Best Coding Tools for Elementary

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These elementary-level tools help kids learn to code by targeting the foundations of programming: problem-solving, logic, and critical thinking. Some of the tools on this list focus on simple, block-based coding, while others use real text-based languages; a few of the tools even incorporate both to help kids with the transition to more advanced projects. By learning these skills through the context of code, kids build essential 21st-century skills for life that empower them to become creators, not just consumers, of the technology.

If you're looking to begin coding lessons in your classroom, check out our Teaching Strategies for how to Get Started With Coding in Your Classroom.

ScratchJr Publisher: DevTech Research Group at Tufts University, Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT Media Lab, and Playful Invention Company Drag-and-drop programming is an effective intro for budding programmers	Grades K-2 Type App Price Free Platforms Android, iPad Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Codeable Crafts Publisher: Benesse Animate stories with accessible drawing tools and coding blocks	Grades K-3 Type App Price Free Platforms Android Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Blockly for Dash & Dot Robots Publisher: Wonder Workshop Adorable robots teach hands-on coding skills	Grades K-5 Type App Price Free Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Cork The Volcano - Puzzlets Publisher: Digital Dream Labs LLC Fun elementary coding through hands-on puzzle tiles	Grades K-5 Type App Price Free, Paid Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Kodable - K-5 Coding Curriculum for Elementary Publisher: SurfScore Fun procedural reasoning for kids; great curriculum for teachers	Grades K-5 Type App Price Free, Paid Platforms Android, iPad Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Path for Dash Robot Publisher: Wonder Workshop Impressive intro to programming and robotics grows with students	Grades K-5 Type App Price Free Platforms Android, iPad Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Code.org Visit Website: http://www.code.org Popular games, big names get kids and teachers pumped to program	Grades K-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 4
Scratch Visit Website: http://scratch.mit.edu/ Jump-start future programmers with adaptive sandbox tool	Grades K-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Codemoji Visit Website: https://www.codemoji.com Emoji-based coding tool demystifies web design and animation	Grades 2-8 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Tickle Publisher: Tickle Labs Robots, Arduinos, and drones -- the block coding app to rule them all	Grades 2-8 Type App Price Free Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 3 Teacher Rating 4
Kodu Game Lab Publisher: Microsoft Open-ended game design and programming tool for visual thinkers	Grades 3-12 Type Game Price Free Platforms Windows, Xbox 360 Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Codesters Visit Website: https://www.codesters.com/ Differentiated text-based coding makes for truly authentic experiences	Grades 4-8 Type Website Price Free to Try, Paid Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 5
Tynker Visit Website: http://www.tynker.com/ Cute, colorful coding platform caters to strong independent readers	Grades 4-8 Type Website Price Free to Try, Paid Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 3
Hopscotch For Schools: Learn to code, make cool things, have fun. Publisher: Hopscotch Technologies Programming blocks give good balance of freedom vs. constraint	Grades 4-9 Type App Price $9.99 Platforms iPad Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 5
CodeCombat Publisher: CodeCombat Dungeon-crawling adventure where code is king	Grades 4-12 Type Game Price Free, Paid Platforms Mac, Windows Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
CodeMonkey Visit Website: http://www.playcodemonkey.com/ Puzzler's use of real code fills niche in crowded learn-to-code genre	Grades 4-12 Type Website Price Free to Try, Paid Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 4
Made with Code Visit Website: https://www.madewithcode.com/ Inspirational videos and fun projects entice girls to start coding	Grades 4-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Mozilla Thimble Visit Website: https://thimble.mozilla.org/ Inspiring platform teaches coding through remixing	Grades 4-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Swift Playgrounds Publisher: Apple Fun, intuitive iOS-coding app great for newbies or pros	Grades 4-12 Type App Price Free Platforms iPad Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Cargo-Bot Publisher: Two Lives Left Challenging game helps kids learn to think like programmers	Grades 5-12 Type App Price Free Platforms Android, iPad Common Sense Rating 3 Teacher Rating 4

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