16 Best Coding Books for Kids in 2024 [Learn to Code for Kids and Young Adults]

Today we’re looking at the best coding books for kids.

🧠 Did you know? Scratch and Python are two popular programming languages you can use to create things like arcade games and chatbots.

Coding books for kids are important: you want to get the right one.

But how do you know where to start?

We’ve got you covered.

Today we’re looking at the best coding books for kids and are checking out key features such as:

✅ age of the reader

✅ popular programming languages

✅ concepts taught

And more.

So sit back, relax, and learn about some of the best coding books for kids on the market today.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you buy something. Read my disclosure for more details.

TLDR: Best Coding Books for Kids This Year

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook

💥 Best for Newbies 💥
Coding for Kids: Python

💸 Best Value 💸
Coding Concepts for Kids: Learn to Code Without a Computer

Best Coding Books for Kids

Now let’s check out these awesomely educational coding books for kids.

1. Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook: The Complete Middle School Study Guide

↘️ Ideal for: 11 – 14 years old
↘️ Topics covered: computer science, coding

This book rules!

Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook is our go-to resource for learning the fundamentals of computer science and coding.

➡️ Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook is one of the best coding books for kids.

It uses lots of diagrams and doodles to teach you computer science concepts like:

✅ binary code

✅ algorithms

✅ computational thinking

✅ boolean expressions

✅ loops and events

And much, MUCH more.

You’ll also learn about HTML and CSS, two core languages for building websites.

What code newbies have to say about Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook:

This series is great for parents and kids. Easy to use and understand.

– Jen Turner

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2. Coding for Kids: Python: Learn to Code with 50 Awesome Games and Activities

↘️ Ideal for: 10 – 18 years old
↘️ Topics covered: Python games and activities

Want to learn Scratch programming instead? Check out another book by Rockridge Press titled Coding for Kids: Scratch.

With Coding for Kids: Python you’ll build Python games you can show off to your friends.

➡️ Coding for Kids: Python is one of the best coding books for absolute beginners.

With this coding book for kids, you’ll learn the basics of Python programming while working on 50 interactive activities. You’ll learn everything from the building blocks of programming to creating your own games.

In the words of author Adrienne B. Tacke, “Learning to code isn’t as hard as it sounds – you just have to get started!”

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3. Coding Concepts for Kids: Learn to Code Without a Computer

↘️ Ideal for: 5 – 7 years old
↘️ Topics covered: coding fundamentals

Coding Concepts for Kids helps you develop analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

➡️ Coding Concepts for Kids is one of the best coding books for kids on a budget.

This book will help you learn to code without a computer.

That’s right. Instead, you’ll use every day objects to learn about coding concepts like:

✅ algorithms

✅ loops

✅ conditionals

✅ debugging

And more.

You’ll have fun learning all about coding with different characters that help you spot patterns, create solutions and more.

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4. Coding iPhone Apps for Kids: A Playful Introduction to Swift

↘️ Ideal for: 10+ years old
↘️ Topics covered: Swift programming

Be sure to check out some other kid-friendly books on No Starch Press like Scratch 3 Programming Playground, Python for Kids and JavaScript for Kids.

With Coding iPhone Apps for Kids you’ll build fully functional, playable games using Swift.

➡️ Coding iPhone Apps for Kids is one of the best coding books for kids to learn Swift programming.

Swift is a powerful, beginner-friendly programming language developed by Apple. It’s used to make apps for iPhones and iPads.

Working in the Xcode playground, you’ll play with your code and see what it does in real time. Then you’ll:

✅ build programs

✅ program a number guessing game

✅ make a playable game

✅ challenge players by adding features to your game

And beyond.

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5. Code This!: Puzzles, Games, Challenges, and Computer Coding Concepts for the Problem Solver in You

↘️ Ideal for: 8 – 12 years old
↘️ Topics covered: computer science, coding

Code This! takes you to a fantasy-filled world where you’ll learn how to program.

➡️ Code This! uses puzzles, games and challenges to teach you computer science and coding.

As part of the Coder Crew, you’ll:

✅ write algorithms to find treasures

✅ read secret messages by decoding ciphers

✅ program an expedition with loops

And much more.

Then in this coding book for kids, you’ll put your skills to the test by helping Cody the Robot with step-by-step coding instructions.

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6. How to Be a Coder: Learn to Think like a Coder with Fun Activities, then Code in Scratch 3.0 Online

↘️ Ideal for: 7 – 9 years old
↘️ Topics covered: Scratch 3

How to Be a Coder teaches you offline coding methods you’ll then apply to build simple programs online.

➡️ How to Be a Coder shows you how to code with a mix of craft activities.

For example, you’ll learn about loops by making a friendship bracelet. And you’ll make paper fortune tellers to learn about functions in this coding book for kids. 🔮

Then you’ll take your skills to the computer and code using Scratch 3.

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7. Python Programming for Beginners: A Kid’s Guide to Coding Fundamentals

↘️ Ideal for: 10 – 14 years old
↘️ Topics covered: Python programming

If you prefer learning Scratch, be sure to check out Scratch Programming for Beginners.

Python Programming for Beginners is jam-packed with fun and creative activities you’ll use to learn Python fundamentals.

➡️ Python Programming for Beginners is one of the best coding books for kids who want to learn Python programming. 🐍

You’ll start off by learning the basics of Python. And from there, you’ll learn how to combine what you’ve learned so you can make games.

You’ll learn about:

✅ variables

✅ data types

✅ loops

Oh my!

By the end of the book, you’ll build your own working science fiction game.

