Coding Apps

By Tim Slavin / Notebook / October 2015 Issue

You can learn a little software programming and have lots of fun with any number of coding apps available for your phone or tablet computer.

Plus there are websites like Tynker where you can build games. And there’s even a fun service, Bitsbox, that delivers every month a bunch of games you can code and play.

Here are a few ideas to investigate. There are many more in the links at the bottom of this article.

Bitsbox

Kids learn to code by making games on the Bitsbox.com website then play them on their phone or tablet. The games are quite clever with fun bright graphics. And it’s easy for kids to adapt the code once they figure out the game, to learn and become comfortable with code. As an adult, I had a lot of fun poking around their games. And it was a blast to get their box in the mail each month. Ages 5 and up.

Codea

If you are self-sufficient, don’t mind looking up help, and like to take things apart, Codea is an iPhone and iPad app to create games. You can adapt existing code or create from scratch. The app has lots of game functionality with few limits on what you can create. The experience is similar to coding with a real programming language. Indeed, Codea lets you code with Lua, a scripting language often used in real world games. Ages 10+.

Hopscotch

One of my favorite apps, for its simplicity, this iPhone and iPad app uses blocks you drag and drop to create effects. Blocks are customized to do different things. It has a strong community of kids who often come up with creative ways to make games and have fun. Ages 5+

Tynker

Many US kids are familiar with Tynker in their classrooms because it was developed with the help of teachers and school districts, to meet their curriculum standards. Similar to Scratch and Hopscotch, Tynker is a block language where you drag and drop blocks then configure the blocks to do things. The main virtue of block languages apply here: it’s easy and fun to move blocks around, find sprite images, and make the blocks do things. Ages 5+

Move the Turtle

Geared towards little kids, this game lets you move a turtle around the screen by setting direction and the number of steps to create artwork and solve problems. With a little help to get started, most kids will figure it out. The game teaches basic coding ideas and sets them up nicely for block languages like Scratch, Hopscotch, and Tynker. Ages 5+

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Tim Slavin

Tim is an award-winning writer and technologist who enjoys teaching tech to non-technical people. He has many years experience with web sites and applications in business, technical, and creative roles. He and his wife have two kids, now teenagers, who are mad about video games.

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Also In The October 2015 Issue

October 2015 Issue: Internet of Things (IoT)

Concepts

What is the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things (IoT) connects dumb devices like refrigerators to the internet and uses software to connect them to our daily lives.

Notebook

Operating Systems for Internet of Things

There are many operating systems for internet of things devices, from existing software used to control electronic boards to efforts by Google and Apple.

Notebook

Video Games for 2015 Holidays

Disney Infinity 3.0, Rocket League, and Super Mario Maker are three fun video games to consider for the 2015 holiday season

Notebook

Coding Apps

You can learn a little software programming and have lots of fun with any number of coding apps available for your phone or tablet computer.

Concepts

What is an Operating System?

Operating system software is a key part of all computers. But what are they and how do they work?

Projects and Puzzles

How to Make Kittens with JavaScript

Learning how to make kittens with JavaScript is a great way to learn how to use the free Chrome web browser to practice and learn JavaScript.

Notebook

Programming Books

Working through a book can help parents learn programming with their kids or kids learn on their own.

Notebook

Coding Board Games

Board games and card games are some of the best ways to learn about programming. You don't need a computer. Play as a family or group.

People

Robots

These robots also can be programmed to move around rooms, one way for kids to learn programming.

If you want truly to understand something, try to change it.

History

The First Computors

Six women were hired to use their math skills to program the ENIAC computer. They called themselves The First Programmers Club.

People

An Interview with Nicky Ringland

Nicky is a Linguistics major who learned coding skills to further her research. She's also finished a PhD, won a few big awards, and co-founded Grok Learning.