Parents and educators across the country understand the importance of teaching kids how to code. Not only can it help them learn valuable skills that they can use into their technology-driver future, but it also helps them learn to approach problems differently. But determining the best method for teaching a child to code isn’t always obvious.
In most cases, people agree that a traditional textbook approach is insufficient for subjects like coding. While the idiosyncrasies of the language can be introduced that way, it’s hard to assimilate the information until it is in used entirely. But sticking children in front of a blank screen and having them write line after line, though functional, isn’t very inspiring or even interesting.
If you want to capture the interest of young students while giving them access to a valuable skill set, then turning to coding tools and games may be the ideal method. To help you get started, we have compiled a list of 31 apps, tools and games that teach kids to code.
- Scratch– Motivate future programmers with an adaptive sandbox.
- GameStar Mechanic– This app teaches kids to create their own video games by coding.
- Daisy the Dinosaur– This app teachers young kids to code. It is an excellent introduction to programming.
- Cargo-Bot– This is another app that teaches basic coding skills. Also teachers kids to think logically.
- Code.org– Addictive games and lessons get students motivated to learn to code.
- Tynker– Tynker is a well-designed website that teaches foundational coding.
- Made with Code– Motivational videos and engaging projects that inspire girls to code.
- Appinventor.org– Great website that gives teachers the resources that they need to teach coding. The end result is student end up making their own apps.
- Box Island– Allows kids to journey travel through a gorgeous 3D world as he or she learns to problem solve through coding.
- Codea– is a cool coding app where kids can make games, simulations, or anything else their minds can imagine.
- Hopscotch: Learn to Code, Make Your Own Game–Teaches kids how to code by using simple blocks.
- Coda Game– This app uses visual coding blocks instead of text to inspire kids to jump right into coding without getting frightened by long strings of text.
- Kodable– Kids learn to code by rescuing adorable fuzzy aliens when they crash-land on a planet.
- GoldieBlox: Adventures in Coding – The Rocket Cupcake Co.– Is coding app where the objective is to make everyone fill up on yummy cupcakes.
- Lightbot– A great introduction to coding for kids any age.
- codespark Academy -This app teaches kids key coding concepts, delivers personalized daily activities, and adds new content monthly.
- Robot School – Programming For Kids– Kids learn to code by helping a robot get the fuel he needs to return home.
- Code Warriors– Kids build their own robots through code can use them to fight their friends robots online.
- Boogie Bot– Kids learn to code by using Blockly, a programming language by Google, to teach a robot to dance.
- SpriteBox: Code Hour– Uses exploration and problem solving, to teach kids how to code.
- Kids’n’Code– This app teaches kids to code by solving puzzles and moving robots. Also builds math and critical thinking skills.
- Learn to Code with El Chavo– This tool, created to teach kids to code, has incredible graphics to visually engage kids as they learn.
- Codesters– Text-based coding makes for an edifying learning experience.
- CodeMonkey– Students learn how to code, by learning to solve problems. Use this tool and watch your students critical thinking skills go through the roof.
- Mozilla Thimble– Use remixing to teach kids how to code.
- Mozilla X-Ray Goggles– Another tool that teaches kids to code through remixing. Also, bolsters students understanding of the World Wide Web.
- BloxMob– Develop and share apps even without spending hours coding.
- Vidcode– Superb coding tool to that fuels girls’ creativity.
- Treehouse– Engaging, self-paced coding lessons for middle and high school students.
- Code Avengers– Students learn to code by working with real code. This site is for advanced students.
- Codecademy– This site teaches kids how to code with a hands-on approach. Very popular among educators.
Did we miss any?
