Discover some of the best Washington DC coding classes! Washington D.C., the nation's capital, isn't just a hub for politics and history; it's also becoming a focal point for future-focused education, particularly in coding for kids. From the vibrant streets of Capitol Hill to the bustling avenues of Georgetown, a myriad of coding classes are available, catering to young digital enthusiasts. Whether through after-school programs, weekend workshops, or summer camps, Washington D.C.'s coding classes - ranging from beginner-friendly introductions to Scratch and Python, to more advanced courses in web development and robotics - are an investment in your student's ability to not only understand but also shape the technology-driven world around them.
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 Washington DC Coding School for Kids and Teens
Looking for the perfect starting point for your beginner coder? 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 Washington DC.
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. 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. 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.
5. 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.
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. Create with ChatGPT: Grades 4-8
In this fun and informative course, students will start to learn how to use ChatGPT more effectively, understand its strengths and weaknesses, and develop important skills to master this very valuable tool.
8. 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.
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 Washington DC
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 about artificial intelligence.
Explore Washington DC 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 Washington DC area that might help based on parent reviews.
1. DC Can Code
1050 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
DC Can Code offers free summer coding camps for rising ninth graders at DC public and public charter schools. Rising ninth graders can enjoy a free, fun week of summer camp and learn to code with Swift Playgrounds —a free app for iPad that makes getting started with Swift code interactive and fun.
2. Capitol City STEM
3014 14th Street, Colombia Heights, Washington DC
Founded by Ryan "Mr. Mike" Daza in 2017, Capitol City STEM was established in order to provide children an environment in which they can reach their fullest potential in science. They offer summer camps and year round classes for students in grades 1-8 in chemistry, robotics, physics and engineering, and more.
3. Boolean Girl
A local nonprofit dedicated to teaching girls (and all children) how to code, Boolean Girl offers camps and classes at multiple locations in D.C. and Arlington, including the Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital. Students in grades 3-8 engage in hands-on projects ranging from storytelling in Scratch to building wearable machines with micro:bit and programming in Python. Their curriculum is designed to be inclusive and collaborative, providing a welcoming environment for underrepresented groups in tech. Need based scholarship is available.
4. Smithsonian Associates Summer Camp
Experience coding in the heart of the nation's capital with Smithsonian Associates. Smithsonian Summer Camp offers one-of-a-kind learning experiences that spark the imagination and engages campers with Smithsonian museums, their exhibits, and their themes. Their summer programs often feature technology tracks such as 'Giant Robots' and 'Innovators of Science,' where campers explore the history of binary code and practice stop-motion animation. These camps leverage museum collections to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers, allowing students in grades K-9 to connect digital skills with historical breakthroughs and scientific discovery.
Explore more about coding for kids and kids coding platforms.
Join Washington DC 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.
