MIT’s Scratch coding platform is an amazing way for kids to get started with coding. Its drag-and-drop interface is easy to learn and use, plus there is an abundance of resources built into the platform to learn coding for kids. It’s also a great place to play games, which is why we’ve rounded up the 25 best scratch games for kids.

It’s available for multiple platforms like browser, desktop application, or iPad app. This means you can play or work on projects learning how to make a Scratch game even without having previous coding experience.

[Download] Printable Scratch Coding Tutorials Get 2 printable Scratch tutorials, Rocket Landing and Flying Space Cat, to code your own games step by step. Download Now

But one of my all-time favorite features of the platform is being able to remix the best games on Scratch and open up their code to see how they work. If you’re interested in understanding code, or if you just want some awesome Scratch games to play, we have a list of 25 of the best Scratch games out there.

As a bonus for you to enjoy and to inspire ideas, I’ve also added in some of the best games on Scratch for different age groups that didn’t make the top list!

Recommended: Coding for Kids, Free Resources

List of The 25 Best Scratch Games

Popular games in Scratch – side scroller, clicker, platformer games, and more!

Our list of the 25 best Scratch games out there isn’t simply those on Scratch with the most hearts. Having a lot of hearts doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best game! Instead, this is a curated list of 25 certifiably awesome Scratch games that I’ve put together for you. From most hearts to least, here they are:

1. Geometry Dash! (519960 hearts)

Geometry dash is a pro-level Scratch project. This is a version of the popular rhythm-based game by Robert Topala ported to Scratch. Jump over obstacles to get as far as you can!

2. Appel (139180 hearts)

Appel is a great example of what’s possible in a Scratch platformer game. Jump, dodge, and collect as quickly as you can as you compete against other Scratchers to get the best time!

3. Pokemon Clicker (52824 hearts)

Click your way to getting every pokemon in this popular clicker game. Keep clicking to get points that you can use to upgrade your pokeballs, and collect popular pokemon to become the very best.

4. Ball Blast (46003 hearts)

This one is probably my favorite Scratch game to play! Fire the cannon into the air to break the balls before they crush you. Also be sure to upgrade your cannon to help you get farther. 

5. [3D]ボールころころ2 (33681 hearts)

Don’t be confused by the name, this is actually a really fun game! In this Scratch project, keep your ball on the platform as it rolls towards the end. The colored squares make you jump.

6. Paper Minecraft (28702 hearts)

A lot of popular Scratch games use themes that copy established properties, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t fun in their own right. Paper Minecraft is a side-scrolling adventure and crafting game that makes good use of the Minecraft theme. 

7. Fortnite Z (27272 hearts)

A top down Fortnite-style shooting game. Collect weapons and try to outlast your enemies. The last one standing wins!

8. Mystic Valley (22601 hearts)

An extremely well done platformer game with fun graphics and icons. Jump on baddies and collect coins as you race to the end. Try to get the best time!

9. Flip 3D (19117 hearts)

A 3D puzzle game that is well loved in the Scratch community. Move the prism around the board without falling off or landing on a red square. Get to the purple square to move on to the next level. A lot of amazing work went into this one!

10. Animate a Name Platformer (17155 hearts)

I love the way this popular platformer innovates on the genre. Instead of a single character, you control all the letters in the developer’s name. Collect as many stars as you can, while trying not to lose any letters along the way!

11. Tower Defense Game (15763 hearts)

Place towers along the path to destroy the invading army. The more enemies you destroy, the more money you earn and the better towers you can buy.

12. Random Tycoon Thing (15731 hearts)

Click the button to build toys to sell, upgrade your facilities, and get the high score in this tycoon game. After you’re done playing, check out the underlying code to see how it all goes together.

13. Old Western Way (14914 hearts)

Try to make your way by mining, hunting, fishing and more. Sell your goods, buy upgrades and watch out for bandits! After all, this is the old west.

14. Tower of Scratch (12151 hearts)

Play against other Scratchers as you climb the tower and try to avoid the baddies. Try to get the fastest time!

15. Animal Stacking (11968 hearts)

Stack blocks to avoid obstacles in this fun side scrolling game. Play as a variety of cute animals and level up to earn new skins.

16. Golf Battle (11092 hearts)

Pull back the mouse to let your golf ball fly as you try to make it to the hole. Obstacles and wrong turns await you in this short, but entertaining golfing game.

17. The Crusty Quest  (10555 hearts)

Play as a pirate trying to get back your treasure. Jump, slash, and dodge your way through each level in this extremely well made platformer.

18. Hide and Seek (10500 hearts)

Run and hide before the seeker comes to find you! This Scratch game is best enjoyed with friends.

19. Fortnite Online (9573 hearts)

This one is a 2-dimensional version of the super popular shooter, Fortnite. Pick your weapons and try to outlast your opponents!

20. Slash Knight (8656 hearts)

Dodge obstacles and slash through baddies to make your way through each floor in this delightful dungeon crawler. Defeat the goblin on the last level to beat the game!

21. Farming Interactive 3 (7840 hearts)

Grow and sell your crops to become the most profitable farmer on Scratch. Upgrade your crops or hire workers to help get there faster.

22. Creature (6713 hearts)

This one is a horror themed adventure game, with an “escape room” kind of feel. Collect the pieces and use them to advance the plot, but don’t get caught by the creature!

23. Duel! (6540 hearts)

Jump, dodge, and shoot to win a duel against the enemy square. Earn coins from your battles to improve your character.

24. City Simulator (5751 hearts)

Use your resources to build up your city, but don’t forget to supply it with plenty of water and power. See how high you can get your population before you run out of supplies.

25. Spacevale (5602 hearts)

This one is a game in the vein of classic side-scrolling space shooters! Use the mouse to move your ship around the screen. Destroy your enemies while avoiding getting hit.

Recommended: Scratch Games for Kids

Best Scratch Games for Elementary School

Elementary school is a great time to start learning how to make Scratch games. These are some of the best Scratch games for kids in grades 3-5. You’ll find excellent games to open up and see how things work on the inside. Give them a try and remix to code your own version! 

EmeraldKart | Alpha 3 (480 hearts)
This one is still in development, but is shaping up to be a great example of a racing game! Choose your character and your track, and use the WASD keys to win the race.

Teamwork! (2378 hearts)
Control the separate characters with the WASD keys and the arrow keys. Navigate both characters to the goal flag to get to the next level.

Crumbling Platformer (3156 hearts)
Get across the screen before the ground crumbles below you. A fun and simple little game. Check out the code for making the block crumble!

Golformer (1856 hearts)
Try to get the golf ball into the hole in as few moves as possible. Control the strength and direction of your golf swing by moving the indicator away from the ball.

Upside Down (2479 hearts)
All the controls are backwards in this completely reversed platformer. See if you can overcome your own eyes and guide your character to safety.

