These Kid-Friendly Coding Games Will Teach Your Little Ones How to Code in No Time
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What is coding?
Coding is one aspect of digital making. When you write code, you are writing instructions for a computer to follow. The instructions might just be "turn this graphic by one degree each second", or could be "read this temperature sensor and send it to a web server" to display the data in a chart. Computers are really simple devices, so you have to give them really simple instructions that you build into a complex set of rules.
Why is coding good for kids?
When young people are given opportunities to learn and create with code, they can do incredible things — from expressing themselves creatively, to highlighting real-world issues or controlling a robot. Coding also helps develop young people’s resilience and problem-solving skills as debugging is a key part of the process to ensure their code works correctly.
At what age can a child start coding?
We believe it’s both better and easier to learn coding skills from a young age. There is research into children being able to learn aspects of coding from the age of 3, as well as during kindergarten and early primary school.
Younger children typically learn coding by programming graphical symbols. Then they move on to block-based coding, such as Scratch, at around age 7. ScratchJr is a good place for younger children aged 5 to 7 to start out. In secondary school, children progress to text-based coding, such as Python or JavaScript.
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What are the best coding games for kids?
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1. Tynker
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2. Minecraft
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3. Scratch
A programming language and online community where kids can create stories, games, and animations.
4. ScratchJr
An introductory programming language that enables young children (aged5 to 7) to create their own interactive stories and games.
5. CodeMonkey
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6. Hopscotch
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7. Code Karts
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8. CodeSpark Academy
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9. Kodable
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10. Move the Turtle
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11. Swift Playgrounds
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12. Mimo
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13. Lightbot
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14. Code Club World
Enables children to get started on their coding journey with fun activities and no coding experience necessary. Children can create a robot avatar, make music, design a T-shirt, and teach the robot to dance. They also earn a badge for each project they complete and are able to share their coding creations.
15. Projects
A catalogue of more than 250 free coding projects for young people to explore and further enhance their coding skills. The projects are available in up to 30 languages and each project is designed to be completed in an hour. There are projects to help young people create a stress ball app, code musical instruments, or make a racing game.
If you're a parent, then chances are you've heard endless debates about how screen time affects children. And while it's always a good idea to encourage your kids to put down their phones, tablets, and laptops in order to get some fresh air, there's nothing wrong with giving your children some screen time — especially if they're learning something with their devices. Looking for some educational online games that your kids will actually enjoy? Then you'll want to check out the best coding websites and games for kids, which can nurture everything from problem-solving skills to critical thinking to creativity.
Learning to code has many benefits that can help kids out later in life, too. In addition to being a skill that's highly valued in the workforce, coding teaches people how to work more efficiently and logically. As Steve Jobs once said, "Everyone in this country should learn how to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think." Of course, it might help to know a little bit more about coding and its benefits before you get your children started (and no, teaching your kid to code doesn't mean you expect them to become the next Steve Jobs). Here's what you should know about coding programs for kids:
What is coding, in simple terms?
Simply put, coding is telling a computer or machine how to perform a task. As a rep from Raspberry Pi Foundation explains, "Coding is one aspect of digital making. When you write code, you are writing instructions for a computer to follow." As complex as they may seem, computers are actually simple devices, so that's why you have to give them really simple instructions that you then build into a complex set of rules. And learning how to provide those instructions isn't just helpful for computers — it challenges programmers to communicate with computers in a way that makes sense.
Why is coding good for kids?
Teaching your kid how to code won't just make them a computer whiz — it will teach them plenty of other valuable skills as well. "When young people are given opportunities to learn and create with code, they can do incredible things, from expressing themselves creatively, to highlighting real-world issues or controlling a robot," the Raspberry Pi Foundation rep says. "Coding also helps develop young people's resilience and problem-solving skills, as debugging is a key part of the process to ensure their code works correctly." Yes, they may get frustrated at times, but it's all part of the process!
At what age can a child start coding?
Just like when learning a new language, it's both better and easier to learn coding skills from a young age. "There is research into children being able to learn aspects of coding from the age of three, as well as during kindergarten and early elementary school," the Raspberry Pi Foundation rep explains. "Younger children typically learn coding by programming graphical symbols. Then they move on to block-based coding and text-based coding." Start by introducing your child to a simple game, and then work up to more complex games as they develop their skills.
The best coding games and programs for kids
If you're looking to get your kid interesting in coding, then coding websites and games are the best way to do it. Not sure where to get started? Start with our list of the best kid-friendly coding websites and games, many of which your children can play for free.
Code Karts
Platform: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Pricing: Free
Age range: 4 and up
Think your preschooler is too young to learn coding? Think again. Code Karts makes coding for kids as young as four years old possible, using racetrack-themed logical puzzles and over 70 different levels (as well as two different game modes).
