Teach Your Kid To Code With Tynker and Scratch Jr

These apps will help kids learn to code in a fun way.

Unlike traditional coding methods, coding programs for young kids are visual and story-based.

Tynker is an educational program that teaches children how to make games and programs. The visual code concept is based on Scratch, but is wrapped into a more impressive video graphic interface.

Here’s the Tynker: Coding for Kids app that I’ve explored.

There are many aspects to Tynker. You can go to the browser to see the dashboard. One is the interest-based curriculum, which includes tracks in art and music, game design, robotics and AR, and more.

Or try coding puzzles such as Candy Quest for a more on-demand option. This is the puzzle we’ve spent some time on and enjoy playing.

Dragon Spells is also a puzzle that we liked, and it is part of the K-8 curriculum.

A sister app is Tynker Jr, which offers students ages 5-7 a way to code without words, while teaching the foundations of loops and pattern recognition. It progresses in concepts and skills - and each piece of visual code is easy to understand. Want to make the robot dance? Okay, then use the dance command and hit play. Want to make the robot wave? Use the wave command and see the robot wave.

Another app to explore is Scratch Jr, which is available for free. Perhaps this fully visual approach might be easier to pick up if a kid doesn’t know how to read many words yet. Scratch Jr is designed for a younger age group from 5 to 7. Scratch is designed for older kids from 8 to 16, and has a community of young coders who are sharing their stories, games, and animations through the platform.

Scratch Jr has more moving parts compared to the Tynker coding puzzles, so there’s more of a learning curve when using Scratch Jr. For example, you have to use the green flag in front of the coding sequence for each character to get them to move at the same time.

However, it’s worth trying both Tynker and Scratch Jr (or Scratch) to see which one your kid likes more.

If you don’t want to sit through and learn each program, there are ways to supplement it with some online coding classes. There are a few Outschool classes that focus on teaching Scratch Jr. My kid is halfway into a series on Scratch Jr and so far has been enjoying it.

According to Code.org, kids enjoy computer science and the arts the most.

Yet, not all schools teach computer science. While 90 percent of parents want their kids to study computer science, only 45 percent of high schools offer courses in computer science. Also, the availability of a computer science eduction may be highly dependent on your location as only 34 states have created K-12 computer science standards.

So if you want your kid to learn how to code, using apps and online classes can open up learning opportunities at home.