Basic programming has become an essential skill for grown-ups and children alike, and the marketplace is full of coding programs for kids. Coding for kids is the collection of opportunities available for children to get involved in coding.
The benefits of picking up this skill, especially for kids, are huge like; learning how to build simple websites and games helps kids refines their design, logic, and problem-solving abilities. It also allows them to express ideas and creativity.
Code Monster
Particularly useful for kids, Code Monster features two adjacent boxes. One displays code, the other shows what the code does. As you play with the code (with some help from a prompt), you learn what each command does.
Khan Academy
Known for its extensive and challenging math games, Khan Academy also has basic programming tutorials that teach kids how to build graphics, animations, interactive visualizations, and more. Its latest addition is a partnership with Pixar, which gives users a chance to learn how Pixar artists do their jobs.
Scratch
Designed by MIT students and aimed at children ages 8-16, this easy-to-use programming language lets kids build almost anything they can dream. There are no obscure lines of code here. Instead, arrange and snap together Scratch blocks as if they are virtual Legos. It’s more than just a coding guide; it’s a vibrant online community of programmers who swap ideas and inspiration.
Swift Playgrounds
Designed by Apple for the iPad, with the added benefit of being FREE. Kids solve interactive puzzles in the guided “Learn to Code” lessons to master the basics of coding or experiment with a wide range of challenges that let users explore many unique coding experiences. It requires an iPad with iOS 12.0 or higher.
Blockly
Marketed as “games for tomorrow’s developers,” Blockly is a platform that teaches coding for kids using visual, block-based programming and fun, educational puzzle games. There are eight games in total, and they’re mostly designed for kids without prior experience in coding or computer programming.
The drag-and-drop system that most of the games employ gives the entire platform a very low point of entry, making it highly accessible for very young children. The goal is to give students the coding fundamentals they need before moving on to conventional text-based programming languages.
Codecademy
Codecademy is another excellent platform for young, aspiring programmers to pick up the basics of coding. It’s an online academy (much like Khan Academy), so there is a set curriculum with units, lesson plans, and courses that students can choose to enroll in.
There are also interactive quizzes, take-home projects, supplementary materials, and approved resources that students use to test their aptitude.
In the context of coding for kids, Codecademy offers valuable text-based modules on web development and programming languages. The paid version includes actual hands-on lessons. But despite this obvious paywall, Codecademy is an excellent starting point for kids who want to learn the basics of programming.
CodeCombat
CodeCombat is a platform that uses an adventure style game to teach the basics of coding for kids. Players control their characters by writing out actual code using either JavaScript or Python. Hack-and-slash, turn-based combat scenarios are expertly combined with logic puzzles and fantasy elements to create a fun, lighthearted game that encourages kids to keep coding if they want to keep playing.
Codakid
Unlike other online academies and tech camps, CodaKid is focused solely on teaching coding for kids. But instead of standard practice work and generic coding projects, CodaKid uses popular games like Minecraft and Roblox to make programming interesting. Rather than learning how to display “Hello World!” on a colored background, kids are instead taught how to forge their own sword in Minecraft or develop their own tycoon game in Roblox.
SoloLearn
An app that’s definitely targeted towards an older audience (we’d say maybe 10 and up), SoloLearn features the world’s largest collection of free programming courses for beginners to knowledgeable coders. Users can choose to learn Python, C++, Java, JavaScript, jQuery, or all five programming languages if they so desire. They can opt to learn new concepts, brush up on existing knowledge, or stay informed about the latest coding trends.
CodeKarts
Suitable for children as young as four years of age, CodeKarts is marketed as a “pre-coding” game that’s perfect for giving preschoolers a jumpstart in coding. Primarily presented and designed as a racing game, kids learn the absolute basics of coding as they try to navigate their way through different racetracks, facing obstacles and challenges along the way.
Aside from programming basics, this app also encourages the development of observational skills, concentration skills, and logic skills.