Update: This article was last updated on 14th February 2025 to reflect the accuracy and up-to-date information on the page.
Technology; it’s the tale of innovation, always spinning in circles. We buy into it, yet when it comes to our children, we stand at a crossroads thus faced with a maze of forks, uncertain of the very first step that we should take. So I suggest, to settle for baby steps because learning happens in steps, and nothing changes abruptly.
For your children, it could be an interesting leap into the technology world by learning kids coding languages. There is no need to fret about the initial steps to take because there are many visual programming for kids tools out there; you can arise as beneficial and fantastic for your kids and kids coding as a beneficial tool. A child having programming as a skill is amazing at all these little games, and is like learning the ABCs for computing! Knowing a programming language will build a kid’s problem-solving abilities and logical thinking from an early age. Several kids programming languages offer easy and interactive ways to make learning enjoyable.
Just in case you’re unsure, the “What is programming language?” question, simply put, is a means of communication of computer instructions. But to give assurance that the road is comfortable, many children’s programming friendly languages like Scratch and Blockly offer soft paths meant for interactive learning through programming. Learning a children’s programming language may build a strong foundation for future tech endeavors.
Let us dive into our list of the top 10 programming languages for kids.
There are many programming languages that are suitable for kids to learn in 2023. Some options include:
| App Name | Description | Age Range | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scratch | Easy to use block-based programming language for kids | 8-16 years old | Easy |
| Snap! | Similar to Scratch, but with more features for complex programs | 10+ years old | Medium |
| Blockly | Another easy to use block-based programming language | 10+ years old | Easy |
| Swift | Programming language for building iOS and macOS apps | 9+ years old | Medium |
| Ruby | Programming language known for its expressiveness and ease of understanding | 10+ years old | Medium |
| C++ | Powerful and flexible programming language that can be used for a variety of purposes | 12+ years old | Hard |
| Python | Widely used programming language with a large and supportive community | 12+ years old | Medium |
| HTML/CSS | Languages used to create websites and web applications | 10+ years old | Easy |
| Java | Popular programming language used to build a variety of applications | 12+ years old | Medium |
| Lua | Simple and easy to use programming language for embedded systems and applications | 10+ years old | Medium |
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1. Scratch
Image source : Pinterest
Another entrant into kid coding languages is the kid’s visual programming tool Scratch, dating back to 2007, which is from MIT. It humbly revolves around the creation of interactive stories, games, and animations by children who would simply benefit from a block-based programming language, thereby making it incredibly easy for kids to pick up the language. Being probably the leading kids programming language, it familiarizes children with programming languages for kids in the freshest and most light-hearted way: with over 100 million users, Scratch is a rather neat way for children to get hooked on learning coding.
Age: 8-16 years old
Recommended Reading: Top 5 Scratch Project Ideas for Kids
Recommended Reading: Top 5 Scratch Project Ideas for Kids
2. Snap!
Snap! Sprung from the research of MIT Media Lab’s Lifelong Kindergarten group is a web-only visual programming for kids and online community for use by children to create interactive stories, games, and animations using kids’ programming language. The block editor offers Snap! as a modified alternative to its highly praised counterpart, Scratch. Snap! has somewhat of a grown-up approach, laden with heavier feature sets that make the program more suitable for setting up those complex programs.
For kids, Snap! is regarded as one of the better programming languages for promoting computational thought in them, developing many creative skills in interdisciplinary projects. Snap! Users are capable of coding countless different kinds of programs, from little animations and games to the very advanced math, science, and social studies projects. As a leading kids coding language, Snap! introduces your little one to the basics of coding in a fun and engaging way.
Now, if you’re asking what a programming language is, Snap! is an obvious answer as an easy programming language for children, early in coding education.
Further Reading: Coding for Kids: Why Should Every Child Learn to Code?
3. Blocky
Blockly, developed by Google, is a free and open-source visual programming language that is easy to understand even for those who are new to programming. It has been highly used in schools as one of the best programming languages for kids to teach coding through a fun, intuitive, and interactive approach.
Blockly supports a whole range of kids coding languages including JavaScript, Python, XML, making it an adaptable kids programming language. Blockly can be found for free online at the Blockly website and also as an app for iPhones and Android devices. Blockly, in the event that you’d like to know what a programming language is, takes an innocent jab at explaining coding for children by allowing programming through visual blocks. This wonderful programming language for kids is thus relatively easy, with kids waltzing through concepts because of blocks rather than complex syntaxes.
4. Swift
Image source : Pinterest
Swift is the language for kids programmed by Apple. It is for iOS and macOS programming, as well as developing applications. The new language, released in 2014, even contains visual programming for kids- super easy to learn, and together there are developers signing on to show it as one of the best programming languages for kids raising their interests in coding languages and mobile app development. What is a programming language? It is simply that for kids, Swift is an example of HOW one can learn easily to do app creation without too much retroaction.
Kid programming offers very uncomplicated syntax and interactive playgrounds that make learning superb for little human beings discovering adult coding languages; thus, swift is a wonderful language for kids.
Swift is intended for children aged 9 years and above.
5. Ruby
Ruby is another kids programming language that introduces children to the fascinating world of programming, not balancing between functional and imperative; it is dimensional. Rubys creator Yukihiro “Matz” Matsumoto has actually taken ideas from many coding languages such as Perl, Smalltalk, Eiffel, Ada, and Lisp, before coming up with this kids coding language that is expressive and powerful at easy readability and understandability.
