CodeMonkey Review: Is It The Best Coding Platform For Kids? | This Nerdy Daddy (2024)

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In this CodeMonkey Review, I’m diving into an award-winning platform that’s changing the game in coding education for kids. CodeMonkey stands out with its engaging, game-like approach to teaching real programming languages like CoffeeScript and Python. It’s perfectly tailored for young learners from 5 to 14 years old, offering a smooth transition from block-based to text-based coding. Since its launch in 2014, CodeMonkey has combined technology, gaming, and pedagogy to create a fun, intuitive learning experience. Whether it’s for use in schools, clubs, or at home, CodeMonkey is making coding accessible and enjoyable for millions of children worldwide.

Pricing: Is CodeMonkey Worth It?

CodeMonkey offers various pricing options tailored to different needs. I will provide you with all of the available options to determine if CodeMonkey justifies its price tag.

Home Plan Options: Tailored for Diverse Learning Needs

Individual Plan

The Individual Plan is the most basic, yet comprehensive option for a single child’s coding education. It’s priced at $72 annually (which breaks down to $6 per month) or $27 for a quarterly subscription ($9 per month). This plan includes one child account and one parent account, making it an economical choice for individual learning.

Family Plan

For families with multiple children, the Family Plan is an ideal choice. It costs $144 per year ($12 per month if billed annually) or $54 for a quarterly subscription ($18 per month). This plan accommodates up to three child accounts and one parent account, offering a value-for-money proposition for family learning.

Home School Plan

The Home School Plan is tailored for a more structured educational setting. Priced at $240 annually ($20 per month when billed yearly) or $81 for a quarterly subscription ($27 per month), it includes five student accounts, two teacher accounts, a classroom dashboard, lesson plans, and solutions for all exercises. This plan is particularly suited for home-school environments or small learning groups.

Plan TypeAnnual PricingMonthly Breakdown (Annual)Quarterly PricingMonthly Breakdown (Quarterly)Accounts Included
Individual$72$6 per month$27$9 per month1 child account, 1 parent account
Family$144$12 per month$54$18 per month3 child accounts, 1 parent account
Home School$240$20 per month$81$27 per month5 student accounts, 2 teacher accounts

A Wealth of Learning Tools in All Plans

Each plan, regardless of the level, comes equipped with a variety of learning tools. These include block-based and text-based coding courses, game creation courses, mini-courses, a game builder, a challenge builder, and future releases like Python courses. This diverse range of tools ensures a rich and engaging learning experience for students at different stages of their coding journey.

CodeMonkey stands out with its flexible subscription management, allowing users to cancel auto-renewal at any time, which is ideal for those who prefer not to commit long-term. Additionally, the platform offers a 30-day free trial, giving users the opportunity to explore its features and assess its value in meeting their educational needs before making a financial commitment.

In-Depth Look at CodeMonkey’s Features and Benefits

CodeMonkey shines as a comprehensive, web-based platform in the educational tech landscape, offering a diverse range of coding courses. This review delves into the features and benefits that position CodeMonkey as a standout choice for coding education.

Web-Based Platform: Easy and Accessible

No Installation, Purely Online

Best on Keyboard-Enabled Devices

A significant advantage of CodeMonkey is its web-based setup, requiring no installations. It’s optimized for devices with keyboards, like Chromebooks and laptops. The only prerequisites are a modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, or Safari) and an active internet connection.

Programming Languages: From Beginner to Advanced

CoffeeScript: Beginner-Friendly in Coding Adventure

Python: Advanced Learning in Coding Chatbots and Banana Tales

CodeMonkey’s curriculum includes CoffeeScript in Coding Adventure, chosen for its English-like syntax, making it accessible for beginners. For more advanced learners, Python is used in Coding Chatbots and Banana Tales, recognized for its simplicity and real-world application.

Comprehensive Curriculum Across Grades

CodeMonkey Review: Is It The Best Coding Platform For Kids? | This Nerdy Daddy (3)

K-8 Curriculum: Tailored Coding Courses

Courses Designed for Each Educational Level

CodeMonkey’s curriculum spans various grades, each course designed to be engaging and educational, requiring no prior experience. The curriculum includes:

  • CodeMonkey Jr.: Introduces coding basics to kindergarteners through gaming challenges.
  • Monthly Activity: Offers monthly, one-week-only games for 1st grade and up, themed around current holidays.
  • Beaver Achiever: Teaches 1st and 2nd graders coding skills through interactive tasks.

