Coding for homeschoolers can help set your child up for success in many ways. Coding helps children develop important problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. In addition, coding is becoming an increasingly important part of many industries and is a valuable skill to have in today's job market. By learning how to code at a young age, children can set themselves up for success in a variety of careers, including software development, data analysis, and digital marketing. Coding can also be a fun and rewarding activity for children, as it allows them to create and build things using their own imagination and creativity. There are certainly many reasons for kids to learn how to code! But it can be confusing knowing where to start your child’s coding education.
So today, we’ll explore the best coding for homeschoolers. We’ll share coding for homeschoolers curricula, free homeschool coding programs, and even homeschool coding classes for elementary school students, middle school students, and high school students. Let’s jump right in!
Coding for Homeschoolers curriculum
There are several key elements that a homeschool coding curriculum should have in order to be effective and help students succeed.
- A clear and structured learning path: A good homeschool coding curriculum should provide a clear and structured learning path, with lessons and projects that build upon each other and gradually increase in complexity. This helps students develop a solid foundation in coding and ensures that they are able to progress at a steady pace.
- Engaging and interactive lessons: Coding can be a complex and abstract topic, so it's important for a homeschool coding curriculum to have engaging and interactive lessons that help students understand the concepts and ideas being taught. This might include hands-on exercises, interactive quizzes, and multimedia resources like videos and interactive simulations.
- Access to a community of learners: Coding can be a challenging and rewarding activity, and it's often helpful for students to have access to a community of fellow learners who they can collaborate with and learn from. A good homeschool coding curriculum should provide students with opportunities to interact with other learners, whether through online forums, project-based learning activities, or other forms of collaboration.
By including these elements, a homeschool coding curriculum can provide students with the support and resources they need to be successful and develop a strong foundation in coding.
Best Homeschool Computer Programming Curriculum
Create & Learn’s main goal is to inspire the future leaders of tomorrow to learn STEM. And Create & Learn's comprehensive award-winning curriculum with 30+ classes was designed by experts from Google, Apple, MIT, Stanford and MIT so your child is in great hands to become the best version of themselves through computer science. Do not worry about taking your child anywhere for these courses because all of the classes are online and run live by experienced teachers with 3+ years of experience. Get your student involved in STEM today by exploring the best homeschool curriculum:
Grades 2-4: Learn the basics of coding, AI, and Robotic using Scratch, Vex VR, and Microbit. Discover how computers power our daily life.
Grades 4-6: Code games and animations, build mobile apps, discover how AI works, and compete with virtual robotics. Explore a wide range of fields and far reaching topics.
Grades 6-9: Master areas your child enjoys the most from making mobile apps to modern website design. Solve real world problems with computer science.
Grades 9-12: Master areas your child enjoys the most. Reach advanced topics such as CS Principles, Java, Cloud Computing, and even Computational Biology. Solve real world problems with computer science.
Free Homeschool Coding Programs
Trying to teach your child coding from home can be extremely hard if you do not have the knowledge or funds to teach them to their highest ability. Luckily, there are plenty of free and amazing resources and classes that can help your child learn coding to the best of their ability.
1. Create & Learn's Free Coding Classes
Create & Learn’s classes are a great fit for any student - with 30+ computer science subjects rated 5-stars by parents and students. With their award-winning curriculum recognized by Minecraft Education, Roblox Education, SMASH, and more you know your child is going to get the best learning experience possible. With many classes you can choose from there is even a free introductory class to see if it is a great fit for you and your child!
Grades: K-12
Format: Live online classes/summer and winter camps
Pros:
- Award-winning curriculum.
- Classes for all ages.
- Small class size.
Cons:
- You may need to schedule far out due to classes being full.
- May need high-speed internet for zoom and other programs to function properly.
2. Code.org Courses
Code.org has helped over 70 million students learn the valuable skill of coding. They are dedicated to the vision that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn awesome computer science skills from K-12th grade. Students also have the option to learn completely online and in person using local after-school programs and summer camps. This is a good way to build children educationally and socially. On top of that, Code.org is a nonprofit that focuses on educating young women and students from marginalized communities.
