Game Night 🍃🎮 October 2–5 | Visit us at Apple Fest October 12 & 14–16 | Day Off Camps October 23 & 26–30 | Day Off Camps October 23 | Spooky but Fun Game Night 🎃🎮 November 11 | Day Off Camp November 20 | Game Night 🦃🎮 November 24–25 & 27–28 | Holiday Camps December 18…
Why White Belt Is a Great Starting Point for Young Coders at iCode Ravenswood 🚀💻
If you’re looking for a hands-on STEM program for kids in Chicago, iCode Ravenswood’s White Belt Program gives students ages 7–11 an engaging introduction to coding, robotics, computational thinking, and creative problem-solving. White Belt is one of our most successful programs because it gives students the chance to move from simply using technology to actually creating with it. Through VEX IQ robotics, Scratch programming, sequencing, and hands-on challenges, students learn how to build, test, troubleshoot, and improve their ideas while developing confidence along the way. 🧠More Than Coding One of the biggest benefits of White Belt is that students are learning skills that extend well beyond the screen. They practice persistence when something does not work the first time, collaboration when working with classmates, and logical thinking as they break larger problems into smaller steps. Those moments matter. A student who once said, “I don’t know how to do this,” may begin asking, “What should I try next?” That shift in confidence and independence is an important part of the iCode learning experience. 💡A Hands-On Introduction to STEM White Belt keeps learning active. Students are not sitting through long lectures or simply following instructions on a screen. They are building…
5 Books to Read Together When Your Child Is Feeling Anxious
Top 5 Books to Read Together When Your Child Is Feeling Anxious 🫂📚 Children carry worries, too. A new activity, an unfamiliar group, or the fear of making a mistake may feel overwhelming. That is why we are training our instructors to recognize when anxiety unexpectedly enters the classroom and respond with patience, encouragement, and practical support. If your little person experiences big worries, these books may help you start the conversation: Our top 5: 📘 Stanley Will Probably Be Fine by Sally J. Pla Stanley is an anxious kid who loves comics and gets thrown into some very real-life challenges. A relatable story about anxiety, friendship, and finding the courage to keep going. 📕 Guts by Raina Telgemier This graphic novel follows Raina as she navigates anxiety, friendships, family, and the physical symptoms that can come with worry. A particularly relatable pick for kids who sometimes feel anxious without knowing exactly why. 📓 The Anxiety Workbook for Teens by Lisa M. Schab, LCSW A practical workbook designed to help teens understand anxiety and develop strategies for managing it. It's a more hands-on option for older kids who want tools they can actually practice. 🌈 No Worries by Lily Murray A gentle,…
Curious About iCode Ravenswood’s Belt Programs? Start Here.
🤖 Curious About iCode Ravenswood’s Belt Programs? Start Here. Parents often have a few questions when they first hear about our Belt Program. Here are some of the ones we hear most often. 👇🏾 🤔 What is a Belt? Think of a Belt as your child’s learning level and pathway at iCode. Each Belt introduces age-appropriate STEM skills and builds on what students have already learned, so they can continue growing in coding, robotics, game design, engineering, and problem-solving. As students gain confidence and experience, they can progress into more advanced Belts. 🧸 My child is six and has never done STEM before. Where should they start? STEM Jr. is designed for younger children who are ready to explore coding, robotics, engineering, and problem-solving in a fun, hands-on way. Students build, experiment, and learn through activities that feel playful and approachable. It is a great starting point for curious kids who love asking questions and making things. 🤖 My child loves robots and working with his hands. Which Belt should I look at? White Belt is a favorite for kids who enjoy building and figuring out how things work. Students use robotics and coding to learn sequencing, logic, engineering, and…
Beyond ‘How Was School?’: 10 Questions to Get the Conversation Going
You ask: “How was school?” They answer: “Good.” You try again: “What did you do today?” “Nothing.” Sound familiar? 😅 After spending hours apart, it’s natural to want to hear about your child’s day. But sometimes a big, general question can be hard for kids to answer, especially after a long day of listening, learning, socializing, and following directions. As families head back to school, here are 10 questions you can keep in your back pocket when you want to hear a little more than “fine.” 😂 1. What Made You Laugh Today? Start with something fun. Instead of asking your child to summarize an entire school day, this gives them one specific moment to think about. And sometimes one funny story leads to another. 🌟 2. What Are You Proud of Today? Maybe they got an answer right. Maybe they tried something difficult. Maybe they helped a friend. This question gives kids a chance to recognize their own wins, including the little ones. 🧠 3. What Was the Most Interesting Thing You Learned? Notice we didn't ask what the teacher taught. What your child found interesting might be completely different, and their answer could give you a glimpse into…
From Screen Time to Skill Time: What Ravenswood Kids Build When Gaming Meets Coding
