TOP PICKS | 52 TOOLS

Best Apps and Websites for Learning Programming and Coding

Computers intersect with every aspect of kids' lives, but most kids don't understand how they work. Through coding, students build essential literacy skills, gain an understanding of logic and sequence, and learn the mechanics of iteration. These tools support project-based learning and give students the freedom to create, collaborate, hack, remix, and tinker with their own unique designs. Using these picks, kids can unlock the logic of code and the basics of programming, turning computers into tools to make new things.

If you're looking to begin coding lessons in your classroom, check out our teaching strategies for how to Get Started with Coding in the Classroom.

Top Picks

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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.

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Kodable

Fun procedural reasoning for kids; great curriculum for teachers

Bottom line: Kodable is a fun way for elementary school students to understand coding and contains impressive supports for teachers.

Grades: K–5 Price: Free, Paid The free plan includes 49 levels. The $1,250 per year plan includes all levels as well as introductory lesson plans and learning reports. An extra fee of $750 per year adds a K-5 curriculum.

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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

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SpriteBox Coding

Appealing puzzle game reinforces essential coding concepts

Bottom line: This well-designed game introduces basic coding syntax and is best used for practice.

Grades: 1–6 Price: Paid $4.99

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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

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Sphero Edu

Cool robots and creative play make programming irresistible

Bottom line: Hub for Sphero robots draws crafty kids who love making into coding, and it empowers them to be collaborators.

Grades: 3–8 Price: Free, Paid The app is free; Sphero SPRK+ robots can cost $129.99.

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Tynker

Cute, colorful coding platform caters to strong independent readers

Bottom line: Students will be empowered by custom-coding creations for a variety of platforms, but may need some reading support to complete lessons.

Grades: 3–8 Price: Free to try, Paid Plans and pricing vary widely. K-8 pay-per-course is $399 for 30 students; K-8 school plans for 400-800 students range from $2,600-$3,800. Quotes for district-wide plans are also available.

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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.

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Codesters

Differentiated text-based coding makes for truly authentic experiences

Bottom line: The well-designed Python lessons and user interface make this a great choice for serious coding instruction.

Grades: 4–8 Price: Free to try, Paid Free to try. Each additional course is $5-$10 per student. All curriculum unlocks at $20 per student. Contact Codesters for a quote on professional development.

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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

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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.

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Block-Based Code

Tynker Junior

Picture-based coding app piques early learners' interest

Bottom line: Early coders will enjoy the colorful interface and variety of activities as they progress through different worlds and develop foundational programming skills.

Grades: Pre-K–2 Price: Free to try A free trial is available. Teachers can purchase a subscription for $0.99 per month or $9.99 per year.

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ScratchJr

Drag-and-drop programming is an effective intro for budding coders

Bottom line: With a little adult help, this is a rich platform for getting kids into programming and digital creation.

Grades: K–2 Price: Free

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Codeable Crafts

Animate stories with accessible drawing tools and coding blocks

Bottom line: Kids get a simple peek at computer programming principles by animating stories using code blocks.

Grades: K–3 Price: Free

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Cork the Volcano - Puzzlets

Fun elementary coding through hands-on puzzle tiles

Bottom line: Programming that combines engaging physical puzzle tiles with digital gameplay.

Grades: K–5 Price: Free, Paid App is free, but the Puzzlets Starter Pack costs $89.99. This bundle includes the Play Tray and an educator guide. Other bundles are available on the site.

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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

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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.

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Codemoji

Emoji-based coding tool demystifies web design and animation

Bottom line: Emoji-based lessons engage and empower kids to explore web design and animation, with instant website creation.

Grades: 2–8 Price: Free, Paid Individual licenses are free; classroom licenses are $10 per month and include more lessons and premium student access. School and district licenses are also available.

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Evo by Ozobot

Versatile mini robot tailor-made for teaching coding

Bottom line: Evo encourages students to be creative, emphasizing that coding is a tool in your pocket, not the end game.

Grades: 2–8 Price: Free, Paid The app is free; requires Evo robot. Available individually for $89 or as classroom kit.

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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.

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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.

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Tickle

Robots, Arduinos, and drones -- the block coding app to rule them all

Bottom line: Impressive tool for introducing block coding and robotics on a ton of devices.

Grades: 2–12 Price: Free, Paid Additional characters and challenges are offered as in-app purchases.

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Wonder for Dash and Dot Robots

Serious robotics programming with seriously adorable robots

Bottom line: It's the most challenging and versatile of the Dash and Dot apps and will keep engineering-savvy kids engaged.

Grades: 3–5 Price: Free Requires a Dash or Dot robot, which retail for $49.99–$199.99.

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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.

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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

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Google CS First

Middle school CS platform offers stellar resources, organizing tools

Bottom line: If your middle school doesn't have a CS program or club, now you do!

Grades: 4–8 Price: Free

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Mozilla Thimble

Inspiring platform teaches coding through remixing

Bottom line: Thimble is an excellent, free resource for teaching students to code through experimentation.

Grades: 4–12 Price: Free

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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).

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EarSketch

Song builder with coding instruction will be music to students' ears

Bottom line: It's not an easy tool to master, but it's a great way for students to explore coding and digital creation in a meaningful way.

Grades: 7–12 Price: Free

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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

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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.

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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.

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Code School

Awesome interactive coding lessons can make anyone a programmer

Bottom line: These lessons will keep learners engaged as they grow from novice to beginning programmer, ready to tackle small projects in only a few days.

Grades: 9–12 Price: Free, Paid Some courses have free levels; full access requires a monthly fee.

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