Learning how to code and staying motivated is not always easy. There are times when you would hit a roadblock, feel frustrated, and dissuaded to even start again.
So rather than immediately forcing yourself to be productive, you should take it one step at a time.
Like any other skill, coding takes time and practice to master. Given that it is not an easy skill, you must find ways to stay motivated in order to successfully learn it.
Coding can be demanding and exhausting to learn. Bearing that in mind, you must carefully design your learning plan and, as much as possible, make the learning process a lot easier.
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How do I start coding?
When I started to learn how to code, my learning resources were very limited. I only relied on textbooks, basic tutorials on YouTube (early 2000s), and suggestions from my friends and teachers.
But now, thanks to the internet, you have an unlimited source of learning materials, coding classes online, activities, programs, and even 24//7 online support from the coding community.
When you start learning how to code today, it is no longer the boring “Hello, World!” approach. Nowadays, there are several ways to learn and practice it.
How can I practice coding?
Several programmers and developers have come up with different programs and applications to make learning how to code fun. One of the most effective ways to learn how to code is to practice it.
You can practice coding by building apps, creating websites, or even playing games.
So with that, we have listed several coding games that would help you practice and apply your coding skill.
Scratch
Used by most coding teachers nowadays, Scratch is a block-based visual programming language used to introduce programming to beginners.
Some people also see Scratch as one of the most popular kids coding languages because it is easy up and easy to understand for kids.
It helps them understand the fundamentals of programming by simply dragging and dropping blocks of commands.
We have listed it as a coding game because even though it is a learning tool, you can still have fun while using it.
You can play with it by animating the Scratch Cat and you can even use it to create your own game, all while learning the basics and logic behind programming.
Developed by MIT Media Lab, Scratch is available in different languages and it is used by beginners and instructors all over the world.
You can download it on your computer or mobile device for free.
Swift Playgrounds
From Apple Inc., Swift Playground is a great coding games for kids as well. It also has a drag and drop feature that lets you manipulate blocks of code.
Swift Playgrounds is like the gamified version of Scratch for Apple users. It lets you conquer game levels and puzzles, and at the same time, teaches you the basics of Swift as well.
Swift is a programming language used in Apple devices to run games, apps, and so on.
Unlike Scratch, Swift Playgrounds display text-based codes instead of block commands. With that, beginners are already introduced to the Swift language from early on.
Swift Playgrounds is a free coding apps for kids that you can only download on Mac and iPad.
LightBot
If you like puzzle games, then you would surely enjoy LightBot. It is a programming puzzle game where you have to answer questions based on programming logic.
LightBot is one of the coding games recommended for first-time coders. It let beginners practice and apply the knowledge they learned on programming.
Besides being a great app, it also teaches the fundamentals of programming from sequencing, overloading, to recursive loops and conditionals.
Even if you have little to no experience in programming, you can still enjoy this game.
LightBot has different levels and it is available in different languages.This app is completely free and it is downloadable from App Store and Play Store.
codeSpark Academy: Kids Coding
With its mission to make computer science education more far-reaching, codeSpark developed an app that makes learning programming approachable and fun for kids.
This app is specifically designed as a coding game for kids; however, adult beginners can still use it.
Since it is a gamified learning tool, it contains no jargon or technical terms. codeSpark mainly relies on visuals to teach kids the ABCs of programming.
It can also be considered as math apps because it has several learning activities and content that will surely keep kids engaged, from puzzles, game designs, playful character animations, and even offline learning printables.
You can download codeSpark from the App Store or Play Store for free. It offers in-app purchases so you have to pay before you unlock its full benefits.
Kodable
Another one to add to the list of coding games for kids is Kodable. Like any other coding games for kids, it also teaches the basics and fundamentals of programming.
What makes Kodable’s app standout is kids or beginners can ultimately transition from learning the fundamentals to actually writing real code.
It is worth noting that Kodable is also a learning websites for kids.
Since the app complements Kodable’s teaching curriculum and coding classes for kids, you can assure that the games and puzzles are arranged from easiest to hardest.
One of the bonuses to this app is that it has a built-for-kids coding interface. Hopefully, by the end of the lesson, you already know the basics and you can start working on writing text-based language like JavaScript.
The Kodable app is free to download on both App Store and Play Store but it offers in-app purchases to unlock other features.
