Best Coding Tools for Elementary | Common Sense Education

Top Pick

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.

Block- and Text-Based Code

Root Coding Publisher: iRobot Corporation First-rate versatile robot for all ages	Grades Pre-K–12 Type App Price Free, Paid Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Learning rating Community rating Not Yet Rated
Kodable Publisher: SurfScore Fun programming logic for kids, great resources for teachers	Grades K–5 Type App Price Free to try Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Learning rating Community rating
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 Learning rating Community rating
SpriteBox Coding Publisher: LightBot Inc. Appealing puzzle game reinforces essential coding concepts	Grades 1–6 Type App Price Paid Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Learning rating Community rating Not Yet Rated
Code for Life Visit Website: https://www.codeforlife.education/ Comprehensive coding platform has impressive resources for teachers	Grades 1–12 Type Website Price Free Learning rating Community rating Not Yet Rated
Sphero Edu Publisher: Orbotix Inc. Cool robots and creative play make programming irresistible	Grades 3–8 Type App Price Free, Paid Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire, Fire phone Learning rating Community rating
Microsoft MakeCode Visit Website: https://makecode.com/ Bring code to life with circuits, robots, Minecraft, and more	Grades 3–12 Type Website Price Free Learning rating Community rating
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 Learning rating Community rating

Block-Based Code

Blue-Bot Publisher: TTS Group Simple robot ideal for introducing programming to young learners	Grades Pre-K–2 Type App Price Free, Paid Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Learning rating Community rating
Tynker Junior Publisher: Tynker Picture-based coding app piques early learners' interest	Grades Pre-K–2 Type App Price Free to try Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Learning rating Community rating Not Yet Rated
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 coders	Grades K–2 Type App Price Free Platforms Android, iPad, Kindle Fire, Chrome Learning rating Community rating
Codeable Crafts Publisher: Benesse Animate stories with accessible drawing tools and coding blocks	Grades K–3 Type App Price Free Platforms Android, iPad Learning rating Community 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, Paid Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Learning rating Community rating
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 Learning rating Community rating
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 Learning rating Community rating
Elementari Visit Website: https://www.elementari.io/ Storybook creation tool offers cool blend of ELA, art, and coding	Grades 1–5 Type Website Price Free, Paid Learning rating Community rating
Itch Visit Website: https://www.itchcode.com/ Full-featured tool makes teaching with Scratch easier than ever	Grades 1–12 Type Website Price Free to try, Paid Learning rating Community rating
Scratch Visit Website: http://scratch.mit.edu/ Creative sandbox opens the door to coding in any subject area	Grades 1–12 Type Website Price Free Learning rating Community rating
Codemoji Visit Website: https://www.codemoji.com Emoji-based coding tool demystifies web design and animation	Grades 2–8 Type Website Price Free, Paid Learning rating Community rating Not Yet Rated
Evo by Ozobot Publisher: Evollve, Inc. Versatile mini robot tailor-made for teaching coding	Grades 2–8 Type App Price Free, Paid Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Learning rating Community rating Not Yet Rated
Hopscotch-Programming for Kids Publisher: Hopscotch Technologies Easy-to-use visual tool makes coding fun and social	Grades 2–8 Type App Price Free to try Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Learning rating Community rating
Cozmo Publisher: Anki Inc. A little robot with big personality brings code to life	Grades 2–12 Type App Price Free, Paid Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire Learning rating Community rating
SAM Labs Visit Website: https://samlabs.com/ Kids use block code and wireless blocks to program, design, and create	Grades 2–8 Type Website Price Free, Paid Learning rating Community rating Not Yet Rated
Tickle Publisher: Tickle Labs Robots, Arduinos, and drones -- the block coding app to rule them all	Grades 2–12 Type App Price Free, Paid Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Learning rating Community rating
Google CS First Visit Website: https://csfirst.withgoogle.com Middle school CS platform offers stellar resources, organizing tools	Grades 4–8 Type Website Price Free Learning rating Community rating
Human Resource Machine EDU Publisher: Filament Games Challenging puzzles will grab the imagination of any coding enthusiast	Grades 4–10 Type App Price Paid Platforms iPad, iPhone Learning rating Community rating Not Yet Rated
Made with Code Visit Website: https://www.madewithcode.com/ Enticing projects and inspiring videos offer anyone an intro to coding	Grades 4–12 Type Website Price Free Learning rating Community rating
Cargo-Bot Publisher: Two Lives Left Challenging game helps kids learn to think like programmers	Grades 5–12 Type App Price Free Platforms iPad Learning rating Community rating

Text-Based Code

CodeCombat Publisher: CodeCombat Dungeon-crawling adventure where code is king	Grades 4–12 Type Game Price Free, Paid Platforms Mac, Windows Learning rating Community rating
CodeMonkey Visit Website: https://www.codemonkey.com/ Puzzler's use of real code fills niche in crowded learn-to-code genre	Grades K–12 Type Website Price Free to try, Paid Learning rating Community rating
Swift Playgrounds Publisher: Apple Brilliantly designed iOS coding app great for newbies or pros	Grades 4–12 Type App Price Free Platforms iPad Learning rating Community rating