syntaxseed/codingforkids

Educational coding resources and activities for kids.

Coding Resources For Kids & All Ages

  

This list contains English resources for a variety of ages and skill levels to learn coding and computer skills either online or via native apps. Great to get kids and all skill levels started with coding.

Learn To Type

It is recommended to use a full-size keyboard and keep your fingers in the proper position while you learn to use these resources. Can be helpful for learners of all ages.

Beginner

• BBC Dance Mat Typing. Free.
  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zf2f9j6/articles/z3c6tfr
  • Levels 1-4.
• Typing.com Lessons. Free.
  • https://www.typing.com/student/lessons
  • Account creation optional.
• TypingClub. Free.
  • https://www.typingclub.com/
  • Account creation optional.

Improve Accuracy & Speed

• Typing.com Games. Free.
  • https://www.typing.com/student/games
  • Account creation optional.
• NitroType. Free with premium upgrades.
  • https://www.nitrotype.com/
  • Account creation optional.

Pre-Readers

No reading or only very basic reading required.

Apps

• Lightbot App. $3

  • By SpriteBox LLC.
  • Android & iOS.

• Algorithm City Pro App. $2

  • By Musteren.
  • Android.

• CodeSpark Academy & The Foos. $7.99/m

  • Android & iOS.
  • Best on tablets.

Websites

• Code.org - CS Fundamentals (grades K-5). Free

  • Pre-Reader Courses A & B (K & Grade 1).

• CodeSpark Academy & The Foos - https://codespark.com/. $7.99/m

  • App also available.
  • No reading required.

• Kodable Youtube Videos. Free

  • Sequence: https://youtu.be/StY_kQujls4
  • Conditionals: https://youtu.be/h2qpa0d6ktU
  • Loops: https://youtu.be/eSWCgZBSx_U
  • Functions: https://youtu.be/FFJmAvE4aM0

Kids / Beginners

Light reading skills required.

Websites

• Code.org - CS Fundamentals (grades K-5). Free.

  • Pre-Reader Courses C & D 2018.
  • Pre-Reader Courses E & F.
  • MineCraft Hour Of Code - https://code.org/minecraft (grades 2+).

• Rabbids Coding - https://register.ubisoft.com/rabbids-coding/

  • TODO - details.

• Tynker.com - Ages 7+.

  • Family plan (4 students): $15/m or $270 lifetime.
  • Visual based coding with simple syntax. Reading required. Gameified learning. Browser based.

Older Kids and Moderate Skill Level

• Code.org - Free.

  • CS Fundamentals (grades K-5).
    • Pre-Reader Courses E & F.
  • CS Discoveries (grades 6-10).
    • 6 Units.
  • CS Principles (grades 9-12).
  • MineCraft Hour Of Code - https://code.org/minecraft (grades 2+).

• Code Academy - https://www.codecademy.com. Free & Paid.

  • Learning real programming languages and programming concepts.
  • Many courses are free.

• Code Combat - http://CodeCombat.com/. Ages 9+.

  • $10/m or $99 lifetime. Some levels available for free.
  • Choose from Python and Javascript.
  • Learn via playing a game. Uses real syntax.
  • You can preview it anonymously.
  • DON'T use 3rd party sign in, because the delete account and reset progress don't seem to work. Says wrong password.

• Fruit Bots - http://www.fruitbots.com/. Free.

  • Coding sandbox for Python, Javascript, Ruby & Lua.
  • Write a bot that competes to find fruit on a grid against an oponent.
  • Download the sourcecode here: https://github.com/scribd/robot-fruit-hunt.
  • Upload your bot to the website and compete against others.
  • Useful for coding workshops, classes or camps.

• Khan Academy - https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming.

  • Free and donation based.
  • Math, science and computer related courses - mainly videos but also simple hands on exercises.
  • JS, html/CSS, SQL.

• Kodable Youtube Videos. Free.

  • Strings: https://youtu.be/HWRnnfkeEW8
  • Integers: https://youtu.be/DuJmL-YUa4A
  • Arrays: https://youtu.be/TKvd18rGnh0
  • Properties: https://youtu.be/hhVoBsDqJXI
  • Object Oriented Programming: https://youtu.be/vFLZHx3L190
  • Classes: https://youtu.be/BZ8r7pC9bHY

• Microsoft MakeCode - https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/makecode. Free.

  • Visual Programming.
  • Project based learning (no guided courses).
  • Similar to Scratch.

• Scratch - https://scratch.mit.edu. Free.

  • Visual Programming.
  • Doesn't seem to have guided 'courses' though. Try these:
    • https://scratch.mit.edu/help/videos/
    • http://scratched.gse.harvard.edu/guide/index.html
    • https://blockly-games.appspot.com/
      • Free coding challenges using Scratch's engine.

• Stencyl - http://www.stencyl.com/. Free+.

  • Block based drag-and-drop coding editor for making real games.
  • Free for only publishing to the web. Reasonable price for other publishing platforms.

All Ages / All Skill Levels

• Game Builder Garage - Nintendo - https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/game-builder-garage-switch/. All Ages.

  • Available on Nintendo Switch.
  • Learn coding concepts and game development via lessons and a game creation sandbox.

• RPG In A Box - https://rpginabox.com

  • Available on Steam
  • RPG game making utility that blends visual and text coding. Very approachable for all ages.

Adults / Advanced - Gameified Learning

• Command Line Mystery https://github.com/veltman/clmystery. Free.

  • Learn the Linux command line by solving a text-based mystery.

• CSS Grid Critters https://gridcritters.com/. $99.

  • Learn CSS grid concepts with a fun adventure game structured like a full course.

• Oh My Git! https://ohmygit.org/. Free.

  • Learn Git version control with visual and command line controls.
  • In the context of a time-travel story.

• OverTheWire Wargames https://overthewire.org/wargames/. Free.

  • Server security, SSH, command line concepts.
  • Connect to real servers and solve puzzles.

• SQL Murder Mystery http://mystery.knightlab.com/. Free.

  • Practise SQL commands with a web-based mystery.