Kids love playing with smartphones, tablets, and computers. But instead of having them mindlessly swipe through apps or play video games, why not put their screen time to good use and teach them how to code? Some kids are born with an innate interest in technology, but others need a little encouragement. That’s where coding apps come in handy!
There are so many coding apps to pick from for kids! We’ve put together this handy guide to assist parents to choose the best applications for their kids, from preschool through ninth grade and beyond.
Here are the top seven coding apps for kids ages 8-16:
ItsMyBot
ItsMyBot is an online coding platform for kids ages 8- 16. It introduces scratch coding, the most straightforward way for children to begin coding. It teaches children the basics of coding and introduces them to crucial concepts that they can use in more advanced coding programs later.
Kids are offered the necessary and simple-to-use hardware kits to run and test the programs while they are learning. Unlike traditional teaching and learning approaches, they recall topics better when they use such visual aids.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper is a free app for iOS and Android with over 1.5 million downloads that teach kids how to code while they advance their skills on the app.
It features a gamified interface and teaches JavaScript (the most popular programming language).
The concept behind Grasshopper is excellent: it teaches users how to build blocks of code into programs that can be used in everyday life or even as part of school projects like science fairs. Kids will learn about variables, conditional statements, loops, and more as they progress through each lesson. And if you want your child to get started quickly, there are some sample projects available so they can see what it all looks like!
Grasshopper is great for kids aged 8-16, but it’s also fun for adults!
Blockly
Blockly is a visual programming language. It’s used by educators to teach kids how to code, and it’s also used by kids as an educational tool for learning to code.
Blockly allows you to tap or drag commands from a library of options into a sequence, just like snapping together Lego blocks. You can then compile your program and run it in the browser for instant feedback on how it works.
Blockly can be used in either JavaScript or Python depending on what you’re looking for. For example, if you want to create an interactive web page using Blockly, you’d use JavaScript; if you want something that runs locally on your computers, like at home or school, then Python would be best.
Daisy the Dinosaur
Daisy the Dinosaur is a free app for kids ages 3-9 that teaches them the basics of coding through a story. Kids will learn how to code by teaching Daisy to move and make sounds. As you progress through the game, you can unlock new activities with new challenges for your child to solve.
Daisy the Dinosaur is one of the best apps for kids who want to learn how to code because it’s fun and engaging, but also teaches children important skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking in an easy way that’s appropriate for their age group (ages 3-9).
ScratchJr
ScratchJr is a coding app for kids aged 4-8. It provides a visual programming language that allows kids to create interactive stories and animations. Kids can use the app to learn basic coding concepts, such as repeating actions, loops, and debugging. They can also create their characters, backgrounds, and sounds in the app.
Kodable
Kodable is a free app that teaches kids to code by solving puzzles. It’s available for iOS and Android devices and makes coding more fun for kids by having them solve puzzles with commands like “jump,” “move left” or “collect coins.”
Through step-by-step training games, if/then statements, and loops, Kodable educates students on the fundamentals of computer programming. What sets Kodable Pro distinct are the additional resources, courses, and support for parents who are assisting their students with their learning.
Kodable is simple enough for younger children to understand but has enough depth to keep older kids engaged. The app also has an online version so you can practice coding from your browser at home.
Hopscotch
Hopscotch is a coding app for kids and adults. It’s designed to teach the basics of coding, and it’s meant to be fun and easy to use.
Hopscotch helps you learn basic programming principles in a way that’s familiar and engaging for young learners, whether they are just starting or have some experience under their belts. Hopscotch also lets you build games using your art assets or its library of graphics, sound effects, music tracks, characters, and more, all while learning how to control your game environment (like changing colors) through code!
Conclusion
Coding is an essential skill for the jobs of tomorrow, and all kids should have access to learning how it works. Fortunately, there are lots of apps that can help kids learn coding in a fun way. Coding apps are great because they’re interactive and teach kids how computers work. From visual block-based languages to text-based options, there are plenty of apps that let children explore coding without being too overwhelming or intimidating. With these seven suggestions, we hope you’ve found something that appeals to your child’s interests!