Coding Apps for Kids

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Coding is one of the most desirable skills for the future. It’s now easier than ever to teach programming for kids with our list of the best coding apps for kids. These programming apps are simple to use and will get kids learning to code even before they learn to read.

These coding games for kids make coding fun and imaginative. What makes these coding apps so successful is that they are highly accessible to children and these apps make it easy to learn programming skills by following simple steps.

Coding is not just about the technical skills but learning to code introduces young people to building logic and creative thinking. Through the use of puzzles, riddles, coding games, and challenges these coding apps teach skills like problem-solving, patience, creativity, and persistence.

These apps will let your kids make their first steps into the world of coding.

Why Should Kids Learn to Code?

Coding plays a pivotal role in our lives, even when we’re unaware of it. Everything from the apps we use on our phones to the programs we use at work to even the cash register at your local grocery store or the ATM at your local bank. All of them use code to shape our day to day activities.

The idea that young people should learn to code isn’t new. In fact, since the rise of tech giants like Amazon, Google, and the social networks, coding has helped to pave the way for a variety of coding education programs and nonprofits.

Why is coding so important? That part is easy – when you’re marketable, you have leverage. You’re able to take more risks and in the event that something goes wrong, you’re more likely to bounce back. We don’t have to wait until students are choosing a degree program to encourage our kids to invest in coding. We can start right now and here’s why we should.

These are skills that are useful in professional circumstances but also in every aspect of a young person’s future. From personal relationships to future job prospects coding builds the skills your child needs.

For more ideas on teaching kids to code, check out our Ultimate Guide to Coding for Kids!

Best Coding Apps for Kids: 3-10 year olds

CodeSpark Academy

Platform: iOS

Ages:5-10

Cost: 14 Day Free-Trial With Code: FT14

Learn More: We love this one for little kids! This app helped my youngest son learn the basics of coding. Kids solve puzzles that help them learn logical thinking from an early age. Follow along to the story of the Foos – this app combines storytelling and STEM education in a fun and engaging interface. The free trial allows your kids to try it out before committing to the purchased program.

Hopster Coding Safari

Platform: IOS

Ages: 2 years old and up

Cost: Free with in-app purchases

Learn More:

Coding safari is a unique coding app that can teach children as young as two years old the fundamentals of coding! With a focus on pre-coding skills like problem solving, decomposition and computational thinking, Coding safari is engaging and educational. We love this game for the littles coders on your list!

Kodable

Platform: IOS

Ages: 6 years old and up

Cost: Free basic version + Kodable Pro $6.99 a month

Learn More:

The Fuzz family crash-lands on Smeeborg and needs to explore the many mazes of their new planet. To help them get through each maze and collect coins, kids use programming logic to drag and drop commands. Kodable introduces students to the foundations of computer programming through the step-by-step instruction games, if/then statements, and loops. What really sets Kodable Pro apart is the added resources, lessons, and guidance for parents helping their student learn.

Osmo

Platform: iOS

Ages: 5-10 years old

Cost: Free for app, check price for Osmo Coding Jam.

Learn More:

Osmo is completely unique, instead of drag-and-drop blocks on a screen, kids use physical blocks, connected to the computer through the Osmo tablet. There are two coding apps, and a variety of additional games for the console which are more affordable in packages and sets. In Coding Awbie, kids use code blocks to guide an adorable monster through challenges. In Coding Jam, kids use code blocks to create catchy jams with beats and samples.

Read our full review of Osmo Coding Jam

Algorithm City

Platform: Android

Ages: 5 years old and up

Cost: Free

Learn More:

Algorithm City is a 3D style game where players can choose an animal as their character. It teaches the basic concepts of coding, that are perfect for youg kids to grasp. Kids will learn command sequencing, functions and loops, and more. The goal of the game is to guide your character by collecting golds and solving levels.

Lego Boost

Platform: iOS & Android

Ages: 7 years old +

Cost: App is Free, check price for Boost Creative Toolbox

Learn More:

Lego Boost is an app that allows kids to build different Lego models and program them with code. Students can program the models to make sounds and move using drag and drop code. This particular set teaches kids to build 5 different lego models in the form of a robot, a cat, a lego-building machine, a guitar, and a mouse on a car. This particular set is very expensive but it’s versatile and built using a system every kid already knows how to use – Lego building blocks.

Coding Games for Kids

Platform: iOS and Android

Ages: 7 years old+

Cost: Free to download, subscription is $4.99/month or $30 per year

Learn More:

Code for Kids is designed for young children and focuses on simple sequences, loops, functions, debugging, arrays, and coordinates. The game is animated in 2d layout with bright colors and simple games focused on building individual skills.

