All parents know that learning new skills is faster when you turn the process into a game. This is also true for programming—we've already talked about how ProgKids uses Minecraft to teach kids Python. This article will introduce you to several computer games that will help your children learn the basics of programming and learn how to code in several popular languages.
An important note is that all these games require knowledge of English. On the other hand, if your child is really into coding, a new hobby will greatly improve their knowledge of a foreign language.
Minecraft
Our selection starts with Minecraft already mentioned, because this is a truly unique case. The game from independent Swedish developer Markus Persson not only became the best-selling game in history, but it also turned out to be an excellent training tool for learning to program. In its endless world, you can build huge palaces, design giant mechanical structures, and even create fully functional processors.
Knowledge of programming languages allows you to automate many actions in Minecraft, which is why these stunning projects are being implemented. Minecraft is best integrated with Python — entire textbooks for children are devoted to this. ProgKids teachers also use this method to teach programming to children aged 12-14. For younger developers, we suggest starting with Snap, which doesn't load children's brains with obscure commands and allows them to program using visual blocks.
CodeMonkey
Another great option for the youngest programmers. Here, they will be able to use examples of simple tasks to get an idea of one of the main languages on the Internet — JavaScript. The developers have simplified it quite a lot so that children do not get bored, but they have retained the basic concepts.
CodeMonkey unobtrusively reveals basic programming concepts to children, showing in practice what an object, loop, variable, array, conditional statements IF, THEN, ELSE are. In addition, players learn to break down the task into its components, plan steps correctly and track mistakes. All this helps in programming, studying, and other life situations.
Flexbox Froggy
This simple game allows you to take the first steps towards creating your own website by learning the basics of CSS. You don't need any web programming knowledge to start playing — Flexbox Froggy's simplicity is its main advantage. As a result, children can learn the material very quickly to move on to more serious exercise equipment.
Robocode
What better way to teach kids programming than tank battles? The goal is clear, the adrenaline is off the charts, the brain eagerly absorbs knowledge. In Robocode, players write commands to artificial intelligence using the most authentic Java, Scala, and C# languages. They test their programs in battles against computers and other players.
Robocode has been around for almost 20 years, and during this time the game has garnered a serious army of fans. So you can ask any questions on the forum and get detailed advice. The game also has an excellent guide that explains the ins and outs of game mechanics.
However, this help may not be needed: although the game does teach children to program in several languages, the process itself is quite simple. This low entry threshold and smooth learning curve make Robocode a great option for zero-level programmers.
Codingame
The next member in our review is a series of mini-games and riddles that need to be solved with code. The developers have included more than 25 relevant programming languages in Codingame: Java, C#, Python, JavaScript, Lua, Go, Rust. The tasks themselves come in a playful form: in one you have to program a gun to shoot down enemy spaceships, in the other you give instructions to a racing capsule, and so on. The deeper into the forest, the more difficult the tasks are.
Here you can also compete with both the computer and other players. The creators of Codingame use the competitive element to the fullest — participants are grouped based on achievements. The ultimate goal of the game is to lead the coolest group. By this time, the child already knows the basics of several programming languages quite well.
Human Resource Machine
The creators of Human Resource Machine have made the main character an office worker who spends his days transferring papers from one conveyor belt to another. This should be done according to established rules, and the player's task is to write an algorithm that will comply with these rules. As a result, he learns many important programming concepts, including working with variables and conditions, creating arrays, and managing cycles.
If necessary, the player can slow down the passage of time at any time and review each step of the written algorithm in detail. This is also an important skill for a programmer — studying the code line by line to understand where problems and errors lie.
The Human Resource Machine is great for teenagers, especially if they are already familiar with the basics of programming. However, younger children can also cope with this game — the developers have tried very hard to build a convenient learning mechanism.
TIS-100
If the previous points of this review can be considered a preparation for the programming world, TIS-100 is already a reality. This game will teach your child how to code in assembler, one of the oldest languages that requires precision, attention to detail, and perseverance.
The game itself is a series of mathematical puzzles that must be solved using a processor model. For example, compare two numbers and display the largest number on the screen. Or multiply a given number. All steps to solve the problem should be prescribed step by step, taking into account memory limits and how the processor works. Catching bugs is a big part of the game, just like programmers in real life.
But even when the program finally gets the job done, it's still a long way off. The game evaluates the result according to several parameters, showing the player's position among other participants. In this simple way, children will learn to write programs competently and elegantly — with a minimum number of instructions and maximum productivity. There's no better way to prepare your child for a career as a developer.
Shenzhen I/O
This game is less about coding, where children can learn the basic principles of microelectronics. However, you can't do without programming either, and the code complexity in this game is higher than the ones we listed earlier.
In the story, you work as a computer engineer, fulfilling customer orders. You need to create circuits, write commands for chips, work with computer memory and allocate power consumption wisely. Shenzhen I/O is clearly not suitable for beginners — even training here is designed as a real technical guide for an engineer. On the other hand, judging by the players' feedback, the first half of the tasks already provide about the same level of knowledge as a dozen lectures from a technical university. Many players consider the second half impassable — this may be the best motivator for a young engineer to get to the bottom of the game.
