25 Best Programming And Coding Apps For Kids Of All Ages
Learning coding from the finest apps can help children refine their cognitive skills.
Aadithyan Mohan K.
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Coding is all around you! Be it refrigerators, phones, laptops, or more, coding fuels technology. Coding is basically a method to input information, via various languages such as CSS, HTML, JavaScript, into a computer to perform specific functions.
If your child is inquisitive about how ‘computerized’ things work magically, then why not channel their attention into something productive and build cognitive skills simultaneously. If you have an Apple device, you may download iPad coding apps for kids. Similarly, Android has several apps too.
Top 25 Coding Apps For Kids
1. Scratch
One of the most popular coding apps for kids, Scratch is used extensively by schools worldwide. The application uses visual blocks or bricks in drag and drop functionality to build certain logical chains and explain the most basic coding principles to children.
Age Group: 5-16 years
Cost: Free
3. Kodable
Another well-known app for kids is Kodable. It is exclusive for iOS users and is remarkable at helping kids maneuver from a basic to complex level of coding. The app uses instructional lessons that are easy to follow with a focus on programming languages such as Javascript, HTML, Python, CSS, and more.
Platform: iOS
Age Group: 6 years and above
Cost: Free
4. Tynker
Like Scratch, Tynker, however, aims to teach programming instead of applying it directly. It offers various features to enable learning, such as Code Monkey, which includes games and puzzles to solve. In addition to interesting story-based challenges and learning modules, the app also features a library of user-made projects that learners can access to get a feel of what others are up to. It also offers a premium paid version for those interested.
Platform: iOS
Age Group: 7 years and above
Cost: Free
4. Daisy the Dinosaur
A perfect choice for young learners, Daisy the Dinosaur features a user-friendly interface with limited features. It uses functions as conditionals and loops to explain the logic of coding to children. In addition, the application features a dinosaur Daisy that can be made to jump, move, or dance by using the drag and drop options and thereby get a smooth entry into the world of programming.
Platform: iOS
Age Group: 4-7 years
Cost: Free
5. Lightbot
Lightbot comes with both easy as well as advanced coding lessons. Learners receive brief instructions at the beginning of every level explaining what they should do. Once they complete each level, they can move on to the next. Further, each lesson can be repeated and replayed as many times as the user pleases.
Age Group: 4-13 years
Cost: $2.99
6. Cargo-Bot
Another gem for iOS users, Cargo-Bot, uses puzzles that incorporate a robotic arm that needs to be programmed correctly to perform certain tasks. It involves using colorful boxes to create a particular design or pattern.
Platform: iOS
Age Group: 10 years and above
Cost: Free
7. CodeSpark Academy
Touted as the ’most used home coding program for kids aged 5-9 years’, CodeSpark Academy uses interactive learning activities to bring forth the basics of programming. It is an award-winning coding app for children; it helps them pick up programming concepts and apply them to code their projects. It entails puzzles, games, step-by-step creative projects, game designs, offline printable’s, and more.
Age Group: 4-9 years
Cost: Free
8. Code Karts
Code Karts is ideal for kids desirous of learning the fun way. The app provides a fun racing game to teach pre-coding to children. Users have to face obstacles to reach the finish line and win, all while learning basic programming concepts on the go.
Age Group: 4 and above
Cost: Free
9. mBlock
mBlock is a STEM programming software tool to teach coding to kids. It is designed using the famous Scratch 3.0 and Arduino code and supports both block and text-based programming languages. Children can create games and animation by dragging blocks using Python when they use this application.
Age Group: 8 and above
Cost: Free
10. ScratchJr
Based on the Scratch programming language, ScratchJr enables kids to enjoy a range of games and stories while learning programming essentials. It is designed to improve children’s sequencing, numeracy, and literacy skills and allows users to customize their characters and build stories.
Age Group: 5-7 years
Cost: Free
11. Box Island
Much like other ’coding for kids’ apps available, Box Island uses a simple and engaging game to enable kids to pick up programming. Ideal for children who enjoy playing graphic games, the app uses narrative gameplay, whereby kids can learn how to sequence using loops and conditions. It is an award-winning application and worth a try.
Platform: iOS
Age Group: 5 and above
Cost: Free
12. Hopster Coding Safari
Coding Safari is an ideal coding app for kids as young as four. It is mainly focused on developing pre-coding skills amongst users, focusing on problem-solving, decomposition, and computational thinking. It is an engaging and educational app and a great way to get kids started with coding at an early.
Platform: iOS
Age Group: 4 years and above
Cost: Free
13. Algorithm City
A 3D-style game, Algorithm City, allows players to choose an animal as their character. It teaches kids to command sequencing, functions and loops, and more by guiding their chosen characters to collect gold and complete levels. The application is ideal for both young kids as well as grown-ups.
