Format: Online, game   Ages: 5+ years    Cost: Free

The home of Hour of Code, Code.org incudes interactive tutorials and projects for grades K-5 and 6-12, staring off with block coding before moving into Javascript, HTML and CSS.

It’s a comprehensive resource, perfect for learning to code in the classroom or at home.

Click through to learn more about code.org.

Format: Online, app   Ages: 5/8+ years    Cost: Free

For kids aged 8-16 years, Scratch provides a fabulous, intuitive platform where kids can program interactive stories, games, and animations using block programming — and share their creations with others in a supportive online community.

Younger children can learn too with Scratch Jr, created for 5-7 year olds.

Scratch is free to use for all coders, and schools can access the tools license-free.

Click through to get started with Scratch.

Format: Online   Ages: 8+ years    Cost: Free

Blockly teaches kids to code through a series of block programming puzzles. For each puzzle, kids drag and drop blocks of code to solve a specific challenge. Blockly is a simple tool created for children who have not had any prior experience with computer programming. Children need to be able to read independently to progress through the puzzles without adult assistance. 

Click through to give Blockly a go.

Format: Online, lessons    Ages: 6+ years    Cost: Free

Designed for use with students in elementary/primary school through to high school, Code for Life teaches everything from basic coding principles through to coding through game play using Blockly and later, Python. A library of comprehensive lesson plans offers a great resource for teachers.

Learn more at Code for Life.

Format: Online, learn coding through game play   Ages: 8+ years    Cost: Free

Gamester Mechanic uses fun, game based quests to help coders learn game design, with the goal to code and share their own video games. Free to play and learn at home and school, it’s a popular choice in Information & Computer Technology classrooms.

Check out Gamestar Mechanic here.

Format: Online, lessons   Ages: 8+ years    Cost: Free

Code Monster teaches kids Javascript programming through fun, interactive sessions with a cute, blue monster. The simple screen presents two boxes side-by-side – children code in one box and the result of their code is displayed in the other box.  Includes 59 progressive lessons. Children will need to be able to read independently to progress through the lessons without adult assistance.

Have some coding fun with Code Monster now.

Format: Online, coding lessons   Ages: 9+ years    Cost: Free

Khan Academy offers a clear instructive stream for kids wanting to learn how to code. Lessons are suitable for kids in the elementary/middle school grades, using Javascript language, they are quite detailed and a little technical. The site utilizes talk-throughs that kids can follow as they create their own programs in the site’s editor panel.

All together there are 40 talk-throughs, 35 challenges and 9 projects, that could take anywhere from 15 to 40 hours to complete.

Find out more at Khan Academy.

Format: Online, game and puzzle based coding   Ages: 11+ years    Cost: Free

CodinGame allows high schoolers to improve existing coding skills by exploring game play and creation. This free coding website helps students practice by solving puzzles, competing in coding battles, contributing to multi-player games, and learning coding in a variety of languages including C++, HTML, Java, Python, Ruby and Swift.

Even professional coders and adults enjoy this site with the free tutorials making it easy to get started with any coding task.

Get gaming at CodinGame.

Format: Online    Ages: 12+ years    Cost: Free

A sister site to Code Monster, Code Maven teaches teens and adults about Javascript through 59 interactive lessons – coders follow the instructions, typing the code as they go, with the results presented live on the screen in front of them.

Lessons are introduced at a faster pace and with more demanding challenges than Code Monster, introducing advanced concepts such as animating objects and creating a scoring system.

Get creating with Code Maven.

Format: Online   Ages: 13+ years    Cost: Free

Designed for high school age coders with experience, this website provides a platform with real coding problem solving challenges.

There is a wide variety of text based programming languages to choose from.

Start coding with Code Wars.

Format: App    Ages: K+    Cost: Free

Coders make Daisy the Dinosaur dance with simple drag and drop blocks that makes coding easy and fun for first timers. Your child can find solutions to a range of fun challenges while learning coding basics about sequencing, loops, and events – all for free!

You’ll find this fun coding app for kids in K-3 in the iTunes store.

Format: App    Ages: K+    Cost: Free

This free kids coding app is great for young learners. Spritebox helps children learn how to code first visually, and then manually. Coders embark on a journey to find the pieces of a broken rocket, exploring different worlds, meeting new characters, solving puzzles and unlocking cool outfits.

This app is free and can be downloaded via Google Play or iTunes.

