Best Coding Apps for Teachers to Teach Coding to Students 2024

What is Coding?

Before jumping into the apps, let’s first define what coding is.

Coding refers to the languages and instructions used to program computers, applications, websites, and other technologies. When someone is coding, they are giving computers a set of commands that tell them what actions to take.

Some key things coding allows you to do:

Build websites, apps, software programs
Automate tasks
Create visual effects and animations
Apply logic to solve problems
Bring ideas to life digitally

Learning coding teaches a range of critical skills beyond technical abilities. As students code, they develop:

Computational thinking: Breaking down large problems into smaller, manageable parts.
Critical thinking and problem solving: Finding solutions through logic, trial and error.
Creativity: Turning abstract ideas into something tangible.
Collaboration: Working together to achieve shared goals.
Communication: Explaining processes and ideas clearly.
Perseverance: Continuously testing and improving programming until it works properly.

Now that you know what coding entails, let’s examine why coding should be taught in schools.

8 Reasons Why Students Should Learn Coding

Equipping students with coding skills powerfully prepares them to thrive in the digital era. Here are the top 8 reasons coding should be part of kids’ education:

1. Develop Computational Thinking Skills

As explained above, coding promotes breaking complex tasks down systematically. This computational thinking nurtures:

Logical reasoning
Pattern recognition
Organizing data effectively
Modeling processes and simulations

These mental processes enable greater efficiency and success when approaching multifaceted projects.

2. Enhance Problem Solving and Critical Thinking

Coding requires persistent analytical thinking and troubleshooting. As kids code, they must:

Recognize issues in their code
Investigate potential solutions
Test theories methodically
Draw insights from feedback

Applying coding to real-world problems paves the way for sharper critical faculties.

3. Build Tenacity Through Trial and Error

Part of coding involves repeatedly trying different approaches to achieve the correct output. Each small failure presents an opportunity to fine-tune their strategy.

This develops tremendous:

Resilience when setbacks occur
Self-regulation while assessing problems
Self-confidence through ultimately overcoming hurdles

These traits spur resourcefulness outside of coding contexts as well.

4. Gain Confidence and Strengthen Collaborative Abilities

Imagine the sense of achievement students feel when they finally debug a program or create a functioning app from scratch. These big wins provide an enormous confidence boost.

Collaborating on coding projects similarly leads to:

Listening to perspectives patiently
Communicating thoughts clearly
Dividing workload effectively
Celebrating group success

5. Prepare for High-Demand Futures

Technology progresses rapidly, making coding a cornerstone skill across industries. Those proficient in coding stand to benefit tremendously in upcoming decades as:

Coding jobs are growing at over twice the rate of other occupations
1 million coding jobs are expected to go unfilled by 2030 in the US due to underskilled workers
Employees with coding know-how will find plentiful, well-compensated opportunities

Early coding education helps students capitalize on this bright outlook.

6. Make Math Fun Through Games and Simulations

For students who find math dry or intimidating, coding sparks engagement by letting kids apply math principles to invent their games, stories, and digital worlds.

Designing these personal creations requires calculating scores, managing lives/health, tracking levels, choreographing movement speed based on time, etc. Coding empowers kids to choose how math comes alive.

7. Gain Crucial Digital Literacy for Modern Times

As pressing societal matters involve sophisticated technologies, citizens must attain digital literacy to contribute constructively towards solutions.

Grasping how algorithms, predictive models, automation, and artificial intelligence work allows for more informed stances when evaluating policies.

Coding lifts the veil off these tools to illuminate how progress helps or harms humanity.

8. Unlock Creativity and Innovation

Once kids grasp basic coding techniques, they can experiment and express original ideas freely through programming projects.

Seeing their visions materialize before them is thrilling and fulfilling. Young innovators might craft the next viral sensation—or uncover approaches to accessibility barriers facing disabled groups.

Coding fuels human imagination without limits.

Now that you see the immense value coding brings students growing up in the digital information age, let’s explore fun apps for teaching coding across elementary, middle, and high school grade levels.

Top 37 Best Coding Apps for Teaching Students 2024

Here is an extensive compilation of the top-rated coding apps spanning kindergarten to high school.

The key details provided for each coding app:

Target age group – To determine grade-level appropriateness
Platform availability – Which devices support the app (iOS, Android, web browser, etc)
Price – Free, paid, or freemium (free with in-app purchases/upgrades)

Coding Apps for Kindergarten Students

K-2 students benefit enormously from early computational thinking development through fun, interactive introductory coding apps.

