Coding is a fun way for kids to learn how to build software, intuitively understanding the logic behind programming. Many schools are starting to teach computer science, but if your child needs extra tutorial, there are free-to-use sites where they can develop skills.
Has it ever occurred to you that kids today are too used to playing games on their smartphones? It’s true. With the introduction of smart phones, kids started playing games designed for them, with characters that are somehow relatable, with simple game mechanics that allowed them to effortlessly master it.
Learn to Code with Hotwheels
What’s the Activity?
Another unplugged coding activity that is perfect for the kindergarten classroom involves learning to code with Hotwheels. Simply lay out a grid on the floor using painters tape or road tape for more fun. Cut out some red construction paper to fill the grid with ‘hot lava’. Now the challenge is to get your Hotwheels car from start to finish without running into any hot lava. Students need to give instructions to their Hotwheels car in ‘code talk’. Bonus points if they can give all of the instructions in advance.
You can see the full details for this activity here. We have also included a bonus set of printable coding cards to use in the classroom.
Level: Pre-Coding
Skills: Algorithms, debugging, sequence
Ages: 4+Visit Hotwheels Coding Activity
CodeMonkey
CodeMonkey(opens in a new tab) teaches coding using CoffeeScript — a real open-source programming language that compiles to JavaScript — to teach you to build your own games in HTML5. It’s aimed at coding for kids, but it’s definitely fun for adults, too. There are even CodeMonkey Android and iOS apps.
CodinGame
CodinGame(opens in a new tab) offers up fun free open-source programming games to help coders learn more than 25 programming languages, including JavaScript, Ruby, and PHP. One of the great things about CodinGame is that you can play with friends or colleagues, and also enter international coding competitions.
CSS Diner
CSS Diner(opens in a new tab) is a simple but fun way to learn CSS for beginner coders. There are 32 levels that will teach you the basics of how CSS selectors work. Each level of this free coding game gets progressively more complex — like a real video game — building on what you’ve learned in previous lessons. By the end of CSS Diner, you’ll be a CSS selectors expert.
Flexbox Froggy
Want to learn how CSS Flexbox works? Check out Flexbox Froggy(opens in a new tab). It has a simple interface that teaches you the basics of how things align in Flexbox while you help Froggy and his friends — save Froggy and be a CSS Flexbox expert at the same time.
Flexbox Defense
Flexbox Defense(opens in a new tab) is another great way to practice your Flexbox skills with a programming game. This time, you’ll move gun towers into position along a path to defeat oncoming waves of enemies, using the same kinds of commands as Flexbox Froggy.
CodeCombat
CodeCombat(opens in a new tab) is aimed at teachers and students, but anyone can play. Learn Python, JavaScript, CoffeeScript, or the Lua game scripting language. On the beginner Dungeon level, you’ll move your Hero through the programming game using some basic commands according to the tutorial alongside the game.
Ruby Warrior
If you want to learn Ruby, then Ruby Warrior(opens in a new tab) is the game for you. There are beginner and intermediate tracks to suit your skill level. The lessons start out easy and go from there. You’ll need to login with Facebook to save your progress.
Take Our 3-Minute Quiz!
Untrusted
Untrusted(opens in a new tab) is a meta-JavaScript adventure game that tests your JavaScript skills to solve problems. You use JavaScript to guide Dr. Eval through a machine continuum and alter his reality to move between levels. It’s a free fun game for practicing more complex JavaScript skills.
Code Hunt
Code Hunt(opens in a new tab) teaches you coding in a unique way. To play, you identify code fragments, analyze them, modify code to match the fragments, and then capture the working code fragment. You can use it to learn Java or C#.
Robocode
If you’ve ever watched the show BattleBots, then Robocode(opens in a new tab) is for you. You’ll learn programming skills by building virtual robot battle tanks in Java or .NET. Battles are then played out onscreen in real time.
CheckIO and Empire of Code
CheckIO(opens in a new tab) and Empire of Code(opens in a new tab) are both strategy games that can teach you JavaScript or Python, two fundamental coding languages to learn. Empire of Code uses a space setting and you learn by defending your own base and attacking others, while CheckIO lets you improve your skills by using others’ solutions.
CodeSpark Academy with the Foos
What’s the Activity?
CodeSpark Academy teaches young learners to code the adorable Foos characters to solve puzzles that teach concepts like sequencing and loops. Little coders will be challenged to take their characters through some obstacles by choosing
Codespark has developed a popular app to teach kids to code in the Codespark Academy. This app offers a membership subscription, however, the hour of code resources are free for educators for the hour of code activities!
What I love about CodeSpark is that they cater their app to pre-readers. You do not need to be able to read in order to use the app, and its really intuitive for kids (and adults) to understand. This is great for the younger crowd since coding concepts can be developed even before reading is established.