Format: App    Ages: K+    Cost: Free

Code Karts is a pre-coding app that teaches younger coders that coding can be fun! Through the use of race cars, it visually shows children how coding works as they create the track for the car to race on. Not only are they coding, but they get to race in fun car races as well.

Free to download on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon.

Format: Online, app, video lessons, game play    Ages: K+     Cost: Free/Paid

This animal themed, pre-coding logic game helps kids to learn four fundamentals of computational thinking – decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction and algorithms through solving a series of puzzles.

Free to download on on iTunes.

Format: App    Ages: 10+ years    Cost: Free

Cargo-bot requires students to write programs to control a robotic arm to move a series of crates into position (to match the configuration provided). While the concept is simple, the game is challenging, requiring students to really think and problem solve to get the best score for each level. Students need to be able to read the instructions to use the app independently.

Available via iTunes.

Format: App    Ages: 10+ years    Cost: Free

A Google project, the Grasshopper app introduces JavaScript coding to beginners (there is the ability to skip ahead for those with some experience). The app includes four courses – What is Code?, Fundamentals, and two sections on Animations. The levels include short quizzes to assess understanding. The included challenges to solve are interesting and well designed. A solid app for older students.

Available for both Android and iOS users.

Format: App     Ages: 12+ years    Cost: Free

Swift Playgrounds uses step-by-step lessons and puzzles featuring a cute alien to consecutively build coding knowledge and skills. The program uses Swift, a highly simplified programming language created by Apple for the creation of apps for use on their operating systems. Swift Playgrounds is highly engaging for students and offers teachers a comprehensive library of support material.

Get coding with Swift Playgrounds.

1. Code.Org

Format: Online   Ages: 5+ years    Cost: Free

Code.org is the original home of the popular Hour of Code for student coders all over the world. It includes interactive tutorials and fun projects sorted for grades K-5 and 6-12. The site starts students off with block coding before moving into Javascript, HTML and CSS.

A fantastic resource is awesome for learning to code at home or in the classroom.

Click through to learn more about code.org.

2. Scratch & Scratch Jr

Format: Online, app   Ages: 5/8+ years    Cost: Free

Developed for kids aged 8-16 years, Scratch is an intuitive block coding website that empowers kids to code almost anything they can dream up. With Scratch, coders can program interactive stories, games, and animations — and share their creations with others in the supportive online community.

Younger children can learn too with Scratch Jr, created for 5-7 year olds.

Scratch is free to use for all coders, and schools can access the tools license-free.

Click through to get started with Scratch.

3. Blockly

Format: Online   Ages: 8+ years    Cost: Free

Blockly teaches coding through a series of progressively more difficult puzzles that kids can solve using the intuitive block programming tools. Kids need to drag and drop the blocks of code to solve each specific challenge.

Blockly is great for children who have not had prior experience with computer programming. Children need to be able to read independently to progress through the lessons without adult assistance. Younger children are able to use Blockly safely with adult guidance.

Click through to give Blockly a go.

4. Code for Life
Format: Online, lessons    Ages: 7+ years    Cost: Free

Designed for use with students in elementary/primary school through to high school, Code for Life uses Blockly in the early levels (moving later to Python coding language) to teach coders across a diverse range of topics – from basic coding principles through to coding through game play.

The site includes comprehensive lesson plans as an additional resource for teachers.

Learn more at Code for Life.

5. Tynker
Format: Online, app   Ages: 8+ years    Cost: Free & paid

Popular with schools all over the world, Tynker teaches coding through a series of comprehensive, step-by-step tutorials. Once they have moved through the tutorials, students can create their own puzzles, games, websites and apps. The block coding area of the Tynker website is free for use.

The site includes free programs for teachers, as well as a comprehensive paid coding curriculum.

Check out Tynker for some fun online coding fun.

6. VEXcode VR
Format: Online    Ages: 9+ years    Cost: Free

In VEXcode VR students code a virtual robot through a series of different 3D virtual playgrounds, including a walled maze, an art canvas and a grid world. A series of challenges, designed by educators, provide excellent challenges for students. VEXcode VR includes three code language options – block coding, blocks + text and text based coding with Python. A web based tool, VEXcode VR will work in desktop or tablet browsers.

Try block coding with VEXcode VR.

7. Stencyl
Format: Online    Ages: 10+ years    Cost: Free & paid

Stencyl is a block coding website with turbo boosted capabilities! Users can create games to be published across a variety of platforms using the simple block coding language of Stencyl.

