Coding for Kids
The holidays are quickly approaching, which means companies are beginning to put a wide range of exciting products on sale. One market in particular though has grown in popularity over recent years—tech gifts for kids—and for good reason.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer and information technology jobs are projected to grow 15% over the next decade. Today’s kids will be grateful that they got into tech at an early age because they’re going to have their choice of exciting and rewarding careers, ranging from farming to medicine to urban planning—the possibilities are limitless.
Meanwhile, the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they’re developing in studying technology will also have a positive impact on their academics at school, which will give them more confidence going forward.
With amazing tech gifts now available specifically for kids, they can get an early start on developing tech skills in a fun, innovative way. To help parse through the many options online, we’ve compiled a holiday gift guide:
Top Five Educational Favorites For 2023
1. A Tynker Subscription
A gift subscription to Tynker might be the best coding gift for kids this holiday season, but, hey, we’re a little biased! Tynker’s award-winning curriculum is vast, offering over 5,000 learning modules organized in unique six levels with more than 300 lessons. These courses and activities will enable your child to master programming and easily progress to real-world text languages like JavaScript and Python. Plus, each level is self-paced, so kids aren’t pressured to learn everything at once.
In addition to web development and block coding courses, Tynker also goes beyond basic coding to offer specializations in Minecraft Modding, App Development, Data Science, Game Design, Art, Music, AI, Robotics, and more. Kids receive mastery certifications after each completed level and can even learn on the go with mobile apps. Best of all, Tynker utilizes a gamified, story-based format. This playful approach to learning promotes independent project-building and problem-solving and can build competency 5x faster than traditional learning.
A Tynker subscription includes core and elective courses, powerful creativity tools, image processing, one of a kind AI courses, a fun and safe Tynker community, all 3 of our award-winning apps, and more. Did we mention that all of Tynker’s programs are approved (and used) by thousands of educators worldwide?
Elevating the Tynker experience, we’re thrilled to introduce live 1:1 Minecraft Modding classes led by experts—a perfect gift that combines learning with the thrill of gaming. These personalized sessions are not just lessons; they’re adventures where kids can alter their favorite game, bringing their most imaginative mods to life with the help of a coding pro. This hands-on experience is the cherry on top of a gift subscription, making it an extraordinary present that stands out under the holiday lights. Not only will your child be mastering coding skills, but they’ll also be unlocking the magic of Minecraft in ways they’ve only dreamed of—creating a holiday memory that lasts long after the festivities.
2. OSMO’s Explorer Starter Kit
Technology is becoming an inevitable part of childhood, but OSMO proves it isn’t a bad thing. Named one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions, OSMO combines hands-on play with digital tools to promote embodied learning; using objects in the physical world to ground abstract concepts so kids can focus on growing their skills instead of getting wrapped up in theories.
The Explorer Starter Kit is one of Osmo’s best holiday gifts, combining activities from three top-selling sets for a total of nine interactive games. Ideal for ages 5-12, it pairs with supported devices to make spelling, physics, and computer programming easy and fun. Games like Monster bring drawings to life while Coding Awbie simplifies coding for kids. Check it out!
3. An Unlimited Subscription to EPIC!
With over 40,000 books from 250+ publishers, EPIC is an at-home library for kids. Comprehension and fluency are just as important as technical skills — and critical to helping your child succeed in a STEAM career. With an unlimited subscription, kids can read, or listen to, as many books as their heart desires. EPIC also offers educational videos on a variety of topics from math and science to yoga and DIY projects.
EPIC’s books on robotics and lego construction made it an obvious choice for our holiday gift guide, but so did its narrative offerings. Cultivating a curious mind is key to honing inventive skills, and Epic has plenty of fictional stories to stoke your child’s imagination and encourage them to think outside of the box. Take a look!
4. Sphero’s Specdrums
Among all of Sphero’s products, the Specdrums stand out to us as one of the best tech gifts of 2022. In combination with the included playing pack and the Specdrums Mix app, kids can use these rings to create music from any surface; your child can tap away on shoes, toys, or the dining room table to create their own beats and loops.
These gadgets are in high demand, so if they’re sold out by the time you do your holiday shopping, we recommend Sphero’s Electronic Music Inventor Kit as well. Your child can build their own synth guitar or hands-free drum while strengthening their innovative mindset.
5. Artie 3000
Last but certainly not least on our list of gift ideas for kids, we have Artie 3000. Artie is a coding robot that makes art. Using the code that your child writes, Artie draws on paper, creating everything from simple shapes to intricate illustrations. Its pre-programmed designs start kids on coding right away, though they also offer structure if free-form is intimidating.
Even if your child chooses not to pursue a career in technology, these gifts will equip them with skills that will remain beneficial to them throughout their life. Problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork are competencies required for all education and job paths. Start preparing your child with a fun, engaging, and lifelong gift, and they will surely thank you now and in the future.
Check out Tynker’s Curriculum and learn more about inspiring the next generation to change the world through code.
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Check out Tynker’s Curriculum and learn more about inspiring the next generation to change the world through code.