Grades: K-12
Format: Activities and class lessons
Pros:
- All of the classes are free.
- Easy access to any course.
- Allows students to work at their own pace.
Cons:
- Lack of guidance. Without guidance, students might choose activities at random instead of following the scaffolded curriculum.
- Young students definitely need a mentor, teacher, or parent to help teach them the curriculum.
3. Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide free, world-class education for everyone. They use practice exercises, videos, and a learning dashboard to help students learn at their own pace. They focus on a multitude of topics so computer science is not the only focus of Khan Academy. Their main focus is skill mastery to help learners establish strong foundations, so there's no limit to what they can learn next.
Grades: K-12
Format: Recorded video classes
Pros:
- All of the classes are free.
- Easy access to any course.
- Multiple subjects to choose from(other than computer science).
- Allows students to work at their own pace.
Cons:
- Less interactive than having a tutor or teacher over Zoom.
- Only exposed to one teaching style.
- It can only instruct and not inspire and guide students.
Homeschool Coding for Elementary Students
Elementary students can get a head start on coding! These classes are the best path to take to teach your child the fundamentals of coding at home, and having fun while doing it.
1. Scratch Ninja Class
Developed by MIT, Scratch coding is a great way to introduce kids to computer programming because it uses simple drag-and-drop blocks rather than complex syntax. This course is specifically designed for young students in mind who are interested but know nothing about coding. Sign up to get your child started today!
Grades: 2-5
Best for: Young beginner students. (For K-2 start with Scratch Junior.)
2. Minecraft Redstone Engineering Class
This class is designed for students who want to be future programmers and engineers. Minecraft Redstone Engineering focuses on the electrical side of Minecraft and teaches students how to make complex machines and structures. After this class your child will be a Minecraft Redstone expert and can bring those skills to life!
Grades: 2-5
Best for: Minecraft lovers who have an interest in engineering and tinkering.
3. Minecraft Modding Quest
If your child enjoys Minecraft then this is the class for them. In this class, students learn a broad set of coding concepts starting from basic concepts and going on to learn the fundamentals of programming. Watch your child build complex structures, mini-games, and much more in this packed course.
Grades: 2-5
Best for: Minecraft lovers who want to learn to program.
4. Junior Robotics Class
This class is designed specifically with students in mind by Apple and Stanford experts. The Vex robotics class teaches students coding through robotics with fun, hands-on projects. In this fun class, it will introduce students to the wonderful world of robotics! Your child will code the robot to move, draw, turn, and more, all in the virtual world. No physical robot is required.
Grades: 2-4
Best for: Kids who are interested in robots.
5. MakeCode Arcade
This course allows students to create fun and unique games. Its use of block-based programming is perfect for beginners and allows anyone to create retro arcade games. Each session is packed with several foundational programming principles like variables, loops, and more. Sign your child up now to get the best start to their coding experience possible.
Grades: 3-10
Best for: Kids who want to try game design.
6. Internet Safety Class
Do your children know what information they should or shouldn't show on social media or video games? Kids are online more than ever before, but do they know how to use the Internet safely and protect their privacy? When students join this introductory class they'll explore a wide range of topics related to computer security, modern computers, and the Internet. Throughout this class students will enjoy fun videos, games, figuring out security tools, and even building their own projects
Grades: 2-5
Best for: Kids interested in being safe on the internet.
7. Pokémon Game Building Class
Does your student love Pokémon? Join this live virtual class and find out how to build Pokémon games and customize them in all sorts of creative ways! During this fun live online class, an expert teacher guides students through exciting challenges such as how to customize their Pokémon, how to use camera features to catch Pokémon, and other awesome skills to tailor their game-building experience. Create your own Pokémon virtual pet and keep it healthy and happy; Get ready to cast your Pokéball as you make and conquer the Catch the Pokémon Game; and much more.
Grades: 2-6
Best for: Kids interest in game design and development, who have some previous Scratch coding experience.
Homeschool Coding for Middle School Students
In middle school you will learn tons of things that prepare you for High School and your future. These courses help you to learn more advanced coding skills in the comfort of your own home.
