Best Coding Apps for Kids

Coding is an increasingly essential literacy in this day and age because of the fast technological advancement. So, if you want to set your children up for academic success and be versatile individuals in the future, then you should consider starting them young with coding. Coding Apps for Kids are mostly phone applications wherein the kids are usually taught coding in a game format. Since these apps incorporate something kids have a high interest in, it makes it both enjoyable and educational for them.

As a parent, you want your children to maximize their skill-set to the fullest. Coding is no different than enrolling them in extra-curricular classes. Listed below are the benefits your kids will enjoy if you start them early with learning to code.

Coding is the language of technology.

Just like any other language, coding will help kids improve their verbal and writing abilities. Exposing children to different languages at a young age will help them have a better grasp of the world around them. Coding will help them understand the science behind the technology they use.

Coding promotes kids’ creativity.

Different problems require different solutions, and that’s where kids start exploring all possible options. Creativity doesn’t always equate to output but rather the means to get to the final product. Instead of just consuming technology and social media, kids who code are encouraged to create their own and express themselves better.

Coding boosts kids’ problem-solving skills.

When faced with a problem, kids tend to take complicated issues and break them into smaller pieces until it’s manageable enough for them to solve it. This is a universal skill that is important for kids to establish until it becomes a discipline as they grow. And, it doesn’t only apply to the skill of coding as this is considered as one of the most valuable life skills.

Coding encourages collaboration.

Coding may seem like an independent activity for programmers, but bigger projects require a team. It’s a valuable skill for children to be able to work with other children because they can share insights. Not only will your kids be able to work with other kids, but they will also see things from another perspective, which will only help them expand their knowledge.

Coding makes kids persevere.

Kids trying to solve jigsaw puzzles are determined to fit each piece at the right spot. That’s precisely what coding does because to reach the next level. They need to finish the current one. Children will naturally want to advance, and that’s where they learn how to be persistent.

Coding helps kids anticipate and avoid problems

It’s no secret that coding can be hard, and kids will surely encounter errors and crashes. Once they figure what works for them, they will be more confident in dealing with these problems in the future.

There are tons of readily available coding apps for kids, but looking for what is the most suitable for your child can be difficult. These coding apps for kids present different features. So, what are the key features that you have to consider when downloading coding apps for kids?

Fundamental Concepts

These coding apps for kids are mainly in the format of a game. It teaches them the most fundamental concepts without typing the codes. Instead, they begin with drag-and-drop visual programming or connecting blocks to make programs. Eventually, they can transition into the traditional language of programming like Python, Javascript, or C.

Progress Tracker

This feature proves to be one of the most important for both the parents and their children. As a parent, you want to monitor your child’s progress on whether or not they learn from the app. Same as with the kids who use these coding apps, they would want to advance and get to the next level. The more they advance to the further levels, the more complex the problems they encounter, which means their learning ability increases as well.

Interactive Elements

While your children are using the app, it is also important to note that they get to enjoy the activity. It’s essential to keep them engaged and these apps found a great way to do just that. It highlights interactive animations together with narratives that most kids take an interest in.

Age-appropriate Content

Children as young as five can start learning how to code since these apps start as a game interface. The majority of these coding apps advertise their apps into several age groups depending on where the child’s level is at. You don’t have to worry about mixing and matching the app because of the variation and whichever level the child is at, there is a corresponding app to that.

Programming Language Versatility

Each coding apps for kids offer a different programming language. Unlike the age-appropriate feature, the programming language that the children can use depends on their choice. They can choose among what sparks their interest the most. Whichever they use, is still beneficial to their learning because different programming languages serve different purposes.

Ratings and Reviews

Sure there are a lot of coding apps for kids available out there, but to know which ones are worth downloading, you should also take note of the ratings and reviews. These will surely help you in deciding whether or not to download the specific coding app.

Reasonable Fees

The coding apps for kids available on the market can either be free of charge or paid. Completely free apps are abundant, ones that are initially free to download then have in-app services, and there are also a lot of paid apps. You can choose according to your set budget.

Every app has a specific coding language. These codes are used to communicate instructions to the computer. Before choosing a coding app, parents need to be aware of how each coding language functions. Refer to the following information about the best coding languages for kids:

Scratch

If you want your kids to get excited with coding, you can get them started with a visual programming language like scratch. It will reinforce the basics of programming principles while getting them visually stimulated. They will see a simplistic style of dragging and dropping code blocks and be able to animate, create games, and animations.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a coding language directed to client-facing applications. It means that the user executes the actions. It’s also one of the most common coding languages programmers use. Almost all web browsers are supported by JavaScript, which means this programming language is an advantage for kids who are trying to learn early on.