1. Hopster Coding Safari

Ages: 2+ years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free with in-app purchases

This playful logic game teaches core coding basics like algorithms (sets of instructions) through 100+ drag-and-drop puzzles. Learners guide diverse characters to overcome obstacles to reach their goals.

Key learning:

Sequencing
Pattern recognition
Conditional logic

The vibrant graphics, enriching background music, and positive reinforcement engage young minds delightfully.

2. Code Karts

Ages: 3-5 years
Platform: iOS, Android
Price: In-app purchases

Here, kids learn counting and place values by navigating race cars to the finish line. This sharpens their math aptitude while familiarizing them with coding’s if-then conditional logic through directional commands.

Key learning:

Counting
Addition/subtraction
Basic logic

With 70+ levels across two game modes, Code Karts offers extensive playability and educational value.

3. Think and Learn Code-a-Pillar

Ages: 3-6 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free app + paid caterpillar toy

This introductory coding game for toddlers centers around an adorable caterpillar toy brought to life through an app. Children make Code-a-Pillar inch forward, turn left/right, play instrument sounds, and more via intuitive programming blocks.

Key learning:

Sequencing multi-step directions
Playing sounds on command
Looping actions

The tactile toy activates the learned coding skills powerfully. Sold separately.

4. Code Land

Ages: 4-10 years
Platforms: iOS and Android
Price: Free

With zero reading required, this playful coding adventure teaches programming foundations through animated worlds and characters. Kids drag visual code blocks to traverse landscapes, collect items, build structures, and outwit adversaries.

Key learning

Multi-step logic
Loops
Procedures
Events handling

Code Land delivers coding comprehension effectively across early childhood grade levels.

5. Daisy the Dinosaur

Ages: 4-7 years
Platform: iOS
Price: Free

Young learners command Daisy to perform actions like jumping, twirling, and stomping via intuitive drag-drop coding blocks. This sharpens their sequencing skills while keeping them highly engaged with Daisy’s silly animated antics across challenges.

Key learning:

Sequencing
Loops
Events

The simple interface allows even Kindergarteners to absorb core coding concepts through play.

6. Move the Turtle

Ages: 4+ years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Paid app

This program guides a turtle figure across increasingly tricky environments. Learners combine basic commands like move forward/backward, turn left/right and pen up/down to navigate the levels.

Key learning:

Multi-step thinking
Looping patterns
Procedural programming

The visual nature boosts comprehension of language elements that can feel abstract initially.

Coding Apps for Elementary School Students

Once introduced to coding, grades 2-5 students can handle more complexity during this primed stage for cultivating logic and problem solving.

7. Algorithm City

Ages: 5+ years
Platforms: Android
Price: Free

Learners select an avatar and apply basic coding concepts like sequences and loops to install streetlights, erect buildings and remove pollution within an urban environment.

Key learning:

Sequencing
Debugging
Storing data
Functions

This imaginative city landscape sparks engagement with algorithmic thinking.

8. SpriteBox

Ages: 5-7 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Paid

This platform adventure game has kids reconstruct scrambled code fragments to get their character sprite to reach the trophy. Lessons cover events, conditionals, variables, and more.

Key learning:

Sequencing
Modular procedures
Reusing code

Spritebox builds vital comprehension before transitioning to pure programming languages.

9. Box Island

Ages: 5-10 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: In-app purchases available

Navigating increasingly tricky box-stacked islands, learners drag-drop coding blocks to get their box character from start to finish without toppling stacks.

Key learning:

Multi-step logic
Loops
Conditionals

This block-coding prepares for text-based languages down the road while sharpening problem solving abilities.

10. CodeSpark Academy

Ages: 5-10 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free

Kids help Codespark characters called The Foos to achieve objectives by sequencing intuitive visual code blocks involving movement, loops, conditional logic, and events handling.

Key learning:

Sequencing
Debugging
Functions
Events handling

With thoughtfully scaffolded 200+ levels across 6+ worlds, Codespark builds vital comprehension at an appropriate pace.

11. ScratchJr

Ages: 5-7 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free

This wildly popular introductory block-based programming language lets kids snap together graphical code blocks to animate characters and pursue imaginative projects.

Key learning:

Sequencing
Events handling
Conditionals
Parallel execution

ScratchJr furnishes a sound foundation for leveling up to advanced text-based coding later on.

12. Osmo Coding

Ages: 5-10 years
Platforms: iOS
Price: Free app + paid tangible pieces

Osmo integrates digital iPad gameplay with interactive tactile pieces, bringing coding concepts thrillingly to life. Learners combine physical blocks to guide an onscreen character through challenges about critical thinking.

Key learning:

Sequencing
Debugging
Events handling

Integrating hands-on elements captivates kids meaningfully while learning.