Ravenswood has a strong creative streak — the neighborhood is full of artists, makers, and small studios, and that same maker energy shows up at iCode Ravenswood. Kids who love gaming aren't just entertained here; they're introduced to the actual craft behind the games they play. In a neighborhood that already values hands-on creative work, building your own game fits right in alongside painting, music, and design. From Player to Creator: The Mindset Shift That Sticks Parents often look for a productive alternative to screen time without a clear option. This class offers exactly that — kids stay just as engaged with games, but now as builders instead of players. The underlying skills (logic, patience, iterative problem-solving) transfer directly into schoolwork and other areas of life. It's a shift in relationship to the screen, not just a reduction in time spent — closer to the same shift Ravenswood's creative community already makes between consuming art and making it. Why Kids Who Love Gaming Make Natural Coders Every game runs on code — physics, character movement, scoring systems, level design. Kids who already spend hours immersed in a game world have an intuitive feel for how these systems connect. Instructors build…
The Best Podcasts & TV Shows for Raising Emotionally Strong Kids
As parents, we spend a lot of time helping our children grow academically. We celebrate good grades, cheer on accomplishments, and encourage them to keep learning. But one of the most important skills children develop has nothing to do with math, reading, or coding. It's learning how to understand and manage their emotions. Emotional regulation helps children navigate friendships, work through frustration, communicate effectively, and bounce back from challenges. Like any skill, it develops over time with practice, guidance, and positive role models. The good news? There are some incredible podcasts and shows that can help reinforce those lessons in a fun and engaging way. Here are a few of our favorites. 🎧 Peace Out Best for Ages: 5–10 Peace Out combines short stories with breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques to help children calm their minds and bodies. Whether it's before bedtime, after a busy school day, or during a stressful moment, each episode encourages kids to slow down, focus on their breathing, and recognize their emotions in healthy ways. Why we like it: It gives children practical tools they can use anytime they feel overwhelmed. 📺 Stillwater Best for Ages: 5–10 Based on the beloved children's books, Stillwater follows…
Gaming Platforms vs. Creator Platforms: Why We Use Roblox Studio & Minecraft Education
One of the most common questions we hear from parents is: "What's the difference between Roblox Studio and Roblox?" or "Is Minecraft Education the same as regular Minecraft?" It's a great question, and the answer is actually quite simple. While the names sound similar, they're designed for completely different purposes. At home, many students use Minecraft and Roblox to play games, explore worlds, and have fun with friends. At iCode, we use Minecraft Education and Roblox Studio to help students become creators. They learn to build, design, code, solve problems, and bring their ideas to life in safe, instructor-led environments. The difference isn't just in the software. It's the difference between playing and creating. 🎮Gaming Platforms vs. Creator Platforms Gaming platforms are designed primarily for entertainment. Players explore worlds, complete challenges, and enjoy experiences created by others. Creator platforms shift students from playing games to understanding how they're made. Instead of simply consuming technology, students begin creating with it. Whether they're designing a game, building a virtual world, or writing their first lines of code, they're developing creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and confidence along the way. 🤖Roblox vs. Roblox Studio Roblox is the platform where players can enjoy millions…
🎮 Learning That Feels Like Fun
Our Favorite Games for Growing Young Minds When most people think about video games, they think about entertainment. At iCode, we like to look a little deeper. Some games do much more than keep kids occupied. They encourage planning, problem-solving, creativity, persistence, and critical thinking. Best of all, kids are developing these skills while doing something they genuinely enjoy. Here are a few of our favorite games and the real-world skills they're helping kids build. ⛏️ Minecraft At first glance, Minecraft looks like a game about placing blocks. Look a little closer, and you'll see kids following the same design process engineers use every day. Every project starts with an idea. Then they: 📝 Make a plan 🏗️ Build 🧪 Test their ideas 🔄 Redesign and improve Whether they're building castles, roller coasters, Redstone machines, or automatic farms, they're constantly learning through trial and error. That's the Engineering Design Process, the same approach engineers use to design bridges, buildings, machines, and new technology. 💡 What they're really practicing Planning before building Testing ideas Learning from mistakes Improving designs Creative problem-solving 🎮 Roblox Studio Many kids dream about creating their own video game. What many parents don't realize is that game…
RAVENSWOOD BACK TO SCHOOL BASH- iCode Ravenswood 8/15
🚀 RAVENSWOOD BACK TO SCHOOL BASH! 🎒- Free Admission Robotics, Coding, Freebies, & Fun! Get ready for the ultimate back-to-school celebration! Join us at iCode Ravenswood for a jam-packed morning of high-tech exploration and family fun. Whether your child is a gaming fanatic, an aspiring engineer, or just loves to create, this FREE community event has something for everyone. Plus, we are rolling out our biggest perks of the year for families who decide to join iCode Ravenswood during the bash! 🎉 EXCLUSIVE SAME-DAY ENROLLMENT OFFERS: Thinking about STEM after-school programs? Secure your spot during the event and score these awesome perks: $50 OFF your registration fees! FREE iCode T-Shirt for your child! 🔬 WHAT’S HAPPENING? We’re throwing open the doors to our state-of-the-art facility and letting kids get hands-on with the coolest STEM tools on the planet: 🤖 Robotics Arena: Meet and command our advanced VEX-IQ robots. 💻 Coding Zones: Dive into game design with Scratch, Minecraft, and Roblox. 🖨️ 3D Printing: Watch imagination come to life layer by layer. 🚁 Drone Demonstrations: See high-flying drone tech in action. 🎨 Face Painting: Fun designs to keep the party vibe going strong! 🍿 Complimentary Snacks & Drinks: Fuel up on…
