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Are you looking for some of the best coding books for kids to help get them started in programming?
As a developer I want to be able to create resources for adults and parents alike getting started in coding, or better yet, getting their kids started.
There are a lot of resources out there and sometimes we need a simple guide when you’re not sure where to begin
I’ve been in those same shoes…
It was a few weeks after I started my new job and my boss wanted us as a team to read this book called Delivering Happiness.
It was a book about business but what I learned in this book I didn’t see coming.
The author Tony Hsieh (pronounced as shey) was on a mission to create a business for himself, but there was one thing that stood out to me that I think many miss when they read this book.
He was a coder.
He actually learned coding as a kid, around middle school age.
As he went through school it was his coding skills and background that helped him get to where he was.
He got his first job because of his computer science background and it was because of his programming background that helped him to create his first business.
Coding along with a little creativity that is.
But this isn’t the first time I kept hearing this concept.
Besides the cliche people we know who were coders and created massive businesses ie…
Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.
There were others who were receiving more opportunities in their life because of learning how to code.
I mean my life is a testament to this skill.
I was able to change careers and significantly increasing my salary and my life.
When I heard these stories and thought about my life I wondered what my life would have looked like if I learned this skill when I was a kid.
I’ll give you a hint.
I wouldn’t have had my first “real” job at the age of 27.
SMH
That’s why I told myself I want to prepare my kids for their future unlike me.
Since I don’t have any kids yet I want to help those who do have kids and want to help create more opportunities for them.
Technology has been invented and has greatly changed how we do everything in this world and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
Growing up they said we needed to learn how to read and write, but now what I think they need to learn first is how to code.
Even if they don’t use their coding skills directly the skills they do acquire from coding is transferable to other areas.
Thus creating more opportunities for them and helping to secure their future, and as a parent, or soon to be, we want the best for our kids…
Right?
At least you know you prepared them the best you could.
That is why I created this list of the top web development or coding books for kids.
There are many books on the market but I have experience in web development and wanted to focus primarily on this type of programming for kids.
I think it’s one of the easier programming to get into especially since we do everything online…
Why not start with a subject that is relatable?
So if you’re looking for some resources to get started teaching you kids how to code then you found one of them.
Trust me you’ll be happy that you introduced your kids into coding and they may not know it now but they’ll thank you later.
I know I would have told my mom if she did.
Before we get into the books there are somethings you should look for when choosing…
How To Teach A Child To Code
When looking for ways to teach your child how to code many will go online to find a resource but I have always been an advocate of books.
Therefore one of my suggestions of teaching kids how to code is with a good book.
Besides you will be able to knock 2 things out with one stone.
They are improving their reading skills along with learning code.
Can’t beat that right?
But when teaching your kids coding skills what are some things that you should look for in a book.
Well here are some points that will help anyone getting started learning the basics of programming.
How To Choose A Good Coding Book For Kids
So what do you look for when picking a book to code?
1. Topic of Focus
Well, the 1st thing is…
What do you want your kids to learn?
There are many coding languages out there but you need to choose one to focus on.
This will make it easier to build on those skills.
The great thing about coding and programming is they are based on the same principles.
So if they wanted to learn another language later on it will be an easy transition.
As a front end developer my suggestion for an easy starting point is with web development.
So this means they will learn the code to make websites.
A great starting point, the same that I got my start with.
2. The Basics
The 2nd thing you want to look for is if these books touch on the basics of programming.
This includes concepts like…
- variables
- functions
- if/then statements
- arrays
- loops
- and basic math operations (like addition, subtraction, etc)
3. Illustrations & Examples
Everyones loves pictures right?
Kids especially.
It makes it so much easier when you have fun and captivating images that kids can enjoy looking at while learning this foreign language called code.
I know I enjoyed them thoroughly and I was way in my twenties.
The examples especially helped me a lot.
So now that you know some of the things to look for this should help you in picking a good coding book for your kids
But to help even more and taking some of the hard work off your shoulders here are a few books that are a good start for kids.
I have used some of them myself so I can vouch for these books meeting the above recommendations.
10 Coding Books For Kids
1. Javascript For Kids
So I’ll start with the book I personally had experience with.
When I first started to learn how to code I picked this book up and it literally helped me get started with code.
Even though it was made for kids I figured if kids could understand it then I definitely would get the hang of it.
And I did which is why I recommend it as one of the best books to getting started with web development.
It’s great for kids because its filled with plenty of fun examples and is focused on one primary language…
Javascript
Learn the basics of programming and build you way up to creating your own games or animations.
2. Python For Kids
Does your kids spend a lot of time on Youtube?
Did you know that Youtube runs on python?
Well now your kids can begin to learn the fundamentals or what makes this language so dynamic for web applications.
