From Oak Park to Naperville there are tons of options for kids and teens to learn coding and have fun. Discover the best Chicago coding classes and camps for kids, including convenient online options led live by experts, so your child can get started today.
Check out upcoming free computer science events for kids led by tech experts: past events have featured guests from Pixar, NASA, Intel, and more!
Chicago Coding Classes and Camps for Kids
Programming classes aren't just about writing code; they're about shaping young minds to think logically, solve complex problems, and prepare for a technologically-driven future. By enrolling in kids coding courses today, students not only gain a competitive edge but also harness skills that will prove indispensable in the evolving global landscape.
Looking for the perfect starting point for your beginner? Begin with entry-level courses in subjects as diverse as block coding and Minecraft Modding to web design, that don't require any previous computer science experience. Your child will have fun while learning how to build apps, games, websites, and anything they can imagine!
Create & Learn's online coding classes for kids and summer camps stand as a top choice for parents seeking a comprehensive and engaging coding education for their kids in Chicago. Classes run throughout the year, while summer coding camps are from June to end of August starting. What sets Create & Learn apart is its curriculum crafted by tech experts and educators hailing from renowned institutions like Apple, Intel, Google, Harvard, MIT, and Code.org. Through both inquiry-based and project-based learning in live online classes led by experts, students are empowered to apply their coding knowledge to real-world projects and gain critical thinking that transcends mere syntax.
Furthermore, your child benefits from learning under the guidance of a dedicated team of experienced US-based instructors who provide personalized support in small class sizes (maximum of 3-5 students), ensuring every child 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. Get started with popular fun coding for kids 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. Robotics & Smart Devices: Arduino for Kids: Grades 4-9
Perfect for kids ready to dive into the world of high-tech gadgets, this course introduces Arduino as a fun and powerful way to bring your own inventions to life. Students learn how to create circuits with sensors, motors, and more, and then code to control these components, like motion sensors, spinning motors, and bright LED displays. By practicing real-world engineering and problem-solving, you will transition from basic electronics to designing and coding your very own interactive robots and smart devices.
3. Budding Digital Artists: Grades 1-4
Have fun being creative with a variety of interesting digital art projects from patterns to architecture and stop-motion! In this class students will learn to appreciate great design in their daily lives, while exploring many different types of art mediums.
4. 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.
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 through hands-on projects. It's the perfect middle-ground for students who have mastered basic block coding and are curious about the future of tech.
6. Canva & AI Design for Kids: Grades 4-8
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. Newly updated , this course now integrates generative AI tools like DALL-E and Adobe Firefly. Students learn to create professional-grade graphics and videos while exploring AI-assisted image generation.
7. Beginner Roblox Game Coding Class: Grades 4-9
This fun intro to Roblox coding class takes middle schoolers from Roblox players to creators. Starting with the fundamentals of Roblox Studio and Roblox game development—such as variables, loops, and if/then statements—students learn to manipulate 3D objects and make them respond to player movements and clicks. As they progress, they dive into more advanced mechanics like cloning objects for multiplayer dodgeball games, creating competitive leaderboards, and using messaging systems to power complex features. By the end of the course, students will have built several fun multi-faceted projects, ranging from "Infinity Run" style obstacle courses to custom quiz games, allowing them to showcase their coding skills.
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 Chicago
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 Chicago In-Person Coding Classes Tech and Camps for Kids and Teens
If you're looking for an in-person coding experience, here are a few coding schools around the Chicago area that might help based on parent reviews.
1. We All Code
3432 West Diversey, Chicago, IL
We All Code offers single-day coding classes for kids ages 10+. During a 3- to 5-hour course, kids will learn about one specific topic, ranging from HTML to JavaScript, and use those skills for fun projects such as making a robot move. The workshops are totally free and participants don’t need any prior computer knowledge. "My 9 yr old son can't wait for another class! He's always excited to go there...we have been going for about a year now." one parent said.
2. Kids STEM Studio
770 W Gladys Ave Chicago, IL 60661
At Kids STEM Studio kids ages 4 to 14 explore STEM subjects through projects featuring robotics, experimental design, engineering, computer coding, Minecraft and more. Their hands-on programs are offered through weekly classes, camps, and after school enrichment. "My daughter attended for a week this summer for camp. She loved the camp and wants to make this her primary camp next summer. We will be back for winter and spring break camps! We live in south loop and have friends that also love the after school program. Great space for kids." shared a parent. Camps have been expanded to multiple locations: Chicago (West Loop), Naperville, and Schaumburg
Explore more kids coding platforms
3. Tech Revolution Summer Camp
Lavner Education runs camps at two locations in Chicago - British International School – Lincoln Park, and Northwestern University. They offer a wide range of activities like Robotics, Coding, Game Design, Minecraft, Roblox, Artificial Intelligence, 3D Printing, YouTube content creation, Filmmaking, Digital Art, Spy Tech, and STEM. The curriculum aims to meet kids where they are — whether they’re beginners or already have experience — so everyone gets a chance to build new skills at their own pace. Class sizes are pretty small, usually about one instructor for every 4 to 8 kids. It's a strong choice for kids aged 6 to 14 who are serious about getting hands-on with tech and creative projects during the summer. The beautiful college campus is a draw for some students as well.
iD Tech is another program that runs camps nation wide on college campuses. They tend to have more courses than Tech Revolution but large camp size and higher price as well.
4. The Coder School - North Shore & Lombard
Started from San Francisco Bay Area, The Coder School now includes about 60 franchise locations in the United States, two of them in the Chicago area. The curriculum are designed centrally while operations are done by location owners. The Coder School runs year around and hold summer camps as well. At North Shore, one camp is offered each week from June to August for about 8 weeks. The summer camps offer a mix of coding, gaming, and robotics experiences for kids ages 9 and up. Across different weeks, campers dive into real-world programming skills through Python, learn to build and modify worlds in Minecraft, design their own obstacle course games in Roblox using Lua scripting, and get hands-on with robotics by programming physical devices. The camps are designed to be accessible for beginners while offering deeper challenges for more advanced kids.
5. Northwestern Center for Talent Development (CTD)
Northwestern Center for Talent Development (CTD)
For students seeking a more rigorous academic approach, Northwestern University’s CTD offers specialized technology pathways for gifted learners (PreK-Grade 12). Courses range from Data Science and Cybersecurity to Ethical AI and Mobile App Development. These programs are ideal for high-achieving students who want a university-track experience and the opportunity to earn high school credits or explore career-level tech concepts during the summer.
6. MSI Chicago Summer Tech Camps
5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
The Museum of Science and Industry offers some of the most advanced technical resources in the city, including their professional-grade Wanger Family Fab Lab. Their summer camps allow kids to dive into digital fabrication, using laser cutters and 3D printers to bring digital designs to life. For teens, MSI offers specialized workshops in game design and robotics that utilize the museum's world-class exhibits as inspiration for their technical builds.
Join Coding Classes for Kids and Teens in Chicago
Starting 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. Today STEM fields out-earn all other fields by 12-30%. 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.
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. We'll get in touch to get you all set up for your live Zoom sessions.
