Coding for kids is how we teach kids about coding and programming. In kid-friendly terms, coding is using a set of instructions to communicate with computers. There are different coding languages and they all have different rules and uses, but they all give computers instructions on how to do specific tasks.

Learn about kids coding and computer programming:

Technology is a part of everyday life for most kids and teens. So, understanding code allows children to go past just knowing how to use technology. It lets them create and invent technology. Learning about coding builds their computational skills, analytical thinking, and even their confidence. For kids, it’s the difference between knowing how to navigate a website or play a game and building a website or game on their own. 

What is coding for kids and why is it important?

Coding for kids is how we teach kids about coding and programming. Learning to code is like learning a new language. Young children can learn languages faster and easier than adults because their developing brains are made for learning. As a result, childhood is a great time to start learning computational thinking. Coding helps children develop skills that will not only benefit them in school but also help them stand out from the crowd in the job market. 

Half of the highest-paying jobs in America require some coding knowledge. 

Not only that, but the demand for programming skills continues to grow. According to the latest STEM statistics, in 10 years, an estimated 1.4 million programming jobs will be available. However, there are currently only 400,000 candidates with the right qualifications to fill those positions. This means that there’s a huge supply gap for people with coding and programming skills. Despite this, only 1 in 10 schools currently teaches any programming, meaning it’s up to parents to make sure their children have access to the learning resources they need to develop these skills.

Aside from job prospects, kids can learn important life skills through coding, such as problem solving, critical thinking, perseverance, communication, and creativity.

If you’re not convinced, see the 26 Reasons Learning to Code Benefits Your Child.

Important Skills Learned Through Coding

Problem-Solving – at the core of programming is solving problems. These problems will become more difficult as they advance, but being able to solve code problems will help them in many areas of life.

Critical Thinking – being able to produce a program with very little input takes a fair amount of critical thinking skills. In their code, children will have to examine the information presented and make judgments that can affect the output. 

Perseverance – programmers are often met with difficult challenges when coding a program, especially when it comes to debugging code errors. Having perseverance means being able to keep moving towards the end goal, even when the path is difficult.

Communication – programmers need to have clear communication to give computers directions. Understanding how to communicate in programming languages can give kids clarity in their speech and writing as well. 

Creativity – learning to code can give kids a big boost to their creativity. Coding is an art that starts with a blank screen and based on the programmer’s creativity, can develop into games, apps, and programs that change the world.

We need more programmers infographic

Not convinced yet? See our full list of 26 Reasons Why Kids Should Learn to Code.

How do you explain coding to a child?

There’s a lot that parents can do to introduce children to coding. Even if you don’t have professional experience as a programmer you can get them to learn the basics. Below are simple tips for explaining programming to your kid. You can go even further depending on your particular skill level with coding.

Tip 1 – Introduce Coding Concepts to Kids

Introduce your child to the concept of coding. Some kids might already be familiar with coding and know a little about what it means. Others may have no idea what coding is or that it’s too complicated for them to understand. Talking to children about how code is just a set of instructions for a computer can help make it something that’s understandable to them. Make sure to emphasize that kids just like them are learning to code too.

Tip 2 – Explain How Coding Connects to the Real World

Connect coding to things that interest your kids. Some kids will jump at the opportunity to learn how to make a computer do what they want it to do, but other children will need help connecting code to their daily lives. 

Does your child love watching videos on YouTube? Talk to them about how coding can teach them how to make their own website to share their favorite videos. For kids who love to play video games, coding is a natural way for them to progress to making their own games. Budding entrepreneurs can use these skills to create an app or website for their business ideas. 

The possibilities are endless for what kids can do with their coding skills once they learn the fundamentals.

Tip 3 – Learn Coding Basics with Block-Based Programming

Use block-based coding languages to introduce the basics. As mentioned earlier, block-based coding languages are easy for beginners and a great place to start for younger children. Scratch is the most commonly used block-based coding language and is free to use. 

