Coding For Kids: 35+ Free Classes, Websites, and Apps

Through the use of race cars, it visually shows children how coding works as they create the track for the car to race on. Not only are they coding, but they get to race in fun car races as well. Designed for high school age coders with experience, this website provides a platform with real coding problem solving challenges. Khan Academy offers a clear instructive stream for kids wanting to learn how to code. Lessons are suitable for kids in the elementary/middle school grades, using Javascript language, they are quite detailed and a little technical.

• At Coder Kids, we believe all kids should have this opportunity, so we’ve partnered with schools to provide courses that teach kids how to code in fun and practical ways.
• While Scratch is an online program, Scratch Jr is primarily available as a tablet app.
• While this may not be the first site you think of when wanting to learn how to code, it is definitely worth mentioning!
• But once they turn 8 or 9, however, you will have a choice as to whether or not to start them with text-based coding.
• Swift Playgrounds is a free app offered on Mac and iPad to help kids learn the Swift programming language used to build Apple apps.
• This platform is known for its intuitive search engine that enables you to search for relevant courses from all over the world.
• With plenty of free coding courses taught via video lessons, such as Python Frameworks, APIs, HTML, CSS, + Payments, this site is a convenient option for advancing your abilities.

Algorithm City is a 3D style game where kids can learn the basic concepts of programming, such as command sequencing, functions and loops, and more. Play and code to make a character progress by collecting gold and solving levels. Udemy is an online platform with over 80,000 videos on a variety of topics.

The #1 Coding Program for Kids and Teens

Up next, you might also enjoy learning how to create a pong game in Scratch. There are many robot toys out there, but few truly introduce the essence of robotics. The goal of the game is to “rescue” cubes, with each level offering increasingly more challenging tasks.

• One thing that we think is sound advice for parents and educators is to find content that your child is interested in.
• There are several new academies that offer live online classes where students in small groups interact with a live teacher over the web.
• A board game alternative to computer games and apps, Robot Turtles is for ages 4 and up and brings programming to life; just get the turtle to the matching colored jewel on the board.
• It was designed by actual coders who know what aspects of coding are suitable for every age group to learn.
• This platform lends itself as a very versatile and valuable tool in learning code.
• They offer a free on-demand class called Introduction to Scratch Coding.

Create games, art, stories, and more with kid-friendly programming. Kids, ages 4-11, can program and publish unique games and apps to Hopscotch’s fully moderated community, where others can play and learn from their creations. Swift is a coding language for developing Apple iOS programs and apps. Especially useful for beginner programmers Swift Playgrounds lets kids work at their own paces with visually appealing and educational challenges. Our advice is to always let your child’s interests dictate your choice of a kids coding language. If your students are interested in Roblox game development, then Lua will be the language you may want to consider.

Discover Art and Science in Digital Design, Create Your Own Pieces

I have used it extensively with my 5 year old daughter, and we have gotten excellent reply value from the system. As always, check the reviews and feedback, and look for content that is age appropriate. In computer science education,the smaller the group the better – with one-on-one being optimal. Students move at different paces and it we suggest that if you form a small group to limit the age range of participants. Some providers will bring in their own laptops or robotics kits, whereas others will use the schools’ computer labs.

• Kids computer science is growing rapidly in popularity, as many families believe that schools are not adequately preparing their students for tomorrow’s labor market.
• Similar to Scratch, Scratch Jr is a block based programming language, but designed for younger kids.
• Beginners learn the fundamentals of coding with the Scratch blocks.
• Others, such as HTML, require proficient literacy and reasoning skills.

There are many excellent options for parents and educators, and we hope that you’ll explore some of our recommendations from the curriculum section above. (App/Subscription Box) BitsBox is a subscription box that comes every month bring fun coding challenges that kids complete using JavaScript.

Get started on the best coding games for kids

Unity is a popular game development platform, and is best suited for more advanced programmers. You can also explore games that others have built in Unity and publish your own. When most millennials were growing up, the extent of computer class was a round of Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, and if you were really lucky, Oregon Trail. Today, the idea of teaching kids basic typing skills has gone out the window.