25 Best Coding Books and Websites for Kids 2024

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Learn about the best coding books for kids in 2024, along with engaging coding websites for kids. The world is run by coding, and coding for kids is a pretty hot topic right now. When should kids learn coding? What is the best way for my for my child to learn coding? Which book is best for learning coding? In this comprehensive list of coding books for elementary students, you will get some great ideas about coding books for beginners. As an elementary school library media specialist, I teach coding to kids in grades kindergarten through 5th grade. How can a beginner learn to code? Can I learn coding by reading books? How do kids learn to code from books? You’re in the right place for some excellent resources to answer those questions. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Coding Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Are toddlers and preschoolers old enough to begin coding? There are many coding concepts that fit well with preschool curriculum. Research has been done that supports the introduction of technology skills at a very young age, including coding skills. Problem-solving and computational fluency skills may be strengthened as kids learn to work through fun, simple, logical tasks. If you are looking for an interesting resource to get preschoolers started with coding, here’s a good one:

In Baby Loves Coding by Ruth Spiro, will the young main character be able to use logic, sequencing, and patterns to fix her train? Introduce basic coding concepts in a fun way with this colorful, clever board book.

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Here are a couple more coding books written with toddlers and preschoolers in mind:

I Can Code: If/Then	Simple text and sturdy lift-the-flap illustrations introduce little ones to the coding concept of cause and effect with examples from the world around them.
I Can Code: And/Or	Using colorful illustrations and engaging text, this lift-the-flap book introduces young children to the concept of operators and true/false statements.

Coding Books for 5 and 6 Year Olds

My First Coding Book by Kiki Prottsman will help kids learn about sequencing, loops and other coding concepts through the use of games, puzzles and mazes. Give little programmers an engaging introduction to the world of computer programming with this innovative publication.

Here are a couple more coding books written for 5 and 6 year olds:

Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding by Linda Liukas	Young students are introduced to the basics of computer programming by learning about concepts like breaking down tasks into smaller chunnks and creating step-by-step plans.
First Coding Book for Kids by Kidlo Books	Designed to be used without a computer, this high-interest workbook introduces kids to the world of coding through worksheets about sequencing and other coding concepts.

Coding Books for 7 and 8 Year Olds

One of my favorite ways to introduce or review coding concepts to second and third grade students is to read this engaging and humorous book. In How to Code a Sandcastle by Josh Funk, young Pearl thinks she has finally figured out a way to build a sandcastle without it getting destroyed by rogue Frisbees or other beach hazards. Along with her trusty robot sidekick, Pascal, she goes through sequencing, loops, and other coding processes until success is achieved. I highly recommend this book!

Here are a few other fun titles to get 7 and 8 year olds on the path to coding knowledge:

How to Code a Rollercoaster by Josh Funk	In this follow-up to the How to Code a Sandcastle book, Pearl and Pascal are at it again. This time, they are at an amusement park using code to make the most of their visit.
Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughan, Computer Scientist (Picture Book Biography)	Introduce students to coding with this inspiring story about a pioneering NASA computer scientist. Hands-on STEM activities included!
Coding for Kids: Scratch: Learn Coding Skills, Create 10 Fun Games, and Master Scratch	Designed for younger kids (ages 6-10), this book introduces kids to Scratch with basic coding concepts and activities.
Coding Capers: Luci and the Missing Robot by Angela Cleveland	In order to find their teacher’s missing robot, Luci and her friends have to follow clues and do some STEM-like problem solving to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Coding Books for 9 and 10 Year Olds

Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark: Before I read this book, I had never heard of Grace Hopper. This incredibly accomplished woman led an amazing life! A pioneer in computer programming, she coined the term “computer bug”. This picture book biography chronicles her many accomplishments with appealing illustrations to help draw the reader in. Especially appropriate for elementary students, it would make a terrific read-aloud or independent reading selection. What an incredible true story!