Thousands of games exist on Scratch already, so you can show kids the possibilities of what they can create before diving into building a game themselves. Remixing a current game is also a great option. Kids can see exactly how to create a game and then turn it into something new. 

Tip 4 – Study Common Coding Terms for Kids

Introduce some common coding terms that apply across languages. Knowing some key terms and what they mean is a great way to set your children up for success as they continue learning new skills. There are dozens of different terms used in programming, but here are some good ones to start with.

Introduce more coding terms with our 200+ Common Programming Terms for Kids, complete with a free flashcard download.

Depending on your skill level, now might be the time to consider bringing in some expert help to progress your child’s coding journey.

What is a coding class for kids?

A coding class is a way for kids to learn coding with the help of an instructor. Some schools offer a classroom coding course as part of their curriculum. However, if your school doesn’t, there are plenty of class options to help your child learn coding and computer science. 

Coding classes can be held in person, online, or sometimes as a video course. There are also group classes or private tutoring. Classes can focus on programming principles or specific languages and platforms.

CodeWizardsHQ’s online coding classes for kids are live and teachers make class fun and engaging. The small group sessions are ideal for children to have fun and learn together. It’s a structured curriculum that allows kids to build on their skills with every class. 

Learn more about programming classes for elementary, middle school, and high school students.

Your child can also make the most of summer in a coding camp. Camps can be held in person or virtually and you can find a camp for almost any tech topic your child is interested in. We offer 1-week online coding camps for kids using Minecraft and Roblox. Students use their favorite games to learn about coding and game development.

How to Choose the Right Coding Classes for Kids

With the myriad of options available to parents these days, it can be difficult to determine which kids coding classes are best for your child. This decision can be even more daunting for parents that don’t have a background in computer science. Fortunately, there are several key indicators that you can use to judge the quality of a program and help choose the best option for your child. Make sure to consider the course curriculum, code languages taught, the quality of instructors, and also the level of support you’ll receive.

10 indicators of a quality coding class infographic

Use these indicators to determine what program provides the most value for you and your child. For more insights and tips from industry experts, see our full resource guide Choose the Right Coding Class for Your Kid.

The Best Kids Coding Resources

Find helpful resources about kids coding on our blog. Get your child started with programming and learning to code. 

What Age Should Kids Start Learning to Code?

Kids can start learning the basics of coding as early as first grade. With students this young, the best strategy is to start with directional coding activities that use arrows or symbols to illustrate the very basics of coding. There are plenty of screen-free coding games and toys you can use to start.

In third grade, children can start learning more about computational thinking with simple algorithms and loops. Elementary school-aged kids are more open to new concepts. Beginning the discussion around coding at an early age makes it more natural for them to learn more advanced concepts as they get older.

Recommended: Coding Classes for Teens

What’s the Best Language to Start Coding for Kids?

Block programming languages like Scratch and Blockly are great introductions to coding for children in grades 3-5. For kids, the block interface makes it easy to learn the fundamental concepts and not be frustrated by typing skills. Block programming also simplifies the process of making animations, games, and other interactive features so children can easily create a fully functioning game or interactive page.  

Python is the next best step after Scratch. This text-based coding language is a great way to introduce the concepts of lists, tuples, and maps in a way that is easy for kids to understand. The Python code is similar to English, which makes it less complicated for children to learn as well. Learning Python is also a great jumping-off point for other coding languages. Python has been around for a long time and professional developers still use it today. It’s the main coding language that built popular sites like Instagram and Facebook. 

Discover other great beginner languages for your child in our 10 Best Kids Coding Languages.

Get Started with Coding for Kids!

Coding is a fun and educational activity that can help kids in the future. The best part is that any child can learn to code with the right support and motivation. If your child is interested in learning about technology and programming, help them take the next step. Learn how to code with the experts at CodeWizardsHQ. 

We offer the most fun and effective live, online coding classes for kids. A structured curriculum means kids advance in skills with each course. Get started based on your child’s age: