Here, we have compiled a list of the 7 best free coding software for kids. You can use these coding software to introduce your kids to basic programming. The best part is that these coding software makes the learning experience fun and interactive.
Easy-to-follow programming software encourages kids to hone their design, logic, and problem-solving skills while allowing them to communicate their ideas and imagination in new ways.
Thankfully, there are some free coding software for kids that teach them to code. Most of these software are created as games to keep the kids’ learning curve easy and fun.
7 Best Free Coding Software for Kids
Without further ado, let’s explore these free software that your kids can play with to learn coding in a fun and interactive manner.
1. Scratch
Scratch, easy-to-use programming software created by MIT students and targeted at children aged 8 to 16, is the backbone of many schools’ coding programs. It allows kids to design almost anything they can imagine.
There are no cryptic lines of code in this program. Instead, the kids must arrange Scratch blocks as virtual Legos and snap them together. It’s more than a coding tutorial; it’s a thriving online community of programmers who share ideas and inspiration.
You can use Scratch to create interactive stories, games, and animations and then share them with the rest of the Scratch community. Scratch teaches young people how to think creatively, reason logically, and collaborate, all of which are critical skills for success in the future.
Scratch is the brainchild of the MIT Media Lab’s Lifelong Kindergarten Community. You can work on projects without an internet connection by downloading and installing the Scratch 2.0 editor. This version is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux.
2. Alice
Alice is an interactive development platform for an object-based instructional programming language. Kids can create computer animations using 3D models in a drag-and-drop format.
Unlike many puzzle-based coding apps, Alice encourages imaginative exploration as a means of learning. Alice is intended to teach logical skills and programming fundamentals and provide a first introduction to object-oriented programming.
The Alice Project offers supplemental resources and materials for teaching Alice in various subjects. Alice was created for the sole purpose of teaching programming theory without the complexities of production languages like C++.
Users can drag and drop objects from Alice’s gallery into their created virtual world and then program by dragging and dropping logical structure tiles. In addition, the user can adjust Alice’s camera and lighting for even more customization.
3. mBlock
mBlock is a step up for grown-up kids who want to learn Python, AI, and other skills. This coding software for kids is based on a “building block” approach to coding.
mBlock includes blocks of code that can be dragged and dropped into the script instead of typing all.
As a result, children do not have to worry about remembering coding conventions. They can focus on what they need to know when they first start: reasoning and imaginative thinking.
The best part of mBlock is that it is available for Android, iOS, and macOS. You can use its online IDE if you don’t want to download and install any software.
4. Swift Playgrounds
Swift Playgrounds is a groundbreaking educational tool by Apple Inc. that makes learning to code in ‘Swift’ interactive and enjoyable. It doesn’t need coding skills, so it’s ideal for starting students.
Kids can solve puzzles that will teach them the fundamentals of Swift. You will progress to more complex tasks after mastering the basics.
Swift Playgrounds is available for iPad and Mac right now. Swift Playgrounds is recommended for children aged four and up.
It prompts children to solve interactive puzzles in “Learn to Code” lessons to master the fundamentals of coding.
Children can then explore various challenges to explore multiple coding tasks and experiences. It needs a Mac running OS 10.15.4 or higher or an iPad running OS 13.4 or higher.
Also Read: 12 Interesting Facts About Software Developers
5. Twine
Using this coding software, kids can structure a story with the help of code and text. Twine has a visual interface that allows you to see a map of your story and easily imagine connections between its passages.
Storyboarding, planning a novel/story, or making a choose-your-own-adventure story can all be accomplished with Twine. If you’ve finished a novel, you can share it online so others can participate in the adventure.
You can also read stories written by others on Twine’s website. Twine has excellent potential to introduce kids to coding and encourage them to compose creatively. Getting started is easy, and the intuitive interface helps you add steps to your story quickly and easily.
6. Blockly
Blockly by Google is an incredible visual programming tool that allows you to build code by snapping various blocks visually. The tool is a great learning tool because it makes code readable and easy to control, which helps kids gain trust.
It also has a user-friendly UI that adds to its appeal. To find this out, you don’t need to know the languages you’re dealing with or even be familiar with programming languages.
If your kid is starting to learn code, this can be an excellent tool for him. Blocky works for all major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Internet Explorer. It’s also very adaptable and customizable.
7. Kodu Game Lab
Next on our list of best coding software for kids is Kodu. It is a 3D game development environment for kids that teaches them programming fundamentals.
Kids can use Kodu to create the world’s landscape, populate it with characters and objects, and then program their actions and game rules using a custom visual programming language.
It is simple tile-based programming software that allows kids to build games on Windows PCs. Besides programming, Parents can use Kodu to teach imagination, problem-solving, and storytelling skills.
Anyone, from young children to adults, may use Kodu to create a game without design or programming experience.
The Kodu Community platform allows users to share their games with others worldwide. So you can download and play games created by other people, too.
Parting Words
With this, we summarize our list of the best free coding software for kids. Try these coding software and see if your kids are interested in learning coding.
And don’t forget to have fun with your kids while letting them explore these free software to learn how to code.
