Coding for Kids: Games and Websites Parents Love

Alexandra F.:  The resources on Code.org have been created specifically to help kids learn to code, including 1-hour tutorials for home, educational videos, resources for teachers to use at school, and a database to help families find local computer science and coding classes. The nonprofit is committed to expanding access to computer science in schools and among underrepresented groups, providing these extensive coding resources for kids free of charge.

Alexandra F.:  Though W3Schools is not geared specifically toward kids, it is an incredibly large, robust and longstanding free coding resource for web developers that teaches all aspects of web development with a focus on easy learning and simplicity. It is a useful coding website for kids ready to move beyond simple coding games to learn specific coding languages, including Javascript, HTML, Angular, and more. The free tutorials use simple code examples with illustrations, starting at a basic level but moving all the way up to professional.

Alexandra F.:  Tynker offers more than 60 coding classes for kids online, along with over 4,100 learning modules with hands on projects aimed at helping kids learn to code. From interactive story-based lessons that use block-based coding challenges to lessons teaching text-based coding languages like JavaScript and Python, children of all ages and skill levels will have something to learn, with plenty of coding games for kids to make the learning process fun. Though most offerings are paid, it is free to start, with 20 free coding games available to students once they create an account.

Alexandra F.:  My son was introduced to Scratch at a summer camp when he was in second grade, and he and his sister have been enjoying it for years, even into middle and high school. It's a simplified programming language developed by MIT that teaches kids coding skills by allowing them to create (and share) their own games and online worlds. Best of all, it's free! Scratch works on most current web browsers, and there is also an app you can download for offline play. My kids don't use any of the sharing features, but love using Scratch to create stories and simple games for themselves.

Alexandra F.:  Code Wizard HQ offers live coding classes for kids online that are well-reviewed by parents. Classes run for 12 weeks each with an expected time commitment of about 3 hours per week, including class and practice time at home. Teachers are available to provide additional support outside of class time (included in the course fee). The single track curriculum takes students through text-based coding using hands-on activities and project-based classes, and are even appropriate for kids with no prior coding experience.