Helping your kids learn coding can be a daunting task. However, with so many new games being released, it’s easier than ever to find something that will work for your family. Some of the best ways to teach your kids how to code are by playing specific games.
These games may be more fun and engaging for kids who typically don’t enjoy sitting in front of a computer screen all day long just typing away. Here are some great games to help get you started with teaching your kids how to code.
Roblox
The Roblox Department can teach you how to correct problems and debug them, which is an important component of software development. Video game programming utilizes the same coding languages and ideas that are often used in database, machine learning, and web development.
In Roblox coding, users learn about loops, arrays, switch statements, methods, legacy, and other subjects. Users of Roblox Studio will learn Lua, a programming language that has been used to create thousands of games, commercial apps, and software applications.
Users can buy Robux, a virtual in-game currency, with real money, but they can also make money. Users can sell single content they develop to other players, such as virtual outfits and equipment.
Minecraft
Minecraft provides a learning environment for coding by allowing students to meet their teachers virtually and graphically demonstrate how coding may influence them. However, starting the game and allowing the youngsters to learn is not that simple. It is best used as one of several tools in a more thorough coding curriculum.
Minecraft doesn’t directly teach coding, but has numerous ways to learn coding fundamentals in a roundabout method. For example, players are able to experiment with redstone, an in-game item that can trigger in-game actions. This works very similarly to on/off switches and loops, and can become quite complex.
There is also Minecraft Pi, a version of Minecraft that runs specifically on Raspberry Pi devices and allows players to manipulate the game world through code.
Lego Boost
Lego Boost is a hybrid app and toy that teaches kids to code. Children begin by building and programming simple Lego robots, and with each accomplishment, the app progresses to more complex projects and coding difficulties.
Lego Boost’s colorful and appealing features provide you with an overview of potential projects. You must initially accomplish fundamental coding challenges before moving on to the more difficult ones, which is reasonable if you consider Lego Boost to be a fun educational tool.
Starmourn
Starmourn is an online sci-fi adventure game, similar to an MMORPG, but with one caveat – it is presented entirely through text. Players access the game through a command-line interface, either on the website or with a desktop client. In fact, it’s quite similar to old text-based dungeon games like Zork, but with many other players in the world.
Because the game is entirely text-based, players can code scripts in JavaScript to run in many scenarios. For example, a player would need to type commands to heal themselves in combat, or repair their spaceship, but they can code scripts to perform these commands automatically, giving them an advantage.
Scratch Jr
Scratch Jr. is a descendant of the popular Scratch programming language, which was created by Tufts University, PBS Kids, and MIT’s Media Lab. Scratch is designed for children aged five to seven, whereas Scratch is designed for children aged eight and up. It is similar to Scratch Jr in that it is based on the same interactive storytelling idea.
Scratch Jr. allows children to create artboards and tales with characters that can speak with one another. Rather than teaching children to code directly, it stresses coding principles through the use of puzzle pieces (drag and drop) that allow them to control their character.
CodeCombat
This web-based game software teaches kids how to code while they conquer dungeons, fight monsters, and complete quests. The player avatars can only move, execute, attack, or evade when the appropriate instruction is given, and incorrect script execution might have devastating results.
CodeCombat, like a game, provides students with visible feedback every time they complete a successful code and every time they make a mistake. In traditional coding, a script error will result in an unresponsive screen or a basic dialog box. When utilizing CodeCombat, the erroneous code is graphically shown as penalties in the game.