  • Coding Chatbots: Teaches Python through a chatbot interface for 6th to 8th graders.

Educational Screen Time: Tracking and Self-Paced Learning

CodeMonkey’s platform enables tracking of a child’s progress, offering educational screen time that is self-paced and informative, beneficial for both parents and educators.

Aligned with Educational Standards

Comprehensive Coding Concepts

Adherence to Computer Science and Common Core Standards

CodeMonkey’s curriculum covers universal coding concepts and aligns with computer science and common core standards, ensuring that students are not just engaged but also learning in a way that supports their overall educational development.

CodeMonkey offers a robust and comprehensive coding education platform that is both accessible and educational. Its use of real programming languages, combined with a diverse range of courses and alignment with educational standards, makes it an excellent tool for introducing children to the world of coding.

CodeMonkey Versus Other Coding Platforms: A Comparative Analysis

In the world of coding education for children, several platforms stand out, including CodeMonkey, Scratch, Tynker and CodeWizardsHQ. This comparative analysis aims to highlight the key differences and similarities among these platforms.

CodeMonkey vs Scratch

A Comparison of Approach and Accessibility

Scratch, developed by the MIT Media Lab, is a free programming language and online community. It’s designed for children aged 8 to 16 but is used by people of all ages. Scratch focuses on creative learning, promoting computational thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. It’s always free and available in more than 70 languages. Scratch is particularly strong in fostering creativity and self-expression through coding.

CodeMonkey vs Tynker

Pricing and Course Offerings

Tynker is another popular platform that teaches coding to children. It offers a blend of self-paced and live coaching sessions. Tynker’s curriculum includes over 5,000 lessons across various coding topics and is suitable for children aged 5 to 18. Tynker’s approach is game-based and story-driven, making it engaging for younger learners. It also offers a wide range of courses, from block-based coding for younger children to text-based languages like JavaScript and Python for older students.

Comparative Table: Pricing and Features

Feature/CriteriaCodeMonkeyScratchTynker
Target Age GroupPre-K to 8th grade8 to 16 years5 to 18 years
Pricing$6 to $27 per monthFree$10 to $30 per month
Programming LanguagesCoffeeScript, PythonScratch’s own languageJavaScript, Python, and others
Learning ApproachSelf-paced, game-basedCreative, community-drivenGame-based, story-driven
AccessibilityWeb-based, no installationWeb-based, no installationWeb-based, no installation
Live InstructionNoNoYes (with coaching sessions)
Free Trial30-day free trialAlways freeFree access with limitations

In summary, each platform has its unique strengths. CodeMonkey offers a versatile, self-paced learning environment with a focus on real programming languages. Scratch excels in creative expression and community engagement, while Tynker provides a comprehensive curriculum with a mix of self-paced and live coaching. The choice depends on the specific needs and learning style of the student.

Bonus:

CodeMonkey vs CodeWizardsHQ

My Review of CodeWizardsHQ

CodeMonkey and CodeWizardsHQ cater to different aspects of coding education. While CodeMonkey is web-based and offers a self-paced learning environment, CodeWizardsHQ provides live, instructor-led online classes. CodeWizardsHQ is more structured and may be better suited for students who thrive in a traditional classroom setting.

In summary, each platform has its unique strengths. CodeMonkey offers a versatile, self-paced learning environment with a focus on real programming languages. Scratch excels in creative expression and community engagement, while Tynker provides a comprehensive curriculum with a mix of self-paced and live coaching. The choice depends on the specific needs and learning style of the student.

Conclusion: Empowering the Next Generation of Coders

A Fun and Educational Journey into Coding

CodeMonkey excels in creating a fun, game-based environment that captivates young minds. It’s designed for kids to embark on their coding journey without any prior experience, making it accessible and inviting. The platform’s approach to teaching through interactive coding courses enables children to learn while playing, which is a powerful method of education.

Building Confidence and Skills in Young Coders

Upon completing the courses offered by CodeMonkey, children are not just learning to code; they are building a foundation of confidence and accomplishment. This sense of achievement is crucial in encouraging continued interest and development in the field of programming.

Alignment with Educational Standards

CodeMonkey places significant emphasis on content that aligns with current educational standards. The platform goes beyond mere coding skills. It incorporates online challenges and unplugged activities that foster computational thinking, collaboration, reasoning, and logic. These skills are essential for holistic educational development and prepare students for future challenges.

