12 Best Coding Languages To Learn for Kids To Start Programming
- Ana Moniz
- Est. reading time 10 mins
Is your child prepared for the future?
To secure their children’s future, many parents are in search of where they should invest when it comes to education.
There’s a growing trend today wherein parents enrol their youngsters to get to know interpreted programming languages, compiled programming languages, object-oriented programming languages, visual programming languages, or procedural programming languages. In other words, they let their kids learn the computer coding language, for they believe this will usher their children to a bright future.
Enrolling your kids to understand various programming languages offers several benefits. In this article, we’ll tackle different programming languages your little ones can get introduced to.
Key Takeaways:
- Introducing kids to coding concepts at a young age can foster problem-solving skills, creativity, and computational thinking.
- Several programming languages are suitable for children to learn.
- Age is not a significant barrier to learning coding because children as young as seven can grasp basic coding concepts through age-appropriate activities and resources.
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What Is the Best Coding Language to Learn?
In today’s era, when the world has become ever-dependent on technology, computer programming is no longer just for those interested in learning it.
Learning computer programming and the various concepts in computer science is seen as investments for the child’s future. Teaching kids programming languages will get them ahead in their careers and teach them practical life lessons.
So, let’s get started.
1. Scratch
Primarily created for children between the age of 8 and 16. Scratch is a free-to-use programming language that offers a very intuitive and highly visual interface.
Scratch provides youngsters with what they need to create art, animations, games, interactive stories, and more, making this programming language a great starting point for teaching coding to young people.
It’s among the best coding languages for kids because of the freedom of expression it can provide a child. It removes the difficulties of text-based coding since programming languages like Scratch let kids focus on the learning process, allowing them to develop anything from animations to interactive stories.
2. Blockly
Blockly is another highly recommended coding language for your little ones. This programming language for kids utilises lines of code chunked into blocks and has a drag-and-drop feature to help children learn coding concepts. It also has a user-friendly interface.
The biggest distinction of Blockly from other coding languages is that it’s a visual, block-based programming language for kids. Children aged eight and up can create animations, games, and programs using Blockly right from their own browser. With Blockly, users can also switch programming languages whenever they need to.
3. Alice
Alice is also one of the best programming languages your children can try. Alice is also a free-to-use, block-based visual programming language for kids that features an innovative environment for coding, making it simpler to create animations, games, and interactive narratives in 3D.
This coding language is designed to instruct on the concepts of object-oriented programming language, such as C++, through creative learning, with a side focus on logical skills and programming principles.
Alice provides a drag-and-drop feature similar to other programming languages and eliminates the clutter from text-based coding. With these, users can focus on simply creating scripts and writing solutions.
What sets Alice apart from other coding languages is that it lets users work with 3D models and dynamic camera angles.
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4. Lua (Roblox)
Lua is one of the best coding languages for kids who wish to get started with textual coding. The Lua code is a beginner-friendly, free, and portable scripting language that teaches concepts in a simple way while optimising efficiency and readability.
Lua does not compromise on program functionality. Despite its minimal technicalities and simple interface, this programming language is touted as among the most powerful free languages in the industry.
It is recommended for programming embedded devices and mobile apps. Did you know that the popular game “Angry Birds” is based on Lua? Furthermore, Roblox, among the most favourite platforms for youngsters, uses Lua.
5. Java (Minecraft)
You often hear about this programming language, Java. Its popularity is notable, as it’s a frequent choice in the programming community. But how does it fare when speaking about being a programming language for kids?
It’s the ideal programming language for kids because it’s used in the renowned online sandbox gaming platform Minecraft.
From its initial launch in 2011, Minecraft has gradually risen in popularity among kids, teenagers, and even adults. Part of this is because the game encourages creative thinking and problem-solving.
In line with introducing coding for kids, Minecraft is a powerful tool for teaching kids hand-eye coordination, logic, problem-solving, and visual-spatial skills, among many others.
Thus, for kids who want to learn text-based coding or simply enjoy playing Minecraft, Java is a programming language that is a perfect choice.
6. Python
Compared with other programming languages, Python isn’t a complicated programming language for kids. It’s clean, straightforward, and amazing to work with instead of other text-based coding languages. It’s one of the best programming languages to learn if you want a successful career in tech for your kids.
Though Python isn’t block-based, it keeps things simpler as it focuses on the fundamentals. It’s also very user-friendly, so children as young as eight years old can learn this coding language.
To optimise efficiency, Python utilises good coding layouts. It also has online support and an extensive library. As your kids use Python, they’ll learn the more complicated yet crucial coding basics in a simpler way, including functions and fundamental data structures like lists and maps, loops, statements, variables, and more.
Python is a great coding language to begin with, as your kids tackle more advanced coding projects later on. Its use of text with its streamlined, restructured method of coding makes it an ideal starting point for learning other languages and a strong tool for developing apps and games.
7. Go (Golang)
Lining it up with the best kids coding languages on our list, Go is one of the newest coding languages, yet it provides several benefits for those who want to learn how to code.
Developed and launched in 2009, this coding language and open-source programming language is referred to as “compiled” and “statically typed,” categorising it with other scripts like C++ and Haskell. Despite its recent introduction, Go is already impacting the community.
Go is said to be used by many Fortune 500 companies and corporations when it comes to their programs. These include American Express, Netflix, Uber, and so much more.
