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TOP PICKS | 41 TOOLS
Best Coding Tools for High School Students
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Block- and Text-Based Code
Root Coding
First-rate versatile robot for all ages
Bottom line: By encouraging artistic design and creative problem-solving, Root Coding fits right into your STEAM curriculum.
Grades: Pre-K–12
Price: Free, Paid The app is free; requires iRobot Root kit starting at $199. An optional Root Academy subscription is available starting at $60 for six devices. Root Education kits include Root Academy licenses.
Code.org
Popular games, big names get kids and teachers pumped to program
Bottom line: A well-planned, -produced, and -curated set of free resources bound to get kids hooked on learning to code.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free
Code for Life
Comprehensive coding platform has impressive resources for teachers
Bottom line: This learn-to-code program has the breadth and depth required to meet the needs of almost any teacher.
Grades: 1–12
Price: Free
Microsoft MakeCode
Bring code to life with circuits, robots, Minecraft, and more
Bottom line: Once you purchase the hardware, MakeCode opens doors to an incredible diversity of coding applications.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free Users can find links to purchase various hardware and kits that are featured in MakeCode's projects.
CoSpaces Edu
VR design tool sparks creativity for those with the coding chops
Bottom line: This is a well-designed VR playground for experienced coders.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Paid $75 per year for 50 licenses; other license packages available for more students.
Machine Learning for Kids
Authentic AI-powered projects make kids' creations feel like magic
Bottom line: It takes a topic that would be difficult to teach in any practical way and makes it accessible for the classroom.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
micro:bit
Code games or fun displays with mini piece of hardware
Bottom line: This versatile tool for learning how to program with blocks or text is a nice fit for STEM classes and clubs.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free, Paid The website and apps are free. A micro:bit is required, which costs around $14.99; accessories are also available for purchase.
Block-Based Code
Itch
Full-featured tool makes teaching with Scratch easier than ever
Bottom line: Here you'll find resources for teaching with Scratch and a complete management tool to support student learning.
Grades: 1–12
Price: Free to try, Paid Free to try for two weeks. For .edu or nonprofit, $39 per year for individual teachers and 100 students. Request a quote for multiple teachers.
Scratch
Creative sandbox opens the door to coding in any subject area
Bottom line: Scratch draws students of all types into coding and lays a foundation for future learning.
Grades: 1–12
Price: Free
Cozmo
A little robot with big personality brings code to life
Bottom line: From Cozmo's engaging personality to endless programming possibilities, this little robot will capture your heart and spark imagination.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free, Paid Requires Cozmo robot, sold separately for $179.99.
SAM Labs
Kids use block code and wireless blocks to program, design, and create
Bottom line: With some perseverance, it's a great fit for PBL and STEAM, helping students learn programming skills and engineering concepts through invention.
Grades: 2–8
Price: Free, Paid The site, including user-submitted lesson plans, activities, and a gallery, is free. SAM Labs accessories and kits, which range in price from $33 for accessories to $1,999 for deluxe classroom kits, include access to a small library of lesson plans and accompanying resources.
KOOV
Robotics kit makes design possibilities virtually limitless
Bottom line: For schools with healthy budgets, KOOV helps kids design and code interactive robots with blocks, sensors, and imagination.
Grades: 3–8
Price: Paid The app is free to download, but the trial kit is $249.99 and the educator kit is $519.99. Live online professional development is available for $300.
Kodu Game Lab
Open-ended game design and programming tool for visual thinkers
Bottom line: The 3D game-making environment and fun, visual logic will definitely grab some students, but others will need support the game just doesn't provide.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free
Human Resource Machine EDU
Challenging puzzles will grab the imagination of any coding enthusiast
Bottom line: For teachers with some coding background, this is a great game-based tool for learning to code.
Grades: 4–10
Price: Paid Requires a Filament Learning account for $5.99.
Made with Code
Enticing projects and inspiring videos offer anyone an intro to coding
Bottom line: Solid intro to coding with diverse projects geared toward tween/teen girls; sets foundation to explore deeper level coding and logic activities.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free
Cargo-Bot
Challenging game helps kids learn to think like programmers
Bottom line: Cargo-Bot is a simple concept that packs a challenging punch and teaches valuable programming skills.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free
LearnToMod
Effective springboard to coding for dedicated Minecraft fans
Bottom line: For students who already know and love Minecraft, this is a valuable way to hook students into coding.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free, Paid LearnToMod is free for teachers; $29.99 per year for everyone else.
Algo Bot
Simple coding game a fun intro to algorithms
Bottom line: This coding game is a fun and helpful introduction to basic algorithm development, but other resources will be needed for more depth.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Paid $9.99
Lightbot : Programming Puzzles
Simple design, but challenging fun for budding programmers
Bottom line: Challenging programming game best for motivated learners.
Grades: 6–12
Price: $2.99
The Pack - NYSCI
Deceptively gentle coding game really packs a problem-solving punch
Bottom line: This gorgeous, immersive programming game encourages novel solutions.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
Thunkable
Build a working iOS or Android app, even without coding experience
Bottom line: A great way to help motivated students create real apps, though others will need more support.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free Thunkable is free for now, but they note on their site that they may charge for some features in the future.
