# MicroBlocks Circuit Playground Express Ornament
## Overview
Block based programming environments are becoming very popular. First Scratch and now MakeCode, and now there are others like EduBlocks (block based Python) and MicroBlocks.
MicroBlocks is an especially interesting one. It doesn't use an intermediate language like some others; it compiles directly to virtual machine bytecode.
MicroBlocks has three main components:
1. The block based editor
2. The bytecode compiler
3. The code manager that can keep the code on your board seamlessly up to date with what's in the editor.
Not only does it support whole programs, but any valid snippet can be immediately executed on the board. That includes prototype blocks on the palette as well as code under construction. This lets you interactively see how code works, piece by piece as you work on it. This is much like CircuitPython's REPL, but more powerful. For those with an interest in programming languages, this capability is much like what Smalltalk provides: being able to execute any valid code at any time.
We are going to explore a bit of MicroBlocks through making a festive ornament using a Circuit Playground Express.
### Circuit Playground Express
[Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333)
**Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh
[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 500mAh for a total of about 1.9 Wh. If you need a larger (or smaller!) battery,
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1578/guides)
### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B
[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller
Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)
### DIY Ornament Kit - 6cm Diameter - Perfect for Circuit Playground
[DIY Ornament Kit - 6cm Diameter - Perfect for Circuit Playground](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4036)
Have you put up with mainstream, uninspiring, low-tech tree ornaments for too long? This season why not deck the halls with _codes_ of holly?
This **DIY Ornament Kit** is just the right size (6 cm diameter) for a Circuit Playground Express, 500mAh LiPoly battery, and...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4036)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4036/guides)
- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/microblocks-circuitplayground-express-ornament/exploring-microblocks.md)
## Featured Products
### Circuit Playground Express
[Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333)
**Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides)
### DIY Ornament Kit - 6cm Diameter - Perfect for Circuit Playground
[DIY Ornament Kit - 6cm Diameter - Perfect for Circuit Playground](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4036)
Have you put up with mainstream, uninspiring, low-tech tree ornaments for too long? This season why not deck the halls with _codes_ of holly?
This **DIY Ornament Kit** is just the right size (6 cm diameter) for a Circuit Playground Express, 500mAh LiPoly battery, and...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4036)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4036/guides)
### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh
[Lithium Ion Polymer Battery - 3.7v 500mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578)
Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of 500mAh for a total of about 1.9 Wh. If you need a larger (or smaller!) battery,
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1578)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1578/guides)
### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B
[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller
Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)
### Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit
[Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3517)
It's the **Circuit Playground Express Base Kit!** It provides the few things you'll need to get started with the new [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333). This version of Circuit Playground is super powered, and will...
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3517)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3517/guides)
### Circuit Playground Express Advanced Pack
[Circuit Playground Express Advanced Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2769)
**Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to program....
In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2769)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2769/guides)
### Code.org Circuit Playground Express Educators' Pack
[Code.org Circuit Playground Express Educators' Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3399)
For many years, instructors and teachers have asked us to come up with a better way to teach programming and electronics. We have worked on Circuit Playground Express for over a year to come up with a board that is powerful, beautiful, fun, and perfect for teaching
Out of Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3399)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3399/guides)
## Related Guides
- [Adafruit Circuit Playground Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express.md)
- [CircuitPython 101: Basic Builtin Data Structures](https://learn.adafruit.com/basic-datastructures-in-circuitpython.md)
- [Secret Hollow Book Intrusion Detector](https://learn.adafruit.com/secret-hollow-book.md)
- [Dancing Inflatables: Make your Holiday Display Move](https://learn.adafruit.com/dancing-inflatables-make-your-holiday-display-move.md)
- [Labo RC Car Action Lights](https://learn.adafruit.com/labo-rc-car-underglow.md)
- [CircuitPython Made Easy on Circuit Playground Express and Bluefruit](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-made-easy-on-circuit-playground-express.md)
- [Xenomorph Halloween Candy Bucket](https://learn.adafruit.com/xenomorph-halloween-candy-bucket.md)
- [Bunny Ears with MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/bunny-ears-with-makecode.md)
- [NeoPixels with MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixels-with-makecode.md)
- [Infrared Transmit and Receive on Circuit Playground Express in C++](https://learn.adafruit.com/infrared-transmit-and-receive-on-circuit-playground-express-in-c-plus-plus-2.md)
- [Dance-Reactive Tutu Sparkle Skirt](https://learn.adafruit.com/dance-reactive-tutu-sparkle-skirt.md)
- [The Tilt Trumpet](https://learn.adafruit.com/the-tilt-trumpet.md)
- [Circuit Playground Express Compass](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-express-compass.md)
- [Make It Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Accelerometer Use](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-shake-rattle-and-roll.md)
- [Circuit Playground Express Head-Tilt Ears](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-express-head-tilt-ears.md)
- [Make It a Keyboard](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-a-keyboard.md)