Linda Liukas, the creative mind behind Hello Ruby, is on a mission to transform tech education through play. She discusses her unique playground in Helsinki, where kids learn programming concepts without screens. Linda argues that physical play enhances understanding of abstract tech ideas and encourages creativity. She also highlights the necessity of rethinking education in the era of AI. Plus, her accidental journey to becoming a children's author reveals the magic of storytelling in teaching technology.
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The Computer Playground
Linda Liukas designed a Helsinki playground where kids learn computing through play.
Kids climb through giant computer components and learn about algorithms on a phone carousel.
insights INSIGHT
Physical Play and Learning
Physical play creates grounded cognition and lasting memories, especially for young learners.
We learn through our senses, even with abstract concepts like computing.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Seymour Papert and Physical Learning
Seymour Papert connected math and physical manipulation as a child by observing cogs.
He later saw a boy using his teeth and tongue for calculations after being told not to use fingers.
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Hello Ruby is a children's book that combines storytelling with programming concepts, encouraging young readers to explore the world of computers and coding. The book features a young girl named Ruby who embarks on adventures that teach basic computer science principles. It was originally funded through Kickstarter and has become a popular tool for teaching children about technology.
Linda Liukas is a programmer, children’s book author, and the creator of Hello Ruby, a whimsical series that teaches computing concepts through stories and play. She’s also the force behind a one-of-a-kind playground in Helsinki—designed to teach kids how computers work without them ever touching a screen.
In this episode, Linda shares why, especially with the rise of AI and code-writing copilots, we need to rethink the way we teach tech.
Linda, a.k.a. the “Mary Poppins of Computing”, is on a mission to bring more whimsy, creativity, and fearlessness to kids and grown-ups alike. Enjoy this very fun episode!
You’ll learn:
Why physical play helps us grasp abstract computing concepts
How software makers can benefit from thinking like educators
What “unplugged computing” looks like—and why it works
How to cultivate creativity, curiosity, and fearlessness in tech teams
Why learning through play isn’t just for kids
What Linda’s AI experiments with tiny personal datasets reveal about the future of learning
Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction
(01:42) - What it means to be the “Mary Poppins of Computing”
(02:18) - Designing the Computer Playground
(05:43) - Why play is an ideal way to teach programming
(09:26) - Why software organizations should embrace play
(13:19) - AI and play
(14:47) - Learn to code vs. learn to program; how to become future-proof
(21:20) - Hello Ruby: how Linda accidentally became a children’s book author
(25:35) - Building more playgrounds and more fun ideas on teaching through play
CRAFTED. 
