These days, kids in elementary school are already learning how to code. It can be really intimidating for someone who doesn’t even know what HTML is. Even though computer knowledge is much better for the average person than it was 20 years ago, there are still a lot of secrets hidden behind those cool programs we use.
If you are too old to have learned code in school, too young to have started yet, or just want to practice the basics you learned so long ago you’ve forgotten, we’ve got a list of some of the best apps to learn how to code…
Codecademy
This app is great for grown up beginners looking to learn the basic structure of code. It includes simple, fun exercises to help train your brain so that, when you can sit down behind the computer, you can take what you’ve learned throughout the day with you. This app is available for free.
Hakitzu Elite: Robot Hackers
Last May, I took a look at the early version of this code learning game. Although I found it to be extremely exciting to learn code using giant robots, I also found it to be excruciatingly irritating to try to play a game that was infested with bugs. Thankfully, the game received a complete overhaul (and name) and is much less buggy. Learn to code by giving movement inputs to your robot. Don’t worry, you will be told what to do and learn what you did wrong. This game is available for free.
My Robot Friend
If you thought it was cool to learn how to code using giant robots, think how much your little one will enjoy it. This app was developed by the team at LeapFrog. It teaches kids the basics of programming by helping them understand the concepts of giving text-based commands to the robot. It also includes games, puzzles, and the ability to customize your robot. You don’t have to be seven years old to play. Just don’t let your friends see you. This game is available for $3.99.
Learn Programming: Coding Tutorial
If you have a particular reason to learn how to create eye-catching websites, this app will help you turn your ideas into code reality. It features video and audio lectures, presentations, and lessons to teach you how to build landing pages that will entice viewers. Learn Python, Django, HTML, and CSS. This app is available for free.
L2Code HTML
Everybody wants to run a blog. However, not everybody knows how to make one that looks good and runs great. This app offers step-by-step instructions on how to build web pages using HTML. The built-in text editor allows you to test your code right away and see the results of the page you just built. This app is available for $4.99.
Lightbot
The best way to get your kids excited about computers is to start them with the learning process early. No, wait. That’s the best way to ensure they will hate it. Just like piano lessons. What you should do is trick them into learning programming by giving them a fun game with light up robots. This app will teach your tiny tot about control-flow concepts like procedures, loops, and conditionals. They will never know you hid cauliflower in their mashed potatoes. This game is available for $2.99.
Khan Academy
If you are looking for a way to be the smartest kid on the block, this app has more than 4,000 videos to help you gain a broad variety of knowledge. One of the topics of this learning app is, of course, computer programming. You’ll be able to watch videos, track your progress, and download playlists to watch offline. This app is available for free.
Lynda.com
Similar to Khan Academy, this app is full of a wide variety of videos, lectures, and lessons to make you just a little bit smarter. It wouldn’t be on our list if computer programming weren’t an available course. With this app, you can watch videos online or offline, track your courses from the app or the web browser, rearrange course into a customized playlist, and more. This app is available for free.
Udemy
You won’t be able to say that you don’t know how to do something because they didn’t teach it at your school with this app. Learn how to program, take photographs, and decorate cakes, all in the same place. Udemy is like combining all of your high school’s electives into one convenient location. This app is available for free.
Cato’s Hike
In this children’s story, little Cato discovers that he can’t move anywhere until he figures out the program that will allow him to do so. Kids will learn simple programming interface using cards to set commands. The map editor lets you create your own puzzles to share with others. The game teaches little ones the essentials of programming and problem solving that can be used later in life. This game is available for $4.99.
Looking for more apps to learn coding? Check these out, too.
Don’t forget to check out some of our previous Best Apps lists.
Do you have anything to add to this list? If you to, please make sure to share what you believe are the best apps to learn how to code down in the comments section.