Recommended: How to Make a Game on Scratch

Best Scratch Games for Middle School

Looking for something a little more challenging? For kids in grades 6-8 try these options. These unique Scratch games have a little more polish, but are still great fun to take apart.

Tower Defense (3642 hearts)
This is a simple, but very well done tower defense style game. But what makes it one of the best Scratch games is that the creator has included a link to a YouTube tutorial to better explain how he made it!

Flappy Bird v1.6 (439 hearts)
A pretty good clone of the Flappy Bird game. Hit the spacebar to keep your bird in the air and avoid the pipes. Make sure to look at the code and see how it’s done!

Sticky Situation (1440 hearts)
Jump from wall to wall to avoid the spikes, and try to collect coins as you go. This one’s pretty challenging, but lots of fun.

Car Parking Simulator (2511)
Speaking as someone who can drive a car, this game is probably more difficult than it should be. Test your parking skills here!

Recommended: Scratch Coding Classes for Kids

Best Scratch Games for High School

High school is a great time for learning real-world coding skills. For kids in grades 9-12, Scratch helps kids build a solid foundation in core concepts before studying text-based language. These are some of the best games on Scratch for peeking inside and seeing what the code in a polished game looks like. And, they’re a lot of fun to play.   

Power Tower! (3506 hearts)
Power up your new computer by plugging the cord in on each level. But be careful! Electricity can be dangerous. This one is a really fun platformer, but it is definitely a challenge.

Partisan (2777 hearts)
Defend your land from invading pirates! Make use of your trusty axe to defeat the pirates and reclaim your territory.

Doom Dungeon 2 (5588 hearts)
Race the clock as you try to escape the dungeon! Each level has different challenges to overcome as you jump around the screen.

Illuysum (2534 hearts)
This one is a timing and rhythm style game in the vein of Guitar hero. Blocks fall from the sky and you have to press the buttons that match those blocks at the right time to score points.

Santa v Robots (3039 hearts)
I’m not quite sure this one counts as a Christmas game. Take control of Santa to shoot the robots. Destroy ten of the robots without taking damage in order to power up!

Recommended: Scratch Programming Lessons

Scratch Game Tutorials and Projects

Download Free Printable Scratch Coding Tutorials PDF

Share Your Best Scratch Games and Projects

Now that you’ve seen some of the best Scratch games out there, why don’t you show us what you’ve got? Share a link to the best Scratch games that you’ve made (or played). Not only are we interested in hearing from you, but we could also use something new to play!

If you want to learn more about building Scratch games, be sure to check out our Scratch coding classes for kids ages 8-10. Kids complete a fun Scratch project in every class, then advance to learning HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python. These classes are a great introduction to the concepts of coding, and an absolute blast to attend. 

Ready to level up your child’s learning experience? Take a coding class with CodeWizardsHQ:

• Elementary School Coding Program
• Middle School Coding Program
• High School Coding Program

We’ll see you there!

The post Scratch Coding for Kids: Halloween Candy Collector Game appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

For a lot of kids, the idea of eventually being able to build their own video game sounds like a dream come true. Learning to code a game is an awesome goal, but it is hard to know where to start. With so many different coding languages and development platforms, learning the basics of game development can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. 

[Download] Printable Scratch Coding Tutorials Get 2 printable Scratch tutorials, Rocket Landing and Flying Space Cat, to code your own games step by step. Download Now

There’s a way to make game development easy. Kids and professional developers alike have gotten their start with a simple drag and drop, using Scratch. If you’re a beginner who’s not familiar with writing code, build a Scratch game as a fun and easy way to start coding games.

• What is a Scratch Game?
• Types of Scratch Games for Kids
• How to make a game in Scratch
• Best Scratch Games for Kids
• Play Scratch Games for Kids
• Easy Scratch Games for Kids
• Free Scratch Tutorials

What is a Scratch Game?

At this point, you’re probably wondering “Just what is a Scratch game?” That’s simple! 

A Scratch game is any game that is built using the Scratch platform, created by MIT in order to help kids get started with coding. Scratch is a super flexible block-based programming language that allows kids to code in an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface. 

Essentially, bits of code are embedded in pre-made blocks. These blocks fit together in any number of ways to build a program or game. Scratch uses real code to make programs do what you want, but simplifies the process for coders who are just getting started.  

The simplest blocks do little more than move pictures across a screen, but those blocks of code can be combined to allow for a game with player interaction. You can keep adding blocks and the game gets more complex, but the system used to build it stays just as simple. With a little time and perseverance, anybody can create awesome Scratch games to play with their friends!

Recommended: Scratch Coding: Benefits, Tips, and Resources

Types of Scratch Games for Kids

Before we go into how to make Scratch games we should talk a bit about the different types of games that you can code in Scratch. Each kind of game has its own mechanics that make it distinct, but many games combine elements from multiple games to add to the fun!

Scroller

A Scroller is a 2D game where the background moves, or scrolls, behind the player while they try to achieve some task. Often this task is fighting through waves of enemies, jumping from platform to platform, or dodging obstacles. Scrollers can typically be divided further into side-scrollers and vertical-scrollers.

Popular examples of Scratch scrollers are Game – Undercover Sabotage and Bug Game.

Platformer

Platformers are a kind of game where the player jumps from platform to platform to achieve their tasks. Many platformer games are also scroller games, but not all. Alongside 3D platformers, there are also some platform games where the background doesn’t move behind the player.

Popular examples of Scratch platformers are Chilean Miner’s Escape 2 and Egg.

RPG

RPG stands for Role-Playing Game. In an RPG, the player takes control of a character or a group of characters and moves them through a story. Typically RPGs allow the player to make improvements to their characters, like teaching them new skills or increasing their strength, but the main focus of the game is the story. 

Popular examples of Scratch RPGs are SIMPLE RPG 3 and Funkemon – Groova Region.

Tycoon

Tycoon games are all about the money. The goal of a tycoon game is to increase profits by designing the best… whatever. While the relative lack of moving parts means that some players may overlook Tycoon games, the depth of strategy and systems building in them brings other players back again and again. 

Popular examples of Scratch tycoon games are Investment_Chart_Game_2.0.2 and Lemonade Stand.

Maze

Mazes got their start way back in the good ol’ days of pencil and paper, but they’re still going strong today. They are one of the easier Scratch games to code and can be an excellent choice for your first time coding games in Scratch. 

Popular examples of Scratch mazes are mirrored maze and Random Maze Generator.

Pong

Pong! Pong was one of the very first video games to be developed and was an absolute hit when it debuted in 1972. It is a game where players use a paddle to keep a ball from going through their goal. It is best described as a sort of virtual air hockey.

Popular examples of Scratch pong games are Pong Starter and Ping pong game.

Dress Up Games

Dress Up games revolve around dressing up a character in different outfits. They often focus more on imaginative play and can be a great starting point for coding a Scratch game. It’s like the stand-alone version of a character customization screen found in many other video games.

