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Coding is a great skill for kids to learn. It can help them in the future if they choose to pursue it as a career, but it can also help them now with logic, problem-solving, and critical thinking. There are a lot of ways for kids to learn how to code: classes, camps, private lessons, online programs, toys, apps, school, etc. In this post, we’ll be focusing on free coding apps for kids. These are apps that kids can use on the go on a smartphone or tablet, don’t cost their parents any money, and introduce coding and/or help them improve their coding skills.

Another post you may be interested in, “Top 10 Free Coding Programs for Kids,” is also a great resource to find affordable coding options for your child. The main difference between these two posts are that this one focuses solely on apps, while the other post includes some apps, but also inclues other web-based programs that have no app option.

Why Is Coding Important?

You may be wondering why it seems like everyone is pushing kids to learn how to code. Is it really that important? Can’t they just learn it when they’re older? What’s the point if they don’t want to be a coder when they grow up?

Coding is an important subject for kids to learn about for several reasons. First, it introduces them to technology and coding and how that works. This helps them become more aware of the world around them and begin to understand how the technology behind their screens functions. Second, learning about coding at a young age is very helpful for future jobs. Even if they don’t become profressional developers, having a basic understanding of coding will be useful in every field. We use technology everyday, all day, even in fields that aren’t STEM. Basic coding abilities will give kids a way to interact and understand technology no matter what they choose to do.

There are also some immediate benefits kids will get by learning how to code. These include:

• Logical Thinking

• Problem Solving

• Creativity

• Persistence

Top 10 Free Coding Apps for Kids

Let’s get to the actual apps! Our picks for the top 10 free coding apps for kids includes a variety of different types of apps for kids in different age groups and and different coding abilities. They are all free, but we’ll let you know which ones have in-app purchases available, as well as any that offer more content with a subcscription.

Scratch

We love Scratch here at Coder Kids! And what’s great is they have an app for Chrome and Android tablets! Kids can do pretty much everything on the app that they can do on regular Scratch. Kids can work offline and create and save projects without an internet connection as well as easily export and share projects with friends and family. Scratch is a great way for kids 8-16 to learn all about coding in a fun and creative way. They can become a part of the Scratch community, make friends, and learn even more about coding! Kids can use the Scratch app to create games, animations, stories and more. Another great thing about the Scratch app, is that there are no in-app purchases available, and no subscription fees to get the full content of the app.

Scratch Jr

Scratch Jr is another program we are big fans of here at Coder Kids! It is a perfect way for younger kids to be introduced to coding and coding concepts. You can read about Scratch Jr, why we love it, and find some cool projects here. The Scratch Jr app runs on iPads as well as Android tablets, Chromebooks, as well as desktops and laptops. Like Scratch, Scratch Jr was developed at MIT with the focus being helping even younger kids become familiar with coding and coding concepts. Scratch Jr is a fantastic starting point for pre-readers. Kids can create their own interactive games and stories, modify their characters, uploard their own photos, and add their own voices or sounds. And just like the Scratch app, the Scratch Jr app has no in-app purchase options and no subscription fees to access full content.

Lighbot Code Hour

Lightbot is another app we love and use in our coding classes. The Lightbot Code Hour is a free app with no in-app purchases. With this free version of the app, you have 20 levels to progress through. The Lightbot app can be used on phones as well as tablets. Lightbot uses programming puzzles to teach kids (and adults) basic coding concepts like logic, sequencing and problem solving. While Scratch and Scratch Jr allow you to bring your own creations to life, Lightbot is a game and you are trying to solve puzzles to finish each level. The point of the game is to code a small robot to complete different functions, like walking, jumping, turning and lighting up boxes. There is a paid version that includes all of the levels and costs around $3. For some basic instructions and cheats for Lightbot, check out this blog post.

Code Monkey Jr

Code Monkey Jr is a block based coding game for kids ages 4-6. Kids learn the basics of coding while programming their monkey’s journey to get more bananas and unlock a treasure chest. In this free version, there are 30 levels for kids to work through. You can pay for more content if you choose to. The Code Monkey Jr app is available for tablets, iPads, and smartphones. Code Monkey Jr focuses on teaching kids about sequencing, logic and loops. They characters are bright, colorful and super cute. Another cool feature of the Code Monkey Jr app is that it’s great for pre-readers. No reading is required to play.

Code Karts Pre-coding For Kids

This app teaches kids coding fundamentals through a race car game. Kids get to code their race car around the track to learn all about logic and sequencing. It is designed for kids a young as 4 years old to dip their toes into the coding world. This app is available for iPhones, Androids, and iPads. There are two ways kids can play. They can race around the track with just one car and no time limit, or they can use the two car mode and race against the app’s car. There are 10 levels your child can access for free. In order to access the full 70 levels, you’ll need to purchase the app.

Tynker Jr and Tynker

Tynker and Tynker Jr both use block based coding to help kids play coding games and solve coding puzzles. Tynker Jr was made for kids ages 5-7 who are learning to read. There are different learning areas where kids play games and complete activities to learn coding basics. The free version of Tynker Jr has limited content and a monthly or yearly subscription is required to access all of the content. Tynker was designed for kids ages 7 and older. They’ll need to be able to read to use this app. In the free version, kids will be able to complete one puzzle. You can buy more puzzles indidvidually, or start a subscription to have access all of the content. Both the Tynker and Tynker Jr apps are available in the Google Play store as well as the Apple App store.

Kodable

Kodable is an app for kids ages 6-8 years old. Kids learn about coding while helping the Fuzz Family solve puzzles and get through mazes in order to learn coding concepts like logic, sequential thinking and looping. With a paid subscription, kids can also play and create their very own games. Kodable is free to try, but in order to access all of the content, you’ll need a subscription. If your child already uses Kodable at school, they can access that content on the app as well. At this time, the Kodable app is only available for iPhones or iPads.

Coding Games for Kids

This app can be found in the Google Play store. Like many other apps, the free version includes limited content and you can pay to have access to all of the content of the app. It was designed for kids ages 4-7. Kids learn about sequencing, loops, and functions with a variery of different games and activities. There is a big variety of games kids can choose from, like firefighting, a monster dentist, ice cream time and even connecct the dots. There is sure to be something they’ll love!

Grasshopper

Grasshopper is a totally free app that teaches users to code using JavaScript. It is available for desktops, Android and iOS. While the Grasshopper app wasn’t designed specifically for kids, older kids should be able to use it. In order to use the app, kids will need to be comfortable reading, understand basic coding fundamentals and understand basic math principles. The lessons are pretty quick, and as they progress through the lessons, they can pass quizzes and earn trophies. Grasshopper was developed by coders from Google’s Area 120, their workshop for experimental products.

Think & Learn Code-a-pillar

This is another free app designed to teach preschoolers to learn the basics of coding. Kids learn about planning, sequencing, problem solving, number recognition and counting, all while helping the Code-a-pillar. Kids will work their way through mazes and number games to help the Code-a-pillar get food to eat, re-fuel, and find his way through obstacles. As kids work through the different challenges and levels, they’ll open up special coding segments they can keep using, and the app saves the progress they’ve made. It is available in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Conclusion

There are a lot of great coding apps for kids out there. And there are even a lot of free coding apps for kids. We rounded up our top 10 free coding apps for kids and hope that you and your kids love them too. While we think all of these apps are fantastic, if we could only choose one, we’d go with Scratch Jr and Scratch. We use Scratch and Scratch Jr in our classes and camps, and we really can’t say enough good things about them!

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