Developer

10 toys and games that teach coding

By // October 6, 2014, 8:55 AM PST // ErinCarson

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  • Alice

    These 10 toys and games turn learning computer programming into child's play.

    Through drag and drop tiles, Alice users can create 3D animations. "Instructions correspond to standard statements in a production oriented programming language, such as Java, C++, and C#," according to the website. The program comes from Carnegie Mellon University.

  • CodeCombat

    CodeCombat is a multiplayer game that lets users pick a language like JavaScript or Python and write commands to get characters to accomplish goals like collecting gems in a dungeon.

  • Code Monkey Island

    Available mid October, this board game puts each player in charge of a small band of monkeys. Using strategies that teach the basics of coding logic, players guide their monkeys to a banana grove.

  • MinecraftEdu

    This educational version of Minecraft is being used in a variety of subjects, including programming. One mod, ComputerCraft, allows users to program little robots to to do tasks like digging and building.

  • Hopscotch

    Users drag and drop blocks of code to create programs (things like animations and games) in this iPad app.

  • Kano

    Kano started off as a Kickstarter project that raised $1.5 million. It's a kit for building a little computer, which can then be used to build games and as an aid in learning to code.

  • Kodable

    Kodable is an iPad game/self-guided lessons that teach kids topics like loops, sequences, and conditions through drag and drop commands.

  • Primo

    This game is aimed at very young kids -- using instruction blocks, kids create a path for a robot named Cubetto using a wooden interface board. Primo will be available in 2015.

  • Hello Ruby

    Hello Ruby is a book for kids, particularly little girls, that deals with the fundamentals of programming. The main character, Ruby, happens to be friends with a snow leopard and penguin. There's also a workbook with activities.

  • Scratch

    Developed by MIT, Scratch is a platform that allows for the creation of "interactive stories, games, and animations" and more by snapping together blocks. Users can also share their projects with the Scratch community.

Alice

These 10 toys and games turn learning computer programming into child's play.

Through drag and drop tiles, Alice users can create 3D animations. "Instructions correspond to standard statements in a production oriented programming language, such as Java, C++, and C#," according to the website. The program comes from Carnegie Mellon University.

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About Erin Carson

Erin Carson is a Staff Reporter for CNET and a former Multimedia Editor for TechRepublic.