10 Best Coding Books for Kids Reviewed in 2024

Instructions are simple to follow with fun graphics, and there are multiplayer or single platform games. Only a laptop or desktop computer is needed and a connection for the Internet. The programming language is Scratch 2.0, which is free for anyone to use online. The Internet connection is needed for project sharing and program download only. The author has a physics degree from Oxford and a Ph.D. from London in computational astrophysics and began coding at eight-years-old.

Educational value

It teaches creative thinking, working with others, and systematic reasoning as it builds valuable skills in programming computers. These valuable life lessons are required for most of today’s schools.

Ease of use

Packed with many fun exercises, it is for the advanced beginner in the grade range of third to seventh. Kids at this age should easily understand Scratch and its many possibilities.

Creativity

Make memory games and puzzles, add animation, and dart through mazes with this 224-page volume. It will seem like all fun and games to children but the lessons they learn along the way are important.

Age range

Made for those that have no or little coding experience, such as those in the eight to twelve-year-old range, this book is a straightforward, visual guide.

Girls Who Code is a real national organization that has inspired more than 40,000 young females in America. It provides real-life tales of females employed at NASA and Pixar to show how far coding can take you. It empowers girls and shows them how to code from this author that is the CEO and founder of Girls Who Code. She has had plenty of publicity from New York Daily News, Fortune, WSJ Magazine, and Business Insider concerning her skills and books written.

Educational value

Not only will girls learn to code from this product but also be inspired to greatness with real-life examples of those who have gone before them in highly important jobs that use coding.

Ease of use

This 172-page volume explains coding principles well and simply with amazing artwork for illustrations. It uses mazes, puzzles, and games to show kids the basic principles needed.

Creativity

Coding is relevant in any occupation and interest, so this wonderful book shows how to make your own robots, games, and apps to learn. With this knowledge, children can then do their own creations.

Age range

Those in the grades of fifth and sixth will reap the most benefit from this unique book aimed toward girls who want to learn to code. It teaches kids to code in a fun and progressive way.

The paperback edition leads the way from just playing games to eventually creating them and includes exciting pixel artwork and simple directions to cover the basic programming knowledge. It provides hands-on experiences in learning that is fun and engaging with just a laptop or desktop computer plus the Internet. The coding does not require the Internet, but the program download does. The writer has a physics degree and a computational astrophysics degree, plus gives many talks at schools about programming clubs and space.

Educational value

This terrific introductory tool to computer programming teaches creative thinking, systematic reasoning, and working with others. Coding for children does not have to be hard with the help of such books.

Ease of use

There are quizzes after each project to solidify the concepts and vocabulary in this 40-page book. It is made for the beginner and uses Scratch 2.0 program language.

Creativity

Some of the activities include a speed game, an animated bouncing melon, a ghost hunt with a flying witch, and a soccer game. Games can be used with friends to play.

Age range

Those aged six to nine will enjoy this book and the Scratch program the most. Most kids in school at this age are already experimenting with such code programs in their regular classes.

Included are popular games such as Brick Bouncer and Snake that provide hours and hours of fun and entertaining coding concepts. It gives instructions that go step by step, so they are simple to follow and understand. The grade levels of first to sixth and the age range of six to eleven-years-old are the best candidates for this knowledge. The author is well-known in the coding community and has written over twenty software titles just for kids.

Educational value

Using fun games that are popular with children, this volume creatively shows youngsters exactly how these wonderful games are made. It takes them from beginning to end with easy instruction.

Ease of use

Coding for kids could not be any easier than with this beginner book that takes them step by step into the processes. It uses Scratch which is the basic program for the start of coding.

Creativity

Software books such as this one introduce kids to the possibilities of coding and the choices they can make in creating their own games. It will spark the creative process and get them thinking in the right direction.

Age range

Very young children can begin coding with this simple book of games. Even first graders can understand some computer ideas and direction. Those six to eleven will do the best with this volume.

Teaching how to complete JavaScript, CSS, and HTML, this 208-page book is best for those of the ages of nine to twelve. To keep kids interested, it uses a diamond quest for the theme to lead children to the make-believe jewelry thieves. The information is given in easy small chunks of data for better understanding and is written by an organization called Young Rewired State. The writers are a group of international kids that are quite tech-savvy and all under the age of eighteen.

Educational value

The formats of JavaScript, CSS, and HTML will be introduced and explored in this creative volume. Most children will encounter this knowledge in school at an early age, so it is good to begin early at home.

Ease of use

Because coding books can be boring in some spots, the authors use a jewelry heist theme to keep kids progressing to the end. It is a clever way to get through the mundane data they need to know.

Creativity

All sorts of things can be invented with the help of this guide. Children can make games, apps, and websites on their own as they follow the instructions that are provided.

Age range

Fourth to seventh graders will be excited with this coding book that teaches programming for kids. It is a book written by young people for young people, so the wording will be easily understood.

