In a world where technology increasingly intersects with every aspect of our lives, the ability to understand and create digital tools offers a significant advantage. For children, this isn't just about coding; it's about developing their future problem-solving skills and creativity.

Here are some top sites and resources that stood out to me.

1.  Scratch: Your Child’s First Step into Programming

Developed by the MIT Media Lab, Scratch is a platform that transforms the complex process of coding into a visual experience. Through an intuitive interface, children can drag and drop blocks to create stories, games, and animations.

Scratch isn't just a learning tool; it's a global community where young programmers can share their projects, get inspired, and learn collaboratively. It emphasizes creativity and learning through exploration, making it an ideal starting point for children aged 8 and up.

2. Mimo: Coding on the Go

For a more structured approach to learning programming languages like Python, JavaScript, or even HTML, Mimo is a mobile app that breaks down complex concepts into bite-sized, manageable lessons.

Mimo offers a personalized learning path that adjusts to your child’s progress and interests. The application has several exercises that require actually typing out code, and offers paid versions that provide additional coding challenges.  Mimo is suitable for older kids and teens ready to tackle real-world coding challenges.

Other Recommended Sites

These sites I have heard positive things about from other sources. If Scratch or Mimo don't suit your child, perhaps try one of these.

Code.org

Famous for its Hour of Code, Code.org offers a wide range of coding lessons for students of all ages. It's especially good for beginners and offers courses based on popular themes and characters to engage young learners.

Tynker

Tynker provides a creative coding platform for kids to develop their programming skills through storytelling, game design, and web development. It offers self-paced online courses and is aimed at children aged 7 and up. Tynker Website

Kodable

Designed for children as young as 4 years old, Kodable teaches coding concepts through fun and simple games. It lays a strong foundation for future coding learning by teaching the basics of computer science. Kodable Website

Lightbot

Lightbot is a puzzle game that uses game mechanics rooted in programming concepts to teach kids how to code. It's suitable for all ages and is available on various platforms, including web, iOS, and Android. Lightbot Website

Conclusion

For children who are interested in using a computer to "do something" or "make something", programming offers a great way for them to do so. Whatever the child's interest is, be it telling stories, solving puzzles, or playing games, the websites I've mentioned provide a great way for them to explore that interest while also developing a skill that can serve them in the future.