Coding Games Kids Will Love
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Hi Readers!
Coding is becoming one of the most important skills of the future.
My kids were not entirely interested in coding, but I felt it was important for them to learn. Every time I suggested a class to learn coding skills, my kids turned up their noses.
I wanted to find a resource that would introduce them to the concepts of coding - one that was fun and engaging.
I found an educational board game that taught early coding and sequencing, and it was a hit! The hands-on approach and interactive gameplay captured their attention. (CoderMarz)
A good educational board game will break down complex ideas into simple, interactive steps. There are multiple coding games out there that will help players explore coding through hands-on problem-solving and sequencing steps. Some even teach some coding language.
We’ve listed some game ideas below.
9 Coding Game Ideas
A couple of these games focus on sequencing, not coding. Sequencing games are great for teaching the concept of putting instructions in a certain order, which is a skill coders need.
Team Digger (highlighted below)
- Ages: 6+
- Players: 2-4
- Skills Practiced: Coding, Sequencing, Spatial Reasoning
- Ages: 6+
- Players: 2-4
- Skills Practiced: Coding, AI, Mars
- Ages: 6+
- Players: 2-4
- Skills Practiced: Sequencing
- Ages: 8+
- Players: 2-5
- Skills Practiced: Sequencing
Coder Bunnyz
- Ages: 4+
- Players: 1-4
- Skills Practiced: Coding
Code & Go Robot Mouse
- Ages: 4+
- Players: n/a
- Skills Practiced: Coding
Code & Go Mouse Mania
- Ages: 5+
- Players: 2-4
- Skills Practiced: Coding
Coder Mindz
- Ages: 6+
- Players: 2-4
- Skills Practiced: Coding, AI
Coder Gamer Kit
- Ages: 10+
- Players: n/a
- Skills Practiced: Gaming, Coding, Making
Team Digger
Team Digger is a collaborative coding game. Players work together to move their dogs around the dog park gameboard and dig up items. To win, find all the bones before you dig up 5 unwanted items.
Subject: Coding
Ages: 6+
Number of Players: 2-4
Skills Practiced: Coding, Sequencing, Spatial Reasoning
Game Components:
- 9 thick cardboard tiles, along with a frame, make up the gameboard
- Large plastic Digger the Dog pawns
- Colorful cards with different movements (left, right, walk, run, dig)
Gameplay
Step 1: Cover the dig sites
- After you have assembled the dog park gameboard, randomly cover all of the dig sites.
- Keep the tiles face down.
Step 2: Choose your dog
- Place your dog on the center square of the dog park gameboard.
Step 3: Deal cards to each player
- The amount of cards each player gets depends on how many people are playing.
Step 4: Create a 5-card sequence
- Create a 5-card sequence. This is how your dog will move (in order from left to right).
- This is collaborative game, so you can discuss options with the other players and even trade cards to help each other.
Step 5: Move your dog
- Move your dog following the 5-card sequence you created.
Step 6: Dig
If you land on a dig site, and have built the “Dig” card into your 5-card sequence, you can dig.
Flip over the tile and see what it is.
Step 7: Place wanted items
Place your “wanted items” in the blue area of the collection board.
These tiles have a blue background and are dog toys.
These do not help or hurt you.
Step 8: Place unwanted items
Place your “unwanted items” in the purple number strip at the top.
These tiles have a purple background and are things a dog should not be chewing on!
Step 9: Place bones
Place your bones in the yellow area of the collection board.
These tiles have a yellow background.
TO WIN: Dig up all 4 bones before you dig up all 5 of the unwanted items.
You can find more modifications for special needs and autism on the game description page.
Why we love this game:
The game introduces sequencing, which is an important skill for beginner coders to learn.
It’s a collaborative game. Families of various ages can play together and work together to win.
The gameboard consists of 9 large tiles that are different front/back, so every time you set up the game, the dig sites are in different locations.
The dog pawns are big, which makes them easy for little hands to hold. We also love how they have added an L and R on the dogs to help kids turn their dog in the correct direction.
What to watch out for:
Little ones may get frustrated setting up the tiles, but once the frame is around the board, everything is snug in place.
See Team Digger in Action
Looking for a different type of coding game? Try Coder Bunnyz.
Read: 8 Great Reasons to Teach Early Coding. "Learning coding is like learning a new language, so the earlier you start the more 'fluent' you will be. It's also a great tool for learning to read. As soon as kids are able to read and write is a great time to start learning to code. That doesn't mean it needs to be on a screen, either!"
Where to Find It
You can find Team Digger here!
Gameschooling Tips for Coding
Coding games break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps. They provide a safe space to make mistakes and try again.
Our Advice:
- Mistakes are learning opportunities. Debugging is an essential part of coding.
- Resist the urge to step in too quickly - give them space to solve problems independently and confidently.
- The games are not only for learning actual coding. Use coding games as a hands-on way to strengthen logical thinking and understanding of patterns.
- Discuss examples of sequences in real life.
Fun Extras
Use these Team Digger Adventure Cards to send your friends and family on an adventure!