According to Matz Ruby should be as natural as possible, not artificially simplified. Matz released this in 1995 but became widely accepted in the world in 2006. It is also completely free-both free of charge and free to use, copy, modify, and distribute making it an easy programming language for kids.
How many have heard that Twitter was created by using Ruby? Most developers still develop it for visual programming for kids: simple syntax makes sense to beginners recognizing what a programming language is without beating around the bush. Search no more as Ruby is indeed a great programming language for kids.
6. C++
C++—a programming language that is very suitable for children because it is easy to learn and a beginner program, applicable for a whole bunch of things, including game creation, desktop apps, operating system building, and even web browsers. It is a sound foundation in kids coding language that highlights understanding core programming concepts.
Once a kid knows C++, no other kids programming language such as Java or Python will be difficult to learn. C++ is also known to be mature and powerful, having the flexibility to allow multiple programming styles: visual programming for kids, procedural, object-oriented, and functional. Such flexibility makes C++ one of the best programming languages for kids and even today an important coding language for developers.
In fact, if one wants to know, “what is a programming language?”, C++ serves as a great platform to get started. With its highly structured approach, C++ becomes an ideal kids programming language that enables young minds to clear fundamental concepts before moving onto other programming languages.
7. Python
Image source : Pinterest
According to computers, Python is easy to follow, and so boasts youngsters leaning very well indeed. It lets kids think like programmers, much like a toddler programming language. They won’t really have trouble learning how to program with Python since it is so easy that they can convert images they see in their heads to commands in the language. Out-of-the-box, Python has also bundled a lot of very useful objects. Because of this, Python is the programming language for kids.
Python also makes for visual programming for kids, hence far easier. As with all the current best programming languages for kids, it makes learning coding very simple. If you are puzzled as to what a programming language really is, well, Python is a great example of one that will be easy for children to learn.
8. HTML/CSS
Image source : Pinterest
HTML and CSS are known as the key development languages, and they are a good place to start in children’s coding languages. These are the programming languages kids learn while making the web; they form the bricks to build websites and web applications.
An introduction to web development such as a simple programming language for kids that suggests concepts learnable through visual programming for kids, online tutorials, or interactive courses. It is both a straightforward programming language and a good example to take into account when demonstrating what a programming language is for beginners.
9. Java
Java is much in demand as it is a general purpose language that runs vast types of applications like mobiles, games, and web applications. It is indeed the best language for kids interested in applications as Java has always been the kids coding language for introducing accessible easy programming. Beginner level might take up visual programming for kids as a stepping stone and then venture into more difficult languages.
Java also perfectly complements the search for the best programming language for kids because it offers a simple and friendly introduction to the world of programming. Its view shows the children the possible codes a programming language can hold and, therefore, enables young learners to understand basic codes. The easy programming language of kids, Java opens access to lots of creative chances.
10. Lua
Lua is an interpreted, high-level, multi-paradigm programming language primarily designed for embedded systems and applications. Its quality and popularity are derived from its simplicity and its use as a high-level programming language. Lua is dynamically typed and has a simple, easy-to-learn syntax, which means that it is approachable by programmers of all skills. Used for everything from games to web programming and even scientific computing, Lua has everything to offer: children’s coding languages, visual programming for kids, and best programming language for kids.
It is also an excellent programming language example for kids. Reading offers learning about programming languages, kids programming language, and what programming is all about much easier for young learners. Lua is the beginning point for the easy programming language for kids wanting to start a coding journey.
Surprise point: SQL is one of the most demanding programming languages in the world.
Recommended Reading: Lua vs Python – What are the Differences?
It’s important to remember that the best programming language for kids to learn will depend on their interests and goals. It’s a good idea to allow them to explore and try out different languages to see which one they enjoy the most.
Moonpreneur understands the needs and demands this rapidly changing technological world is bringing with it for our kids.
Moonpreneur is on a mission to disrupt traditional education and future-proof the next generation with holistic learning solutions. Its Innovator Program is building tomorrow’s workforce by training students in AI/ML, Robotics, Coding, IoT, and Apps, enabling entrepreneurship through experiential learning.
I hadn’t considered Ruby before, but now sounds ideal for my 11-year-old. Knowing that Twitter was created using Ruby is impressive. I’ll encourage my child to explore this language further.
I’ve heard that Python is widely used in the tech industry. Is it suitable for my 12-year-old to start learning?
Yes, it is easy to understand and its simplicity makes it beginner-friendly.
One can also learn C to create a great coding base.
Can I learn coding without laptop?
Yes, you can learn basics but for hands-on experience, you need a laptop.
Tell me factors to consider when choosing a programming language for your child.
Here are some factors you should consider whenever you choose a programming language for your child:
Age: Some programming languages are better suited for younger children, while others are better for older children for example scratch is best suited for9-12 years.Interests: Consider your child’s interests when choosing a programming language. Career goals: If your child is interested in a career in computer science, you might want to choose a programming language that is in high demand in the industry.
My son is interested in coding. Is Python good for him?
Yes, Python is a good language for kids to learn, especially those interested in coding. It is easy to learn and can be used to create a wide variety of applications. Python is also a future development in programming. Python will increase the children’s thinking power , logical reasoning and problem solving skills.