Programming is a valuable skill for children to learn and develop, and it is essential for anyone who will work with computers. However, there are many different programming languages available, making it difficult to choose the best one for your students. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 of the easiest programming languages for kids.
Teaching kids to code can seem daunting, but the opportunities it offers will make the lessons worthwhile. Coding is at the forefront of future careers, and teaching kids to code in different programming languages will open up many career options when it’s time to apply and get into a professional college. This makes coding language for kids a necessity rather than an option. Let’s explore the top 10 easiest programming languages for kids…
As 2024 approaches, it is essential to upskill children in computer programming due to child-friendly innovations. Popular coding languages for kids include Scratch, JavaScript, Java, Python, Lua, C++, and C#.
10 Easiest Programming Languages for Kids (2024)
- Scratch
- Blockly
- Swift
- Ruby
- Java
- Python
- Alice
- C++
- JavaScript
- Twine
1. Scratch
Scratch is a free educational programming language designed for children aged 8-16, offering a visual coding environment and building-block interface. It provides a solid foundation for learning logic and basic coding principles without complicated syntax or development tools.
The programming language is supplemented by beginner tutorials, comes with a building-block visual interface, and can be used without an internet connection. All these make Scratch an ideal language to introduce kids to coding.
Scratch has a vast online community with over 70 million registered users, creating and sharing over 82 million projects. Scratch users store their projects, including the code, on the Scratch server, allowing fellow Scratchers to access and study them.
The recommended age group for Scratch is Code and Design games (age 7-9), Code-a-bot (age 7-9), and Game Design (age 10-12).
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2. Blockly
Blockly is a visual block programming language designed for children, using interlocking building blocks to develop code. It is Google’s response to MIT’s Scratch and allows children aged 8 and up to create games, animations, and programs from their browsers.
Blockly’s JavaScript library serves as a centralized location for accessing pre-written languages, and users can switch languages as needed. The colorful UI and different shapes of coding blocks make it easy for kids to find, select, and identify the right blocks. The main scriptwriting platform consists of a toolbox for holding blocks and a blank space for drag-and-dropping blocks. Blockly runs the finished program through a check-up, analyzing the code to identify errors and highlight them for correction.
It is the backbone of Android App Inventor and provides a robust environment for learning programming or how-to code. However, it has limitations, including limited functionality beyond basic coding and does not allow users to create custom blocks.
3. Swift
Swift is one of the easiest programming languages for kids. It is an excellent programming language for teaching kids how to code, offering advanced features and a guideline for converting commands into game-like behavior. Swift also allows development with simple drag-and-drop code.
The app’s interface is tight, clean, and visually pleasing, but it restricts freedom and creative thinking. Users cannot deviate from predefined pathways in each lesson and challenge, which may be preferable for some kids. Swift Playgrounds is free to download and suitable for developing apps for Apple platforms. It is recommended for 11-17-year-olds and requires Mac OS.
4. Ruby
Ruby is a programming language designed to make coding as simple and uncomplicated as possible for kids. It strikes a balance between functional and imperative styles, with its creator, Yukihiro “Matz” Matsumoto, drawing inspiration from languages like Perl, Smalltalk, Eiffel, Ada, and Lisp.
Ruby is a natural, consistent, and easy-to-remember language with features such as object-oriented, case-sensitive, flexible, singleton methods, expressive features, naming conventions, mixins, statement delimiters, dynamic typing, duck typing, and exception handling. It is recommended for children aged 5+ and supports Windows, Mac OS, and UNIX platforms. Ruby is completely free to use, copy, modify, and distribute, and Twitter was created on Ruby.
5. Java
Java is a popular programming language for kids, especially for Minecraft, an online sandbox gaming platform. It is objective-oriented, easy to handle, and compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. Java encourages creative thinking and problem-solving skills, but requires more time, memory, and lacks support for low-level programming.
It is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac OS and can be used for creating anything from the ground up. Mods, add-ons that alter the game, are a significant part of the Minecraft community.
Java is arguably harder to learn than Ruby or Python, but choosing Java as a first-time programming language makes learning any subsequent language easier.
6. Python
Python is a relatively easy coding language that requires only a few lines of code to become operational, making it suitable for beginners like kids. It reads like normal speech, making it easy to learn and construct programming ideas. Python’s “batteries included” philosophy allows for extensive research and use of core libraries, making it a great choice for kids to learn.
It is versatile and used in fields like Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, making it suitable for creating numeric and scientific computing projects, web frameworks, and video games. However, regular practice is required, and it is not supported by iOS or Android. Python is recommended for ages 10-18 and is compatible with Mac OS, Windows, and Linux.
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7. Alice
Alice is one of the easiest programming languages for kids. It allows children to program scenes, 3D models, and camera motions using the building blocks approach. Alice’s easy play button and drag-n-drop interface make it easy for children to learn the programming language. It uses the same drag-and-drop-building blocks system as Scratch, Blockly, and other visual coding programs, eliminating clutter and allowing users to focus on developing scripts and writing solutions.
Programs created using Alice can be converted into a Java IDE, allowing kids to transition from visual programming to standard programming. However, this feature may push younger audiences into trying real, text-based programming too fast or too soon. The recommended age group is 10+ and Alice is available on Mac OS, Windows, and Linux.
8. C++
C++ is a popular programming language among computer science experts and developers, known for its versatility and power. It is considered the foundation for most programming languages and can be used for developing enterprising apps. C++ is easy for beginners and can be used for various purposes, including games, desktop apps, operating systems, and web browsers.
It is also easy to learn other programming languages like Java and Python. C++ is known for its power and flexibility, allowing programmers to choose from procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming styles. Objective-C, the sister language of C++, was used to develop apps in Apple systems. C++ can also be a great way for kids to learn to create Windows applications.
9. JavaScript
JavaScript is a fast and powerful language with similar syntax to Java, used for web development and client-facing applications. It is native to all web browsers and is used for creating complex and interactive web applications. JavaScript is an object-oriented and procedural programming language, with features such as lightweight, case-sensitive, client-side technology, user input validation, interpreter-based, control statement, and event handling. It is best for children with experience in Python or Scratch programming.
However, JavaScript has limitations, such as lack of debugging facility and slow bitwise function. It is popular among users and jobs, and is most commonly used for creating web-based, two-dimensional games.
10. Twine
Twine is a free open-source tool for creating interactive, nonlinear stories that focuses on the creation aspect of coding. It teaches users how to structure and present interactive games and stories, making it ideal for kids who enjoy creating but feel overwhelmed by the more mechanical aspects of coding. Originally released in 2009, Twine has been used by people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels, including educators. Kids don’t need to know code or write code, but can extend their stories with variables, conditional logic, CSS, and JavaScript.
Twine publishes directly to HTML, allowing users to post their work anywhere and make it available to anyone. While not a coding app, Twine helps kids develop planning and designing skills in programming. It has become a vital app for game designers and storytellers, with a support wiki, online tutorials, and an active user community.
Conclusion
The best programming language for children depends on their individual preferences and abilities. Java is a popular choice for children to learn coding, as seen in Minecraft. Programming is a useful skill for anyone, teaching processes and problem-solving.
Teachers should understand each language’s benefits and drawbacks, teaching concepts like logic, constructs, and tricks. Online learning environments like CoderZ, Swift, C++, Scratch, and Blockly offer various options for children aged 10-18 to learn programming.
