TL;DR: If your kid is just starting out, expensive classes are usually a waste of money. Start with free or low-cost apps like Scratch or CodeSpark Academy to see if the interest sticks. Move to a live class or a tutor only when they hit a "logic wall" or want to build something specific that a YouTube tutorial can't explain.
Top Recommendations:
- Best for Ages 5-8: CodeSpark Academy
- Best for Ages 8-12: Scratch
- Best for Gamers: Roblox Studio
- Best for Serious Teens: Swift Playgrounds
- Best Live Classes: Outschool
We’ve all seen the ads. They promise that if you drop $250 a month on a coding franchise, your ten-year-old will be the next Mark Zuckerberg (hopefully with better PR). But here’s the no-BS truth: coding is a language, and just like learning Spanish, you don't need a private tutor to learn the alphabet.
Most "coding" for kids under ten is actually just logic puzzles. They are learning "if/then" statements and "loops." This is great for their brains, but it doesn't require a human instructor in a branded polo shirt. However, there comes a point where "drag-and-drop" blocks become boring, and that’s where the apps vs. classes debate actually gets interesting.
Apps are the "gateway drug" to computer science. They’re designed to look like games, which means you won't have to fight your kid to use them.
CodeSpark Academy (Ages 5-9)
This is the gold standard for the "pre-reader" set. There’s no text; it’s all visual puzzles involving cute characters called Foos. It’s a subscription, but it’s cheaper than one week of a coding camp. It teaches the fundamental thinking behind code without the frustration of typing.
Scratch (Ages 8-13)
If you haven't heard of Scratch, it's the MIT-developed powerhouse of the kid-coding world. It’s free, it’s block-based, and the community is massive. Kids can "remix" other people's projects, which is how most real developers learn anyway. Check out our guide on how Scratch teaches creative problem solving
Swift Playgrounds (Ages 10+)
If your kid has an iPad and is starting to think Scratch looks "babyish," this is the move. It teaches Swift, which is the actual language used to build iPhone apps. It’s gamified, but they are writing real lines of code.
Parents ask about Roblox more than anything else. Is it teaching entrepreneurship or just draining your bank account via Robux?
The answer is: it depends on which side of the app they are on.
- Playing games: This is mostly just social hanging out (and occasionally getting scammed by a "free Robux" bot).
- Roblox Studio: This is a legitimate game engine. If your kid is opening Roblox Studio on a PC or Mac, they are learning Luau (a version of the Lua programming language).
It is high-friction and difficult to learn, but if they stick with it, they are gaining professional-grade skills. If your kid is obsessed with Roblox, don't buy them more Robux—buy them a Roblox coding book and see if they’ll actually build something.
Ask our chatbot for a list of Roblox Studio tutorials for beginners
So, when is an expensive class actually "worth it"?
- The "Wall": Your kid has mastered Scratch but gets frustrated and quits when they try to learn a "real" language like Python or C++.
- Accountability: Some kids just won't do it unless there’s a scheduled Zoom call or a physical place to go.
- Social Connection: Coding can be lonely. A class provides a "squad" of other kids who also think Minecraft command blocks are cool.
Instead of committing to a $2,000-a-year franchise, start with Outschool. You can find a college student or a software engineer running a 4-week "Intro to Python" or "Modding Minecraft" class for $15–$25 a session. It’s low risk and high reward.
This is the "martial arts" model of coding. Kids earn "belts" as they progress. It’s great for kids who need a physical environment and a clear path of progression, but it can be pricey. It’s less about "becoming a pro" and more about having a consistent, tech-positive after-school activity.
We need to stop talking about coding like it's a vocational trade for 4th graders. Your kid might never become a software engineer, and that’s fine.
Learning to code is about digital agency. In a world where AI (like ChatGPT) is doing more of the heavy lifting, understanding the "logic under the hood" is what separates the people who use technology from the people who are used by technology.
Learn more about how to talk to your kids about AI and prompt engineering
- Community Features: Sites like Scratch and Roblox have social components. Comments can get spicy, and "remixing" culture can sometimes lead to arguments over "stolen" code.
- Screen Fatigue: Even if it’s "educational," three hours of coding is still three hours of staring at a blue-light box. Watch for the "tech hangover" (irritability and brain fog) when they log off.
- Data Privacy: Always check if an app is selling your kid's usage data. (The ones we've linked here are generally the "good guys," but always double-check the settings).
Don't buy the "pro" version yet.
Start with Scratch or Code.org. If they spend ten hours on it without you Nagging™ them, then you have a signal. At that point, look into a specialized class or a one-on-one tutor to help them bridge the gap from "playing with blocks" to "building the future."
- Download CodeSpark Academy if your kid is under 8.
- Set up a Scratch account if they are 8-12 and spend an hour together "remixing" a simple game.
- Audit the "coding" time. Is it 90% playing and 10% creating? Try to flip that ratio.
Check out our full list of recommended coding toys and games