Coding for Kids
Meet our newest Featured Maker, 9-year-old Chael from the Philippines! Chael likes practicing Taekwondo, reading comic books, and collecting action figures. Terrific! Chael recently spoke with us about his experience coding with Tynker.
How did you get introduced to Tynker and how long have you been coding?
My daddy introduced me to Tynker when the COVID-19 pandemic begun. I found it really fun and interesting because I like playing video games to begin with. I’ve been coding for about two years now.
How did you learn how to use Tynker when you were first starting out? What are your favorite Tynker courses or tutorials?
I just went through the tutorials and did a lot of trial and error. Tynker tutorials and the examples in each course it makes it really easy for me to understand what certain commands and code blocks do.
My favorite courses has got to be Glitch Manor, Turings Tower and Space Cadet!
How have your coding skills improved since you started using Tynker?
It improved a lot! I have actually started making and coding games on other platforms like Roblox Studio and Unity. Tynker helped me understand and appreciate the basics of coding and making games.
How did you feel when you found out your project had been featured?
I felt happy and proud. My dad told me that Tynker reached out to me and I got really excited because Tynker is one of my favorite sites to learn coding from!
What is your favorite project you’ve made so far? What do you like about it?
My favorite project so far is game I made called “Codecraft.” It’s a platformer game that also allows you to solve problems in the game creatively by using items. Like if a ledge is too high, you can place a block by clicking the mouse and stepping on the block to reach the ledge by jumping. I like it because it’s entertaining but it also requires you to use your brain. It also boss fights and a dog that can be your companion!
How do you get inspiration for your projects?
I get my inspiration by playing other games. I take the parts of the games I like and try to code in Tynker and improve how the game plays.
Why do you like to code?
I like to code because it’s educational and fun. I also like it because there is no limit to the things you can create!
What is your favorite way to use code? Do you have a favorite code block?
I like if and then blocks. It’s super simple but there’s a lot of things you can do with it like when the game character touches an object, it can move, teleport or make a sound. It makes the game more interactive.
What do you do with a project when you’re done with it? Do you debug it? Show it to someone? Publish it?
I check the game for bugs, and I try to fix as many of them as I can. When I feel that the game is playable enough, I show my mom and dad and ask them to play it. Then I publish it after I get feedback from my mom and dad who are my game testers.
What are you planning to make next?
I want to create an update for my favorite game I made on Tynker which is “Codecraft.” It’s going to be a platformer which is going to have tougher bosses and new cut scenes!
What’s the best thing about Tynker?
I like how easy everything is and love the style of the default characters. They’re very likeable and there’s a lot of them to choose from so I can pretty much make whatever game I want.
How do you think learning to code has prepared you for the future?
I learned logic which my dad says I can use if I want to be in the field software programming, but I also want to start a game development studio in the future so Tynker also prepared me for that.
Do you think other kids should try coding? Why’s that?
They should! It’s really fun and it allows you to be better at solving problems.
What advice would you give to kids starting out with Tynker?
Just keep making games until you get better. My first games weren’t really that good, but I practiced a lot and eventually made better games. Just code and code until you get better!
Bonus: What’s a fun fact about you?
I have two pet parakeets named Jem and Pickles!
We spoke with Chael’s dad about Chael learning to code
How do you feel about Chael learning to code? How does it feel to see the coding projects he is making?
I’m honestly amazed by it. My work entails a lot of tech and I love that my son is getting into the basics of coding. I think Tynker does an amazing job simplifying even more advanced coding concepts in a way that just clicks with kids. I love playing the games that Chael makes and I definitely see his output improve as he spends more time on the platform.
What benefits do you think coding has for your child? What skills (besides the technical skill of coding) does it help them learn?
Logic and problem-solving. One of the benefits of learning how to code at a young age is that you just get so much better at solving even non-code-related problems. I definitely see an improvement in how
my child looks at and approaches all sorts of problems. He’s more experimental and isn’t afraid to try different ways to address them.
Do you feel that your child is better prepared for the future?
Most definitely. With the way careers are shifting to tech in the last decade, being able to code the way my child does gives him a head start and an unquestionable advantage.
How do you support your child in their coding endeavors?
I encourage him to diversify by looking into other platforms
What do you think of Tynker, and is there anything you’d change if you could?
Tynker is an amazing platform to get your feet wet in game design and code as a kid. I could see a lot of courses and platforms out there, but none of them match the simple and fun way Tynker teaches the fundamentals of code to kids.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us about coding with Tynker. We can’t wait to see what Chael creates next – HAPPY CODING!
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