What Are the Best Coding Sites for Kids?
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Here at Coder Kids, we’ve tried a lot of different coding sites designed for kids! We’ve narrowed this list down to our top 5 coding sites for kids. We consistently use these 5 sites in the classes and private lessons that we teach because we have seen firsthand how effective they can be.
Scratch Jr.
Scratch Jr. was developed by MIT to help younger kids learn the basics of coding. Scratch Jr. is great for grades PreK-1st or 2nd grade. This program does a great job of helping kids understand coding fundamentals like logic, decomposition and sequencing. Scratch Jr. utilizes a block-based programming language and no reading is required. Check out some cool ScratchJr. projects here.
Scratch
Scratch was also developed by MIT to help kids learn to code. This program is great for kids from grades 2/3 and on. Scratch also uses a block based coding language, but reading is required, as well as some other higher level concepts (like understanding a coordinate plane). Although it’s wonderful for beginners, you can also make complicated games and animations with Scratch.
Code.org
Code.org is another great website for kids as young as 4 to learn to start coding. Kids just set up an account and then follow the program. They work through different lessons that help them learn and master coding basics. The lessons increase in difficulty and kids can even learn HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Code.org also offers Hour-of-Code lessons that offer a quicker lesson option.
Typing.com
Typing.com is a fantastic website because it has courses not only in coding, but also keyboarding and digital literacy. You set up an account and work through all the lessons. We especially love this site for kids to help them learn how to type, which is definitely a skill they’ll need to continue in their coding journey.
Lightbot
Lightbot and Lightbot Jr are a great app for teaching kids logic and sequence. In this game, you are basically programming a tiny robot to do different things, like walking, turning, jumping, lighting up a box, etc. We love Lightbot because kids can work through the increasingly difficult levels mostly on their own. Some of the upper levels are even hard for adults!
For more information these websites and other coding resources, check out The Best Coding Reources for Kids and Top Free Coding Programs for Kids.
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