Tynker

Platform: iPad & Android tablet

Ages: 6-10 years old

Cost: $1.99 to $95.99

Learn More:

The Tynker app is much more extensive than many of the other programs on this list. It’s commonly used in elementary school curriculums. Tynker allows kids to create their own apps and animations through drag and drop puzzles and expands to teach kids Javascript, Swift, and Python.

Nancy Drew: Codes & Clues – Mystery Coding Game

Platform: iOS & Android

Ages: 6-10 years old

Cost: $3.99

Learn More:

Nancy Drew: Codes & Clues is a narrative-based game that involves finding clues and other ‘evidence’ to solve a mystery. You’ll do this by dragging visual code blocks to move your robot around. Three girlfriends set out to solve a mystery with fun costumes and an interesting story. Designed to appeal for girls, this one is a lot of fun!

Code Karts

Platform: IOS and Android

Ages: 3-5 years old

Cost: Free + $1.99 upgrade

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Code Kart is all about racing cars around a custom made track. Pre-readers use the drag and drop method to build tracks using color matching in the first 10 levels. With the $1.99 upgrade you’ll open 60 more levels that build upon each other.

Code Karts is a huge hit with my two sons. They have no idea that they are learning to code and think playing this game is a huge ‘treat’ It is simple and intuitive, both of my boys were learning to play if before they could read.

Think and Learn: Code-a-Pillar

Platform: IOS and Android

Ages: 3-6 years old

Cost: Free + Toy is optional

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Think and Learn is built around a brightly colored caterpillar that teaches very young children sequencing through a drag and drop style game. The app works with or without the accompanying Fisher Price caterpillar toy but the toy adds a more interactive and experiential form of play.

Lightbot

Platform: iOS & Android

Ages: 4-13

Cost: $2.99

Learn More:

Lightbot is one of the more challenging coding games for kids. Don’t let the cute animated robot fool you, the upper levels can even be challenging for adults. While Lightbot starts with beginning levels it’s the perfect app for students whizzing through other programs.

Daisy the Dinosaur

Platform: iPad

Ages: 5-7 years old

Cost: Free

Learn More:

Make the adorable Daisy the dinosaur move, jump, and dance with drag and drop commands Daisy the Dinosaur teaches basic coding concepts like sequencing and conditionals in the form of fun little challenges.

Box Island

Platform: iOS & Android

Ages: 5-10 years old

Cost: $2.99 – $7.99

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Box Island feels much more like a video game than most of the other games on this list. The graphics and animation are seriously impressive. The drag-and-drop game play teaches your kids problem-solving and basic coding logic through narrative game play.

Scratch JR

Platform: iPad & Android tablet

Ages: 5-7 years old

Cost: Free

Learn More:

Scratch Jr is an open world where kids can create their own drawings and use drag-and-drop code to create games and animations. Scratch Jr focuses on building coding skills while utilizing student’s natural creativity. The characters can be programmed to move, jump, dance, and sing. Kids can even record their own voices to use in the animation.

Spritebox

Platform: iOS & Android

Ages: 5-7 years old

Cost: $2.99/$3.99

Learn More:

Spritebox is an advanced coding game done in a 2D Super Mario type game that gradually teaches kids actual code. Kids switch from drag-and-drop pictures to syntax over many levels and challenges that range from fairly basic to very advanced. Unlike many of the apps on this list, Spritebox follows an engaging narrative adventure that keeps kids interested and engaged.

Dash and Dot

Platform: iOS and Android

Ages: 6-10 years old

Cost: Free + Check price for Dash

Learn More:

There are several coding robots for kids. Dash and Dot is one of the best because they are versatile with options to command with sounds and timers. Dash robot helps to make tech knowledge accessible for all ages and provides expander packs to help Dash grow with your child’s skill level. Dash is voice activated and navigates objects. Dash helps to create confident digital competencies in kids with their 5 Free Programming STEM Apps.

Cargo Bot

Platform: IOS and Android

Ages: 10 years old and up

Cost: Free

Learn More:

Cargo Bot is a puzzle game where you use a robotic arm to move colored boxes into set designs. This game is visual, and doesn’t involve ‘writing code’. Students will learn to sequence by choosing the preset actions of their robotic arm and putting them in the right order. Another challenge? Trying to do it in as few steps as possible. Your score is reflected by how short you can make the code! The goal of the game is to teach your students to think concisely and find the simplest solution to a given problem.

Run Marco

Platform:

Ages: 6-12 years old

Cost: Free

Learn More:

In Run Marco, students use drag and drop code blocks to control their character. This game uses simple commands like “move one step forward” and “repeat” to help students learn how to sequence a set of actions. Press play and see your character follow the steps! Students will need to learn to modifying their code to beat the task at hand. For an advanced twist, students can even design their own level as a part of this game.