Java

Java is an advanced coding language that takes time to master. It is used for several professional and commercial applications. The majority of apps and operating systems we use every day are run by java. Learning this coding language takes more effort and dedication, but the result is worth it as your kid’s skill-set will be immensely advanced.

Lua

Lua is ideal for kids who are interested in game coding. It is a lightweight coding language designed to be embedded in applications. Unlike Java, Lua is easier to understand by kids because of its text-based coding.

Python

Python is yet again one of the easiest coding languages to learn because it requires fewer lines to get a program to run. Even so, python boasts its versatility as it is used for fields like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. It is also applicable in developing games, web frameworks, and many more.

C++

C++ is a powerful coding language that is based on C. Its core design is for programming systems software. Learning C++ requires a student to devote their time and effort to get a deeper understanding of programming.

C#

C# is a popular coding language because of its object-oriented concept, and it simplifies challenging concepts. It runs most third-party applications for Windows. Java and C# are very much alike in terms of syntax, which means that if you started coding with Java, you’re going to be able to transition easily with C#. It is used to create web applications, games, and other programs.

Industries require more and more people that are highly knowledgeable about technology. What better way is there to prepare the future generations than by tapping into their coding potential?

Tech Companies

If you are a tech company, you should be inclusive of the apps you create, and you might want to consider adding coding apps for kids on your list. With the rising demand for technology consumers, coding apps for kids is a great way to balance the curve. Sure they won’t be able to professionally start right away but as a company, it’s reassuring if you cover all the possible niches in the market.

Children

A child's brain develops more from birth until the age of five. The right kind of knowledge must be ingrained in their formative years. Whatever they learn in that period will help shape their developing brain and will have a lasting impact on a child's ability to learn both in school and life. Kids have a natural inkling with learning and playing. And introducing them to coding apps in the form of a game is a way for them to appreciate the importance of discipline while having fun of course.

Parents

It is no secret that parenting has also evolved in the last few years as they tend to rely more on technology than an actual babysitter. Instead of your kids scrolling endlessly through social media, you should also be mindful of the content they consume. You, as parents are aware by now that there are coding apps available for kids. So, it’s a good option for you to download a free coding app and let them try it. It is also the time where parents try to explore their kid’s natural talents. Just like enrolling them in ballet classes, music classes, camps, etc. This is the best time for you to see where your child excels or what kind of skills your child is most interested in. This will also help you to guide them and commit accordingly.

Schools

There is a positive correlation between teaching kids how to code early and their confidence level with computers and technology. Additionally, it helps with the way they perceive roadblocks and views it as challenging learning opportunities rather than just quitting altogether because they find it difficult. It is no different than learning a foreign language as when you develop their fundamentals. There's a higher chance that their skills will suit any career that they choose later on. Schools must perceive that both tech-related gadgets and coding are embedded into our lifestyles. They should integrate coding into their curriculum to help kids understand how the technology works and how to maximize its full potential.

Step 1: Know Your Child’s Interest

This is a recurring process that you have to consider if you want your child to get started with coding. You’ll be able to tell this with what coding apps they use the most and this will jumpstart their coding early on.

Step 2: See Rating and Reviews

If you’re not too confident with the coding apps your children currently use, you can refer to online ratings and reviews on the leaderboard. This will also help you understand what’s best for whichever function. So, if you know the basics, you’ll be able to guide your kids with the coding app that they will be using.

Step 3: Research about Apps that are Aligned with Your Child’s Interest

Now that you know what app your child is most interested in, you should research similar apps that use the same coding language so that they won’t get confused when transitioning to other coding apps. You can also do a variation between mobile apps and web browsers.

Step 4: Look into Free Apps

There are so many free apps that are readily available in the market. If you don’t have an extra budget to avail of the paid apps then you don’t have to stress yourself out. There are also free training modules available but you have to search for them. A minor drawback of this is the uniformity of the lessons.

