In the heart of Texas, Austin shines not just for its live music and eclectic spirit but also for its burgeoning hub for tech (companies such as Google, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and more have opened up shop) and tech education. From East Austin to Northwest Austin, the city promises a plethora of opportunities for kids to learn coding. So today we'll reveal some of Austin's best kids coding classes for making games, building websites, developing apps, conquering AP CS exames, and much more.
Check out upcoming free computer science events for kids led by tech experts: past events have featured guests from Pixar, NASA, Intel, and more!
Coding Classes & Tech Camps for Kids & Teens in Austin
Looking for the perfect kids coding starting point for your beginner coder? Start with entry-level computer science courses in subjects as diverse as block coding and NASA science to web design, that don't require any previous computer science experience. Create & Learn's award-winning live online coding classes for kids & teen and camps stand as a top choice for parents seeking a comprehensive and engaging coding education for their kids in Austin.
What sets Create & Learn apart is its curriculum crafted by tech experts and educators hailing from renowned institutions such as Apple, Intel, Google, Harvard, MIT, and Code.org, its high teaching quality, and small class size. Through both inquiry-based and project-based learning, students are empowered to apply their coding knowledge to real-world projects.
Your child will benefit from learning under the guidance of a dedicated team of experienced US-based instructors who provide personalized support in small class sizes (maximum of 5 students), ensuring every student gets the attention they need to excel. Recognized by industry giants like Minecraft Education, Roblox, Meta, and applauded by platforms like HulaFrog, ActivityHero, and SMASH, Create & Learn's coding classes come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Empower your child with the skills and knowledge needed for the future. C the entire kids coding curriculum and get started with popular beginner classes including:
1. Scratch Ninja: Grades K-9
Learn core coding concepts, and use a wide range of fun Scratch features such as motion, sensing, and clone. Have fun as we build animations or games in every session. Younger students will enjoy ScratchJr (k-2), while older students can join Accelerated Scratch (5-9).
2. NASA Science: Grades 1-4
Fascinated by Mars and aliens? Explore the mysteries of outer space with fun projects. Learn about many fun areas including rockets, the International Space Station, the Solar System, and a lot more.
3. Minecraft Redstone Engineering: Grades 2-5
Embark on a creative journey to build incredible machines, light shows, automatic doors, and even flying contraptions with powerful Redstone. Explore the intricacies of circuits, switches, and sensors, while learning real-world engineering principles.
4. Junior Hackers - Smart and Safe on Internet: Grades 2-5
This is an exciting, kid-friendly introduction to cybersecurity, online safety, digital privacy, and how the internet really works. Through fun videos, games, hands-on tools, and creative projects, students learn to protect themselves online by understanding topics like password strength, viruses, encryption, and safe internet behavior. They will also dive deeper into concepts of binary, how data travels across the web, and encryption, all while building cool projects like a Morse code generator in Scratch. It’s a fun, empowering way to help kids explore the tech world safely and smartly!
5. AI Explorers: Grades 4-7
In this interactive course, students explore how Artificial Intelligence is changing the world. From understanding how self-driving cars 'see' to building their own AI models that can recognize images and sounds, this class demystifies complex technology such as how AI learn and neural networks through hands-on projects. It's the perfect middle-ground for students who have mastered basic block coding and are curious about the broader field of AI.
6. Canva for Kids: Grades 3-6
Create beautiful graphic designs and videos with beginner-friendly Canva. Learn how to add elements, fonts, effects, and more in Canva, before finding out how to drag and drop design elements and even animate them.
7. Mobile Coding for Apps and Games: Grades 5-10
Designed for young coders with prior Scratch or Python experience, this class teaches students how to build their own professional-grade mobile apps using Thunkable. It covers everything from UI design and touch-screen sensors to advanced cloud computing and multi-user networking. Through hands-on projects like image recognition games and riddle apps, students develop the skills necessary to compete in prestigious events like the Congressional App Challenge. By the end of the series, participants will be comfortable creating mobile apps that integrate live data, cameras, and sophisticated logic, turning their creative ideas into real-world tools.