Hopscotch

Platform: iOS

Ages: 8- 17 years old

Cost: $7.99 per month

Learn More:

Hopscotch is one of the most popular kids coding apps because it utilizes both STEM and artistic skills. It’s extremely versatile with numerous options to create stories using characters, designs, and illustrations. This app is ideal for creative students. Hopscotch rewards kids for learning the logic of coding without focusing on the boring bits. It uses a drag-and-drop interface that is visually stimulating and engaging.

Coding Apps for 10-13 year olds

Mimo

Platform: iOS and Android

Ages: 12 years old +

Cost: Free

Learn More:

Instead of teaching Swift directly, Mimo teaches users via building an iOS app. Unlike the other apps in this list, Mimo is designed with the end goal in mind and teaches programming, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Swift, and more through experiential lessons.

SoloLearn

Platform: iOS and Android

Ages: 12 years old +

Cost: Free

Learn More:

SoloLearn is an app suited for older students. It offers a list of programming languages like C, C++, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Python. The course starts off with the basic foundations of each language and builds as you proceed through the levels. The feature that sets SoloLearn apart from others is the code challenges against real opponents that allows you to test your skills in comparison to others.

Swift Playgrounds

Platform: iPad

Ages: 10-13 years old

Cost: Free

Learn More:

Swift Playgrounds is a Apple’s collection of coding games, designed to teach Swift, a programming language used to build apps. In the main game, players guide an adorable character through challenges in a colorful 3D world. The game integrates with other apps, and even controls non-Apple robots and robots like Lego, and even Sphero and Dash.

Programming Hub

Platform:  iOS & Android

Ages: 13 years old+

Cost: $.99 to $74.99

Learn More:

Programming Hub is a great choice for older or more advanced students looking to progress beyond the basic skills. This app offers 20 languages to choose from in simple mini lessons and challenges that make coding approachable to anyone.

Coding Apps for 13 Years Old+

Grasshopper

Platform: iOS and Android

Ages: 15 years old+

Cost: Free

Learn More:

Grasshopper is an app created by Google that teaches JavaScript through mini-games. Grosshopper offers one course for brand new coders and another for more advanced coders. For beginners, the app will take you through a set of slides explaining the basics of coding. After each section a short quiz reviews what you’ve learned. Once you make it passed the quizzes, you’ll move to the coding puzzles. These puzzles explain various coding terms like variables, strings, loops, arrays, conditionals, operators, functions, and objects. After each section there is a quiz to ensure you understand what you’ve learned before you move on to the next level.

Codea

Platform: iOS

Ages: 15 years old+

Cost: $20.99

Learn More:

Codea is an award-winning visual programming language for creating games, graphics, animations and other interactive apps. It’s built to take full advantage of the iPad. You can use Codea to create anything from a simple game to an immersive musical experience.

Whether you want to create a new game, a new way to learn mathematics, or a new visualization of your thoughts, Codea provides the perfect tool. With this code-based platform, you can build fully interactive games and simulations on your iPad. All you need is a great idea!

5 Ways Parents Can Help Kids Learn to Code by Playing Coding Games & Apps Together

Children should be given the opportunity to explore the world of technology at an early age so they will have a better understanding of what they are using when they grow up and enter the workforce. Parents can help children learn to code by playing coding games and apps together as a family, encouraging kids to make their own coding games and apps, reading, watching, and learning about coding together.

Playing coding games and apps with kids is a fantastic way for them to learn the basics of coding without feeling overwhelmed. It also helps parents understand what their children are learning, and they can offer feedback on how they feel about the concepts that are being taught.

There are many different types of coding games out there for kids to try, but most of them have pretty low levels of difficulty so that kids don’t become frustrated when they’re just starting out. The challenges for these games gradually increase in difficulty as the player progresses through levels, so this makes it easier for them to keep learning new concepts.

You can’t expect your kid to be coding at their age and understand every aspect of it. They would need a bit of guidance from you. Coding is not something that someone can learn overnight, it requires time and patience. We know how time-consuming it can be for grown-ups and kids are just the same!

Here are 5 easy ways parents can help kids learn to code by playing together:

1. Build in opportunities to play coding games and apps together as a family.
2. Encourage kids to make their own coding games and apps.
3. Read, watch, and learn about coding with them.
4. Set up coding challenges that can be solved through online resources or programming skills
5. Help them find coding clubs or other tech-friendly organizations in their neighborhood

Frequently Asked Questions About Coding Apps for Kids

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