Try a few of these programming languages for kids to get them started creating their own computer programs.
Scratch
Block-style storytelling teaches the fundamentals of coding in a fun way.
Developed by MIT, an authority on teaching and coding.
Screen Capture
Website is a bit cluttered.
Social networking aspect may not be suitable for some children.
Scratch is a free programming language for kids developed by MIT’s Lifelong Kindergarten Lab.
The free language is supplemented by getting-started tutorials, curriculum instructions for parents, and a robust user community.
There are even cards kids can use to learn Scratch programming concepts when they are away from the computer.
Scratch uses a building-block visual interface to create a scaffolded experience for kids and parents.
You stack together programming components, such as actions, events, and operators.
Each block has a shape that only allows it to be combined with a compatible object.
Scratch makes real animations and games using either pre-populated images and characters or by uploading new ones.
Scratch doesn’t require an internet connection.
Kids can optionally share their creations on Scratch’s online community.
Translate blocks into common programming languages.
Not much functionality beyond translating blocks to code.
Future of the project is in doubt.
That makes Blockly a visual editor rather than only a kid-friendly programming language.
Westend61 / Getty Images
Google is working with MIT to develop the next generation of Scratch based on the Blockly platform.
MIT took control of this abandoned Google project.
Blockly is not as fully developed as Scratch yet, and there are not as many available tutorials.
However, Blockly looks to have a great future as a robust programming environment for programmers of all ages.
The push to “pure” coding may be too fast for younger audiences.
Half the About page defends the project’s name of “Alice.”
Alice is a free 3D programming tool designed to teach the concepts of object-oriented programming languages like C++.
Carnegie-Melon University developed Alice.
The website may not look slick, but the program is still being developed and researched.
Swift Playgrounds
A guided tour using a fun motif to translate Swift commands to game-like behavior.
Swift-only; locks kids into iOS app development.
Only runs on iPad.
App developers for iOS and iPadOS rely on the Swift programming language.
Swift Playgrounds is available on the Mac and as an iPad app.
The drag-and-drop code eliminates typos, but Swift Playgrounds does not use the interlocking block interface.
Once your children are proficient in Swift Playgrounds, they can start developing in Swift.
Free and easy to use.
Developed by a volunteer community.
With Twine, you don’t need to learn any code.
Twine stories consist of pages of text and images, like websites.
The app is well supported with a support wiki, tutorials, and an active user community.
LEGO’s reputation is solid.
Requires the Mindstorms system, which must be purchased.
Some product cross-sells embedded.
Another approach to learning to program is to look at robotics.
Many kids respond to the idea of programming things that work in the real world.
That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to buy one.
Students combine actions, variables, and events to manipulate their LEGO Mindstorms creations.
The programming language is simple enough for young kids while still being challenging for older ones and adults.
Running the programs rather than debugging them, requires one or more LEGO EV3 robots.
Kodu
Learn to program while using a gaming machine.
Easy-to-use interface makes learning fun.
Relies on older hardware.
The project itself is likely defunct.
Doesn’t teach programming as much as game design.
Kodu is a game-programming app from Microsoft designed for Windows and the Xbox 360.
The Windows version is free, but the Xbox 360 version is a paid app.
Kids can use the app to explore and design games in a 3D world.
Kodu is an older but still solid choice if you have hardware that supports it.
Unfortunately, there’s no Xbox One version of Kodu, and future development looks unlikely.
Just remember that programming is inherently frustrating.
The best tool parents can provide their budding programmers, however, is a sense of persistence and determination.
