Children & Youth Coding Resources
Learning to Code is in the spotlight as a way for young children, tweens and young adults to check out STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) focus areas. Did you know that there are many free resources including websites and free downloadable computer software that can be used for coding activities for all of these age groups? The good news is that as library staff you do not have to know how to computer program or code to offer an activity or program at the library for young people in your community.
For coding resources geared toward 5-8 year olds graphics and drag and drop activities are used to interact with these young learners using coding programs.
For the older youth you may want to look for other resources in your community to assist with developing coding opportunities at your library. Besides looking to your local school, ESU and local business technology experts there are additional organizations that are interested in partnering with local libraries to offer coding programs. The AIM Institute and UNL Extension-4H already offer opportunities for youth to explore how to write computer code and program robots.
Links are provided below to the most popular free coding sites. Explore these coding websites and try out these free coding resources. Contact local organizations, AIM or 4-H and see if there's a possible partnership for offering a coding program at the library.
We'd love to hear from you if you have any questions about getting started with a coding program at your library, or if you have a success story about a coding program offered at your library that you�d like to share on the Nebraska Library Commission website or blog.
The Nebraska Library Commission does not endorse any commercial products, processes, or services included on this resources page.
Coding Resources for ages 5 to 7:
Coding resources for ages 8 to 10:
Coding Resources for Tweens (11-12 years old):
- AIM-CoderDojo - contact Nebraska based CoderDojo recources
- Alice - download application, available for Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems
- Code.org
- Codeacademy - Web based resource to learn how to program in Python, JavaScript,PHP, HTML & CSS, Ruby. The The AIM Institute has a Nebraska based CoderDojo group, http://aimforbrilliance.org/coderdojo/. Do not use IE Browser with this website.
- CoderDojo -global network of free computer programming clubs for young people
- Hour of Code The Hour of Code is a web-based one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics.
- Khan Academy - volunteer based instructions for all ages, specific programming instruction for JavaScript and HTML/CSS
- Made w/ Code - Web based resource which features projects to help teach kids ages 13-18 how to code. This website focuses on empowering girls to explore how to code.
- Sew Electric Web based program to introduce girls to computing. By combining craft, computer science, and electronics we found that we can consistently get girls (and boys) excited about these topics. And, they learn how to sew, write programs, and design circuits along the way!
Coding resources for young adults (13+):
- Code.org
- Codeacademy - Web based resource to learn how to program in Python, JavaScript,PHP, HTML & CSS, Ruby. The The AIM Institute has a Nebraska based CoderDojo group, http://aimforbrilliance.org/coderdojo/. Do not use IE Browser with this website.
- CoderDojo -global network of free computer programming clubs for young people
- Hour of Code The Hour of Code is a web-based one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics.
- Khan Academy - volunteer based instructions for all ages, specific programming instruction for JavaScript and HTML/CSS
- Made w/ Code - Web based resource which features projects to help teach how to code. This website focuses on empowering girls to explore how to code.
- Sew Electric Web based program to introduce girls to computing. By combining craft, computer science, and electronics we found that we can consistently get girls (and boys) excited about these topics. And, they learn how to sew, write programs, and design circuits along the way!
Addtional Resources: Online tutorials
Maker Movement Resources
Recording of Webinar on January 30, 2015, Youth Coding Resources - Programs and Resources for Youth in Your Community