If you want your kids to learn coding skills and become savvy about computers but don't want them to stare at screens all day, these gifts for kids who want to code are for you. You'll be happy to know that coding skills are actually best learned through play! This gift guide filled with toys and games that teach kids to code focuses on just that!
How do you encourage kids to learn the computer, engineering and coding skills they will need to succeed without adding to their overall screen time? You'll see below that these coding games, toys and books for kids because they teach kids coding and engineering skills while working with real-life objects and play-based experiments.
There are three categories of coding toys, games and book gifts for kids.
Coding and Engineering Building Sets
Osmo Coding Game. Kids learn coding through the process of snapping blocks together to dictate command sequences on a screen (the iPad). If your kids love to play the iPad but you feel guilty about all the time they spend on it, this is a great solution to get them doing something with their hands that our hands are biologically programmed to do (move objects around in space), give them the joyful satisfaction of creating something on their own, and the fun of "playing on the iPad." Win-win. (Note: If you don't have the Osmo Genius Starter Kit be sure you have that - you need it to play the coding game.)
Little Bits. They have a ton of different kits with mix and match parts. What I love is that they have a library of parts so once kids have a starter kit they can continue to add to it in order to invent new gadgets and code new software. The combinations are literally endless and the modules are easy to use. The kits are super cool ways for kids to learn how to code and you can choose a theme that fits your child's interest. We had fun tinkering with the kits in their pop-up store last year. There are kits for ages 8 and up, as well as kits for ages 14 and up.
Coding and Robotics Toys
The Dash Robotics Kit, which teaches coding and robotics to kids ages 8 and up (but I think kids as young as 6 can have fun with them) has won numerous awards. Kids code the robots using the free iOs or Android app. I love that even though kids do use a screen to do the coding, they are working with hands on objects that respond to their commands. They learn coding through active play, which is the best way. No doubt plenty of kids will want to try to program mom and dad, but there's no app for that... yet. The launcher accessory is awesome for kids who like a little action!
Coding Board Games and Books
I featured Code Master as a Game of the Month last year, and both my kids continue to play with it. It's one of those games I can pull out and leave lying around and they will gravitate to the individual logic challenges. It is a fantastic way to learning coding offline. You can read my full Code Master review here. Ages 8 and up.
Robot Turtles is a great way for preschoolers to get off the iPad and learn the logic skills they will need to become future programming wizards. Kids use code cards to move their turtles to their destination. It may seem simple at first, but parents will quickly see how the game functions well to strength their kids ability to think logically and strategically. Ages 4 and up.
Coding Games in Scratch Ages 8-12. This book is great for kids who don't have much experience but want to get started by coding games. Scratch is a popular platform and your kid may already be experimenting on it, so this book will inspire them with some creative ideas to go further.
How to Code: A Step-By-Step Guide to Computer Coding. Here's another comprehensive guide that takes kids through the ins and outs, from the basics to developing websites. Ages 6 and up.
And finally, those of you who want hands on activities to teach your kids STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Design, Math) skills will love, love, love my collaborative book STEAM Kids.
TechyKids Canada says
These are some really interesting gift ideas for young coders. It would be very useful for them and I can see them enjoying it as well. Thanks for sharing the list with us!