While Go is often compared to Python in terms of the simplicity of its syntax, structurally speaking, this programming language is somewhat similar to C. C is likewise a compiled language that uses many of the layouts, syntax systems, and techniques of Go. The difference with Go is in its CSP-style concurrency, garbage collection, memory security, and structural typing.
This means that those used to coding in C will still need to learn Go from the very beginning. However, the transition between languages will be seamless.
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8. Twine
On the other hand, Twine is a programming language that pertains to a free, open-source tool for creating stories that are interactive and non-linear. It focuses on the creation side of coding, doing away with the technical terms.
Twine teaches users coding by instructing them to structure and present interactive games and stories. This characteristic of Twine makes it perfect for children who prefer creating over the technical aspects of programming.
Moreover, children won’t need to learn how to code or write a code when they have Twine. They will also have the option to make their stories with conditional logic, CSS, JavaScript, variables, and the like. Stories created using Twine consist of images and text-based pages like websites connected through a design interface. These pages can be modified with links, texts, and pictures.
This coding language also publishes directly to HTML so that kids can publish their work practically anywhere.
9. JavaScript
Another way to enhance the coding experience of children is through the coding language JavaScript. It has a clean, fewer, and uncluttered syntax and can be used with various web browsers such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox.
Similar to how computer programming professionals use JavaScript, it paves the way for kids to transform simple web documents into full-scale games and wonderful interactive apps. Each project they create can be shared and used by a wide audience.
With JavaScript’s organised qualities, it’s also a little bit extensive. Children will need to be fully familiar with arrays, functions, loop tables, methods, objects, parameters, and variables before they can maximise the advantages that JavaScript can offer. It’s one of the best programming languages kids can learn, along with Python.
10. C# (Unity)
C# may not be entirely a programming language since it’s a popular game engine known as Unity with its own language but deserves to be on this list because of what it can deliver.
It is an excellent tool for teaching kids how to code as they create high-quality and professional-looking games. C# is a closed-source and cross-platform game development application that lets users play around with 3D objects. There are also options to add a variety of elements to these objects.
The closest programming language to C# is Java, and therefore, it’s easy to learn.
Though C# is known primarily as the main language for app development in Windows, it can be utilised for many projects beyond Windows applications. Its intuitive features and full. NET support makes it the best choice when making desktop software for the Windows operating system.
Unity makes C# understandable for kids, especially when creating games using the engine. What’s more, learning the innate requirements of C# will equip the kids with both programming and soft skills they can easily make use of in their coding endeavours in the future. This makes C# and Unity great starting points for new coders like your child.
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11. Swift (Swift Playgrounds)
Swift or Swift Playgrounds, an IOS exclusive programming language, was originally introduced in 2016 and has been marketed as a tool to teach kids coding. Until today, it remains among the best coding tools and programming languages for kids.
The Swift Playgrounds app offers various basic coding lessons and gamified coding challenges that children can complete. Its interface is both clean and visually pleasing. This is a must-try coding language if you’re looking beyond the experience alone.
12. Ruby
Last but not the least is Ruby, a popular programming language for kids that is dynamically typed and object-oriented. Like many other coding languages, it uses clear syntax, garbage collection, and just-in-time compilation to optimize the coding experience. It supports multiple programming paradigms for serious coders, including functional and procedural coding.
Perfect for new coders and young kids, Ruby has the capability to introduce seemingly complex concepts in a casual and straightforward manner.
It’s a coding language designed specifically to turn coding into a simple and uncomplicated activity. Its creator states it follows the Principle of Least Astonishment or POLA philosophy and is based on scripting languages like BASIC, Lisp, and Smalltalk.
Kids Coding Languages: Frequently Asked Questions
With the discussion on the best coding languages for kids, we’ll also delve into the most frequently asked questions about this topic.
What Programming Language Is Easiest For Kids?
With the many programming languages today, there could be several coding languages that are easy to learn for your child. Among them are those discussed on our list above, Python, Ruby, Java, C++, Scratch, and many others.
Can A Kid Learn C++?
We understand your apprehensions and doubts about kids learning in-demand programming languages. Part of this includes the common misconception that learning how to code is complicated. For instance, can your child learn C++?
Yes, they can. The C++ programming language opens up opportunities for kids to create web pages, develop games, and so much more. Learning these tools will prepare them for their careers and hobbies in the future.
Can A 7-Year Old Learn Coding?
Yes, they definitely can. There are several things that coding can teach the child. These include nurturing their creativity, making learning math more fun and engaging, developing their problem-solving skills, enabling computational thinking, promoting learning by doing, and so much more. But still, your child can choose a programming language to learn by themselves.
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Invest in Your Child’s Future
Now that you’ve learned the best programming languages that’ll launch your kids’ programming careers, the decision is with you. With the many benefits that learning how to code can give, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t invest in this kind of learning. Each programming language is just as advantageous as the other, from ease-of-use to latent abilities. Remember, you’ll need to consider your child’s growth and development. As they learn lessons, they’ll accumulate basic knowledge they can use to pursue web development, the creation of operating systems, and game development. Your children can even venture into software development and machine learning.
Join many parents who are reaping the benefits of having their children learn how to program!
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About the author
Ana Moniz
Ana lectures for computer games design at higher education. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Games Design and a Master’s degree in Digital Media Design from the University of Edinburgh