7 Billion Humans
Amusing puzzler challenges kids, teaches programming principles
Bottom line: This high-quality puzzle game is a fun way for students to learn effective and efficient programming skills.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Paid $4.99
GameSalad
Great interface, flexible publishing options make game-making a snap
Bottom line: Engaging interface and tutorials will empower budding game designers, but the price tag could be a deal-breaker for tight school budgets.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Paid Single Education license (teacher or student) is $149 per year; Classroom license for 30 students and 1 teacher is $1699 per year. Custom quotes are available for schools and districts.
Text-Based Code
CodeCombat
Dungeon-crawling adventure where code is king
Bottom line: While not everyone loves fighting ogres, CodeCombat offers a classroom-ready platform and an authentic learning experience.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free, Paid Intro course is free. Contact the developer to get set up with purchasing a group license for the classroom version.
CodeMonkey
Puzzler's use of real code fills niche in crowded learn-to-code genre
Bottom line: A great intro to coding that, with solid teacher support, gets students using real programming languages and digging into meatier concepts than with other early coding tools.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free to try, Paid Free to try; subscriptions start at $49 per year for unlimited students. Homeschool subscriptions run $109 per year and allow for up to three students. Contact CodeMonkey for school and district rates.
Swift Playgrounds
Brilliantly designed iOS coding app great for newbies or pros
Bottom line: If iPad devices are available, this is an inspired choice for learning how to create and tweak code.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free
Mozilla X-Ray Goggles
Remix tool reveals code, can strengthen kids' understanding of the web
Bottom line: It's a blast to use and an easy way to get experimentation and prototyping going with plenty of student choice -- kids are really in the driver's seat!
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free
Unity Learn
Complete game creation curriculum gives students real-world experience
Bottom line: For any computer science or game design/development course, Unity Learn is a fun and effective way to get students building games right away, with plenty of room for depth.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free, Paid Personal and education licenses are free. For companies of size, Plus and Pro subscriptions are available from $25 to $125 per month.
Zulama
Teach a vast number of CS concepts with quality, depth, and choice
Bottom line: Zulama will help any middle or high school implement a comprehensive computer science program.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free to try, Paid Contact for pricing.
Code Avengers
Challenging puzzles teach with real code; best for more advanced kids
Bottom line: A superb programming tutor, well worth the effort to keep students going.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free to try, Paid Free 30-day trial; $25 per student per year. Contact for class and school-wide license deals.
CodeHS
Computer science curriculum offers great feedback, fun challenges
Bottom line: Effective tools and clear lessons teach real programming, but you'll have to spend some cash to help kids master it.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free to try, Paid Pricing is from $1,500–$3,000 per section, depending on the plan; individual plans are $25 per month and up. For more information, visit https://codehs.com/info/plans.
Construct 3
Ideal 2D game builder supports students to create, innovate
Bottom line: Limitless game options, reasonable cost, and extensive support make this programming environment perfect for an educational setting.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free to try There's a free edition with a simplified UI to try. The full version is $12.99 per month or $39.99 per year for 25 students.
Grasshopper: Learn to Code
First-class free app for learning to code with JavaScript
Bottom line: This app will no doubt help individual, motivated learners see how coding works using real code.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
Hack 'n' Slash
Zelda-inspired puzzler lets players peek behind the code curtain
Bottom line: A great intro to variables and how algorithms work, this game would shine as a supplement to a larger unit on programming.
Grades: 6–12
Price: $13.37
Codecademy
Terrific coding site a fun way to learn real-world skills
Bottom line: For both introductory and higher skill levels, Codecademy teaches the breadth and depth of skills for the modern computer field workplace.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free, Free to try, Paid Codecademy Pro accounts include all content from the free account plus access to real-world scenarios, online assessments, and advisors who will guide your progress ($19.99 per month for a 1-year subscription, $29.99 per month for a 6-month subscription, or $39.99 per month).
Codea
Well-thought-out coding platform for real game programming
Bottom line: Codea is a professional tool that has enough help features that kids can learn programming hands-on.
Grades: 8–12
Price: Paid $14.99
Roblox
Popular game development platform has classroom potential
Bottom line: Teens who love gaming can learn to be developers, too, with Roblox's tools and hosting service.
Grades: 8–12
Price: Free, Paid Game creation and most gameplay is free, but some games and features require payment in Robux, which can be earned or purchased with U.S. dollars. Three additional Builders Club memberships are available, ranging from $57.95/year to $129.95/year. Paid subscribers won't see ads and get bonus gear and other perks.
TapCoding
No games, just clear tasks for learning to code in Swift
Bottom line: Like an interactive textbook, TapCoding wastes no time to get older students programming.
Grades: 8–12
Price: Free, Paid The first three levels are free. The Builder's Curriculum ($5.99) and Master's Curriculum ($9.99) are available as in-app purchases.
Vidcode
Cool coding tool tuned to teen girls' passions aids creativity
Bottom line: Learn-to-code programs for youths often too narrowly define what can be done with code; Vidcode expands the options, helping girls see code's value in culture and express themselves.
Grades: 8–12
Price: Free, Paid Free introductory projects; contact for pricing for intermediate and advanced projects/lessons as well as training and support resources.
Treehouse
Fun, self-paced web development and coding lessons offer high value
Bottom line: A solid learning solution for self-starting students who want to grasp the wide array of programming topics.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Free to try, Paid Seven-day free trial; Basic plan ($25/month); Pro plan ($49/month)
