Portland, Oregon is a vibrant hub for tech innovation, making it the perfect place for kids to learn coding and computer science skills. Future programmers can some day hope to contribute to the city's vibrant tech and gaming scene, from Intel and Mozilla to SuperGenius Studio and GarageGames. With a variety of coding classes available in the area from Pearl District and Hawthorne to Alberta Arts District, children can explore different programming languages and technologies while preparing for future jobs in fields such as software development, cybersecurity, and data science. Discover the best Portland kids coding classes, and empower the next generation of innovators and tech leaders!
Check out upcoming free computer science events for kids led by tech experts: past events have featured guests from Pixar, NASA, Intel, and more.
Explore The Best Portland Coding School for Kids and Teens
Looking for the perfect starting point for your student as they begin their coding journey? These courses don't just prepare kids for the jobs of the future; they empower them to become the creators of tomorrow. Enjoy entry-level computer science courses in subjects as diverse as block coding and AI art to web design, that don't require any previous computer science experience. Create & Learn's award-winning live online coding classes and camps stand as a top choice for parents seeking a comprehensive and engaging coding education for their kids in Portland, Oregon.
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. 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, 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. Junior Robotics Grades 2-4
This Vex robotics virtual world class teaches students how coding is used in robotics through fun, hands-on projects. Students will learn how to navigate robots through a virtual environment and gain a deeper understanding of how robots can be used to solve problems through many real-world examples.
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. 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!
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Make Mobile Apps and Games Grades 5-12
Learn how to create fun apps and games for mobile devices. The class uses Thunkable, a block-based programming platform for professionals. It is easy to use, yet very powerful, and is used by many to develop commercial applications.
9. Modern Website Design with WIX Grades 5-12
Learn how to design beautiful websites! Starting from the basics of how to use WIX and how to structure your website, to designing the layout, choosing color schemes, and even creating a web store with products.
10. 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 Portland
These small group free coding classes include an online live experience taught by 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 about artificial intelligence.
Explore Portland In-Person Coding Classes and Camps for Kids
If you're looking for an in-person coding experience, here are a few coding schools around the Portland, Oregon area that might help based on parent reviews.
1. Saturday Academy Coding & AI Classes
4035 NE Sandy Blvd STE 226, Portland, OR 97212
If your student is seeking project-based, hands-on learning from local Portland tech professionals and community experts, then Saturday Academy is the place to be! As a local educational staple since 1983, Saturday Academy offers a wide variety of weekend and summer programs in Python, Scratch, LEGO robotics, and AI. Classes are hosted at local universities like the University of Portland and PSU. Programs are available for grades K - 12.
2. OSMI Coding & Robotics Camps
1800 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214 (and other locations based on the camp chosen)
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry offers a wide variety of day camps and overnight camps for kids to explore! They offer world-class summer and spring break day camps focusing on LEGO SPIKE Prime robotics, game development, stop-motion animation, and digital design. Campers learn how hardware and software interact, developing abstract problem-solving skills while testing their code on physical robots and games.
3. Engineering For Kids
2029 NW Miller Rd, Portland, OR 97229
Engineering For Kids offers a fun after-school program for kids in the Portland area. Children can explore various engineering concepts and learn coding skills through interactive projects and activities.
Explore more about coding for kids and kids coding platforms.
Join Portland Kids Coding Classes
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.