Popular examples of Scratch dress up games are Dress Up and Mabel’s Dress Up.

Online Multiplayer Games (Cloud)

Online Multiplayer Games are games that invite players to play together over the internet. While Cloud games actually can be made in Scratch, there are a number of restrictions on who can join in on the fun.

Popular examples of Scratch online multiplayer games are Math Racers and The Elves of Fitzgerald Online!

Cat and Mouse

Cat and Mouse games are all about keeping the mouse away from the cat that’s chasing it. This is another very simple game type and a great choice for those just starting out with Scratch.

Popular examples of Scratch cat and mouse games are Cat and Mouse and A Game of Cat and Mouse

Collecting games

Collecting games can have a variety of mechanics, but the main point of the game is always about collecting things. Whether that’s food, coins, or whatever else all depends on the game! 

Popular examples of Scratch collecting games are Snake and Pixel Snake

Dodging games

Dodging games are essentially the opposite of collecting games. Instead of getting your character to touch something, the main goal is getting them to avoid touching something. They are typically a test of reflexes with objects falling from above or coming in from the sides that the player must dodge. If they fail to do so, it’s game over.

Popular examples of Scratch dodging games are -Dodge- and Frogger

Question games

Question games often take the form of trivia games and quizzes. The player gets asked questions and they have to either choose a correct answer or simply the answer that best fits them. At the end, the scores are tallied and the results are given.

Popular examples of Scratch question games are Trivia a Speedrun #games and Minecraft Quiz

How to make a game in Scratch

Creating a Scratch game can be fun and super rewarding, but especially when you’re just starting out it can be hard to know where to start. Don’t worry! We’re here to help.

The basic steps of how to make a Scratch game are:

1. Decide on the mechanics of your game
2. Choose the visual design and theme
3. Add your sprites
4. Add code to each sprite using code blocks
5. Add game logic using code blocks
6. Test your game and share it with friends!

If you’d like more details on how each step works and free game tutorials, check out our step-by-step guide on how to make a game on Scratch!

Recommended: Coding Classes for Elementary School Students

Best Scratch Games for Kids

If you’re still in need of some inspiration for what kind of game to build, it is a great idea to check out what others are doing. One of the best ways to find great examples of what can be done with Scratch is to look for the games that are popular. 

Check out these popular options in the 25 best Scratch games!

Recommended: Free Coding Programs for Kids

Play Scratch Games for Kids

Build and then play! Take a look at these amazing examples of what can be made in Scratch.  Afterwards, you can even take a look under the hood to see the underlying code by hitting the “See Inside” button at the top right of each page.

The Dark Cave (a platformer sequel)

The Dark Cave is a great example of a platformer created in Scratch. The controls are simple to grasp, the theme is consistent, and the gameplay is fun. 

ᴍᴊᴍ3 ᴘᴀʀᴛʏ: ᴀ ʙᴏᴀʀᴅ ɢᴀᴍᴇ! 

If you’ve ever played Mario Party, you will feel right at home in this amazing example of a video board game. A lot of code went into this one, and it definitely leaves me feeling impressed. 

Flower Run 

Flower Run is a popular kind of side-scrolling game called an endless runner. It uses both collection and avoidance mechanics combined with a fast pace to make a game that is both challenging and fun! Grab as many flowers as you can while dodging the cactus! 

Make Your Own Animal Crossing Villager 

If you’re interested in a dress-up game, give this one a try. It gives you a ton of customization options so you can make your villager look just how you want!

Dungeon Crawler

Dungeon Crawler is just a demo, not a full game, but it is a great example of what can be possible with Scratch! It has a great visual design and theme and feels like it could become a really fun full game. 

PO!NG on Scratch (mit.edu)

This is a fun take on the classic, Pong! I love how it allows for two local players to compete against each other by using different sets of buttons for controls. 

Recommended: Coding Classes for Middle School Students

Easy Scratch Games for Kids

Need something a bit easier to start with? We’ve got you. Check out some of these easy-to-play games on Scratch! Make sure to take a look inside when you finish so you can see how it’s done!

Fruit Salad

Fruit Salad is a classic example of a collection and avoidance game. Move left and right to collect as many fruits as you can, but avoid the bombs. It’s simple gameplay and a lot of fun!

Ski 3D

This is another simple to play avoidance game. Move left and right to stay on the path. The game creator put a lot of work into this one, and it looks great! It’s easy to play, but there’s a lot of underlying code that can be intimidating at first. Don’t worry if you can’t understand everything that’s happening, yet. You’ll get there! 

Maze Game

Use the arrow keys to navigate the maze. One of the colored blocks lets you move on, but be careful. Choosing wrong or hitting the walls will send you back to the beginning of the level.

Free Scratch Game Tutorials

Download Free Printable Scratch Coding Tutorials PDF

Get the Rocketship Landing game and Flying Space Cat Scratch tutorials in a printable format.

Scratch games are fun and easy for kids!

Coding games in Scratch is one of the easiest ways to jump into making your own games. The simple drag-and-drop interface, combined with the power of real code means that even beginners can build something really cool. Scratch is an amazing resource for learning to code and is easy for kids as young as 8 years old. 

If you’d like to learn in a fun and interactive setting, CodeWizardsHQ coding classes for kids can help with that. We have live Scratch coding classes with teachers that will walk beside you to take you from a Scratch newb to a coding wizard. Start building your game and share your project with us!

Ready to level up your child’s learning experience? Take a coding class with CodeWizardsHQ:

• Elementary School Coding Classes
• Middle School Coding Classes
• High School Coding Classes

The post Simple Scratch Tutorial for Kids: Code a Rocket Landing Game appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Minecraft. If you’ve had any interest in computers over the last decade, you’ve heard of it. As of 2021, Minecraft has amassed 140 million active players worldwide. It is a wildly popular game that has made the leap from being pure entertainment into a genuinely useful program. Classrooms around the world use it as a place to teach and learn about all sorts of things in a hands-on and visual way. Educators are using the game for everything from science classes to high school graduations, which begs the question, “Can Minecraft teach coding for kids?”

Want to learn about coding games like Minecraft? Start with a coding class:

• Elementary School Coding Classes
• Middle School Coding Classes
• High School Coding Classes

Take one of our 12-week coding classes for kids or 1-week Minecraft coding camps to level up your gaming by becoming a game developer.

What is Minecraft?

Minecraft is primarily a game about collecting and placing digital blocks in a three-dimensional world to create all sorts of things! The game itself doesn’t give the players any real instructions or defined goals for what they should do. Instead, it leaves that up to the players themselves.

First off, what even is Minecraft?

Minecraft is primarily a game about collecting and placing digital blocks in a three-dimensional world to create all sorts of things! The game itself doesn’t give the players any real instructions or defined goals for what they should do. Instead, it leaves that up to the players themselves.

