Coding for Kids: Best resources and tutorials to get started

Coding for Kids. Engage your kids in a productive way by introducing them to coding concepts. Learning to code boosts problem-solving skills, promotes logical thinking, improves computational thinking and creativity. Find free online resources and tutorials that will help your kids learn programming. 

Benefits of Coding for Kids

Basic programming is not just for adults. Just like Math, programming is now considered an essential skill. And that is why more schools are introducing basic coding in their curriculum.

So why not teach your children how to code from a young age?

Coding helps kids learn about design, improves logic and problem-solving abilities, allows them to express ideas and creativity in unique ways.

Kids can use the knowledge of coding to become master coders, build websites, develop games, become super animators, and more.

So encourage your kids to develop career-ready skills today.

Best Online Resources to Learn Coding

Want to get your child started with coding? These websites will teach children how to play around with code.

Code.org
This site is maintained by a nonprofit foundation and is a great starting point for coding novices. There is lot of useful online resources, apps, and even local schools that teach coding.

I recently got a call from a representative working for a startup that focusses on teaching programming to children. They even conducted a free coding session for my child, where a tutor conducted an interactive video session on the internet.

During the introductory class, she taught my 8-year old son how to create a basic app (changing the background colour on the clock of a button).  She used Code.org to enter the code for the app and to test it.

Roblox Studio

Roblox is a very popular gaming platform among kids. Roblox also provides a game development platform (for free) that students can use to learn game development and to develop their own games. You will need to download Roblox Studio to start creating games, which you can later also upload on Roblox.

Coding (Development) & Testing: Complete Guide

Here’s a complete coding, development & testing guide that can be applied to software development as well as game development.

Software Development Steps

Any software development goes through phases such as analysis/inception phase, development phase and the testing phase with each phase taking roughly 1/3rd of the total project duration.

Alpha testing is the process of formally testing a software and documenting/tracking the bugs as they are found. The objective is to ensure the product is at least usable (by internal users).

Once all the major bugs/crashes are sorted out, the build goes into Beta testing (may involve external testers). Bugs fund during this stage usually don’t break the application (or game), but are disruptive and annoying for the user.

Testers test for functionality, play/logic, rule adherence, single/multiuser testing, compatibility testing, configuration testing, performance testing, and so on.

QA testing (QA stands for Quality Assurance) is the final and a vital stage for any project, including game development, where testers have a last good look at the product and get rid of any last minute bug that can have a negative impact on the image of the application (if its found out by the public after its launched).

Some applications may require several rounds of testing (as part of QA).

After the Quality Assurance stage, the application/game goes live and is officially released and shipped to end-users/consumers.

Development is team work where a lot of people are involved, with the developers playing an active role in the initial phases (design & development), and the game testers in the later (testing phase).

A software (or game) development team includes several people working on different roles/jobs.

• Programmers: who create (code) the software/game.
• Testers: who test the software/game. They may even help with creating test data, test cases, bug reports, and related things.
• Technical Writers: Creating test cases, help files, documentation, writing detailed reports.

A game development team may have a slightly different composition. A game development team will have the following roles:

• Video Game Programmers, Designer and Animators, Sound Designers
• Video Game Testers
• Technical Writers

Video game designers are responsible for creating the “experience” of a particular game, to ensure the game is engaging and fun.

Video Game Animators coordinate the movement of video game characters. They do sketching & modelling, build Scenes, adding texture, work on lighting and camera angles, and more.

Audio / Sound Designers are responsible for creating the music and sound effects of video games. Video game music is created either from: Digital sources or Real-life stimulation

Video Game Development

Independent game development is on the rise, creating a large market for software programs that make game design easier. There are a variety of programs available, from 3D animation programs to software that makes it easy to create role playing games. Many game design programs are simple enough for even a novice to learn.

2D Game Software

The simplest form of video game is created in a two-dimensional environment. 2D games typically feature basic graphics and sounds, along with game play that is not too complex. Game Editor is one of the most popular programs because it is extremely easy to use.

3D Game Software

Games that are created in 3D are much more realistic than their 2D predecessors. Animation and richer sounds and graphics give 3D games a much more professional look and feel. There are several free programs available, such as Game Maker, which features a user-friendly drag and drop interface. The 3D Game Maker provides a variety of features to create a unique video game without any type of experience.

RPG Development Software

Role playing games are a very popular online gaming format and are relatively easy to develop with the software that is available. RPG Maker XP is a free program that is used by developers of all skill levels. It is easy to use, but versatile enough to support scripting for more advanced users. RPG Toolkit and Hephaestus are also popular RPG making software programs that offer a variety of features.

Advanced Game Making Software

Video games that have the quality and effects of console games typically require knowledge of programming. The best console and PC games are usually developed by a team of creative professionals. Visual designers and animators use Photoshop and Character Studio, while sound designers use their own specialized programs, as well. These games are generally built using C++, but Perl, Python and some scripting languages may also be used.

How to Design a Video Game

A good video game always starts with a creative idea. If you are new to game development, simple 2D game making software may be the best place to begin. If your idea is a bit more involved than what a two-dimensional layout can offer, download a free program like Game Maker to try out your skills. Individuals who are interested in designing and developing more advanced games should consider a degree in video game design.

Turning your terrific idea into the next blockbuster video game is becoming easier and easier to accomplish. With so many free game development software programs available, you can see if you have what it takes to make a video game that everyone loves playing.

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