Help Grandma Out

Help Grandma Out

You pick what to build. Grandma decides how.

Every project gets a few of Grandma's demands, like no libraries, one button or two colors. The more annoying the demand, the happier she is.

Grandma calls soon

Sign up Join the Slack
Grandma pointing a wooden spoon straight at you, one eyebrow raised
A cookie with a bite taken out of it

No libraries, dear!

Sorry, it's a software-only program. Hardware is not allowed.

How it works

  1. Grandma holding a clipboard, waiting

    1Tell her what you're building

    Pick a category: web, software or games. The project is always your idea.

  2. Grandma on an old corded phone, mid-sentence

    2She phones with a demand

    Grandma pulls a note out of the cookie jar. It says how you have to build, like no libraries or one button. Don't like it? Ask again. The first three asks are free.

  3. Grandma hugging a jar full of cookies

    3Build it, then ship it

    Log your hours with Hackatime and ship the project. You earn cookies for your hours, and more when Grandma is impressed.

Grandma's Demands

These are real examples from her fridge. Hit the button to see what else she has, and drag the notes around if you like.

Grandma holding up a note she pulled from the jar

You get 3 free asks.

  • Just a thought, dear (mild)
  • I'm just saying (medium)
  • Back in my day (spicy)
Grandma buried under a mountain of complaint notes

Got a complaint of your own? Demands come from the community too. Send Grandma a complaint.

How Grandma pays

Pick her demands, say how long you built, and watch her face.

Grandma scowling with her arms crossed in a big X

Pick a demand, dear. I'm waiting.0cookies

12 hours of building
Grandma proudly wearing a blue ribbon

Example numbers only. Final cookie amounts are set at launch. Projects that really impress her earn a Blue Ribbon, with a bonus that stays for every project after it and a spot on her wall.

Questions Grandma gets asked

Grandma raising one finger, about to make a point
Who can join?
Grandma waving hello

Help out grandma is for highschoolers! You need to be 13-18 years old (under 19) to participate.

Does it cost anything?
Grandma holding up a drawing of a smiley face

100% free* - all the prizes are donated to us or paid for by us!
*customs might occur outside of the US or you might simply get a HCB grant

Can I pick my own project?
Grandma scribbling on a piece of paper

Always. Grandma only decides how you build it, never what.

What if I get a demand I can't do?
Grandma worried, holding a paper with a red X

Ask again. The first three asks are free, and after that each ask costs a few cookies.

Can I use AI?
Grandma watching you through a magnifying glass

Use of AI must strictly be under 30% of total time.

Can I make changes to my old projects and ship it with additional hours?
Grandma wagging her finger

No, the project must be created AFTER you have asked grandma.

What kinds of projects count?
Grandma giving a lazy thumbs up

All kinds of technical projects, as long as the code is public.

Is this legit?
Grandma stamping a green check, approved

Yup. It's run with Hack Club, a nonprofit that has been running programs like this for years. Past rounds include Arcade, High Seas, Summer of Making and Flavortown. Teens build projects, and real prizes get sent out.

Grandma with her arms wide open for a hug

Grandma is waiting.

Grandma calls soon

Sign up

What is Hack Club?

Grandma on the corded phone, shocked

Hello?! There are TEENAGERS out there building things!

Hack Club is an extremist groupnonprofit, founded by dropouts, which claims it can educate teenagers more effectively than schools despite having no textbooks, teachers or classes.

Their agenda involves turning teens into hackers, simply by getting them to build technical projects. They seek to indoctrinate children through social media, word of mouth, posters and semi-autonomous cells operating inside schools, sometimes openly.

These dangerous radicalscool teens must be stopped.

The boring truth

  • 501(c)(3)nonprofit
  • 100,000+teen makers
  • 119countries
  • 0experience needed
Grandma reading a big book, doing her homework

Artists, engineers, hardware people and game devs all learn by shipping real projects, getting stuck and figuring it out together.

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Grandma winking, a finger to her lips, holding a love letter