Unlock The Future: FREE Coding Sites & Apps For Kids
Computers are our future whether we like it or not. As a volunteer, I see students whose only disadvantage is they were born in a developing country. They are just as smart and curious as any child. As an English teacher, I have used coding as a way to motivate students to learn more. Besides language, coding also teaches a lot of critical thinking skills. Both will help them catch up to the rest of the world.
There are many resources out there that not only teach children coding basics, but they keep them engaged and they are a lot of fun too.
And the younger the better. Exposing them at a younger age, you can spark fire that will slowly grow and grow. Whether they eventually become coders isn't important. What is, is that they learn how to approach problems with logic. Learning the basics builds creativity, resilience, and persistence. And all of those are valuable skills to have and nurture.
The best coding games and programs for kids
If you're looking to get your students interesting in coding, then coding websites and games are the best way to do it. I've divided these into two groups: those that can be done using a browser on a laptop or desktop computer. The other group are iOS or Android apps. All are free.
Browser Websites
Scratch - Age range: 8 to 11 = Designed at MIT, Scratch is the world's largest free coding community for kids. It's a place where students can use code to create stories, games, and animations.
Code Club World - 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.
Projects - 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. Each project is designed to be completed in an hour.
iOS & Android Apps
Code Karts - Age range: 4 and up = 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).
ScratchJr - Age range: 5 to 7 = By programming blocks and animating their characters, users are exposed to new math and language concepts, as well as the building blocks of programming.
Mimo - 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.