1. Accelerated Scratch Course
This compressed series of Scratch coding classes introduce students to all of the key coding concepts in a handful of sessions and prepares them for more advanced computer science courses. In this class, you will practice core coding concepts, and build many impressive projects in just under an hour each class. It's great for both middle schoolers and you'll see their confidence and interest in coding soar!
Grades: 5-9
Best for: Kids with prior coding experience in Scratch.
2. Mobile Coding for Apps and Games
Kids love mobile apps and games so why not get them to make their own? This class allows students to learn to code mobile apps in small, live group sessions. The use of Thunkable (a block-based programming language) helps kids who are not confident in written-based coding to make awesome projects. After finishing the class, your child will be more than comfortable with building a plethora of mobile games and apps!
Grades: 4-9
Best for: Kids glued to their mobile devices.
3. Website Design with Wix Class
Whether it is for their robotics clubs, community service, or to create their own portfolios to enter auditions and competitions, students find many places to use website building. This class uses Wix, a popular website builder to learn the basics of web development without the hassle of learning how to make it from scratch.
Grades: 5-12
Best for: Kids who want to build their own website.
4. Beginner Roblox Coding Class
If your child loves Roblox then why not get them learning with it? In this fun live virtual class students will learn the foundational coding skills to create their own games in Roblox, the popular gaming platform with over 40 million games! This class is designed for students to become equipped with foundational Roblox coding skills without having to use the standard and very complicated game development tool most commonly used for Roblox, Lua.
Grades: 3-8
Best for: Kids who love Roblox.
5. Python for AI Class
Python is a high-level coding language used by companies such as Netflix and Google, and it is also used for web development, game development, building apps, machine learning, and so much more. Studies have shown programming with Python to be one of the simplest and most popular coding languages when learning to code. If you want your child to be ahead of the game then Python is the perfect fit for them.
Grades: 5-12
Best for: Kids who have mastered block-based coding.
Homeschool Coding for High School Students
High school students have tons of things they need to focus on, so why not lighten the load with plenty of classes that will prepare them for college or their future? This list compiles a few of the best coding courses for high school students.
1. Data Science with Python and Pandas Class
Data analytics is critical to the success of modern businesses, and can be really fun to learn for kids and teens. No matter whether your student wants to become an entrepreneur, a lawyer, a journalist, a doctor, or an engineer, it is important for them to gain the power to analyze and utilize and the data to gain business insights and make decisions. This class is perfect for the High School student who wants to further their education and have fun doing it.
Grades: 5-12
Best for: Teens who want something to put on their college resume.
2. Unity Game Development Class
Plenty of kids love video games and their dream is make their own. You can make that dream come true in this awesome video game course that is made to allow kids to build amazing video games. This series of Unity classes teach students the core techniques of developing both 2D and 3D games in Unity. It covers a wide range of topics from character control, coding (in C#), to asset management.
Grades: 6-12
Best for: Video game lovers.
3. Advanced Roblox Game Coding Class
This advanced Roblox coding class is designed for students who have completed the Coding with Roblox Studio Class, and want to reinforce their knowledge and build more complex games in Roblox. In this class, students will test their knowledge and learn more awesome programming techniques and make amazing projects.
Grades: 6-12
Best for: Teens with Roblox coding experience.
4. Computer Science Principles Class (APCSP)
This class introduces students to a huge variety of important fundamental topics in computer science including binary, encryption, networking, and more. This class was designed by expert AP computer science educators and even meets the requirements for the APCSP exam by College Board. This is the perfect thing to add to your College resume.
Grades: 6-12
Best for: Students who plan to take the APCSP exam.
Start coding for Homeschool students
Now you know some of the best online courses to teach homeschoolers how to code. Up next, help your child jump right into learning coding with a fun beginner friendly tutorial: make a game in Scratch.
Written by Create & Learn instructor Gabrielle Cindric. Gabrielle is a Computer Science student by day and a STEM instructor by night. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games and hanging out with her poodle Bailey and cat Asphalt.