8. Python for AI: Grades 5-12
A starting point for high schoolers looking to learn coding, Python stands as a high-level coding language favored by industry giants such as Netflix and Google, and is often used in web development, game design, app creation, machine learning, and much more. This class not only covers the fundamentals of Python coding, but also places a strong emphasis on the elements of Python most relevant to Artificial Intelligence, including data structures and libraries.
Start with Free Kids Coding Classes in Austin
These small group free coding classes include a live online experience, and awesome teachers that set every child up for success. Discover the magic in technology and have fun when your child gets started today! Choose from beginner-friendly Scratch and Python, or build your student's existing coding skills by learning Minecraft engineering or about artificial intelligence.
Explore Austin In-Person Coding Classes & Summer Camps for Kids
If you're looking for an in-person coding for kids experience, here are a few coding schools around the Austin area that might help based on parent reviews.
1. iCode School kids coding classes and camps
4301 W William Cannon Dr Building K Suite 200, Austin, TX 78749
With this in-person program, students work individually, with dedicated teachers available to assist with challenges. For instance, the video game development program allows students to work at their own pace with lab mentors available to assist when needed. Their summer coding and tech camp program offers a range of beginner-friendly options for kids ages 6 to 14, with sessions running throughout June till early August. Campers can dive into topics like robotics with VEX and VEX 123, Minecraft modding and survival coding, 2D game development with Scratch and Construct 3, Roblox game creation, and YouTube content production. Camps are mostly five days long, with some three-day and one-day special sessions around July 4th, giving families flexible options to fit different schedules and interests.
2. Girlstart Summer Camp
Located at the Girlstart STEM Center on W. Anderson Lane, Girlstart Summer Camp provides intensive, week-long STEM and coding experiences exclusively for girls. With fun, relatable themes—like engineering and physics explored through popular pop culture—the program successfully makes technology approachable and deeply engaging. Students build real-world STEM skills, increase technical confidence, and collaborate with like-minded peers in a supportive environment.
3. Game Worlds Camp
Located in North Austin, Game Worlds offers an immersive experience where professional developers from the city's massive gaming industry teach kids aged 8 to 18 how to build their own games. During these week-long summer camps, students learn the full cycle of game development, including programming, art, and music composition. The program stands out from general coding camps because it provides students with the unique opportunity to receive direct feedback from pros who work at world-renowned studios like BioWare and Blizzard.
4. UT Computer Science Summer Academies (highschool students)
The University of Texas at Austin's Computer Science Department offers one-week residential summer academies for high school students entering grades 10–12, providing hands-on learning experiences led by UT faculty. Students can dive into specialized areas like game development, iOS app creation, machine learning, and robotics, all while gaining expert mentorship in a collegiate setting. In addition to paid academies, UT also hosts free Scholars Academies focused on broadening access to computer science education through programs like Academy for All and Academy for Women. Camps are highly competitive with limited enrollment, offering a unique opportunity to experience college life and advance coding and problem-solving skills.
Join Austin Coding Classes for Kids and Teens
Learning coding is a pivotal investment in kids' future, ensuring they are well-prepared and adaptable in a world where technology is at the forefront of innovation and progress: 75% of future jobs will require advanced digital skills by 2030. Furthermore, six different studies show that children who study computer science perform better in other subjects! Invest in a future where your kids are equipped to excel in various fields, from technology to arts and sciences. Start today with a free Scratch coding class.
Teachers and educators - Book free virtual classes for your students (groups of 10+) any time of the year. We serve all schools and community organizations, and have even partnered with SMASH and Meta's Engineer for the Week to teach students across the US. Just pick the activity you're interested in for your class (from these 10 fun options) and contact us at partners@createandlearn.us.