That blank-slate style of gameplay combined with a huge open world to explore and build in works very well to inspire creativity. It’s a concept called a “sandbox”, where players can explore and build, and has proven to be immensely popular, especially among kids. It’s an expansive game and has something for all sorts of players.

There are two main modes: Survival Mode and Creative Mode.

Both modes can be played as a single-player experience, but they can also be played as multiplayer games. As a multiplayer experience, players can choose to interact with the world at large, or to only play with players they already know on small personal servers.  

Some play the game in “Survival Mode” because they enjoy fighting off zombies and skeletons while collecting the resources needed to build a home. Others revel in exploring the different locations generated by the game and searching for treasures. Many prefer to use “Creative Mode” to build entire cities without having to deal with the inconveniences of collecting resources or fighting off enemies. On top of the normal game modes there are also player made “mods” that add their very own sets of rules.  

Some even use Minecraft to learn to code.

What Coding Language Does Minecraft Use?

Minecraft was originally coded in a programming language called Java. Microsoft has since made plenty of additions and tweaks to how Minecraft is coded.

The Bedrock edition is written in C++ and it’s been adapted in other languages for different platforms like iOS, but Java still makes up the largest portion of Minecraft’s coding languages. It is also the programming language that people most often interact with when coding mods for Minecraft.

Java is a very common programming language around the world, which has helped increase the game’s popularity. It can be seen in a wide variety of well-known projects, like Wikipedia Search, or monitoring and controlling NASA’s Mars rovers. Millions of programmers depend on Java on a daily basis to get their jobs done. You may even be using Java programming at this very moment, since it is also the language used to build Android apps!

Needless to say, programmers who know how to work in Java are in huge demand and have been for some time. Despite how fast-moving technology is, Java has been around since 1995 and it continues to be an effective programming language.

Minecraft mods are typically written in Java, but they aren’t the easiest starting point for someone just learning to code. Rather, they are a project to aspire to. That’s ok, though, because there are plenty of other ways to start learning about coding in Minecraft.

Recommended: Minecraft Texture Packs

What Programming Concepts Can Minecraft Teach?

Minecraft wasn’t actually designed to be a teaching tool, so it’s surprising how well it works for that purpose. There are a ton of different programming concepts you can teach your kids using the game, even without opening up the code itself.

Redstone

Part of the fun of Minecraft comes from building wondrous contraptions that do whatever you want them to do! The main ingredient for doing this in Minecraft is using an in-game resource called Redstone. It works roughly like electrical wiring and its uses are almost limitless. While making smaller things with Redstone can be fairly simple, more complex constructs require learning more advanced programming concepts. 

Some of CodeWizardsHQ’s students have made some truly remarkable Redstone devices, from self-harvesting farms to archery ranges that can automatically give out rewards for good shooting. All of it comes out of an understanding of the programming basics demonstrated through Redstone mechanics.  

Much like a computer’s binary language, Redstone exists in either a powered or unpowered state. Learning how to use those signals through logic gates is a key element to getting things to work. The main problem with this approach is that figuring all this out on your own can be difficult to figure out without help. It is possible to learn a great deal through experimentation, but it is not the simplest nor the most direct way to learn most coding concepts. Many kids can overcome that difficulty by watching online tutorials that show them the basics. From there, a little inspiration and motivation are all that’s needed to get them learning the basics of programming in a fun way!

Console Commands and Command Blocks

A more direct way of interacting with coding in Minecraft is through the Minecraft console commands. These are written commands that you can type into the chat box to make things happen in your Minecraft world. It allows players to do things like change the weather cycle, teleport to far-off places or create items that would otherwise be impossible to get. This in itself isn’t truly coding, but it does teach an important concept about coding. That’s the idea that the things that we type into the computer can have an effect on the digital world in front of us.

In 2012 a new block, called the command block, was added to Minecraft that took console commands to the next level. These blocks can execute console commands in the game itself whenever certain requirements are met. When coupled with Redstone engineering, command blocks can introduce complex concepts like conditionals. This changes the commands found in the console into a kind of Minecraft coding language.

This Minecraft coding language doesn’t work outside of the game, but it does a great job of introducing programming basics to new students.

Minecraft Pi (Python Modding)

The next step is moving out of learning programming concepts and into actual code. It is a good idea to start with simple and well-documented languages, like Python. One way to practice Python is with Minecraft Pi. Minecraft Pi is a version of Minecraft developed specifically for the Raspberry Pi. The game comes for free with Raspberry Pi devices, but the real draw is the modding console that comes alongside it. This console allows coders to use the Python language to build mods that change the gameplay in Minecraft. Changes happen in real-time so students can immediately see what their code does. It’s an awesome way to play around with the Python language and learn a lot about what it can do!

While the game is a great motivation to dive into coding, it doesn’t actually teach Python itself. Instead, it is necessary to look up one of the many tutorials online and use it to learn Python. You could also take a live class in our middle school or high school coding program to start learning Python

Recommended: How to Install Minecraft Mods

Code.org – Minecraft Hour of Code (JavaScript)

Java and Python are both great languages to learn, but they are far from the only ones out there. If you’re interested in learning JavaScript instead, Minecraft Hour of Code through Code.org might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Hour of Code doesn’t actually use the Minecraft game to teach coding. Instead, it is coding Minecraft characters using the Blockly editor created by Google and MIT. Blockly is a drag-and-drop JavaScript editor that allows a student to use pre-made blocks of code to solve different challenges. Each block uses real JavaScript code that the student can view to get a better picture of what is happening behind the scenes.

It is a gamified way of teaching coding that uses the Minecraft theme to great effect. And it’s a lot of fun!

You can find more gamified methods of coding education on our list of coding for kids free resources. 

Also check out the Minecraft and other free hour of code activities.

Minecraft: Education Edition

The other big way that Minecraft is helping kids learn to code is through Minecraft: Education Edition.

Education Edition is a version of Minecraft created specifically for use in school settings. As such, it has features aimed at helping teachers to manage their classrooms, like the ability to limit where students can go, or what they can change in-game. It has special items designed to facilitate taking notes when doing assignments and there are a ton of maps that teachers created to teach interesting topics in a virtual setting.

While maps built for teaching code do exist, the platform itself isn’t aimed at coding. Instead of teaching a specific topic, it acts as a virtual classroom space used to teach any topic.

Education Edition also has limited availability. It is only for schools and organizations that can prove that they are using it to further the education of large groups of kids.

Recommended: How to Make a Minecraft Server

Can Minecraft Teach My Kid to Code?

Minecraft has proven to be a flexible platform for education. It has been used as a tool for teaching a myriad of concepts, so it makes sense to assume it would be useful for teaching coding to kids. And it is! 

Minecraft does a great job of providing an environment to learn coding in by giving students both a place to virtually meet with their educators and by visually showing them the effects that coding can have. But it isn’t as simple as launching the game and letting the kids learn. Instead, it works best as one of many tools used in a more complete coding curriculum.