As kids get older, more coding languages may be introduced. If you’re wondering, “Is Scratch a coding game?” or “How do kids learn Python?”, here are some additional coding book selections for nine and ten-year-olds:

Coding Games in Scratch: A Step-by-Step Visual Guide to Building Your Own Computer Games	This popular coding book is always checked out. Kids can follow simple coding steps to create games in the Scratch 3.0 programming language.
Coding Games in Python	A companion book to the previous title, this book offers simple steps to create games using online Python resources.
Coding for Kids: Scratch: Learn Coding Skills, Create 10 Fun Games, and Master Scratch	Designed for younger kids (ages 6-10), this book introduces kids to Scratch with basic coding concepts and activities.
You Wouldn’t Want to Live Without Coding!	Go on a humorous historical journey that demonstrates how coding has become an important part of so many things we use every day.

Coding Books for 11 and 12 Year Olds

Emmy in the Key of Code by Aimee Lucido: This wonderful story is excellent on so many levels. The story is written in verse and is designed to appeal to upper elementary or middle school students. I wasn’t sure I would like this book, as books written in verse are not usually what I choose to read. However, I was amazed by the clever way the author incorporates computer code into the verse patterns. As Emmy, a new student, tries to fit in, she finds her talent in an unexpected way. As the plot progressed, I found I learned a bit more computer coding myself! The plot is engaging, the characters are appealing, and the use of verse intertwined with coding is genius!

For those looking for more activity-based coding books, here are some choices that would appeal to 11 and 12-year-olds:

Coding for Kids: How to Become the #1 Programmer Among Your Friends by Mike Course	Aspiring coders can get a basic explanation of Scratch, then use their newfound knowledge to work through 15 creative exercises.
Coding for Kids: Python: Learn to Code with 50 Awesome Games and Activities	Kids can learn the basics of the Python coding language to create games as they work through the lessons and activities.
Coding for Minecrafters: Unofficial Adventures for Kids Learning Computer Code	Using the popular Minecraft theme, kids are introduced to coding with screenshot-supported activities and experiments.
Code This!: Puzzles, Games, Challenges, and Computer Coding Concepts for the Problem Solver in You	Published by National Geographic Kids, this book offers kids the opportunity to learn basic computer programming skills by joining in with the missions of the Coder Crew.

Coding Websites for Kids

In addition to reading books about coding, kids can gain a lot of coding skills by accessing activities on websites. Many coding websites offer free activities for kids. My students are always begging for more coding lessons. Here are some of my favorite websites.

Every year in December, the Hour of Code rolls around, and my students are always excited to participate. It’s the perfect pre-holiday break activity, and all of my elementary students join in, even the kindergarten students. I will often have the younger kids participate in one of the basic coding activities from years past. The older students usually go through whatever has been developed for the current year. The activities and lessons are always well-developed, kid-friendly, and engaging. During the rest of the year, I use the Hour of Code Activities page and let kids choose which lessons to work through. It’s one of my go-to plans when I have a substitute. I know the kids will love it, will be successful, and will stay on-task.

CodeSpark Academy offers parent and teachers he opportunity to get very young kids started with coding. The word-free interface let’s kids begin to code without needing reading skills. The colorful, play-based games and challenges offer a fun way to introduce logical thinking skills and coding basics.

With no previous coding experience needed, kids aged 8 and older can work through text-based coding lessons to learn basic coding concepts with CodeMonkey. Parents or teachers can sign up for a free account to get an overview of the program. In addition to basic coding concepts, kids can also learn the Python coding language as well as CoffeeScript. My school district signed up for accounts for students district-wide this year.

More Technology and Book Ideas

If you are interested in technology books for kids that cover STEM or other tech topics, check out my extensive list of technology books for kids. If you are looking for more reading ideas for kids, I also have book lists about kindness, the first day of school, and a fun ebook website. Books are my thing!

What Are Your Favorite Coding Books or Websites?

Have you gotten some good ideas from today’s post? Many of you may have your own favorite coding-related titles or websites to share. I’d love to learn about them! Getting recommendations from others is one of my greatest sources of teaching inspiration!

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Have fun exploring coding books and websites for kids!

Lisa Mitchell is a school librarian who likes to use her job as an excuse to stay up far too late reading books and noodling around with tech tools. To learn more about what this website has to offer, click on over to the Tech Tips page.