13. Sphero Edu

Ages: 5-13+ years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free app + programmable robot purchase

Kids code Sphero programmable robots to move, light up, sense collisions, and more. The nifty terrestrial and aquatic bots like BB-8 and R2-D2 from Star Wars boost engagement dramatically.

Key learning:

Algorithmic thinking
Asynchronous programming
Debugging solutions

With STEM robotic coding fused with block/text programming options, Sphero caters to many mastery levels.

14. Dash and Dot

Ages: 6-10 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free app + purchase programmable robots

These adorable robots with expressive LCD eyes perform various playful functions based on how kids code them through the intuitive accompanying app.

Key learning:

Sequencing multi-step directions
Sensor-based events activation
Debugging processes

Dash & Dot encourages coding comprehension through endearing behavioral responses.

15. Run Marco!

Ages: 6-12 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free

This adventure puzzle game has kids guiding the lead character to overcome obstacles using sequenced visual coding blocks involving movement, jumps and gravity shifts.

Key learning:

Sequencing
Writing reusable functions
Repeating code patterns

Logically navigating Marco through 150+ levels teaches core programming concepts effectively.

16. Kodable

Ages: 6+ years
Platform: iOS
Price: Free

This engaging game-based program has kids guiding cute characters through mazes using intuitive visual blocks. Hundreds of elegant lessons teach concepts ranging from loops and conditionals to image filters and spreadsheet integration.

Key learning:

Computational thinking
Repeating patterns
Communicating technical steps sequentially

Teacher support tools help assess student progress across subjects including computer science, math, and literacy.

17. Nancy Drew Codes & Clues

Ages: 6-10 years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free + In-app purchases

This mystery adventure series makes coding intriguing to girls through character dialogue and sleuthing gameplay rich with principles like Boolean logic, algorithms and debugging processes.

Key learning:

Conditional statements
Functions
Repeating code blocks

The brilliant female characters serve as inspirational coding role models.

18. Hopscotch

Ages: 8-16 years
Platform: iOS
Price: Free

Kids learn coding basics by solving puzzles before leveraging that knowledge to make games, animations, and apps via the highly intuitive visual programming language.

Key learning:

Drawing with code
Multi-step sequences
Reusable functions
Game mechanics special effects

HopScotch prioritizes experimentation and original projects over rigid lesson plans.

19. Tynker

Ages: 7+ years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Freemium

This immensely popular platform powers kids to make games, apps, and more through intuitive building blocks before transitioning them seamlessly to advanced JavaScript and Python programming modes.

Key learning:

Visual block coding
Sophisticated programming languages
Express personal creativity through code

With 300+ lessons and 1000+ coding puzzles and challenges, Tynker offers unparalleled depth and scope for mastering coding.

20. Code Adventures

Ages: 7+ years
Platform: iOS, Android
Price: Paid App

Kids guide the protagonist, Aurora, through space using 100+ coding blocks involving movement, jumps, portals and more to conquer platform game environments across 30+ levels.

Key learning:

Writing functions
Applying variables
Implementing logic

Code Adventures mixes coding with interactive storytelling for increased student engagement.

21. Bee-Bot

Ages: 7-11 years
Platform: iOS
Price: Free app

This playful introductory programming game lets kids write sequenced commands to navigate lively Bee-Bot through increasingly complex mazes across 5 levels with 30+ stages.

Key learning:

Ordering multi-step directions correctly
Persisting despite mistakes
Reinforcing patterns

The app mirrors the popular Bee-Bot robot coding toy used by schools already, preparing kids for more advanced coding platforms.

22. LEGO Boost

Ages: 7+ years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free app + Purchase of LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox

Kids construct LEGO models like guitars, robotic cats, shooter games, and more, then code the models to execute dynamic functions using the intuitive drag-drop software interface. 700+ activities span entry through advanced skills.

Key Learning:

Sequencing actions
Synchronizing sensor-triggered events
Debugging errors

Blending physical LEGO crafting with coding lessons magnifies both the learning and fun exponentially.

23. Coding Games for Kids

Ages: 7+ years
Platform: iOS, Android
Price: Freemium

This vast online library features coding challenges across 7 languages focusing on critical concepts like sequences, loops, conditionals, coordinates mapping, debugging and more. Ideal for coding novices through advanced coders.

Key Learning:

All facets of coding logic
Multiple development languages
Applying concepts to tangible gaming scenarios

With 500+ coding puzzles, redundancy aids retention while escalating complexity keeps students motivated.

24. Lightbot

Lightbot generates many “a-ha moments” for how coding logic comes together cohesively.