As part of our interactive coding curriculum we teach our students how to create their very own games based off of Minecraft. They’re able to learn programming in an exciting hands-on environment that does more than teach them the basic principles. It teaches them how to apply them. And unlike so many video-based programs, our coding classes for elementary, middle, and high school, are taught by live teachers so our students can get feedback on their projects in real-time.

The main thing is this: Minecraft on its own will not be able to teach a kid how to code. Rather, it is a great way to build their interest in coding and can be useful as an educational tool in a well-crafted curriculum. 

The post How Minecraft Teaches Kids to Code appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

This Halloween season, we challeged kid coders at every experience level to build their own Candy Collector game in Scratch. Led by one of our fabulous teachers, we created a video and blog tutorial that teaches kids how to build their very own game at Scratch Coding for Kids: Halloween Candy Collector Game. 

We were so impressed with all the games that were shared! So many kids worked hard on developing this game and adding a few twists to really make it their own. 

Without further ado, let’s present our  top 10 favorite games in no particular order.

TheCodeMaster654 – Spooky Dodge

In this game, you slide left and right to gather the falling candy while trying to avoid the spike. I like the great use of sound effects and also the coding involved not only to always drop the new spike over the location of the block (so don’t stand still!), but also the flashing exclamation point. The change in costumes for the direction of Player is a great detail, too. Nice work!

NiceHacker_OwO – Trick or Treat!

We find a twist on this game where instead of sliding around the screen, we go door to door in a a few neighborhoods with various levels of Halloween spirit. Collect what you can and embrace this very peculiar Halloween! 

_es – Candy Clicker

This game involves a lot of clicking. Instead of a game of speed, dexterity, or strategy, it’s a game of determination. 200 clicks and you win! We see some nice coding in the costume changes every time the candy is clicked. It’s a lot of clicks. Do you have what it takes?

cwhq_matteoa1 – slimers candy hunt

This is game has a lot of fun elements happening. You want to collect 25 candies while avoiding the ghostbuster. If you run out of lives, the screen changes though you can collect a few more candies just for fun! I like how the sprites are moving around adding some extra complications to the game play. The code behind them has a lot going on and we can tell that cwhq_matteoa1 worked hard on this! Great job!

eviemom – Monster Eat Lettuce 

In this game we see a fun twist to the sprites chosen. Frank is included in the Scratch platform and he’s chasing after… lettuce! I love the consistent color palette in those choices. I do wonder how eviemom feels about lettuce, having chosen it for monster food. Frank also flips through his costumes when he eats some lettuce, an additional bit of coding we love to see! Regardless of eviemom’s feelings, Frank seems to be enjoying the lettuce. 

shadow72422 – #code wizards project

This game is an expertly crafted version of our project. The background and sprites have been customized and I love how Ghost appears to be standing on the forest floor as we start the game before he levitates about collecting candies. We’re also using keys to direct Ghost, a bonus step that was shared on the Facebook Group. Fantastic!

Funnyman3010 – Halloween Candy Collection Game

Here we see all the visual elements have been customized! Ghost is from the Scratch collection but the other pieces were brought in. There’s also additional coding seen in the addition of the timer and in the ability to move the Ghost using the arrow keys. Great work here! 

Mariofan1023 – Candy Ghost

In this game, Mariofan1023 added his own sprites and he added a LOT of them. This game has a tricky twist where only a certain pattern of candy corn will get you points. If you collect the wrong pattern, you’ll lose points! This twist certainly adds a challenge! 

We also love the additional coding needed to switch to the game over image where the ghost leans longingly toward a candy corn frozen out of his grasp. 

cwhq_inioluwaa1 – Candy Snatcher

Oh, this game is tricky! The witch is trying to collect fortune cookies but while they might appear identical, the witch may find her score reduced by -2. Can you figure out this one out? Which fortune cookie is a trick and which is a treat?

avirabh – Halloween

This is a fun shooter game where you shoot the candy to collect it. If it drops to the bottom of the screen there’s no worries but if it gets anywhere near the vampire it’s game over. While there’s some quality code in this work, avirabh created an entire webpage for this game and it looks great! Stupendous work! 

Honorable mentions for all the projects we received! You can play and post your score year-round: https://scratch.mit.edu/studios/27808356

We are so proud of all our #NowYouCode #triCODEtreat participants who flexed their creativity and coding skills. We hope you continue to code and if you want to join the most fun and effective coding classes, take a look at our coding program for kids.

There are more #NowYouCode activities coming so be sure to join our Facebook Group to participate in the next one!  

The post Top 10 Scratch Halloween Candy Collector Games appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Coding has become an important and relevant skill for kids today. Whether you want to help your child become a computer programmer or simply expand their computer science knowledge, you probably know there any many benefits to coding for kids. While the benefits are exciting, learning how to actually code may seem like more of a chore to kids than a great opportunity. 

Prepare your child for success: If you are looking for your child to learn to code, explore our live, teacher-led coding classes. View Programs.

That’s where coding games come in. In our coding classes for kids, our philosophy is to help kids learn to code in a fun way. Kids play and build games in every class which keeps them engaged and learning.

To get your child excited about coding, we’ve put together a list of the best coding games for kids. These games teach programming skills and make it fun too. They’re organized by grade and age level, so your child is sure to find the perfect game for them.

Best Coding Games for Kids in Preschool

1. Code Karts

Platforms: iOS, Android

Pricing: Free

Ages: 4+

Best Because: Code Karts introduces coding concepts to young children through the use of logical puzzles in the form of a fun racetrack. With over 70 different levels and two different game modes, kids will have no shortage of entertainment or variety when it comes to this app.

The objective of this coding game is to use directional bricks to get their race car to the finish line, providing a stimulating coding environment.

Code Karts also comes in more than 20 different languages, bringing the fun to a wide audience, and young children will easily learn the fundamentals of code as well as directions and logic.

2. CodeMonkey Jr.

Platforms: Browser

Pricing: Free trial ($7/month)

Ages: 4-8

Best Because: CodeMonkey Jr. is a block-based coding game for kids in Pre-K and Kindergarten. Drag and drop coding is perfect for kids at this age to learn the basics of programming. In this game, they’ll join a monkey on a mission to collect bananas in a world of fun colors and characters. Kids can start with no experience, they don’t even need to know their ABC’s. The challenges progress as they learn about logic, loops, sequencing, algorithms, and more!

3. Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set

Platforms: Board game

Pricing: $98.95

Ages: 4+

Best Because: Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set is a screen-free way to teach foundational coding skills to even the youngest of programmers. It includes double-sided coding cards, a Programmable Robot Mouse, cheese wedge, and a special Activity Guide that allows kids to create endless maze paths for their mouse.

Once their specific maze is created, kids set up the coding cards to instruct their mouse where to go. The mouse can even light up, make sounds, and features two different speeds, keeping the game interactive and engaging.

