With as fast moving as technology is these days, coding has become almost as essential to a child’s education as math and reading. Unfortunately, not every school is teaching computer programming just yet, but there are plenty of opportunities for kids to learn the skill in Chicagoland (and some of the classes are even free!).
Code Ninjas
- Locations throughout Chicagoland
Budding coders as young as 5 years old can learn to code at Code Ninjas Jr. class, which builds a foundation of coding and problem-solving skills through a completely visual curriculum. In Code Ninjas Create, kids can use their skills to build video games. Year-round and summer coding camps are also available.
Codinu
- Address: 2244 95th St #308, Naperville
At Codinu in Naperville, kids are writing the future. Students will build a coding foundation while becoming creative problem solvers, playing fascinating games and working collaboratively to create new tech.
Digital Adventures
- Locations in Chicago, Oak Park and Wilmette
Digital Adventures offers online courses for wannabe programmers. Their class for students in kindergarten through 8th grade spotlights “accidental learning,” which keeps kids so entertained during the 50-minute time period that they don’t even realize they’re learning complex computer science and design principles. Projects include constructing robots, building mobile apps, designing video games and even hacking Minecraft. Kids from Kindergarten through 8th grade are invited to take a deep dive into a tech subject in the BrainSports Class, where projects (like building a robot car) are more long-term.
Kids STEM Studio
- Locations in Evanston, Chicago and Schaumburg
The benefits of STEM education are widely known, and Kids STEM Studio in the West Loop puts these elements to use in both fun and practical ways. Think your preschooler is too little to learn the basics of coding? Here you can find classes suitable for kids as young as 4 years old. Little ones learn the basics in the Preschool Coding & Game Design course, then gradually adopt more advanced skills in the Junior and Senior classes. If kids choose to continue, the 3D Coding & Game Design course teaches students how to create their own 3D virtual reality games.
theCoder School
- Address: 827 Waukegan Rd, Deerfield
Through consistent practice, kids will not only develop coding skills, but they’ll be able to apply their outside-the-box problem-solving skills to situations outside of the computer. Give your child an intense crash course with 2:1 instructor-to-student Code Coaching, or sign them up for a fun summer or holiday break Coding Camp.
We All Code
- Locations throughout Chicago
If you’re not sure your child is ready to take a full-blown course on coding, try out one of We All Code’s single-day coding classes for ages 10+. During a 3-hour course, kids will learn about one specific topic, ranging from HTML to JavaScript, and use those skills for fun projects such as making a robot move. The best part about the interactive workshops? They’re totally free and participants don’t need any prior computer knowledge.
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