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Code Ninjas

Recommended Ages

K–8th grades

Code Ninjas is a coding education center where kids learn programming by building games and apps inside a martial-arts-inspired “dojo” structure. Students advance through color-coded belts as they move from block coding to real languages like JavaScript and sometimes Python, following a guided curriculum at their own pace. Founded by a software developer who wanted a fun, structured space for kids to learn to code, Code Ninjas now operates locations across North America and offers some online options. Parents appreciate the mix of drop-in flexibility, project-based learning, and a clear progression that makes it feel more like an activity than another class. It’s best for roughly ages 7–14 who enjoy video games and tinkering. Quality can vary by franchise, and costs add up, but many families feel the in-person mentoring justifies the investment. For added value, ask staff how to reinforce concepts at home with free coding platforms between sessions.

Best for roughly ages 7–14 who love video games, enjoy learning on computers, and are motivated by leveling up in a structured program; great for homeschoolers who want a regular out‑of‑the‑house activity that combines STEM, social time and a bit of independence in a supervised environment.

Pros

In‑person coding “dojo” where kids progress through belts by building real games and apps in languages like JavaScript, Lua and C#, giving them a tangible sense of progress and lots of hands‑on practice; many families mention that the social, drop‑in center feel keeps their kids motivated in a way self‑paced videos didn’t, and that confidence and problem‑solving skills grow as they debug projects with help from friendly “sensei” mentors. 

Cons

Quality varies by franchise—some locations are fantastic, while others feel understaffed or less organized; it’s not a full computer‑science curriculum, so students who race through levels may need deeper algorithm and math content elsewhere; monthly membership can be pricey, especially if you’re driving a long distance; and because groups are mixed‑age and open, very introverted or easily distracted kids may struggle without extra support.

Many locally owned Code Ninjas centers partner with homeschool charters and ESA programs—especially in states like Arizona, Arkansas, and California—to accept education funds as payment, but vendor status and eligible programs vary by location, so you must confirm with both your local center and your funding provider before enrolling.

Prices vary by location. One program we found listed $320-$360/month for six classes a week.

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Code Ninjas
$12.00 USD

Skills

What kids will learn
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Coding
Coding
STEM
STEM

Code Ninjas Mission

The mission of Code Ninjas is to turn kids’ love of technology into real-world skills by teaching them to code in a fun, game-based environment. Through a belt-level system inspired by martial arts, kids learn programming by building their own video games and projects while also developing creativity, problem-solving, logic, and resilience. Code Ninjas aims to make high-quality coding education accessible to families through local centers and camps, helping prepare the next generation of problem solvers for a digital world.

Code Ninjas Story

Code Ninjas was founded in 2016 by software developer and entrepreneur David Graham after he noticed how engaged his own kids were in martial arts—and wondered what would happen if learning to code felt just as exciting. Drawing on more than 17 years of experience as a programmer and his earlier work running coding bootcamps for adults, he launched the first Code Ninjas center in Texas, where kids advanced through colored “belts” by completing coding projects. The concept resonated with families, and within a few years Code Ninjas grew into the world’s largest kids’ coding franchise, with hundreds of locations across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., all built around the same idea: turn screen time into skill time.

About Modular Learning

FAQ: Additional Details about Code Ninjas

Walking into a Code Ninjas center, you’ll hear the quiet buzz of kids clicking mice and chatting about their games while large monitors display block code, pixel art, and bouncing sprites. A Sensei leans over to help a child debug a glitchy character, another Ninja proudly shows you the game they just finished, and colored belt posters on the wall track each child’s progress from white to black belt. It feels like a mix between a coding lab and a martial-arts studio, with high-energy bursts whenever someone “levels up” and rings a bell.

Code Ninjas is a brick-and-mortar coding franchise where kids typically attend 1–2 times per week to learn programming by building video games and projects in a dojo-style learning space. Students progress through a belt system in the CREATE program (ages ~8–14), use block-based tools and simple robotics in the JR program (ages ~5–7), or attend themed camps and academies focused on platforms like Minecraft, Roblox, and robotics. Learning is largely self-paced on Code Ninjas’ IMPACT platform, with “Senseis” circulating to coach and troubleshoot, making it a natural after-school or weekend supplement to homeschool STEM.

Parents mainly handle logistics—choosing membership level, scheduling visits or camps, and encouraging kids to practice problem-solving and persistence at home. You can stay in the waiting area or run errands during sessions and then ask your child to demo their projects later.

JR programs welcome early readers or even pre-readers who can follow instructions and use a mouse or tablet with help, while CREATE expects basic reading, comfort with a keyboard and mouse, and the ability to focus for 60–90 minutes. No prior coding knowledge is required.

Code Ninjas offers in‑person, game‑based coding, which can be very motivating for ADHD and autistic kids who love Minecraft or Roblox‑style environments and benefit from mentors. Experiences vary by location, so it’s helpful for families of anxious, PDA, or sensory‑sensitive learners to visit first, ask about noise levels and flexibility, and adjust hours or group size if needed.

Refund and cancellation policies are set by individual centers, but many membership guides state that auto-renewal payments are non-refundable once processed and that unused hours after cancellation cannot be refunded or carried over; to avoid unwanted charges, families are generally asked to email or contact the center before the next billing date to cancel.

Not ideal for families who need a purely online option, who dislike subscription fees, or who are far from a well‑run center; kids who prefer quiet, one‑to‑one instruction or who are easily overwhelmed by noise and open‑plan spaces might be happier with a private tutor or self‑paced online course at home.

Common alternatives include online platforms like Scratch plus free curricula such as CS First or Code.org, game‑based programs like Tynker or Minecraft Education, or live online coding schools and one‑to‑one tutors who can tailor pace and projects more closely to your child.

The company frequently refreshes its curriculum, adding new IMPACT platform features, AI and robotics academies, and updated game projects so returning students stay challenged and inspired.

If you join, ask the local center for a clear map of the belt system and estimated timelines, and pair the dojo work with a simple project at home—like a small Scratch game or website—so your child applies what they’re learning in their own creative, non‑templated project.

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Meet David

David Graham is the founder of Code Ninjas and a career software developer who has spent more than two decades in the tech world. Before creating Code Ninjas, he founded and ran Coder Camps, a program that taught adults to become professional software developers, which gave him firsthand insight into how life-changing coding skills can be. As a father of two, he saw an opportunity to bring those skills to kids in a way that felt playful and motivating, leading to the creation of Code Ninjas’ belt-based dojo model. Known for his franchise-building expertise as well as his passion for STEM education, David has helped grow Code Ninjas to hundreds of locations while championing coding as a core life skill for the 21st century.