Students enjoy coding because of the creativity they can express with their creations and it also empowers them with problem solving and persistence. It also increases students confidence to handle any problems that may come their way. If you're looking for ways to help your fifth grader learn computer science, while ensuring they have fun, we've pulled together some resources to help introduce coding to 10 year olds. From self-guided videos, to free online coding classes, you're sure to find something to spark your child's interest and help them develop a new passion.
Get Started With Coding For 10 Year Olds
First, find out the answers to common questions parents of 10 year olds have about beginning to learn coding.
Can a 10 year old learn coding?
Yes, 10 years old is a great age to start learning to code! Students who are 10 years old have the excitement to learn something new like coding. At this age, most students are already familiar with basic computer skills from playing games such as Minecraft or Roblox, or from technology classes at their school. Building on their interest in these games as well as the skills they've acquired, learning to code can become a great hobby and provide excitement for students. Not only is coding fun, but also it is an excellent skill to learn that encourages problem solving, creativity, and deep thinking.
Which programming languages are best for a 10 year old to begin with?
By far the best languages for students who are 10 years old who are interested in coding would be any block coding (also known as drag-and-drop) languages. Scratch and Minecraft Education Edition provide some of the best drag and drop language experiences, but there are tons of other languages that support drag and drop as well.
Drag-and-drop languages are preferred for new learners because of how visual it is to code. Coding in drag and drop provides the fundamentals of computational thinking while not having to worry about the code to type out. Block based coding allows students to focus on the logic behind it. Because the pieces are drag and drop they connect together like puzzles!
If you are already familiar with Scratch and other drag-and-drop coding, then Python, Javascript, and Roblox Lua, are excellent coding languages to advanced to next. These are excellent languages because of how versatile they are and are considered beginner friendly text-based languages. Javascript is practically used everywhere, and Python is also very popular for artificial intelligence (AI) and many other computer science fields. All of these languages can also be great for game development as well.
Top Free Coding Programs For 10 Year Olds
Now that we have an understanding of some of the best languages to learn, listed below are some of the best free coding classes for 10 year olds.
1. Create & Learn’s free coding classes
Here at award-winning computer science education platform Create & Learn we offer a selection of free coding classes so you can find out which class and coding language is right for your student! All of our classes are taught by experienced teachers based in the US, and are designed by experts from Google, Stanford, MIT, and more. Each of our free classes allows your fifth grader to build a basic project to learn coding essentials.
2. Codecombat
CodeCombat is a highly engaging, game-based learning environment that lets 10-year-olds learn real text-based code while playing a fantasy RPG. Operating on a freemium pricing model, the platform allows students to play through the core introductory levels for free, while a paid subscription is required to unlock advanced levels and comprehensive features. It specifically focuses on teaching industry-standard typed languages like Python and JavaScript, making it an excellent bridge for 5th graders moving past block coding.
3. CodecAcademy
Codecademy is an excellent resource for self-guided learners wanting to dive straight into typed programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and HTML. Codecacdemy offers tons of free resources for many different languages. If you are familiar with typed languages and want to learn more about coding without the help of a live expert to answer your questions, Codecademy is a great choice.
Best Coding Classes For 10 Year Olds
Explore a wide range of fields and far reaching topics, with our fifth grade computer science curriculum designed by experts from Google, Stanford, and MIT for 10 year olds. Create & Learn's classes have been recognized by Minecraft Education Edition, Roblox Studio, Meta, SMASH, HulaFrog as the Most Loved Virtual Learning program, and won a Best of Award from ActivityHero.
There are also pathways you can chose to follow based on your child's interests such as Young Inventors, Game Creators, Coding Essentials, and more. With live online classes for 10 year olds, you can code games and animations, build mobile apps, discover how AI works, and compete with virtual robotics. Here are some parent favorites.
1. Scratch Ninja
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).
Best for: Beginner coding
2. Minecraft Code to Mod
Featured by Minecraft Education, this Minecraft class is an exciting, hands-on coding adventure where kids get to learn programming skills while being super creative with their favorite game—Minecraft. From the very first class, students dive into the world of coding by solving fun puzzles and commanding in-game agents, learning essential concepts like loops, conditionals, variables, and functions along the way. As they progress, they unlock even more creative freedom—building structures, spawning animals, developing their own mini-games like zombie battles, and more!
Best for: Kids who enjoy gaming or need a bit of a challenge
3. Junior Robotics
For students who love building but want to see their creations come to life on screen, Junior Robotics uses the VEX IQ platform to teach the fundamentals of mechanical movement and sensor logic. Students learn how to navigate obstacles and complete challenges in a 3D virtual environment, providing a solid foundation for competitive robotics teams in middle school.
Best for: Kids who might enjoy seeing a physical representation of their work
4. Beginner Roblox Game Coding
Does your child love Roblox, or the thought of creating their own unique games? In this fun live virtual class students will learn the foundational coding skills to create their own games in Roblox, without having to use the standard and very complicated game development tool most commonly used for Roblox: Lua. Your student will go from learning all about how to use their workspace to creating their own dodgeball game, multiplayer games, and even a game inspired by the highly popular infinity run game where players must turn, dodge, and jump to avoid obstacles and gain points.
Best for: Kids interested in Roblox coding and game design, with some previous Scratch coding experience
5. Internet Safety
Learn all about computer security and how to use the internet safely in this live online class. Explore a wide range of topics related to computer security, modern computers, and the Internet. This will be the most exciting cybersecurity class for kids with real-world applications, delivered through a combination of project and inquiry-based learning. Students will enjoy fun videos, games, and security tools, as well as build projects of their own.
Best for: Internet basics and any child using a computer
Start Coding For 10 Year Olds
10 years old is a great age to start coding! There are also plenty of free materials available for you to find out which language is the best starting point, or the best way to up-level your skills. To empower your child to learn and create right away, find out how to make a sprite jump in Scratch with this fun tutorial.
Written by Create & Learn instructor Andrew Harper. Andrew has always had an interest in coding, and after he got his degree and certification in education, he realized that he could be a coding teacher! From there, he started researching and learning a lot on how to integrate computational thinking into education. His dream is to one day create educational software, materials, board games, and video games that encourage students to apply critical thinking and STEM foundations to improve their classrooms and communities. He always tells his students, “ if you can imagine it you can create it in code!”