Recommended: Ultimate Guide to JavaScript Game Development

4. Bee-Bot

Platforms: iOS

Pricing: $74.95

Ages: 3+

Best Because: The Bee Bot app was designed specifically to help young children grow their programming skills and sequencing abilities through the use of a fun and interactive game. Based on the lovable floor robot, the app features 12 different levels which progressively get harder as the user advances. Each level is timed and gives exciting rewards, providing incentives for even the youngest of coders.

Kids can also enhance their directional language as Bee Bot moves forwards, backwards, left, and right. Set in a relaxing garden setting, this will be the perfect game for young ones ages four and up.

5. Cubetto

Platforms: Wooden robot

Pricing: $227.64

Ages: 3-9

Best Because: In a world full of technology and screens, finding a game that is free of these yet still teaches your child the basics of coding may seem like an impossible task. That’s where Cubetto stands apart. Cubetto is a friendly wooden robot that teaches children the basics of computer programming through a real-world, tangible object.

Through adventure and hands-on play, Cubetto allows kids to manipulate and touch its blocks in order to tell the robot where to go. It can also be used with special books and maps, providing a positive and all-encompassing experience without the need for an app or device.

6. Osmo Coding Jam

Platforms: iOS + board game

Pricing: $49.60

Ages: 5-12

Best Because: There is no shortage of research that proves music is beneficial for a child’s development. Combine that with the advantages of programming and you are sure to have a unique and positive game on your hands.

Osmo Coding Jam is an engaging board game that connects to an iOS app and allows kids to create their own music with hands-on coding blocks. By being able to physically change the coding blocks on the board game, even the youngest coders are learning how to sequence and problem-solve. Through the use of music, kids can also develop rhythm, melody, and harmony.

Recommended: Python for Kids

Best Coding Games for Kids in Kindergarten

7. CodeSpark Academy

Platforms: iOS/Android/ Kindle Fire/ Windows

Pricing: Free Trial, $15/mo

Ages: 5-9

Best Because: CodeSpark Academy is an award-winning app that has introduced the concepts of coding to over 20 million children in more than 200 different countries. Using a “no words” interface, this app teaches all of the fundamentals of computer programming for kids through puzzles, games, printables, and even projects, bringing the fun from the screen to life.

With personalized daily activities based on your child’s progress, engaging curriculum developed by research from MIT, Princeton, and Carnegie Mellon, and new subscription app content every month, your child will have a hard time putting this one down.

8. Kodable

Platforms: Browser, iOS

Pricing: Free Trial ($24.99/mo)

Ages: 4-10

Best Because: Kodable is an online resource utilized by parents and educators all over the globe. The lessons combine both on-screen and off-screen components. Kodable breaks down computer science topics into basic concepts that kids can use for life including JavaScript and robotics.

Through interactive games, your child can foster a love of learning, and through carefully crafted standards, you can ensure their fun will help them be prepared for higher educational concepts. It also connects with an app that has custom-built games. 

9. Cork the Volcano

Platforms: PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Steam 

Pricing: $8.99

Ages: 6-10

Best Because: Cork the Volcano teaches kids to code through programming puzzlets. Set up sequences of actions for the characters to reach the Puzzlet Piece, collect raindrops along the way for bonuses, and avoid dangers from the island along the way through this programming puzzle platformer. Kids can practice computational and algorithmic thinking with each challenge. They’ll learn to come up with logical steps and strategies to win the game.

10. Robot Turtles

Platforms: Board game

Pricing: $43.48

Ages: 4+

Best Because: Robot Turtles is a STEM board game for preschoolers. While providing a fun and engaging hands-on game for them to play, your kids will feel in control and get to learn all of the basic concepts of programming at the same time. Through simple commands that are used to program the Robot Turtle, your little one will learn what it means to write code, debug, and use basic functions. As they play, they unlock new challenges, giving the game new life and growing with them. It’s a time for the whole family to be silly and play together, spending meaningful time away from the screen.

11. ScratchJr Coding Cards: Creative Coding Activities

Platforms: Card Game

Pricing: $24.99

Ages: 5-9

Best Because: ScratchJr Coding cards are an easy and fun way to introduce young kids to programming concepts and the Scratch language. It gives step-by-step instructions on how to use the programming blocks. They can create their own games, stories, and animations as they work through each card in ScratchJr. This collection of coding activity cards is perfect for working one-on-one with your child or sharing among small groups.

12. ScratchJr.

Platforms: iOS/Android/Kindle Fire/ Chromebook

Pricing: Free

Ages: 5-7

Best Because: Scratch, Jr. teaches young children important new skills as they begin to program their own interactive games and stories. This novice version of Scratch allows younger children to snap together programming blocks in order to make their characters move, jump, sing, and dance.This app was designed by leading experts to better fit younger children’s cognitive, personal, social, and emotional development, so you can feel confident it is appropriate for your little one.

13. CoderBunnyz

Platforms: Board game

Pricing: $29.78

Ages: 4+

Best Because: Designed and created by a 9-year-old, CoderBunnyz is a unique board game that teaches a range of coding topics. It’s a highly interactive way to introduce coding, with 13 levels of kinesthetic learning that grows with your child and their skill levels.

The game involves programming robot bunny game tokens with code cards. The goal is to eat the carrot and reach the destination before others do! CoderBunnyz covers a variety of basic and advanced programming concepts, including sequencing, looping, functions, branches, debugging, and inheritance.

14. Dash Robot

Platforms: Robot and app

Pricing: $179.99

Ages: 6+

Best Because: Dash Robot is a real robot that is charged and ready to play with right out of the box. Through the use of a connected app, your child is able to help Dash perform new behaviors, like dancing and singing, as well as move and navigate around objects. What makes Dash stand out from other games is that there are multiple apps available that align with various age groups, learning levels, and play styles. You can tailor the program to your specific child’s needs, giving them fun that is made for them.

15. Move the Turtle

Platforms: iOS

Pricing: $3.99

Ages: 5+

Best Because: Move The Turtle is an educational app for the iPhone and iPad that teaches children the basics of creating computer programs through the use of a friendly Turtle.

By completing tasks, your child will learn how to plan complex activities made of simple elements, how to reuse previously completed work, and how to use graphics and sound within programming. Your child will also become familiar with the concepts of loops, procedures, variables, and conditional instructions while playing an engaging and interactive game.

Recommended: How to Make a Game on Scratch

Best Coding Games for Kids in Elementary School

16. Algorithm City

Platforms: Android

Pricing: Free

Ages: All ages

Best Because: Algorithm city teaches the basics of programming and algorithms. It has a fun, simple interface that young students can easily navigate. Using symbols, kids code functions that guide their character. Kkids learn command sequencing, functions and loops, by guiding the character by collecting golds and solving levels.