Key Learning:

Writing precise functional code
Identifying repetition patterns
Evaluating the efficacy of code Organization

25. Coda Game

Ages: 9+ years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Paid app

Kids develop arcade-style games via drag-and-drop building blocks before publishing them privately to classmates for feedback and inspiration within the moderated community.

Key Learning:

Game design principles
Receiving constructive input

Safe sharing inside classroom clusters promotes growth and bonding around coding abilities.

26. Cargo Bot

Ages: 10+ years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free app

Learners guide robots to rearrange shipping crates across dozens of puzzles that call for economical, efficient solutions. Applying streamlined code logic reinforces computational thinking aptitudes.

Key Learning:

Simplifying complex problems methodically
Identifying the most concise solutions
Testing theories quickly

Cargo Bot’s increasing brain-burning challenges captivate budding programmers for hours.

Coding Apps for High School

By high school, learners possess broader critical thinking faculties to absorb coding languages central to software development and explore specialty interests like AI, VR, data science, and more.

27. Swift Playgrounds

Ages: 10-13 years
Platforms: iOS
Price: Free app

Apple designed powerful tutorials to master the ubiquitous Swift programming language for building iOS, Mac, Apple TV, and Watch apps. Lessons involve solving puzzles by writing Swift code.

Key Learning:

Swift syntax competency
Xcode platform fluency
App development foundations

Swift mastery enables students to release App Store products that leverage passion projects beneficially.

28. Cozmo Code Lab

Ages: 6-17+ years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Free App + Paid robot

Learners drag and drop visual blocks to code an adorable, expressive mini-bot. Cozmo comes embedded with a sandbox mode for open-ended experimentation bringing coding ideas to life interactively.

Key Learning:

Applying logic sequences
Controlling movement/actions
Responding to sensor triggers

Seeing coding impact tangible robot behavior builds deeper comprehension.

29. Scratch

Ages: 8+ years
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
Price: Free

This block-based programming playground allows students to create and remix projects across game design, music, animation, and more by stringing together coding blocks.

Key Learning:

Core programming concepts
Real programming languages
Building anything imaginable
Vibrant community to inspire

With 50 million registered members worldwide, Scratch is coding gateway fuel for young minds globally.

30. Mimo

Ages: 12+ years
Platforms: iOS, Android
Price: Freemium app

Mimo’s bite-sized mobile lessons teach real languages like Python, HTML, SQL, Swift, and JavaScript through fun quizzes and projects scaffolded across difficulty levels.

Key Learning:

Practical development languages
Creating finished products
Setting and tracking progress

Consistently practicing coding basics on the go ingrains proficiency exponentially.

31. SoloLearn

Ages: 13+ years
Platforms: Android, iOS
Price: Free + paid certificates

Learners grasp languages like Python, Java, C++, HTML/CSS, Swift, PHP, Ruby, data science fundamentals, and more via short tutorials aimed at beginners through experts.

Key Learning:

Text coding vs drag-drop blocks
Deep mastery of niche languages/concepts
Earning credentials

With 22 courses and growing, SoloLearn enhances resumes with accredited coding skills spanning specialties.

32. Microsoft MakeCode

Ages: 12+ years
Platform: Web-based
Price: Free tools

This friendly intro to real-world programming lets students write code to animate sprites, program robots, manipulate Minecraft worlds, and more using JavaScript/Python via accessible block interfaces.

Key Learning:

Entry JavaScript/Python
IoT device control via code
Minecraft modding

MakeCode powers coders to apply skills to interactive physical computing products.

33. Minecraft: Education Edition

Ages: 12+ years
Platforms: Windows, MacOS, iPad
Price: School/district licensing fee

The classroom-optimized version of the famed world-building game offers 100+ coding lessons for modifying the environment to teach programming languages from beginner to advanced.

Key Learning:

Modding mechanics with JavaScript
Collaboration deficiencies
Problem solving in situ

With abundant curriculum resources, Minecraft intrinsically motivates coding comprehension.

34. Programming Hub

Ages: 13+ years
Platforms: Android, iOS
Price: Freemium access

This eLearning platform allows high schoolers through professionals to master languages like Java, Python, C#, and C++ and concepts like machine learning via concise video courses with dynamic visuals.

Key Learning:

Practical development stacks
Licensable certification tracks
Dynamic visualization

Their app coding challenges push coders to cement comprehension.

35. Robozzle

Ages: 13+ years
Platforms: Android, iOS
Price: Freemium

Learners arrange coding blocks to navigate robots through 50+ grids to gather stars. Each level builds critical thinking around coded instruction efficacy.

Key Learning:

Computational thinking
Economical coding
Creative problem solving

Great mental warm-up for professional developers.