This terrific book shows young kids the basic concepts and programming skills needed to code without the use of a computer such as loops and sequencing. It is a hands-on playful introduction to programming and coding offline that is packed with games, mazes, and puzzles to teach debugging, algorithms, and sequences. It builds the skills of logic and critical thinking to begin lifelong literacy in computers with the use of play and imagery to make the learning engaging and fun.

Educational value

Some fairly intricate items are taught with this paper engineering book such as debugging, algorithms, and sequences to very young children. It just goes to show that it is never too early to start.

Ease of use

Because this book does not use a computer to show the basic concepts of coding, it can be used anywhere and without the use of the Internet. It can make real coding much easier further down the line.

Creativity

Once kids see how things begin and function with coding, then they can take matters into their own hands and try their hands with their own ideas. Such books are good for sparking this ingenuity.

Age range

Best for those in kindergarten to second grade, this volume on coding gives those in the age range of five to seven a good head start with the ideas.

It has actual programming to do and helpful tutorials included, so it is not a complicated book at all. adults can learn from this book too as it gives practical applications along the way in its 105 pages. This wonderful volume includes the most entry-level common languages of Python, Ruby, and Java to name a few. It also explains exactly how video games are created and shows how to make them yourself.

Educational value

Using the entry-level programs that are simple and common today, users will learn quickly the vocabulary and concepts needed to understand games and codes well.

Ease of use

Since this book assumes that the reader knows absolutely nothing about programs and codes, it is a good starting book for those that need to begin at zero or a great refresher for those that need further understanding.

Creativity

Explaining the “why” and what makes programs work will give the user the knowledge to break off on their own and make their own codes and programs. It spurs the imagination to begin coding.

Age range

There is no recommended age level for this book because it can be used efficiently by children and adults the same. A good minimum age would be about six or seven-years-old because it starts from step one.

It shows how to use Scratch to create games and builds confidence in coding concepts. Kids learn code blocks, sprites, scripts, and scorekeeping techniques with the provided clear directions. Projects become progressively harder to learn the basics as each task is accomplished. The exciting games created include Dino Hunt, Cake Clicker, and Crystal Keeper in this 172-page volume. There are screenshots in full color to help with the instructions. The author is the co-founder and CEO of a coding school in California for kids.

Educational value

Since the author is a founder of a successful coding school, the learning process of this instruction is tried and proven. Children do learn how to code quickly with this format.

Ease of use

Screenshots show kids exactly what they are supposed to do each step of the way in this volume. Along with the instructions, the progress of making the ten included games will be easy.

Creativity

Playing computer games is really fun but making your own is even better. Not only do you get cool games to play with friends, but you will also learn to implement your own ideas for other games.

Age range

School-aged children in the range of six to ten will benefit most from this book on computer programming for kids. They can not only read the text well but also recreate the steps needed for the tasks.

This volume uses Python which is the advanced next step after Scratch. It shows the basic steps of programming for coding in 236 pages designed for those aged ten to eighteen. Helpful screenshots and hacks guide you along the path to move and draw shapes, make code blocks, and tackle fundamental functions. The learning is game-based as it develops independent thinking and creativity. The directions are straightforward and simple to follow. The author is a writer, advocate for STEM education, and a software engineer.

Educational value

Once the fifty games have been made using Python, your child’s knowledge of coding and programming will be amazing. Just think of all they will know and be able to do with this information.

Ease of use

With directions that are straightforward and screenshots to show what is to be done, the progress of creating and understanding will flow well. both kids and adults can use this book for coding basics.

Creativity

The games become more complicated and the ideas become more profound with this advanced program. The basic knowledge already gained will spark new ideas and creative thinking for Python games.

Age range

Being a more advanced coding book, this volume covers Python which is best for those in the age range of ten to eighteen. Some basic concepts are required at this stage that are taught in Scratch.

Written by Raj Sidhu and offered in Kindle and paperback versions, this volume for eight to fourteen-year-olds teaches how to apply what is learned with fun projects. Delightfully engaging, hilariously written, and wonderfully illustrated, this guide takes the reader step by step through the coding process. It inspires children to aim for exciting careers in technology with its positive wording. The included methods are proven to work and have been tried on thousands of kids worldwide.

Educational value

The original Scratch is still in use, but this latest version of Scratch 3 has much more to teach kids. It is the first step for those interested in computer games and how they function.

Ease of use

Each step of the coding information is illustrated with color photos to use for guidance. This method of learning works well as it has already been a huge success in many places with kids.

Creativity

Fun projects and games are the mode of learning the sometimes complicated and boring concepts of code with this book on coding for kids. They will learn as they have loads of fun with each task.

Age range

Those in third to eighth grade will get the most from this book on programming for kids. It is not as basic as the original version of Scratch since the concepts are a bit more difficult.