17. Tynker

Platforms: iOS/Android/Chromebook

Pricing: Free Trial ($12/mo)

Ages: 5+

Best Because: Winner of a large variety of awards, including Parents’ Choice Gold Award for coding games for kids, Tynker is an interactive game that makes programming accessible and fun for kids, regardless of their prior experience with the content. Using intuitive visual blocks to create games, kids have the ability to also write interactive stories, modify Minecraft, program drones, and explore other STEM topics.

Tynker also can be played offline without internet connectivity, and with your permission, your child could share their creations with the Tynker community and explore projects made by other kids, as well.

18. BitsBox

Platforms: Subscription box

Pricing: $16.95 per month

Ages: 6-12

Best Because: BitsBox stands apart from the other games on the list as it is a monthly subscription box that includes unique materials on different computer science topics. Each month, your child receives a box that contains various coding projects, ranging from simple to advanced. With the materials, they type the given code into the connected app and then revise it to make it their own.

The apps and materials change each month, so there is always something new and exciting. BitsBox runs on any computer, phone, or tablet with a web browser.

19. Scratch

Platforms: Browser, Windows, Mac, Android

Pricing: Free

Ages: 8-16

Best Because: Designed by educators at MIT, Scratch is based on a programming language and an online community where children can learn the basics of coding as well as move on to more advanced topics and concepts.

Through the use of interactive games, stories, and animations, children are able to not only enhance their skills for programming, but they are also increasing their creativity, reasoning skills, and learning how to successfully collaborate on projects- all essential skills for 21st-century workers.

Recommended: Scratch Games for Kids

20. Botley the Coding Robot Activity Set

Platforms: Robot

Pricing: $50.56

Ages: 5-8

Best Because: Brought to you from educational leader Learning Resources, Botley is an interactive robot that introduces coding to young kids in a friendly, easy, and fun way. Without requiring a computer or tablet, children are able to program Botley for up to 80 steps, including more advanced programming commands like looping.

With advanced features and steps as well, Botley can grow with your child, becoming more challenging as it goes. Botley also includes black line follow mode where users can draw a line with any type of marker and he will follow along the path.

21. Code Master

Platforms: Board Game

Pricing: $22.08

Ages: 8+

Best Because: Code Master is a programming logic game that teaches kids the basics of coding- all without a computer! In the game, the player gets an Avatar that they have to navigate around the board.

The goal of the game is to help the Avatar travel around the exotic world in search of power Crystals, leading them to collect them all and land at the Portal. Code Master features 60 different levels, so the fun is never the same! It teaches programming basics as well as planning, sequential reasoning, and problem-solving skills.

22. CodeMonkey

Platforms: Browser

Pricing: Free Trial ($7/mo )

Ages: 5-14

Best Because: Originally designed as a classroom resource for teachers, CodeMonkey has expanded beyond the school walls and is available for anyone looking to learn coding skills.

Although you may be using it at home, CodeMonkey provides various insights for you that will help you monitor your child’s progress as well as assess their learning, even if you are completely unfamiliar with computer science. Another benefit? Learning how to code not only teaches children about IT, but it also nurtures logic, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills needed to be successful now and in the future.

23. CODE: On The Brink

Platforms: Board game

Pricing: $16.99

Ages: 8+

Best Because: On the Brink is part of a series of games that were designed to help kids build all of the skills necessary to be successful coders and understand even more advanced programming concepts down the line. Without the use of a screen, kids will be able to guide their robot along a path from start to finish, programming “procedures” which help it move along colored paths.

There are 40 different challenges that kids will come across, and their goal is to find the correct sequence of moves for each colored path. The board game teaches a variety of skills, including sequencing, problem-solving, and planning.

24. Goldieblox: Adventures in Coding

Platforms: iOS

Pricing: Free

Ages: 4+

Best Because: Recognized with The Toy Industry Association’s Toy of the Year and Apple’s iOS App of the Year awards, Goldieblox is shaking up the industry and challenging gender stereotypes with the world’s first girl engineer character. In this game, Goldie and her friend Ruby are trying to deliver cupcakes, but they need help getting directions for where to go.

Kids will have a blast programming the characters throughout town, and will learn all the basics of coding in the process. This game is inspiring for girls and shows them they truly can be anything they dream.

25. PlayShifu Tacto Coding Kit

Platform: Android, iOS, Amazon Fire

Price: $49.99

Ages: 4-10

Best Because: The TacoTo coding kit for young learners does more than direction-based coding. It teaches fundamental concepts of coding – inputs-output, loops, sequencing, decomposition, and branching. The kit comes with a silicone attachment and figurines that combine tactile play with programming in the app. As kids move their characters, they follow along on screen. There are over 200 levels of games, stories, and adventures that kids can try.

26. Osmo Coding

Platforms: iOS, Fire tablet + game system

Pricing: $49.60

Ages: 5-10

Best Because: Winner of both the Parent’s Choice Gold Award and the Oppenheim Best Toy Platinum Award, Osmo Coding is a hands-on game that connects the screen to real-life coding blocks. Through the use of the interactive gaming system, children can put their iPad in the Osmo base which senses what is placed in front of it.

They then use the coding blocks to map out commands, bringing the playful characters in the app on a fun adventure. Teaching logic and problem-solving skills as well as programming, Osmo Coding is an easy and engaging way to learn the basics.

27. LEGO Mindstorms

Platforms: iOS, Android

Pricing: Free

Ages: 7+

Best Because: Brought to you by the entertainment and toy giant, LEGO Mindstorms: Fix the Factory is an addictive puzzle game full of unexpected obstacles and unique challenges, pushing kids to expand their logical thinking skills, spatial intelligence, and their robot commanding skills.

Faced with the task of helping a robot make its way through a factory, your child will learn all of the basics of how programming works while trying to beat the clock. There are also incentives for completing the mission with the highest score, making it an exciting game more than an educational tool.

Best Coding Games for Kids in Middle School

28. Minecraft

Platforms: PC, Android, iOS, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation, Wii, Amazon Fire, Oculus

Pricing: $6.99 (Android & iOS), $29.99 (PC and Mac)

Ages: 10+

Best Because: Minecraft is one of the most popular programming games for kids out there, with currently over 100 million registered users. At its core, Minecraft is a game about placing blocks to make objects and going on adventures. But in reality, it is so much more than that.

Although the game’s visuals may look dated to us adults, children are drawn to its simple looks and unique graphics.

The beauty of Minecraft is that it truly gives children the freedom to create and explore almost limitlessly, while also giving them missions and goals, inspiring their problem-solving, creativity, and logical thinking at the same time.

29. Swift Playgrounds

Platforms: iOS

Pricing: Free

Ages: 11+

Best Because: Swift Playgrounds is an innovative game for the iPad that helps children learn and experiment with code through interactive puzzles. Based on the powerful programming language created by Apple and used by most professionals to create mobile applications, Swift Playgrounds provides a platform for experimentation and creativity while teaching the basic definitions, terms, functions, and directions of coding.

