EDUCATION
CODING PROGRAMS FOR KIDS
28 free and discounted online, kid-friendly STEAM activities BY OLGA UZUNOVA
W
ith screen time skyrocketing in the last few months, it’s been nearly impossible for many of us to detach the electronics from our kid’s hands. Fortunately, there is a way to make this time count through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Numerous online kid-friendly coding programs are available for free or with significant discounts during the school closures. Programming activities develop children’s hand-eye coordination, logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Check our list of 27 free or discounted coding programs and give them a try!
Blockly github.com
Blockly Games enhance children’s coding skills and support the development of future IT specialists. These online and offline products are targeted toward 10-14 year old students. Designed to be self-paced, Blockly offers hands-on lessons, lesson supplements, and digital materials that can be downloaded for offline use, ensuring accessibility for all kids and devices. All code is open source, meaning it is free and customizable to meet your kid’s needs. CodaKid my.codakid.com
Six to 15-year-old students learn coding languages such as Python, JavaScript, and Java while using the same tools used at companies like Google, Facebook, and Intel. Try the platform for free now by taking advantage of the 50% discount from the annual subscription. Ivy Tutors Network ivytutorsnetwork.com
After 17 years of working with NYC students, Ivy Tutors Network created an innovative vir-
36
NewYorkFamily.com | May 2020
tual learning platform that features a selection of fantastic workshops by the same brilliant IVY tutors you know and love. Want to create your very own iOS app? Well, now’s your chance! And the best part? Taught by Ivy League instructors, these classes start at just $40. Algorithmics School of Coding & Game Design us.alg.academy
Do your kids play computer games or design computer games? Algorithmics transforms students from passive to active users of technology. That’s why their lessons are built around learning stuff that comes in handy in real life and acquiring skills that help kids in their day-to-day. Teachers encourage play and exploration to keep students engaged, learning, and full of wonder. They are offering a sliding scale payment structure for new online classes. And the first lesson is free! The Coding Space thecodingspace.com
Offered any time, (subject to teacher availability). Now’s the perfect time to help your child develop a new skill that will set them up for success in school and beyond. The Coding Space fosters intellectual confidence, a growth mindset, and computational thinking skills through learning to code. Working oneon-one, their teachers can instruct students with a range of abilities: from complete beginners to experts in JavaScript. Contact them to take advantage of limited-time offers including up to 25% off virtual group classes and individual coding lessons. Edoki Academy montessori.edokiacademy.com
Edoki activities and apps are based on the Montessori teaching system. The products are developed in eight languages and designed for children from 3 to 12 years of age. A great game like Code Karts introduces kids to pre-
coding through a series of logical puzzles in the form of a raceway. Additionally, children can learn more about the binary computer system trough the Discovery game. You can try all Edoki Academy activities for free for a period of seven days and get a 30% discount of the yearly subscription. BlocksCAD blockscad3d.com
BlocksCAD builds math and computer science skills by using specialized 3D CAD (computer-aided drafting) software. A blockbased coding platform is created by MIT scholars and allows students to create and manipulate 3D objects while using geometry and computational thinking skills. The best way to get started with your kids is to create a free account and learn how to build a robot to create your first lesson. Scratch scratch.mit.edu
Another great MIT based platform is Scratch. Program your own digital narratives, games,
