Codakid

Finding coding programs that go beyond drag‑and‑drop into real languages can be tough for families who aren’t programmers. Codakid is an online coding school where kids build games and apps using languages like Python and Java, guided by video lessons and step‑by‑step instructions. Developed by professional developers and educators, it’s designed to feel like a kid‑friendly coding bootcamp with support when students get stuck. We love that projects feel substantial—think Minecraft mods or real‑looking apps—rather than abstract drills. It’s ideal for roughly ages 8–16 who are ready to move past Scratch into text‑based coding. The subscription isn’t cheap, and some kids will still need an adult nearby to troubleshoot, but the depth of content is strong for serious learners. Pro tip: have your child pick one “capstone” project per course and present it to the family, explaining what they built and what code made it work.