Kodable
Platform: Browser, iOS
Pricing: Free to start, with plans starting at $4.99/month
Age range: 4 to 10
With interactive games and over 70 different lessons, Kodable manages to break down computer science topics into basic concepts that kids as young as four years old can understand. Kodable also allows users to unlock new avatars as they advance through levels to keep 'em incentivized.
ScratchJr
Platform: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Pricing: Free
Age range: 5 to 7
Perfect for young learners, ScratchJr is introductory programming language that lets kids create their own interactive stories and games. By programming blocks and animating their characters, users are exposed to new math and language concepts, as well as the building blocks of programming.
codeSpark Academy
Platform: Browser, iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Pricing: Free to start, with plans starting at $5.56/month
Age range: 5 to 9
Developed by research from MIT, Princeton, and Carnegie Mellon, codeSpark Academy teaches all of the fundamentals of computer programming through daily activities, puzzles, and games personalized for your child's skill level. Best of all, new content is released monthly, so your kids will never get bored.
CodeMonkey
Platform: Browser
Pricing: Free to start, with plans starting at $6/month
Age range: 5 to 13
Another great option for little ones, CodeMonkey is an online community that helps kid with no prior experience learn how to code. Children will love the game-based education, and parents will love how CodeMonkey allows you to monitor your child’s progress as they develop new skills.
Tynker
Platform: Browser, iOS, Android
Pricing: Free to start, with plans starting at $8.50/month
Age range: 5 to 18
Designed to make programming accessible and fun for kids as young as five years old, Tynker gives kids the ability to write interactive stories, program drones, and explore other STEM topics, regardless of their prior experience. It can even be played offline without internet connectivity, so kids can play on the go.
Scratch
Platform: Browser
Pricing: Free
Age range: 8 to 11
Designed by programmers at MIT, Scratch is the world's largest free coding community for kids. It's a place where users can use code to create stories, games, and animations, whether they're just getting started or ready to take on more complicated topics and concepts.
Code Club World
Platform: Browser
Pricing: Free
Age range: 9 to 13
Created by Raspberry Pi Foundation, Code Club World allows older kids to get started on their coding journey with fun activities and no coding experience necessary. Children can create a robot avatar, make music, design a T-shirt, or even teach the robot to dance. They also earn a badge for each project they complete and are able to share their coding creations.
LightBot
Platform: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Pricing: $2.99 for app
Age range: 9 and up
LightBot is a programming game that challenges users to solve different puzzles using commands, all while learning basic programming concepts. With 50 different levels, this one is sure to keep kids occupied for a while (and for kids aged four to eight, there is also an easier version called LightBot Jr.).
CodeCombat
Platform: Browser
Pricing: Free to start, with plans starting at $9.99/month
Age range: 9 and up
One of the most straightforward coding games for kids, CodeCombat combines the world of fantasy (think: knights and dragons) with the basics of coding. Each lesson is introduced as another chapter in the overarching storyline of the CodeCombat universe, which is what makes this game so fun.
Hopscotch
Platform: iOS
Pricing: Free
Age range: 10 to 15
First introduced on Shark Tank, Hopscotch is a platform that allows kids to explore projects, make their own games, and learn how to code along the way. The free app even provides detailed video tutorials that teach users how to make games, animations, and apps to experience how software is created.
Minecraft
Platform: Mac, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Pricing: $6.99 (app), $26.95 (PC and Mac)
Age range: 10 and up
Perhaps the best known coding game for kids, Minecraft is all about using blocks to build objects, interact with other characters, and progress to new levels. It may sound simple, but it gives players the freedom to create and explore almost limitlessly (while also fulfilling missions and going after goals).
Swift Playgrounds
Platform: iOS
Pricing: Free
Age range: 10 and up
Though only available on iOS devices, Swift Playgrounds is still known as one of the best apps teaching coding for kids. By playing, kids can play and experiment with code through interactive puzzles, all while learning the basic terms and functions of coding.
Mimo
Platform: iOS, Android
Pricing: Free
Age range: 12 and up
With tons of mini lessons, projects, and challenges, Mimo is a platform that makes learning how to code fun and accessible. The site offers daily goals, streaks, and achievement badges that'll teach kids to build websites, automate tasks, make apps, and more — all while feeling like they're playing a game.
Projects
Platform: Browser
Pricing: Free
Age range: 12 and up
Also created by Raspberry Pi Foundation, Projects is a catalog of more than 250 free coding projects for young people to explore and further enhance their coding skills. From creating a stress ball app, to coding musical instruments, to making a racing game, there are tons of projects available, and each project is designed to be completed in an hour.
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