Free Coding Software For Kids | 10+ Best Child-Friendly Coding Software to Get Started
- Shifa Ali |
- September 11, 2024
Updated By
Reviewed By
Coding Software For Kids: We are in a digital era and coding is one of the most sought-after skills here. With the influx of new technology and advancements in AI, IoT, and robotics, teaching children coding would come in handy.
Tutoring children in classical music or ballet have taken a back seat. Imparting knowledge of coding is the new normal. As the future of the workforce, children would benefit greatly if they get a head-start in coding education.
Looking to learn coding? Explore Wiingy’s Online Coding Classes For Kids to learn from top coding experts.
10+ Free Coding Software for Kids
There exist many software and apps that can teach coding in a simple and kid-friendly manner. They are listed below:
- Kodable
- Code Karts
- Microsoft MakeCode
- Daisy the dinosaur
- CodeSpark Academy
- Scratch
- ScratchJr
- Lightbot
- Lego Boost
- Lua
- Alice
- Code.org
- Blockly
1. Kodable
Free
Ages: 4- 10
App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kodable/id577673067
Compatibility: iOS 12.0 or greater
Kodable easily teaches complex coding topics. The game features a family of aliens who crash land in a maze-like world. The software requires children to help the aliens navigate the new world by using programming logic.
Kodable teaches coding languages like Javascript, HTML, CSS, and more in a non-complicated manner. The levels get progressively harder to crack but, also present a fun opportunity to learn. This software is free to download. It is available only on iOS.
2. Code Karts
Free
Ages: 4+
Google play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edokiacademy.babycoding&hl=en_IN&gl=US
App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/code-karts-pre-coding-logic/id1222704761
Compatibility: iOS 11.0 or greater; Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) or greater
Code Karts combines the fun of racing with coding. This software calls for children to build a racetrack for the cars in drag-and-drop codes. Children can also test the speed of their coding by racing with fellow coders. Kids are also presented with obstacles they should go through with the help of coding.
This software has no reading involved so, pre-schoolers can enjoy it as well.
It works on both Android and iOS.
3. Microsoft MakeCode
Cost: Free
Easy
Ages: 7+
Microsoft MakeCode is a simple tool to teach kids coding and programming. It is an online platform. It also helps develop logical reasoning in the kids. This application enables children to design and play arcade-style games. The app makes use of block-style programming in the initial stages. As the kids master this, they can progress to more complex levels.
4. Daisy the dinosaur
Cost: Free
Ages: 4+
Official website:
App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/daisy-the-dinosaur/id490514278
Compatibility: iOS 11.0 or greater
This app helps children with basic programming skills to help them get a feel of coding. The mascot Daisy is a dinosaur that appears on the screen, ready for the coders to animate and perform any activity they choose. This game is designed for kids below the age of 4 but, many written instructions accompany it. So parental guidance is recommended for this app.
5. CodeSpark Academy
Cost: Free
Ages: 5- 10
Official website: https://codespark.com/
Google play store: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=code+spark+acedemy&c=apps
App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/codespark-academy-kids-coding/id923441570
Compatibility: iOS 11.0 or greater; Android 3.0 or greater
CodeSpark hosts a child-friendly coding platform, that enables kids to learn programming through fun games. It involves helping “The Foos” navigate their universe via simple coding. This game is intellectually stimulating as it presents interesting challenges for the kids to solve. It also encourages critical thinking and problem-solving abilities by involving math problems.
7. Scratch
Cost: Free
Ages: 8- 16
Google play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.scratch
App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scratch/id1446785996?mt=12
Compatibility: iOS 10.0 or greater; Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or greater
Scratch is an interactive platform where children can learn to code. They can also make stories, animation, and games on this app. It calls for the same drag-and-drop technique used by many software for coding. Children can also share their work on the platform for others to see. It is an easy first step towards programming for children.
8. Lightbot
Cost: Free
Ages: 4+
Google play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lightbot.lightbothoc
App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lightbot-code-hour/id873943739
Compatibility: iOS 5.0 or greater; Android 9.0 (Pie)
This software involves guiding a tiny robot through its game scape through coding knowledge. It is a seemingly easy app but, goes on to become one of the toughest games to crack. It encourages logical thinking and problem-solving in children by introducing various puzzles.
It offers 3 games: Code Hour, Programming Puzzles, and JR. Code Hour is a free game.
9. Scratch Jr
Cost: Free
Ages: 6-8
Google play store: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=scratch%20jr&c=apps
App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scratchjr/id895485086
Compatibility: iOS 9.3 or later; Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) or later
This is an incredibly customizable software that uses drag-and-drop coding. It allows kids to create their animation and games easily. It helps hone one’s sequencing and numerical skill as well. It also allows children to record their own sounds for the games and upload images of their preference.
10. Lego Boost
Cost: Free
Ages: 4+
Google play store: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=lego%20boost&c=apps
App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lego-boost/id1217385613
Compatibility: iOS 12.0 or greater; Android 5.3 (Lolipop) or greater
This app will be favored by all children who like playing with legos. Lego Boost will help kids use coding to build many models out of legos. It offers 5 options for children to design- Cat, a mouse on a car, a guitar, a robot, and a lego-building machine. Apart from this, children can also work on/ design their own projects using legos. It uses the easy drag-and-drop method of coding. It is available on both Android and iOS.
11. Lua
Cost: Free
Ages: 7
Lua is a popular coding language. It is also immensely child-friendly. It can be complex as compared to many other applications but it helps build a solid foundation for coding for children. It helps the kids see how the worlds of gaming and coding come together by with many interactive projects.
12. Alice
Cost: Free
Ages: 7+
Download link: https://www.alice.org/get-alice/
This language focus on teaching children coding in a 3D, user-friendly interface. The software initially teaches block-based coding and progresses to complex programming languages like Java. It helps design objective-based games and encourages logical and computational thinking. It is available online.
13. Code.org
Cost: Free
Ages: 8+
Code.org is a non-profit platform that encourages computer science on a huge scale. It has especially focused on children, to teach them to code, animate and use programming languages fluently. They host many tutorials and interactive projects to enjoy and learn coding. They have courses for children available in multiple languages so, kids all over the world can access them. They start with block coding and gradually move on to CSS and Javascript.
It is available on Android and iOS.
14. Blockly
Cost: Free
Ages: 4+
Blockly is a good software for children who are just venturing into coding. It involves block programming tools that children use to design games or solve puzzles. Each level presents a more complex challenge than the last. Children can use this tool without adult supervision due to its simplicity.
It is available to download from the official website.
Looking to learn coding? Explore Wiingy’s Online Coding Classes For Kids to learn from top coding experts.
FAQs
Are there any coding apps available for kids?
There are many child-friendly coding apps available in the market.
They have an easy UI and simple, fun ways to learn to code.
What are some child-friendly coding apps?
Some child-friendly coding apps are Kodable, Code Karts, Spritebox and Scratch Junior.
How can kids learn to code?
Children can start coding by learning on easy platforms like Scratch or Kodable. They can then progress to Java, HTML etc.
At what age should kids start coding?
Most kids develop an interest in coding or design at around 7 years of age.
But there are many applications that can teach kids as young as 4 years old to code as well. So, one can learn coding at any age.
Is coding difficult for kids?
Coding has been made easy for all age groups by the numerous applications that teach coding in the form of games.
This has made programming a very easy concept to grasp for kids.
