23 Top Resources for Teaching Kids How to Code

Based on current modern accessibility of educational tools and technology – many experts agree that a child can start learning to code as early as 5 years old. Some parents may feel apprehensive about this age and many don’t want to risk prematurely introducing coding to their kids. Coding for kids not only helps improve their mathematics and writing skills but also gives them valuable skills in life and eventually in the workforce. The early children learn to code, the better their chance at success. Mark Zuckerberg started coding when he was eight.

Think of coding much as you would think of learning a new instrument. It takes hours of practice, years of hard work, and plenty of guidance but the sooner you start, the better. Kids can start to learn the basics of coding with the help of immersive apps, online classes, or in-person courses. However the best way for a young child to learn to code apparently is by utilizing game design and development concepts.

Here are some great tools to help your kids learn how to code. Coding is the language of the digital age, and anyone who wants to participate in our high-tech future needs to learn it. Here’s how to get started.

Pre-Literate

1. Scratch Jr. (Free)
   An app that teaches young kids how to visually code interactive stories and games. A simplified version of the Scratch website, for a tablet.
2. The Foos (Free)
   A funny, pre-literate iPad game that teaches concepts for commands, parameters, loops, and conditionals.

Lower Elementary

1. Scratch (Free)
   Scratch is a popular visual programming language for beginners, created by MIT. The Scratch website is a platform for kids to make interactive stories and share them with each other.
2. Hopscotch (Free)
   Hopscotch is a code block editor like Scratch, but in an iOS app. Can program code to react to tipping and shaking the device.
3. Evo from Ozobot (Free)
   Evo is a tiny robot that can move, light up, and make sounds. Also it detects what color it is driving on. It can follow commands based on the color of the line it is following. Or, it can be programmed using a code block editor like Scratch. Hold the robot up to a flashing dot on the screen, and the website will load the program onto the robot with light flashes.
4. Code.org (Free)
   A website with interactive coding games and courses for kids. Covers a large range of ages and skill levels.
5. Cargo Bot (Free)
   iPad app to solve problems with constraints using commands, loops, conditional statements. More difficult puzzles than Lightbot.
6. Python Turtle (Free)
   original (1986-2021) simple ‘Python-Turtle’ model.
7. Code Monkey (Free)
   more graphics to learn Python type of code. ( Not-free for advanced levels )
8. Lightbot (Paid)
   Solve puzzles with commands, loops, and conditionals. Comes in Lightbot and lightbot Jr, and a mobile app or a desktop website.
9. Code Master (Paid)
   An addictive board game that builds problem solving skills and understanding of programming logic. Starts basic and moves to very advanced.