From the same publishers of javascript for kids this books is filled with an in-depth approach made for elementary kids, but great for adults too.
It will guide you into how to download python then walk you through the wealth of information you can learn with python.
3. Coding Projects In Python
Have your kids never touched a programming language before?
No worries, this book will walk them through the basics from downloading python to building graphics, apps, and even games with fun and interactive projects.
This book is filled with 14 visual stimulating and exciting projects you and your kids can work on together if you like.
4. Python In Easy Steps
Another book that assumes you never had any previous experience with the program this book will walk you through the basics.
Even though it was not necessarily made for kids it is presented in small chunks so you can easily grasp one concept before moving on to the next.
When you reach the end of the book you will be able to build simple web pages and even desktop applications.
5. Build Your Own Website A Comic Guide
This is a fun one.
If your kids love comics or reading books with lots of pics than pick this one up.
They will learn HTML, the foundation of any website, and CSS, the design of a website, through this comic styled book.
They will also learn about the well known web platform WordPress which 1/3 of the internet is built on wordpress.
Even though WordPress templates are made for sites so you don’t need much to maintain or build a website…
Yet learning how to customize your site can mean the world of difference for them or for future clients of theirs.
6. Coder Dojo
The master said to his young student…
“Do what I do young padawan”
That is what this book is all about.
If you follow the given examples laid out in this book by the end you will have built your very own website just like the one in the book.
However, they do recommend you experiment with the code to become familiar and create your own spin to the site.
They will learn the 3 primary coding languages that you need to build a website:
- HTML
- CSS
- Javascript
A great start for learning the basics of web development
7. Creating A Website
So can I just say I am not a fan of the dummies series only because of the name.
Is it just me but I wouldn’t like to have a book say I am a dummy.
Nevertheless this book makes it on the list because the information in here seems to be valuable and worthwhile…
Which is what we are looking for.
From “Creating A Website” they will not only learn the basics of building a website but they will also learn real world applications other developers do when planning out a new site.
Things such as wireframing, style guides, and even site design or appearance.
8. Computer Coding With Javascript
Can I just say I enjoy javascript because this is the code that gives websites interactivity.
In other words your kids can have more interaction and movement to their website.
Javascript is used for making games, quizzes and so much more.
Even though javascript can be a complex language to tackle “Computer Coding With Javascript will help to make the transition of learning HTML, CSS, and Javascript easier.
It will show you how all these languages come together to build websites.
A step by step book kids can use and handle with ease.
9. Javascript For Kids: For Dummies
I know I had my thoughts about the dummies series but I am a man that believes the proof is in the pudding.
Before I told you about Create A Website but this one is specifically about javascript.
The contents of this book will take you far beyond the basics.
That’s to say this book is a great addition for kids and adults alike.
You will also learn how to build games and apps like a calculator and shopping list.
10. Get Coding
Your mission is to learn how to coding.
With this book you are given projects in the form of missions to teach kids web apps and games.
You will also learn in this book an overlook of the different programming languages.
This will help them to solidify either the kind of coding that may interest them, or…
After they finish the book if they decide to pursue other projects they will know what language to use
So Why Should Your Kid Learn To Code?
Besides the inevitable hard facts that the our world around us is changing we can clearly see how technology has made an impact in our current and near future.
Therefore, in order to prepare your children for what’s to come and for the jobs that are and will continue to be in high demand…
Learning to code can help do that.
In fact, according to shiftpixy, software development makes the #3 jobs in demand out of the 40 jobs listed in demand for the future.
So the question is…
Do you want to prepare your children for what is to come?
The Benefits Of Learning To Code
Besides laying out the top 5 benefits your kids can gain from learning how to code in an earlier post…
I want to highlight just 1 of them here.
Problem Solving
One of the biggest benefits I think anyone, especially your children, can gain from learning how to code is problem solving.
This is a skill that is transferable into any field they may get into.
We all have problems right?
But the ones who knows how to confront those problems one and one and create a solution is the one who is looked at as the most valuable.
Especially with companies.
If you can help solve their business problems then you will definitely secure a job and a position for yourself.
The more you add value the more they will be considered as an asset.
Or, lets say you see your child has an interests in creating a business for themself, then learning how to solve other peoples problems are how businesses are built.
Have you ever thought that learning how to code could be so beneficial?
I didn’t and it has changed my life.
Therefore I want to show others especially kids how they can get started today.
Conclusion
So in conclusion you now have 10 ways to introduce your children into the world of code.
If I could reverse time just a few years prior even to highschool…
I wish I took just a slight interest in coding, let alone get serious about it at an early start.
I would have been more grateful for it and if my parents had introduced it to me in some form I would thank them till this day.
So its not to late to get started, if that was the case this quote would not be true…
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is now.
So I ask you…
what are you waiting for to create a future your child can actively be apart of?