Platform: Android
Age Group: 5 years and above
Cost: Free
14. Lego Boost
Talk about creativity at its best! Lego Boost allows kids to build Lego models and program them with the help of coding. Learners can program their creations to make sounds and move using the drop and drag function. The application entails five different Lego models in the form of a robot, a cat, a Lego-building machine, a guitar, and a mouse. It predominantly brings in learning using relatability and fun.
Age Group: 7 years and above
Cost: Free
15. Think and Learn: Code-a-Pillar
With a bright-colored caterpillar as the main character, Think and Learn aims at teaching very young children the programming basics via a drag and drop style game. It is ideal for children aged between 3- 6 years and also comes with an accompanying Fisher-Price caterpillar toy for an enhanced experience.
Age Group: 3-6 years
Cost: Free
16. Spritebox
Spritebox is an advanced coding game that allows kids to switch from drag-and-drop pictures to syntax over various levels and challenges. In addition, it features an engaging narrative adventure and is designed to teach coding using fun and a balanced approach.
Age Group: 5-7 years and above
Cost: $2.99/$3.99
17. Run Marco
With Run Marco, learners can use drag and drop code blocks to control their characters. The game entails simple commands such as ’move one step further and ’repeat’ to teach kids how to sequence and see their characters come into action. They can further modify their code and design levels as part of the game.
Platform: iOS
Age Group: 6-12 years
Cost: Free
18. Hopscotch
For those who don’t mind spending a small sum each month, Hopscotch can be a good option. It utilizes both STEM and artistic skills that suit the interest of kids who enjoy creative arts and coding. The app features various options to create stories with the help of characters, design, and illustrations. In addition, it uses the drag and drop interface and rewards kids for learning to code.
Platform: iOS
Age Group: 8-17 years
Cost: $7.99 per month
19. Nancy Drew: Codes & Clues – Mystery Coding Game
Ensuring fun all along the way, Nancy Drew: Codes & Clues is a narrative-based game that enables kids to find clues to solve a mystery. They progress by dragging visual codes to move their robot around as three girlfriends set out to solve a mystery wearing interesting costumes.
Age Group: 6-10 years
Cost: $3.99
20. Mimo
Unlike other apps, Mimo is focused on the end goal and is great for learning some serious programming. It teaches kids the basics of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Swift, and more through experiential lessons and experience of building an iOS app.
Age Group: 12 years and above
Cost: Free
21. Swift Playgrounds
One of Apple’s featured collection of coding games, Swift Playgrounds, is designed to teach Swift programming used to build apps. It includes a fun game wherein learners guide their characters through a series of challenges in a colorful 3D world. The game is further designed to interact with other apps and control non-Apple robots such as Lego, Sphero, and Dash.
Platform: iPad
Age Group: 12 years and above
Cost: Free
22. Programming Hub
A paid coding app for kids, Programming hub is ideal for older kids looking to go beyond the basics. It offers lessons in 20 languages that you can choose from. These learnings are based on simple mini-lessons and challenges.
Age Group: 13 years and above
Cost: $.99 to $74.99)
23. Grasshopper
Created by Google, Grasshopper teaches JavaScript via mini-games to learners. It offers one course for new coders and another for advanced students. Beginners are made to go through slides explaining the basics of coding, followed by a fun quiz and puzzles to retain the knowledge. On the other hand, the advanced course takes learners through a challenging series and fun-based lessons.
Platform: iOS and Android
Age Group: 15 years and above
Cost: Free
24. Coding Games for Kids to Play
Coding Games for Kids to Play, as the name suggests, involves a series of games that teach children sequential visual coding. It includes 1000+ levels to teach sequences, loops, functions, and arrays concepts. In addition, it encourages kids to solve problems and increase their memory using a fun approach.
Age Group: 5 years and above
Cost: Free
25. Code Adventures: Coding Puzzles for Kids
Complete with a range of child-friendly computer coding puzzles, the app enables kids to learn how to program via 30 levels of puzzles. It works through various levels, including basics, functions, conditionals, and loops, enabling learners to practice sequencing. With the help of fascinating visuals, silly sounds, and quirky characters, the application is further designed to make coding fun in every way.
Platform: Android
Age Group: 6 years and above
Cost: $3.99
You can introduce your children to the world of coding with the help of these amazing coding apps for children. Don’t be surprised if they help you in your daily activities with their knowledge and skills in coding.
Key Pointers
- Coding has become a necessary skill set for the millennial generation.
- Apps like Kodable and Scratch help children learn coding from the basics and easily.
- Lightbot, Code Karts, Hopscotch, and many other coding apps for children as you scroll down.
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