Essential Tech Resources for Kids 9 and over to Learn and Explore

TechnoKids offers a project-based curriculum that teaches kids about coding, robotics, and computer science. Through activities like game design, website creation, and robotics, kids can develop tech skills while working on real-world projects.

https://www.technokids.com

LEGO Mindstorms allows kids to build and program robots using LEGO bricks and sensors. The platform provides an easy-to-use interface for kids to control their robots through programming, teaching them engineering, design, and coding principles along the way.

https://www.lego.com/en-us/themes/mindstorms

LittleBits provides kids with electronic building blocks that snap together magnetically to create gadgets, robots, and inventions. Kids can use these kits to explore circuits, design, and innovation while learning about STEM concepts. It’s a fantastic way for kids to create interactive projects.

https://littlebits.com

STEMfinity provides hands-on kits and resources designed to teach kids coding, robotics, and science. The kits focus on real-world applications of technology and help kids develop problem-solving skills while exploring topics like circuitry, coding, and engineering.

https://www.stemfinity.com

Arduino is an open-source electronics platform that allows kids to create interactive projects using sensors, motors, and coding. By learning to program and build electronic circuits, kids can make their own inventions, from robots to smart devices.

https://www.arduino.cc

TinkerCAD is a free, online 3D design and 3D printing tool that allows kids to create 3D models, electronic circuits, and designs. It’s a great tool for learning basic engineering and design principles, and the platform provides step-by-step tutorials to guide beginners.

https://www.tinkercad.com

Hopscotch is a visual programming app that lets kids create their own games, animations, and stories by stacking coding blocks. It teaches programming concepts such as loops, variables, and conditionals, offering an intuitive way for kids to start coding.

https://www.gethopscotch.com

Coursera offers online courses for kids, covering a wide range of topics like coding, data science, and STEM fields. The courses feature interactive lessons and hands-on projects that help kids learn real-world skills in programming and tech.

https://www.coursera.org

Swift Playgrounds is a fun, interactive app developed by Apple that teaches kids how to code using Swift, the programming language used to build iOS apps. It features puzzles and challenges that help kids learn coding concepts like loops, functions, and conditionals.

https://www.apple.com/swift/playgrounds

Khan Academy is a well-known educational platform offering free, interactive lessons on coding, computer science, math, and more. It offers in-depth tutorials and exercises, including computer programming and JavaScript, that kids can work through at their own pace.

https://www.khanacademy.org

Robot Turtles is a board game designed to teach young kids coding principles like sequencing and debugging. It’s an engaging way to introduce programming logic to kids through simple and fun game mechanics, making it ideal for beginners.

https://www.robotturtles.com

Makey Makey is an invention kit that teaches kids about circuits, electronics, and innovation. It lets kids turn everyday objects into interactive touchpads to create music, games, or inventions. It fosters hands-on learning and creativity while exploring electronics.

https://makeymakey.com

This version of the popular game Minecraft is tailored for classrooms and learning environments. It combines gaming with educational lessons, offering coding, math, science, history, and art lessons. Kids can learn coding through block-based coding lessons or explore advanced coding with Python.

https://education.minecraft.net

Osmo Coding Starter Kit combines physical blocks with interactive apps to teach kids programming concepts. The kit includes coding blocks that help kids create sequences and solve puzzles by dragging and dropping them, helping them understand logic and programming.

https://www.playosmo.com

Code.org offers free courses and tutorials that teach kids to code through interactive puzzles, games, and challenges. It includes a variety of coding languages like block-based programming and JavaScript, making it great for both beginners and those ready to move on to more advanced topics.

https://code.org

Scratch, created by MIT, is a free online platform where kids can learn to code by creating interactive stories, games, and animations. It uses a drag-and-drop block-based interface, which helps teach basic programming concepts like logic, sequencing, and loops in a creative and fun way. Perfect for kids new to coding.

https://scratch.mit.edu

Kodable is a coding app designed for younger children, helping them understand programming fundamentals like loops, sequencing, and debugging. The app uses a fun game-based system where kids help characters solve puzzles and complete challenges, allowing them to learn coding in an engaging, hands-on way.

https://www.kodable.com

Tynker provides a fun and interactive platform for kids to learn programming through games, puzzles, and challenges. It covers beginner to advanced coding lessons, including block-based and text-based languages like JavaScript and Python. It helps kids build apps, games, and even robots while learning essential coding concepts.

https://www.tynker.com

Bloxels is a creative platform where kids can design and build their own video games. Using a physical Bloxels board, kids place colored blocks that correspond to different in-game elements, then bring their creations to life using a mobile app to code the game mechanics.

https://www.bloxelsbuilder.com

Raspberry Pi is an affordable computer designed to teach kids how to code, create projects, and explore the world of electronics. It uses languages like Scratch and Python and is great for hands-on learning. Kids can build everything from robots to home automation systems using this powerful tool.

https://www.raspberrypi.org