The site includes tutorials and an extensive range of helpful resources, including an Education Kit for schools.

Try Stencyl for free at stencyl.com. Paid upgrades offer more game sharing options for those who wish to publish their completed games, and educational licenses for schools.

8. GameMaker Studio
Format: Online    Ages: 12+ years    Cost: Free & paid

GameMaker Studio is a great visual programming site for creating online games for those with minimal coding skills (with script based coding an option for experienced users), making it a great extension for students wanting more from block coding websites such as Scratch.

The site includes valuable tutorials and demonstrations, showing students how games are created, and how all of the various moving parts that go into making a game come together, though some limitation exists in the free, trial version of the game.

Click here to get started with GameMaker Studio.

9. Game Salad
Format: Online    Ages: 12+ years    Cost: Free & paid

A more advanced platform than Scratch or Hopscotch, Game Salad is an engaging tool for involving older students in coding – the block coding platform especially useful for those less confident with coding. Kids can create their own games by dragging and dropping game elements into their workspace before adding rules that drive the games functions. This later stage great for supporting game design strategy, alongside persistence and critical thinking.

GameSalad includes an extensive library of curriculum units and tutorials, with a wide range of support options.

Get creating with GameSalad.

Format: Online, app, game based coding   Ages: 4+ – 13+ years    Cost: Free & paid

CodeMonkey invites users to code with block or text based programming language to solve a variety of progressively more challenging puzzles (each level includes an additional piece of code or new function to use). Great for home and school, the website includes coding courses across a range of levels – from Code Monkey Jr for 4+ years to Coding Chatbots for 13 + years.

Get started with CodeMonkey‘s free 14 day trial.

Format: Online, game   Ages: 5+ years    Cost: Free

Code.org is the original home of Hour of Code and well renowned within education circles. With sections dedicated to  interactive tutorials and projects for grades K-5 and 6-12, code.org starts kids off with block coding before moving into Javascript, HTML and CSS. This comprehensive resource is awesome for learning to code at home or in the classroom.

Click through to learn more about code.org.

Format: Online, app   Ages: 5/8+ years    Cost: Free

For kids aged 8-16 years, Scratch is a great tool where they can learn how to code practically anything they can dream of. With Scratch coders can program interactive stories, games, and animations — and share their creations with others in the supportive online community. The system uses block programming

Scratch is free to use for all coders, and schools can access the tools license-free.

Younger children can learn too with Scratch Jr, created for 5-7 year olds.

Click through to get started with Scratch.

Format: Online   Ages: 8+ years    Cost: Free

As the name suggests, Blockly teaches coding through a series of puzzles with block programming. Kids need to solve a series of eight puzzles, dragging and dropping the blocks of code to solve a specific challenge. Blockly is a simple tool created for children who have not had any prior experience with computer programming with the goal of introducing conventional text-based coding languages. Children need to be able to read independently to progress through the lessons without adult assistance. 

Click through to give Blockly a go.

Format: Online, lessons    Ages: 6+ years    Cost: Free

Designed for use with students in elementary/primary school through to high school, Code for Life uses Blockly and later Python to learn everything from basic coding principles through to coding through game play. The comprehensive lesson plans are a great resource for teachers.

Learn more at Code for Life.

Format: Subscription box    Ages: 6+ years    Cost: Paid

Unique to the other inclusions on this coding websites for kids list, Bitsbox is a subscription box with supporting website that provides a physical product as support for kids learning about coding. Each box includes instructional support materials that teach parents and kids about coding concepts and commands, a series of themed project cards and progress stickers, as well as a project binder and dividers to help keep learning materials organized. Kids log into the Bitsbox website and have fun coding with JavaScript to create video games, greeting cards, simulations and more.

Find out more about coding with Bitsbox.

Format: Online, game   Ages: 7+ years    Cost: Paid

Offering hundreds of hours of video tutorials and coding tools, CodaKid teaches kids to use real programming languages (JavaScript, Java, Lua and Unreal Blueprints) to do all sorts of awesome coding tasks – create Minecraft mods, design games, build apps and websites, create for Roblox, program drones and more.

Start with a 14 day free trial at CodaKid.

Format: Online, video lessons    Ages: 8+ years    Cost: Paid

Great for home use, Coding Kingdoms uses interactive video coding lessons to guide school age kids through the comprehensive coding program. Users start out with block coding before moving to Java and Lua text based coding languages to create games and mods for use in the popular computer games, Minecraft and Roblox.

