Which is the best platform to teach kids programming?

[annetrose]

Hi,

My 12 yrs old child is interested in coding and would like to learn it. Could someone please help me to find the best coding platform for kids?

[Mefistotelis]

Depends on a kid. Depends on his interests.

 

If you're just after programming a PC:

Scratch is quite popular. There's also similar thing called Blocky.

 

If the kid won't get into things unless that's a game:

Baba is you is a great game for kids.

He probably already has some favorite games, and many games today use LUA. So he could also start modifying a game he knows using LUA scripts.

 

If he prefers to drive something mechanic, like a robot:

There are some DJI products for kids, like Robomaster or Tello. Not the cheapest, but high quality. You can program these.

There are actually many programmable robots and robotic arms for kids, just search the net.

Arduino is also easily programmable, and there are many sensors, LEDs, displays, motors etc. which you can drive with it.

 

[LogMAN]

Good selection by @Mefistotelis

Try to figure out what motivates them (games, machines, information, ...) and help them find the right resources. Try different things, perhaps something sticks. If not, move on to the next.

Here are two links that can get you started with python in a few minutes.

• Take your first steps with Python - Learn | Microsoft Docs
• Python Getting Started (w3schools.com)

[bjustice]

Upvote Scratch.

I used to teach scratch to 12 year old kids at summer robotics camp.  Very approachable, fun to make games.

Lego Mindstorm is another good one

[ShaunR]

An often overlooked platform for kids is Squeak. (Adults could learn a thing or two as well )

Edited December 29, 2020 by ShaunR

[Neil Pate]

Another option is Alice. It combines a 3D environment with a language quite similar to some of the others mentioned. It can be fun for younger kids as they can ignore the programming bit and just construct a 3D scene with some props quite easily.

[annetrose]

Thank you all for these suggestions. Surely, I will check these platforms. While searching on Google, I came to know about Codingforkid.com which is also a coding platform that provides various coding courses. Have you heard about it? Is this platform good?

[Sparkette]

On 12/28/2020 at 8:24 AM, Mefistotelis said:

Baba is you is a great game for kids.

He probably already has some favorite games, and many games today use LUA. So he could also start modifying a game he knows using LUA scripts.

It's worth mentioning that Baba Is You uses Lua as well. (It's not part of the gameplay, but mods can use it, like you said.)