Players can use their own photos, images, sounds, and files within the program to make it uniquely theirs, while new coding challenges are regularly released to keep it evolving and changing.

30. Hopscotch

Platforms: iOS

Pricing: Free

Ages: 9-15

Best Because: With over 10 million downloads and more than 26 million games created and counting, Hopscotch is a platform for kids to explore projects and learn how to code and make their own games. Users also have the ability to access other people’s projects and play, tweak, or remix it, providing inspiration and collaboration through Hopscotch’s fully moderated community.

The app also has detailed video tutorials that teach them how to make popular games, increasing in difficulty as they become a better programmer.

31. Code Car

Platforms: Mac, Windows

Pricing: $48.99

Ages: 8-12

Best Because: Shaped like a car, Code Car is actually a computer that allows kids to program and control it. Whether it be turning on the headlights and taillights, or sounding the siren and brakes, all functions of the car can be programmed to perform in a certain way.

There is even a speaker in the middle of the car that can be coded to play horn sounds, car alarms, or ice cream truck songs. As these tasks are added to the Code Car, kids will be learning the real, typed coding language C++. The kit connects to a simple coding editor which works on Mac, Windows, or Chromebook.

32. Mimo

Platforms: Android, iOS

Pricing: Free

Ages: 11+

Best Because: Mimo is a convenient platform that provides bite-sized coding lessons, projects, and challenges in an engaging and interesting way. With Mimo, your child can learn to code, build websites, automate tasks, make apps, and more.

With daily goals, streaks, and achievement badges, kids will feel like they are playing a game more than taking an educational lesson. Mimo also features continuous extensions and updates, giving it a fresh face as your child progresses.

33. Lightbot

Platforms: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire

Pricing: $2.99 (iOS/Android)

Ages: All ages

Best Because: Featured by Apple in over 100 countries and winner of multiple awards, Lightbot is an exciting game that gets kids hooked on coding within minutes.

Categorized as a programming puzzle game, Lightbot requires the user to guide a robot to light up tiles and solve different levels using commands, all while cultivating a real understanding of basic programming concepts like procedures, loops, and conditionals. With 50 levels and 20 challenge stars to collect, kids will have a blast competing and learning in this game.

34. CodeMancer

Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iPad, and Kindle

Pricing: Free

Ages: 6-12

Best Because: CodeMancer uses a fantasy theme to teach the magic of coding. Kids code their way through a world of sorcerers and their minions. While learning about loops, functions, algorithms, and debugging, kids solve ancient puzzles and explore the world of magic! Kids will never experience syntax errors and they don’t have to read to play. This game has over 50 levels to keep the learning going.

35. Code Combat

Platforms: Browser

Pricing: Free

Ages: 9+

Best Because: Built for high school students, CodeCombat is a platform for students to learn computer science and programming skills while playing through a stimulating and real game. It’s an excellent coding game for kids and parents alike who have little to no coding experience, providing a medium that rewards productive struggle which results in successful learning.

Proven as a gaming challenge that encourages interaction, discovery, and trial-and-error, teens are sure to have hours of fun while figuring this one out.

36. Cargo-Bot

Platforms: iPad

Pricing: Free

Ages: 9-11

Best Because: This puzzle app requires teens to “be logical.” The game features a programmable robot and 36 puzzles. Teens must program the robot to move crates within each puzzle, with the puzzles ranging from easy to difficult. By playing the game, teens learn how to approach problems in order to solve them quickly and efficiently.

Recommended: Python Games Development for Kids

Best Coding Games for Teens (High School & Up)

37. CodeWars

Platform: Browser

Pricing: Free

Ages: 14+

Best Because: CodeWars uses the idea of small coding exercises called “kata”. Each kata is crafted by the community to help you strengthen different coding skills. Kids can master a current language of choice, or learn any of the 55+ programming languages supported.You can earn ranks and honors to level up and be seen on the leaderboards. It’s a great way to see new coding perspectives, learn new language, and challenge your peers.

38. Check Io

Platforms: Browser

Pricing: Free

Ages: 14+

Best Because: CheckiO games for beginners and advanced programmers where you can improve your coding skills by solving engaging challenges and fun task using Python and TypeScript. This game is played in the browser and organically integrates coding and learning as you complete missions. You can learn from other developers by seeing clear solutions to the same problem. This game does require solid reading and typing skills, so I recommend it for older students.

39. CodinGame

Platforms: Browser

Pricing: Free

Ages: 14+

Best Because: CodinGame is a great place to practice, but doesn’t provide any tutorial to learn the basics of programming from scratch. You can play with friends or compete internally. Practice and learn coding by solving fun challenges in 25+ languages addressing all the hot programming topics. CodinGame also has recruiters to help users find a job and practice programming interviews. This is great for older students who are interested in an internship or career in coding.

40. Codea

Platforms: iOS

Pricing: $14.99

Ages: 14+

Best Because: Codea is a code editor that allows you to create games and engaging simulations, turning your thoughts into interactive creations. Designed to teach coding for teens and older students, Codea is a visual code editor that actually lets one touch the code to alter or edit it.

Built on the Lua programming language, kids can type their code, press play to watch it run, then interact with it to see what happens, including changing the colors, adding images, and adjusting the sounds. Codea also allows sharing code across the community, so they can see other kids’ projects and explore or get inspired by them.

41. Hack ‘n’ Slash

Platforms: iOS

Pricing: $13.37

Ages: 14+

Best Because: This fun coding game combines programming and puzzles, all set within an engaging story. A wizard, presumably evil, has ordered everyone to stay in the village. Teens act as the villagers in the game, looking for ways to escape and overcome the wizard by reprogramming objects, changing story variables and creature behaviors, and rewriting the game’s code.

42. SpaceChem

Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Steam

Pricing: $9.99

Ages: 14+

Best Because: In this game, students act as a reactor engineer for SpaceChem, “the leading chemical synthesizer for frontier colonies.” This coding game employs puzzles and programming with an exciting story. The challenges vary, from constructing functional laboratories to meeting production quotas—all while surviving encounters with the “things” that haunt the SpaceChem facility.

Recommended: Coding for Kids, Free Resources

Kids Can Start Programming Games at Any Age

No matter what age your child or student is, coding is a skill that will benefit kids for the rest of their lives. Kids can even build and code their own games in our 12-week online coding classes. We teach coding for elementary school (grades 3-5), middle (grades 6-8), and high school (grades 9-12) students and no experience is necessary. In the summer, take an accelerated version of our classes in 3-week summer coding classes. Kids learn to code fun games and projects in every class using real-world languages like Python, JavaScript, and more!

By introducing and practicing coding concepts through entertaining games, kids will view learning as a treat instead of homework. With our list of top coding games for kids, your young engineer is on his or her way to a lifetime of learning.

The post 39 Best Coding Games For Kids 2024 appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.