Best Free Coding Websites for Kids

We at Tech 101 Kids feel coding is an integral skill for kids to learn, not because we want them all kids to become software developers, but because coding teaches kids a new way to think and systematically solve problems. See, computers can’t speak human and so, when given directions, they need to be told exactly what to do in it’s simplest terms. When coding a game, for example, the computer wouldn’t understand it if you told your character “jump”. You have to break down what jumping actually means (go up x seconds, then go back down for x seconds). This approach helps kids break down concepts and understand the building blocks upon which all higher-level concepts are formed.

But where should your kid start?

There’s two parts to learning coding: learn the structure and learn the words. This list of websites is broken up into those two groups. The first group lets kids “drag and drop” coding blocks together to create programs quickly to keep kids excited while teaching them programming logic.

Then there are the “lines of code” websites where, now that you get the structure, it’s time to learn a language that’s universally used. So pick one or two websites to learn ONE language from, either for web developing, game design, etc, and don’t switch to another until you go through the entire course or you find that it isn’t working for you. Once you fully learn one programming language, it becomes easier to learn a second, then even easier learning the third, and so on.

“Drag and Drop” Websites

Code Studio

Ages 4-18 | Free
What is it? Online coding courses created byCode.org, a non-profit dedicated to making computer science more available in schools. On Code.org, you can also find links to other coding websites, look up local coding classes, and even watch inspirational videos from tech legends like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.
What Do I Learn? From programming basics like repeat loops, functions, and conditionals, to more general topics like how the internet works. Doesn’t use a specific programming language, but it teaches you the logic and building blocks of programming.
When Should I Use This? To learn the basics of programming with drag and drop.
Notes:Web-based, no download required. Similar to Scratch, except with more tutorials.

Scratch

Ages 8+ | Free
What is it?An online community built by MIT students where kids can code projects and share them with others.
What Do I Learn?Scratch lets kids quickly build anything they want drag and drop blocks. More importantly they can open up projects others have shared to see how they work, then remix them with their own ideas.
When Should I Use This?Use this if you want to quickly start making and sharing programming projects
Notes:Web-based, no download required. Doesn’t explain mathematical concepts like variables very well.

Stencyl

Ages 8+ | Free to use, pricing plans start at $99 to publish for desktop, iOS, and Android
What is it? A game creation studio whose games have reachedtop slots in the App Store.
What Do I Learn? Drag and drop code blocks to program your project. For the more advanced, you can also type in code in the Haxe programming language.
When Should I Use This?Use this if you want to start making games right away but don’t have enough programming skills. For a price tag, you can then publish your games.
Notes:Requires download. Code blocks have more functionality than Scratch and has the option to type out code too, not just drag and drop.

“Lines of Code” Websites

CodeMonkey

Ages 9+ | Free
What is it?CodeMonkey is an online game that teaches kids the basics of programming.
What Do I Learn? A programming language called CoffeeScript.
When Should I Use This?Use this if you want to play a fun game to learn the basics of programming
Notes:Web-based, no download required.

Khan Academy

Ages 9+ | Free
What is it? Online video tutorials grouped into different courses.
What Do I Learn? Everything from programming basics, drawing graphics, games, webpages, data management, and visualization. Specific languages include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SQL.
When Should I Use This?Use this if you want to start learning real computer languages in a free environment.
Notes:Web-based, no download required.

Code Combat

Ages 9+ | Free
What is it?Learn programming in a fun online game
What Do I Learn? The basics of programming
When Should I Use This? Use this if your kid really loves medieval style games.
Notes:Web-based. No download required

Code Monster

Ages 11+ | Free
What is it?Code Monster in an online learning environment that shows you what your code does as you type it.
What Do I Learn? JavaScript, the programming language of HTML and the web.
When Should I Use This?Use this if you want to learn web design and want to see what your code does as you type it.
Notes:Web-based, no download required.

KidsRuby

Ages 12+ | Free
What is it?Gives kids good background on coding.
What Do I Learn?Teaches the Ruby programming language
When Should I Use This?Use this if you want to learn Ruby. KidsRuby a newer alternative to Hackety Hack.
Notes:Download required.

Mozilla Thimble

Ages 12+ | Free
What is it?Learn how to make websites in an easy to use editor that shows you what your code does as you type it.
What Do I Learn? HTML
When Should I Use This? Use this if you want to start learning web design.
Notes:Web-based. No download required

Codecademy

Ages 13+ | Free
What is it? Online interactive tutorials grouped into different courses.
What Do I Learn? Mainly web coding languages, like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, PHP, and Ruby on Rails. It also teaches general purpose languages like Python and other skills like how to use the command line.
When Should I Use This? Use this if you want to learn real computer languages in a free environment, just like Khan Academy. Codecademy mainly focuses on teaching you different languages and web design, while Khan Academy focuses mainly on topics, like graphic design, etc.
Notes:Web-based, no download required.

Hackety Hack

Ages 13+ | Free
What is it? A coding toolkit with lessons for the Ruby on Rails programming language and programming in general
What Do I Learn? Ruby on Rails, an open source programming language used for many desktop applications and websites.
When Should I Use This?Use this if you want to learn Ruby on Rails specifically.
Notes:Download required.

Did we miss any of your favorite free coding websites for kids? Let us know in the comments section below.