Get creating with Coding Kingdoms.

Format: Online, app   Ages: 8+ years    Cost: Free & paid

Used by kids and schools all over the world, Tynker teaches coding through comprehensive step-by-step tutorials. Once the tutorials are completed, children can then create their own puzzles, games, websites and apps. The website is free to use (block coding) but requires subscription for coders who want to take their expertise to the next level (progress to Javascript and Python languages). Includes free programs for teachers, as well as a comprehensive paid coding curriculum.

Check out Tynker for some fun online coding fun.

Format: Online    Ages: 8+ years    Cost: Free trial/paid

Codemoji capitalises upon childrens’ fascination with emojis as a clever visual code to teach the basics of computer coding, web design and animation. Includes a great library of animated Learn to Code tutorials and interactive coding lessons. Coders can get started with a free 14 day trial followed by a monthly/annual subscription for home or classroom use.

Visit codemoji.com for more information.

Format: Online, learn coding through game play   Ages: 8+ years    Cost: Free

Gamester Mechanic uses fun, game based quests to help coders learn game design, and code and share their own video games. Free to play and learn at home and school, it’s a popular choice in ICT classrooms.

Check out Gamestar Mechanic here.

Format: Online, lessons   Ages: 8+ years    Cost: Free

Introduce kids to Javascript programming through fun and interactive sessions with a cute, blue monster. Simple to use, there are two boxes – children code in one box and the result of ther code displayed in the other box!  Children need to be able to read independently to progress through the lessons without adult assistance. The site includes 59 lessons and user progress through the levels is automatically saved if accessed through the same computer and browser.

Have some coding fun with Code Monster now.

Format: Online, coding lessons   Ages: 9+ years    Cost: Free

Well known for its elaborate and intricate math program, Khan Academy also offers an instructive stream for kids wanting to learn how to code. The lessons are free and suitable for kids in the elementary/middle school grades. They use Javascript language and are quite detailed and a little technical. The site utilizes talk-throughs that kids can follow as they create their own programs in the site’s editor panel.

Alltogether there are 40 talk-throughs, 35 challenges and 9 projects, that could take anywhere from 15 to 40 hours to complete. There are also advanced Javascript courses for coders who want to take their learning even further

Find out more at Khan Academy.

Format: Online, game based coding   Ages: 9+ years    Cost: Free & paid

This is a cool site for kids who love playing online games and want to learn how to code as they play. The games are interactive, with players writing lines of code to control the action onscreen. Players can choose either Python and Javascript languages, with  difficulty increasing as coders advance in stages through the games.

Children can play the eleven CodeCombat levels online without creating a login though they will need to create a free account to save their progress through the game levels. There are also paid subscription options for further levels and paid personalized lessons for children who would like to learn more about coding. CodeCombat also offers school licensing plans with substantial teacher support materials.

Learn to code while gaming at CodeCombat.com.

Format: Online    Ages: 9+ years    Cost: Paid

While assuming some prior knowledge of coding, Vidcode includes over 300 online coding tutorials alongside project, discussions, lesson plans and more. Lessons begin with a drag and drop script before moving into JavaScript text-based programming. With an emphasis on creativity, coders can create stop motion videos, music videos, filters, memes and more

Get creative with Vidcode.

Format: Online    Ages: 10+ years    Cost: Free & paid

Stencyl is block coding, just like the popular Scratch, but with turbo boosted capabilities! Users can create games to be published across a variety of platforms with simple block coding. Includes tutorials and an extensive range of helpful resources, including an Education Kit for schools.

Try Stencyl for free at stencyl.com. Paid upgrades offer more game sharing options for those who wish to publish their completed games and educational licenses for schools.

Format: Online, game and puzzle based coding   Ages: 11+ years    Cost: Free

CodinGame allows middle schoolers and high schoolers to improve their coding skills by exploring game play and creation. This free site helps students practice by solving puzzles, compete in coding battles, contribute to multi-player games, and learn coding in various languages including C++, HTML, Java, Python, Ruby and Swift. Even professional coders and adults enjoy this site. Free tutorials make it easy to get started with any coding task!

Get gaming at CodinGame.

Format: Online   Ages: 13+ years    Cost: Free

Designed for high school aged coders with experience, this website provides a platform with real coding problem solving challenges. There is a wide variety of text based programming languages to choose from.

Start coding with Code Wars.

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