Coding for kids

[cheesybeans1234]

First time poster here. Please can anyone advise me on setting up a coding keen 10 year old?

He's worked his way through a few kids coding books independently but not gone any further so nowhere near ready for anything too advanced.

Would a raspberry pi be a good idea? And if yes, what would we need? In the most basic of terms please I have zero computing knowledge beyond the on button and loading word documents.

Or is he better just having a really simple laptop that he can call his own and work through more online stuff?

Or is there another much better option?

I'm so out of my depth and google isn't helping because it all assumes a little understanding and I have none.

Thank you!

Do you have a microbit? Its a tiny computer that you can program and has add one like thermometer, water sensors, traffic lights. You write a programme on a normal computer then upload to the microbit. There are lots of programming ideas on line or you can write your own. It was recommended to me by a secondary school computing teacher for my 9 year old who out grew the basic 'scratch' they use at primary school

Theres are microbit 'kits' on line with a few accessories. Fairly inexpensive £20 or so for basics and add ons £5-£10.

Personally I'd go for a chrome book and then take a look at the projects on Code Club

He can start with Scratch projects and then move onto more complex projects using python or BBC Microbits or Raspberry Pi. Code Club is organised by the Raspberry Pi Institute to get kids into Coding.

I ran a code club at my son's old primary school and the kids really enjoyed it. Once this lockdown is over your son could join a group - libraries often run them on Saturday mornings.

I like Hour of Code. Lots of free coding games on there to try.

Code club can be accessed from any computer as a good starting point

You are all super thank you so much. I'll be looking at the microbit and investigating code club and house of code. He's had success with scratch so sounds as though they're in the right direction. And possibly a chrome book.

Thank you so much.

My son has been using tynker and hour of code for the last few weeks

How did it go with hour of code? My 11 yo couldn't self learn.
With lockdown what are our options for private online classes?
I have so far come across astrajr.com and just scheduled a trial ...

@Ciara7334 if he couldn't self learn then perhaps coding is not for him or her.

@cdtaylornats that's a bit harsh!

The ability to self-learn is a skill in its own right and it takes time to become good at it.

I'll be honest OP I'm not familiar with virtual courses that are running right now (there were some that ran over the summer virtually as a replacement for physical summer schools). Might be worth keeping an eye out to see if local code clubs are due to reopen soon or have gone virtual in your area - our local one used to meet in the local library.

@scissy - it isn't the self learning bit but the actual coding. Some people just don't ever get it.

In saying that though if he ever pursues it as anything more than play then self-learning is a necessary skill.