CodeMonkey Jr. Pre-coding Game
Best for kids age four to six, CodeMonkey Jr. Pre-coding Game teaches the ABCs of programming. It is a great coding game for kids because it does not require any coding knowledge and experience to play it.
Even though you have no knowledge of programming whatsoever, you can still enjoy this game. The interface is visually-appealing for kids and the premise of the game is easy to understand.
By playing this game, you can learn the fundamentals of programming like logic, algorithms, loops, sequencing, and so on.
It is worth noting however that this app is a complementary learning tool for CodeMonkey’s curriculum.
CodinGame
Unlike the ones we previously mentioned, CodinGame is not an app and it is not geared towards kids or beginners. You would need some background knowledge in coding before you can participate.
It is a knowledge-sharing online platform where developers can practice and apply their coding skills. You can access challenges and enter contests through their platform.
CodinGame’s mission is to improve your coding skills by solving complex problems and learning new concepts from other developers around the world.
Since it is a gamified online platform, you can play with multiple people and get encouragement from other developers.
One of the bonuses to this platform is that you can use it to gain experience and get job offers. Through coding websites like this, employers can browse through your profile and you can ultimately receive job offers from them.
Flexbox Defense
If you are looking for ways to practice and advance your flexbox skills, then Flexbox Defense might be one of the best coding games for you.
The premise of the game is simple. You just need to stop enemies from getting past your defenses. But in order to practice your flexbox skill, you must position your towers using CSS.
You can use some of the flex properties like flex-start, flex-end, space-between, and so on.
This game is completely free and publicly accessible. You can play this game using your browser and it does not require you to download any software or application whatsoever.
CSS Diner
Hosted in GitHub, CSS Diner is an online game that lets you practice CSS Selectors. It has 32 levels that get progressively harder as you continuously move along the game.
If you are looking for a fun way to learn CSS, then you should consider looking into CSS Diner.
You should note that CSS Diner relies on text-based codes, so you have to type (or copy) the actual codes in the CSS Editor.
It is not as complex as other coding games but you still need to have at least a basic understanding of how CSS works for you to even play it.
Ruby Warrior
Despite being one of the oldest coding languages, Ruby is still a relevant coding language today.
That being said, we included this online game called Ruby Warrior that lets you practice your skill in Ruby.
The game is geared towards coders who already know the language, and just wants to improve and advance their skill.
But no worries, the game has two tracks (beginner and intermediate).
It slowly eases you into the game and gradually progresses into different difficulty levels.
One of the bonuses to this game is it lets you save and track your progress using your Facebook account. In turn, you can gradually work your way up into different levels whenever you feel like it.
Code Hunt
Code Hunt is a unique way to practice your coding skills during your free time. You can use this game in-between your breaks of learning.
Instead of actually programming, you would just simply guess the algorithms.
This game lets you identify, analyze, and modify codes. Code Hunt supports both Java and C#.
It is a coding game from Microsoft Research where players can solve several coding puzzles to clear different game levels.
Code Hunt is mainly an educational game that offers students and coders a unique opportunity to practice their skills.
In order to play this game, you need to download it to your desktop.
How many hours should you practice coding?
We have since established that practicing your coding skills does not necessarily mean writing codes every day. There are several ways in which you can learn and be good at coding.
The number of hours would ultimately depend on your schedule and flexibility.
For instance, if you are still a beginner, then you should try looking at the fundamentals of coding from different perspectives. You can practice by playing kid-friendly games, reading textbooks definitions, or even checking out other subjects related to coding like several math help websites. In this case, you can do away with just two hours, more or less every day.
If, on the other hand, you have done your basics and fundamentals already, then you should start looking into the different coding languages you want to master.
In this case, you need to dedicate more of your time learning and understanding text-based codes. Depending on your habits and learning abilities, then you might have to do four hours a day, more or less.
Nevertheless, you should think less of the quantity of practice you are having, and instead focus more on the quality of practice you are doing.
Conclusion
The list we cited above is just some of the many coding games out there. From coding games for kids like
to intermediate or more advanced games like
These are just some of the coding games that you can use in-between breaks or during your free time.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned coder, trust that the coding community has come up with several fun ways to make learning how to code fun and a lot more bearable.
If you are already on your coding journey, then you can also help others by sharing your game in communities like Roblox. You can check out our article titled Is Roblox Safe for Kids to know more about it.
All in all, you just need to find the right resources and materials that would help you through your journey into becoming a successful and a better coder.
Todd VanDuzer
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