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8. My First Coding Book

↘️ Ideal for: 5 – 7 years old
↘️ Topics covered: basic programming concepts

My First Coding Book shows kids the thinking and logic needed to code.

➡️ My First Coding Book is a fun way to learn the basics of coding without a computer.

It’s filled with puzzles, mazes and games! You’ll learn about:

✅ sequences

✅ algorithms

✅ debugging

And more.

Get ready because the illustrations make learning lots of fun in this coding book for kids.

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9. Code Your Own Games!: 20 Games to Create with Scratch

↘️ Ideal for: 6 – 11 years old
↘️ Topics covered: Scratch basics, games

If you like Max Wainewright’s style, be sure to check out How to Code and 25 Scratch 3 Games for Kids.

With Code Your Own Games!, you’ll learn Scratch programming while creating 20 fully functional games.

➡️ Code Your Own Games! is one of the best coding books for kids to learn Scratch 3 programming.

With step-by-step instructions, you’ll learn how to build all kinds of computer games like:

✅ Snake

✅ Brick Bouncer

✅ driving games

✅ action games

The book starts off easy like drawing shapes and giving instructions. But it gets harder as you move along and start building games!

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10. Coding Games in Scratch: A Step-by-Step Visual Guide to Building Your Own Computer Games

↘️ Ideal for: 8 – 12 years old
↘️ Topics covered: Scratch fundamentals, games

You like playing computer games, right? So why not build your own?

➡️ Coding Games in Scratch lets kids create games they can share online and play with family and friends.

With Coding Games in Scratch, you’ll build puzzles, platform games, and exciting racing challenges. 🏎️ 🏁

And don’t worry: there are plenty of illustrations to guide you as you code along in this coding book for kids. You’ll even learn how to add animations to your games.

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11. Coding for Kids in Easy Steps

↘️ Ideal for: 8+ years old
↘️ Topics covered: HTML, CSS, JavaScript

Coding for Kids in Easy Steps, you’ll build a web page with a fully functioning game.

➡️ Coding for Kids in Easy Steps is one of the best coding books for kids who want to learn HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

That’s right. You’ll learn about the building blocks of web development:

✅ HTML

✅ CSS

✅ JavaScript

You’ll start by learning how to build and test a basic web page.

Then you’ll learn about HTML by adding text, pictures and more. After that, you’ll learn CSS concepts like colors and positioning.

Finally, you’ll add JavaScript to create a web page that can react to a user’s actions.

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12. Creative Coding in Python: 30+ Programming Projects in Art, Games, and More

↘️ Ideal for: 10 – 12 years old
↘️ Topics covered: Python art and games

Creative Coding in Python teaches kids the fundamentals of Python programming by building games.

➡️ Creative Coding in Python is one of the best coding books for kids who like to build projects.

It’s true! With this book, you’ll build over 30 projects in Python including:

✅ chatbots

✅ geometric art

✅ dice games

✅ arcade games and apps

And much more.

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13. Get Coding!: Learn HTML, CSS & JavaScript & Build a Website, App & Game

↘️ Ideal for: 9 – 12 years old
↘️ Topics covered: HTML, CSS, JavaScript

With Get Coding!, kids will build a website, app and game all while learning about HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

➡️ Get Coding! is one of the best coding books for kids who like to get lost in fantasy worlds.

That’s because from the very start of this book, you’ll be given a set of missions to accomplish such as:

✅ build a website from scratch

✅ create an app

✅ build a game

And more.

You’ll do it all while on a quest to keep a radiant diamond out of the hands of pesky jewel thieves. 💎

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14. How to Code a Sandcastle

↘️ Ideal for: 4 – 8 years old
↘️ Topics covered: coding fundamentals

How to Code a Sandcastle introduces kids to the world of coding with a lighthearted story touching on the basics.

➡️ How to Code a Sandcastle is a funny story for kids to learn basic coding concepts.

In this adventure, you’ll learn about fundamental coding concepts like sequences and loops.

The characters in this coding book for kids use these concepts and apply them to the sandcastle they’re trying to build.

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15. Secret Coders

↘️ Ideal for: 8 – 12 years old
↘️ Topics covered: coding, logic puzzles

Secret Coders is a graphic novel series that teaches programming and logic puzzles while unraveling mysteries.

➡️ Secret Coders is one of the best coding books for kids who love adventure.

In this wild page-turner, you’ll learn core programming fundamentals all while diving deep into the excitement and drama of the main characters.

You’ll trek through the story all while solving various puzzles and challenges throughout the book.

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16. Baby Loves Coding!

↘️ Ideal for: 0 – 3 years
↘️ Topics covered: logic, sequence, patterns

Will Baby Loves Coding! teach your child to be a senior developer?

Probably not.

Rather, baby will learn about key coding concepts like:

✅ logic

✅ sequence

✅ patterns

And beyond.

➡️ Baby Loves Coding! is meant to show baby how to begin to think and problem-solve like a programmer.

With beautiful illustrations in this coding book for kids, your baby will learn it all. And will even get a chance to fix the train with what they’ve learned.

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Best Coding Books for Kids: Conclusion

Today we looked at the best coding books for kids including:

🔥 Best Overall 🔥
Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook

💥 Best for Newbies 💥
Coding for Kids: Python

💸 Best Value 💸
Coding Concepts for Kids: Learn to Code Without a Computer

So whether you want to learn Python, Scratch or another language altogether, we think these are the best coding books for kids.

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Coding kids are also reading:

• 9 Best HTML and CSS Courses for Beginners [Learn HTML & CSS ASAP]
• 14 Best Ruby Books This Year [Learn Ruby Programming ASAP]
• JavaScript Resources: The Ultimate Guide for Web Developers This Year

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