Level: Beginner coders
Skills: Blocks
Ages: Pre-readers to Grade 5Visit CodeSpark
CodinGame
Founded: 2012
Free trial: Yes
CodinGame provides a platform for coding skill tests, as well as games for developers to help them practice their skills. As the platform is created by former video game designers, it takes a slightly different approach to developer hiring. Developers can develop their skills with fun games and employers can create engaging tests that take 60 seconds to set up. You also get access to challenges that aim to retain talent.
Who is it for?
- Companies that are looking to engage and retain talent.
Pros
- CodinGames engages a pool of developers through their skill practice solution. You can tap into that talent pool to fill your hiring pipeline.
- The platform takes a slightly different, fun approach to coding assessments. This can help you create a more engaging employer brand.
Cons
- If you need a more robust assessment tool, CodinGame’s tech skill tests might not be enough and you’ll need a different tool to create an advanced hiring process.
- Some users have said that the assessments are not close enough to real work to provide a good indicator of skill.
TestDome
Founded: 2013
Free trial: Yes
TestDome is a technical skill assessment platform for various industries, including programming, accounting, and customer service. Many of its skills tests are more general (rather than focused on a specific coding skill) and assess skills like sales and reasoning.
Who is it for?
- Companies that are looking to screen candidates, don’t need a robust skill assessment, and don’t have a lot of requirements for their tests.
Pros
- Pay-as-you-go pricing that can be advantageous to teams that don’t want to sign up for a subscription.
Cons
- Not a niche solution, which means that the platform might not cater to all the needs of technical hiring teams.
- Only supports 10+ languages/frameworks.
- Plagiarism detection can be intimidating to candidates (for example, the platform’s webcam monitoring feature).
Toggl Hire
Founded: 2017
Free trial: Yes
Toggl Hire is a simple screening solution for developer hiring and allows you to “go from 500 applicants to the 50 strongest candidates in one afternoon.”
Who is it for?
- Enterprise companies who have hundreds of candidates and want to narrow down the top 10%.
Pros
- Easily filters candidates by scores and tags.
- Integrates with the most popular ATS.
- Offers a public API.
Cons
- Currently only supports 30 languages.
- Skills tests are more like quizzes and do not resemble real world projects.
Hired Assessments (Formerly Py)
Founded: 2012
Free trial: No
Py, a Y Combinator-backed company, was acquired by Hired in 2019 and rebranded as Hired Assessments. Through the acquisition, Hired, a marketplace that matches recruiters with tech talent, expanded its offerings to include tools for hiring processes.
Code Wars
Code Wars(opens in a new tab) helps you improve your skills by training in challenges with others. They offer a huge variety of programming languages, including JavaScript, Swift, PHP, Python, Ruby, and Haskell. You’ll have to prove your skills first with a basic test of your understanding of the language you want to practice.
Want to get started learning to code so that you can make your own games that make other coders jealous (without a computer science degree)? Check out Skillcrush’s Break Into Tech course to start your journey in the wonderful world of tech.
LeetCode
Founded: 2015
Free trial: No
LeetCode is a San Francisco-based startup that focuses primarily on helping software developers enhance their skills and prepare for technical interviews. The company also offers some features for helping businesses assess candidates.
Who is it for?
- Companies that need to expand their pool of candidates and want to tap into LeetCode’s database of developers.
Pros
- A talent pool of candidates using LeetCode to prepare for interviews.
Cons
- If you’re specifically looking for a skill assessment tool, this one is not likely to send you the strongest signals.
Tests4Geeks
Founded: 2013
Free trial: Yes
Test4Geeks is an assessment tool that offers a library of tests, as well as the possibility for users to create their own tests. The tests are mostly quiz-like and the company positions itself more in the screening process.
Who is it for?
- Test4Geeks is ideal for companies that want to screen candidates and need a relatively affordable and simple tool.
Pros
- Simple to use and doesn’t come with unnecessary features.
Cons
- If you’re looking for more robust and customizable assessment features, this tool might not be the best fit.
Kaldin
Kaldin open source exam software provides services to schools, colleges and corporate companies. It generates instant test results and backs up data in every 30 minutes.
Kaldin application is highly secure and customizable. There are two kinds of users that can operate both IT admin and general user. The teachers and lecturers can log in as admin also.
They can add question or deny access, whereas, a student can only log in as a general user. You can also find various question categories with ready-made and customizable questions on Kaldin.
You can schedule an exam by specifying the exam date, inviting users and announcing it via email. This online test conducting software also releases new versions every month with new features and enhancements. You can also get instant real-time results and reports after completion of your test.
Features of Kaldin
- Offers a lot of ready-made questions to choose from
- Provides a scalable platform to handle several assessments at a time
- Contains multiple choice questions both true-false questions and yes-no type questions
- Can be used to manage questions and give instant results
- Runs on mobile platforms as well.
Pros
- Simple installation process
- Students can discontinue an exam and take it again with this online examination system free.
- Creation of tests for multiple batches at the same time
Cons
Sometimes, an exam might not end even after closing the browser
Check Kaldin Software Demo.
Conclusion
Learning to program is an amazing journey. It can help teach logic, problem-solving, and much more. But it can be overwhelming for anyone to learn code.