Coding is not a school subject with a theoretical aspect. In contrast, it is all implementing practical skills, with no need for your kids to pass an exam either. Coding games allow your kid to review the product, find mistakes, and fix them by accessing the code. Kids learn these skills in coding classes online for kids, which teach them to improve their analytical abilities.
There are many websites and apps available that teach kids coding through games. It has specific options that help you find a program that works well on your kid’s device, fits your budget, and is suitable for your kid’s age. Interestingly, plenty of available apps can teach your kids to code.
Five Useful Classic Coding Games
These coding games allow free coding for kids:
Kodu
- Suitable for: ages between 6-8
- Programming type: Offers Visual Language option
- Free/Paid: Free Windows Download
In many ways, Kodu is like playing with dominoes. It consists of two sets of colorful tiles. One set represents WHEN conditionals, while the other one shows DO actions. It is easy to drag and drop titles onto the programming board, but they should match one another. The game offers the best representation of the 3D world, which introduces coding for kids. It is a visual programming language that kids can use without the need for typing.
For instance, when kids write ‘WHEN (mouse + left) = DO (move + forward),” but if your kid follows any other order, the blocks appear red in color and disable. The method works without the need to write code and helps your child develop a clearer understanding of the basics. It can even teach them syntax and structure. Training your kid using Kodu establish a firm grasp of the basis, enabling them to write code more efficiently as they grow older.
Pros
- Inspiring 3D graphics with a professional look
- A colorful and appealing interface makes coding fun
You can let your kids take online Coding Classes or attend camps. Using Kodu will help your kids think creatively and logically once they learn the basics of programming in our 3D Video Game Design Class.
Scratch
- Suitable for: Ages between 8-10+
- Programming type: Incorporates Visual Language option
- Free/Paid: It’s Free on all platforms
Scratch is like a mega jigsaw puzzle that contains a thousand pieces. It has 2D games that are less complicated than Kodu. In Kodu, blocks show lines of code, but in Scratch, these blocks take shape in that merges only corresponding components. Code blocks do not have figures and numbers in them. Nevertheless, the purpose of both games is to teach kids to program logically.
Pros
- Its structure follows typed languages, and it is easier to transfer visual to typed coding.
- It incorporates valuable extensions like robot kits and video sensing, enabling kids to learn more than programming.
Let kids learn the Online Coding Class or Camp to get more advanced concepts like Java and Python in our Scratch class.
Scratch Jr
- Suitable for: ages between 5-7
- Programming type: Visual Language
- Free/Paid: It’s Free on all platforms
MIT introduced a more straightforward program that enables young kids to learn coding. It uses the same visual programming language similar to Scratch, except that it has fewer blocks to select. These blocks identify icons, so it is easy for kids who cannot read to determine icons. It can develop simple games and tell stories as well. Kids have many choices, and it also allows them to grow their different merged blocks together.
Pros
- The interface is easy to use so, kids who cannot read can also code.
- Teaches kids basic building blocks of code and tell simple ways to arrange them.
Take a programming Class or Camp: It will enable kids to build their own story or game and enhance their computer skills in our Scratch Jr class.
Roblox
- Suitable for: ages 6+
- Programming type: Typed Language
- Free/Paid: Free on all platforms
Roblox is a famous game development platform that helps kids learn how to code. It teaches the same language used by professional programmers to develop games. The language used in Roblox is Lua, which is a bit more complicated than visual programming languages. Nevertheless, it is still accessible to young kids with the in-built tools.
Pros
- Tools enable kids to create games with no knowledge about coding.
- Lua is the language that has a broad use in the gaming world and allows your kid to create games on other platforms.
Take the Virtual Coding Class or Camp: we offer two classes for different age groups. The Roblox Build class is suitable for 6-8-year-olds to use Roblox studios that develop games with tools. Another is the Roblox Code class that we offer for 9-11 years old. It helps kids develop fluency in Lua and adds complicated features to games.