Step 5: If Dissatisfied, Try Considering Paid Apps

If your children have shown you their interest and they seem to excel in coding and they’re ready to advance, then maybe it’s time to commit to paid apps. There are so many helpful features like mentorship, short courses, extra training modules, etc. It’s also good to know that you can choose a particular program you or your child wants to focus on.

Step 6: Don’t Push Your Children Too Much

Like many other skills and talents that children can learn whether it’s dancing, singing, acting, painting, etc. they will exhibit where they excel in and they will drop something they find not worth their time. And although it’s important to encourage them about all the positives of coding, it is also essential for parents to respect their children’s decisions if they say coding is not for them. Parents should never put too much pressure on their children but they should try to encourage them from time to time.

If you simply wish for your children to enjoy while learning, the answer is yes. We might be unaware of it, but coding is pretty much everywhere. From the apps that we use on our phones to the ATM at your local bank. All of it runs on a code to serve us in our daily activities. So, it would be a great idea for them to learn how to code because available coding apps are abundant for kids in the market.

Having an additional skill helps someone become more marketable. The great thing about coding is it’s not limited to technology, but it expands its reach in different industries and fields. You can be in retail, medical field, engineering, etc. and there will still be a need for someone that knows tech. Other than having the technical skills of coding, your children will also have other valuable life skills and attitudes that come with it.

Here are some tips to get your children interested in coding:

Emphasize how coding is based on creativity

coding is creating and that’s what kids love to do. Kids tend to listen to what adults have to say but it’s important to not push them too hard. You can play some games on your screen and their curiosity will lead them to ask if they can try it too.

Encourage them to explore

Kids are naturally curious and your job is to encourage them to explore with supervision. Their questions turn into learnings which they can use in many different things moving forward.

Tap into your children’s interests

Different coding styles make different kinds of programs. This alone encourages kids to find what they would like to create. Once they find a coding style that would fit their interests, they will start to explore on their own.

Turn coding into a social activity

It’s important to find a community with the same interests as this will strengthen your kids’ interpersonal skills. Once they have a circle of friends, they will continuously be inspired to create. Also, they can share their insights that one can not figure out on their own.

Find a mentor

There’s nothing more frustrating to a child who’s trying to share their enthusiasm with someone who doesn’t understand it. You can find a friend or colleague who works with codes or in a similar field so that they can ask them for assistance. Having a mentor for your children is a great way to guide them into their aspirations are in terms of coding. Who knows maybe they might even inspire them to do advanced coding.

Since these coding apps for kids are typically done under the guidance of a game, you can start your children as young as five years old to start learning how to code. Coding for kids involves using high-interest forms of content for creative projects like animations and characters in a narrative setting. This will also help them exercise control and discipline at a very young age.

There is no age limit for anyone who’s trying to learn how to code as long as your children are interested and ready to learn. Regardless of how old your kids might be, it’s good for them to start with an interpreted coding language because it doesn’t require compilation or objective. If your kids are between the ages of five and eight, you can choose coding languages with visual learning environments. If your kids are older than eight, you may choose a coding language that has a programming script and/or text. For kids aged twelve to seventeen, they can try to learn full-programming languages.

Yes, some apps are rated as beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Depending on where your children’s level is at with coding, that should be one of the factors you need to consider before committing to a specific coding app. You can also decide which specific coding app to choose what coding language works best for them. This will keep them continuously engaged until such time that they are ready to transition to the next coding language.

The other two popular coding platforms are web browsers and software. Web browsers require online interaction for them to work. Some software requires online connectivity but you can use some software offline. Training modules can also be found online and there are many available webinars both free to use and paid.

Before choosing the best coding language for your children, make sure you’re aware of their interests. As each coding language corresponds to different functions and skill levels. There is no one ultimate coding language that is superior to the other, that’s why you need to track where your kids are at so that you can mix and match the coding apps they’re using. Like with most things, trial and error is a part of the process of choosing the best coding language for your child.

Unless the app offers a parental control tool, you won’t be able to monitor your child’s progress in these coding apps. You will have to physically view their progress while they’re on the app or see what level they’re on. But, you don’t have to worry because these coding apps are mostly kid-centric and safe to use.

There’s a lot of free coding apps available in the market. It is highly suggested for you to try the free ones first so that you can confirm where your child is leaning in to. It will also save you from purchasing unnecessary apps. Paid coding apps include training modules and teachers that focus on your child’s progress. But, if you feel like your child is ready to learn advanced techniques then, paid coding apps might be a good option for you.