Top Programming Languages for Kids to Learn in 2023

2023 is here, and we are all ready to embrace it with our resolutions, goals, dreams, and desires. One important resolution that parents should consider is upskilling their children. The small steps we take now can lead to great progress in the future. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and in order to achieve bigger goals, we must start preparing early. 

As we enter 2023, we should introduce our kids to the world of programming. Entry-level coding is not as complex as it may seem, thanks to child-friendly innovations that make it more accessible. Encouraging our children to learn programming can set them up for success in the digital age and give them valuable skills that will benefit them for years to come.

There are many programming languages that are suitable for kids to learn in 2023. Some options include:

1. Scratch 

Scratch is a high-level block-based visual programming language developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) specifically for kids in 2007. It allows children to create interactive stories, games, and animations by dragging and dropping colorful blocks of code. This makes it easy to create simple programs, even if they have no prior programming experience.

It is popular among kids, and since its launch, it has gained 100 million users worldwide and has become the world’s largest free coding community for kids.

Age: 8-16 years old

Recommended Reading: Top 5 Scratch Project Ideas for Kids

2. Snap! 

Snap!, developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab, is a free web-based visual programming language and online community that allows children to create interactive stories, games, and animations using block-based programming. Formerly known as 

It is similar to Scratch, but Snap! is designed for a slightly older audience and has additional features that make it more suitable for creating more complex programs. Children can use Snap! To create a wide variety of programs, from simple animations and games to more complex programs that involve math, science, and social studies.

Recommended Reading: Coding for Kids: Why Should Every Child Learn to Code?

3. Blocky 

Blockly, developed by Google, is also available for free on the web at the Blockly website. This is also a free, open-source visual programming language. It is designed to be easy to use, even for those who have never programmed before. 

Blockly is used to create programs in a wide variety of languages, including JavaScript, Python, and XML. It is often used in educational settings to teach programming concepts to beginners, as it provides a more intuitive and interactive way to learn to code. It is also available as an app for iOS and Android devices.

4. Swift 

Swift is a visual programming language developed by Apple for building iOS and macOS apps. Released in 2014, it is easy to learn and has a growing community of developers, making it a good choice for kids who are interested in mobile app development. 

Swift is suitable for kids aged 9+.

5. Ruby 

Ruby is another programming language that can easily usher children into the world of programming as it strikes a balance between functional and imperative programming styles. Its creator, Yukihiro “Matz” Matsumoto, drew inspiration from a variety of languages, including Perl, Smalltalk, Eiffel, Ada, and Lisp, to create a language that is expressive and powerful yet still easy to read and understand. 

Matz’s vision was that Ruby be natural rather than unnecessarily simplified. He released it in 1995, but it got worldwide acceptance in 2006. Ruby is also completely free. Not only free of charge, but also free to use, copy, modify, and distribute. Twitter was created on Ruby. 

6. C++ 

It is an easy programming language for beginners. Its versatility can be used for a wide range of purposes, including developing games, desktop apps, building operating systems, and web browsers. After learning C++, it is easier to pick up other programming languages like Java, Python, etc.

It is known for its power and flexibility, as it allows programmers to choose from a variety of programming styles, such as procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming. This makes C++ a valuable tool for developers working on a wide range of projects.

7. Python 

Python is a widely used programming language that is easy to learn and has a large and supportive community. It is suitable for kids ready to move beyond block-based programming and learn a more powerful language.

8. HTML/CSS 

HTML and CSS, known as fundamental web development languages, are a great way to get started with. The building blocks of the web are used to create websites and web applications. They are a good introduction to web development and can be learned through online tutorials or interactive courses. It is both an easy and straightforward programming language to learn.

9. Java 

Java is a popular programming language that is used to build a wide variety of applications, including mobile apps, games, and web applications. It is a good choice for kids who are interested in app development.

10. Lua  

Lua is a high-level, multi-paradigm programming language designed primarily for embedded systems and applications. It is popular because of its simplicity and ease of use. Lua is dynamically typed and has a simple, easy-to-learn syntax, which makes it accessible to programmers of all skill levels. 

It is used for various purposes, such as game development, web programming, and scientific computing.

Recommended Reading: Lua vs Python – What are the Differences?

It’s important to remember that the best programming language for kids to learn will depend on their interests and goals. It’s a good idea to allow them to explore and try out different languages to see which one they enjoy the most.

Moonpreneur understands the needs and demands this rapidly changing technological world is bringing with it for our kids. 

Thus, we are on a mission to educate and ignite the flames of entrepreneurship through our holistically created online STEM programs, which will help kids master the futuristic sciences such as Robotics, Game Development, App Development, Advanced Math, and much more!! 

Register for a free 60-minute Scratch or robotics workshop today!