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in Technology Projects

The Best Coding Apps for Kids (updated for 2020!)

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In today’s world, coding for kids is one of the best things children can learn. However, coding apps for kids are still rather scarce.

I’ve compiled a list of resources for learning to code that you can use with your children (and you can learn it, too!) that will help set the foundation for them to create programs, apps, computer games, and even queries and reports in a traditional office environment.

It’s an important part of any STEM activities for kids.

Want to help your kids learn to code but don't know where to start? These coding apps for kids provide an easy way to start coding with kids!

These coding ideas for children are some of our favorite technology activities for kids!

Why We Love Coding Apps for Kids

Want to help your kids learn to code but don't know where to start? These coding apps for kids provide an easy way to start coding with kids!

Monkey is interested in robots, computer programs, and loves patterns. My younger siblings all participated in First Robotics when they were in high school, and I plan to enroll my kids in a robotics program when they are old enough. Programming and coding is useful for many different industries.

My husband works in bankruptcy and had to teach himself coding and computer-coded reporting tools so that he could complete all of the tasks he has to do in one day. There are few industries where coding is not used today.

Even if a child winds up in an industry where she/he doesn’t have to use coding directly, the problem-solving skills and techniques that are necessary for coding help improve focus, organization skills, creativity, and the ability to keep trying until something finally works.

The Best Coding Apps for Kids

Kids will love these kid-tested coding apps!

Coding Apps and Games

Since Monkey is only nine, most of our coding experiences so far have been game-based. This has made learning the code a little more interesting for her and introduces the concepts in a non-stressful way.

Our favorite coding game is CodeCombat, because you can learn a real coding language right in-game.

We are choosing to learn Python first. Other coding apps and games are easier to use, but they also do not use real coding language, which means eventually you will have to re-train with a real language.

However, they are perfect for learning sequencing and other basic concepts.

So far, these are our favorite coding apps and games:

Scratch

Scratch is a drag and drop coding platform that encourages kids to create. My daughter spend hours using Scratch when she was in elementary school. She also learned a bit of graphic design using Scratch, which was a fun bonus.

Kodable

Kodable is a fun kid-friendly coding game that teaches the basics of coding with adorable characters and scaled challenges based on a child’s age.

Lightbot

Lightbot is a bit challenging, but for older kids, they will love the challenge of completing more and more difficult light-based puzzles.

Daisy the Dinosaur

Young kids will love learning the process of logic and coding with this dinosaur-themed coding game.

Computer Programming Apps for Kids

coding games for kids

These apps teach kids the basics of computer programming. More than just teaching the coding process and the coding logic, these programming apps actually teach kids coding language that they can then go on to use as adults in a future career.

CodeCombat

Code combat is one of our favorite coding apps of all time. My eldest used this game for two years, and she was able to learn a lot of coding logic. This game is a bit advanced, so it is recommended for kids 10 and up.

Code Academy

Learn to code for free right on your computer with Code Academy. Kid-friendly resources for coding and true coding are the biggest perks of this site.

CodaKid

Another kid-friendly coding platform, CodaKid teaches coding in a fun and engaging way for little ones.

Tynker

Tynker is one of the best coding apps for kids available today. Many schools use Tynker in the classroom, so adding support for this by allowing your kids to play a home version will reinforce what they are learning at school.

Spritebot

Spritebot is made by the same company as Lightbot, only this time, the coding language used is an actual coding language. It’s fun, kid-friendly, and colorful.

Coding Books for Kids

coding apps for kids

Sometimes, reading about coding and creating different coding strings with old-fashioned pencil and paper can be helpful. We like these books about coding:
Python for Kids: A Playful Introduction to Programming

This book makes Python easy for kids to understand and implement.


Coding For Kids For Dummies

If you’re not sure where to start with teaching coding to kids, this book can help!


DK Workbooks: Computer Coding

I love the DK workbooks, and this one on computer coding is just as good as the rest!

Screen-Free Coding Activities for Kids

coding apps built for kids

Sometimes, the best way to inspire a new hobby/interest is with hands-on activities. We love using robots and other fun tools to make coding seem more interesting and fun.

Creative Ways to Use Ozobot Evo

We love our Ozobot Evo, and we came up with these fun ways to use it.

How to use a Codeapillar

One of our first coding toys was the coding caterpillar, and the kids love it to this day.

Secret Message Binary Coding Bracelets

Code in binary and send secret messages to your kids or they can communicate in secret with their friends.

Coding Toys for Kids

coding activities for kids

If your kids can’t get enough of coding, they may also like these coding toys and kits you can purchase.


Google Cardboard (there are dozens of coding apps you can use with these!)
Ozobot Bit programmable robot
Raspberry Pi 2 programmable computer
Makeblock mBot advanced programmable robot

Coding Tools for Classrooms

There are a lot of coding tools designed for classroom use that we would love to own. Perhaps we can start a coding class as an after-school activity and fund some of these larger ticket items.

Kibo Blocks
Knex STEM Explorations
LEGO Mindstorms EV3 31313

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Filed Under: Technology Projects Tagged With: coding

About Brenda Priddy

Brenda grew up thinking she hated science.

But when her 4-year- old daughter was more interested in reading science facts than fairy tales, Brenda realized she had to learn more about science to keep up with her daughter.

Through simple at-home science experiments, Brenda developed a passion for science and now acts as an advocate for STEM education for kids at her website STEAMsational.com.

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What is STEAM?

STEAM activities for kids promote the idea that science, technology, engineering, art, and math can all work together to help kids become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators!

Join us on our journey to discover just how much fun science experiments can be.

What we do… 

STEAMsational offers STEM and science lesson plans and teaching resources to provide a firm STEM foundation for children in the classroom or home.

All you need to do is find your supplies, gather your scientists, and let the innovation unfold.

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