36. Grasshopper

Ages: 15+ years
Platforms: Android, iOS
Price: Free

This coding app for older beginners uses JavaScript to teach core programming fundamentals through short, entertaining quizzes and challenges.

Key Learning:

Practical coding languages
Logical reasoning ability
Transferring concepts to real programming

Their motivating achievement system provides a strong growth structure.

37. Codea

Ages: 15+ years
Platform: iPad only
Price: Paid app

A sophisticated mobile IDE that empowers high schoolers to develop iOS apps, games, and visual animations using the intuitive Lua programming language with a touch/drag coding interface.

Key Learning:

Rapid prototyping ability
Ship polished products
Monetization exposure

With Codea, student creativity and entrepreneurship intersect thrillingly.

And there you have it – the 37 most empowering coding apps for equipping students with computational thinking and programming capability across grades K-12!

Key Takeaways:

Coding apps teach vital problem solving, critical evaluation, and creativity
They prepare students for high-demand digital careers
Games and physical computing tools boost engagement
Progression from block-based to text coding enables mastery
Community sharing facilitates purposeful collaboration

Integrating just a handful of these excellent coding apps within existing lesson plans can pay tremendous dividends for empowering the next generation of innovators.

Now over to you:

Which of these apps have you used successfully?
How did students respond?
Are there any other winning coding apps worth highlighting?

Frequently Asked Questions About Coding Apps

Here are answers to 10 common questions teachers have about using coding apps to teach students:

1. What technology is required to use coding apps?

Most coding apps work on tablets, smartphones, laptops, and desktop computers. Only a few require specialized devices like robots or building kits. As long as you have a compatible device with an internet connection, students can access coding apps conveniently.

2. Are coding apps suitable for classrooms without computers?

Yes, coding lessons can still be delivered effectively without computers using self-directed physical workbooks, unplugged collaborative activities, and board games teaching underlying concepts. Apps then reinforce the learning at home.

3. Which coding app is the best for complete beginners?

Hopscotch and Tynker offer the most intuitive introductory experience for students through visual block coding. Daisy the Dinosaur is also extremely beginner-friendly.

4. How much does it cost to use most coding apps?

Many excellent coding apps are free or freemium, meaning basic features are free with paid upgrades. Premium products like Codea offer more advanced capabilities for one-time purchase fees. Only select apps require monthly subscriptions.

5. Can students code together with friends in coding apps?

Certain coding apps emphasize multiplayer collaboration such as LEGO Boost and Osmo Coding. Otherwise, most facilitate seamless sharing of completed projects with peers for feedback and inspiration. Scratch leads to community interactivity.

6. Do coding apps teach real-world coding languages?

Some focus on conceptual foundations through visual block devices first, then bridge students gradually towards pure programming languages like JavaScript, Python or Swift enabling authentic app development.

7. How do I guide students if I’m unfamiliar with coding myself?

Many coding apps provide embedded lesson plans, video tutorials, and progress dashboards to direct students effectively without coding expertise. Joining online communities also helps troubleshoot hurdles with fellow teacher developers.

8. Can coding concepts transfer to non-digital activities?

Absolutely. “Unplugged” coding activities that map skills to physical games, puzzles, and writing exercises reinforce comprehension of algorithms, loops, conditionals, and data interpretation offline initially.

9. Which coding apps are best for older high school students?

SoloLearn, Grasshopper, and Programming Hub offer courses in advanced languages like Java, C++, and data science catering to teens transitioning towards higher education in computer science or engineering fields.

10. Do coding apps accommodate students learning at different paces?

The benefit of apps is self-paced incremental mastery. Students replay activities until concepts click before advancing levels, with most scaffolding dozens to hundreds of chained skills sequentially. This allows classes to progress asynchronously.

Also Check:

How to Create Apps without Coding by Non-Techie Person

Conclusion

Equipping students to code furnishes a diverse range of intellectual, emotional, social, and professional advantages that amplify capabilities critical for prospering in the information technology era. It also prepares them to actively shape technology for human benefit rather than remain passive consumers.

Thankfully, a spectrum of stimulating coding apps makes comprehending coding engaging across learning aptitudes, interests, and budgets.

Educators need only determine the appropriate platform and progression path aligned to lesson objectives. Integrating coding apps even modestly unlocks tremendous growth mindsets with students while building vital future-proof faculties.

Just remember, while apps enable self-directed mastery asynchronously, making time for collaborative community coding projects rich in creativity, troubleshooting, communication, and reflection will ultimately deliver the deepest experiential learning and human connection so pivotal for nurturing tomorrow’s great inventors.