Recognition and Awards

CodeMonkey’s commitment to quality and educational excellence has been recognized through various awards. Notably, it received the 2023 i-Learn First Place in Reader’s Choice for Computer Science and was picked for the 2023 Best of STEM Educators in Computer Science for Grades PK-5. These accolades underscore the platform’s effectiveness and popularity in the realm of educational technology.

CodeMonkey is more than just a coding platform; it’s a comprehensive educational tool that empowers the next generation of coders. By providing an engaging, game-based learning environment and focusing on essential skills beyond coding, CodeMonkey is paving the way for young learners to succeed in the ever-evolving world of technology.

If You Want To learn more about coding For Kids, check out my posts here!

CodeMonkey Review: Is It The Best Coding Platform For Kids? | This Nerdy Daddy (2024)

FAQs

Is CodeMonkey good for kids? ›

CodeMonkey is a great learning tool for all ages! The courses offer a full curriculum for grades K-8. Introducing code at an early age is recommended.

Is CodeMonkey legit? ›

CodeMonkey is user-friendly and intuitive, so users can jump right in without any previous coding experience. Our award-winning block based and text based courses are great for children ages 5-14.

What age is CodeMonkey for? ›

What Ages is CodeMonkey Suitable For? While we encourage any person of any age to learn to code on CodeMonkey, our curriculum was created for grades K-8 (ages 4 to 14+).

How much does CodeMonkey cost for a school? ›

Cost $109 per year. This program is suitable for teachers which want a taste of coding for large groups. You'll get an access to a CodeMonkey certification and upgraded classroom management abilities.

Is coding good for kids with ADHD? ›

Engaging in coding can help children with ADHD develop and enhance their ability to sustain focus and stay on task for extended periods. When coding, a child can become the architect of their digital world.

Which coding platform is best for beginners? ›

12 Best Coding Platforms for Code Learning
  • LeetCode. ...
  • HackerRank. ...
  • Codecademy. ...
  • Udemy. ...
  • Coursera. ...
  • FreeCodeCamp. ...
  • Treehouse. ...
  • GitHub.
3 days ago

What is the most used coding platform? ›

JavaScript is the most common coding language in use today around the world. This is for a good reason: most web browsers utilize it and it's one of the easiest languages to learn. JavaScript requires almost no prior coding knowledge — once you start learning, you can practice and play with it immediately.

Which coding class is best for kids? ›

Here are some of our favorites: the 10 best online coding classes for kids.
  • #1. CodeMonkey. We have to start with CodeMonkey. ...
  • #2. Scratch. Next up, we have Scratch — the world's largest coding resource for kids. ...
  • #3. Khan Academy. ...
  • #4. Code Monster. ...
  • #5. Blockly. ...
  • #6. CodaKid. ...
  • #7. CodeWizardsHQ. ...
  • #8. Codecademy.
Nov 17, 2022

What are the benefits of CodeMonkey? ›

Codemonkey coding games for computational thinking

With progressive levels that increase the challenge as the child progresses at their own rate, this fun, colorful coding platform helps children develop key CT skills while learning the functions of computer coding.

Do you have to pay for CodeMonkey? ›

CodeMonkey Pricing

Home plans start from $6/month.

Is CodeMonkey derogatory? ›

The term can sometimes be used in a derogatory way to suggest that a programmer is not a true software engineer or that they are only capable of mechanically following instructions without understanding the broader implications of their work.

At what age should kids start coding? ›

Kids as young as 7 years of age can start coding and learning programming basics. In fact, coding for kids has gained popularity rapidly in recent years as technology becomes increasingly part of everyday life. Kids who learn to code when they're young can set themselves up for a lifetime of opportunities for success.

Who is the owner of CodeMonkey? ›

Jonathan Schor is the CEO and co-founder of CodeMonkey...

Is CodeMonkey a Python? ›

CodeMonkey offers an excellent way for kids to learn Python through interactive exercises and games.

Which programming is best for kids? ›

So, let's get started.
  • Scratch. Primarily created for children between the age of 8 and 16. ...
  • Blockly. Blockly is another highly recommended coding language for your little ones. ...
  • Alice. Alice is also one of the best programming languages your children can try. ...
  • Lua (Roblox) ...
  • Java (Minecraft) ...
  • Python. ...
  • Go (Golang) ...
  • Twine.

At what age can you teach a kid to code? ›

Kids as young as 7 years of age can start coding and learning programming basics. In fact, coding for kids has gained popularity rapidly in recent years as technology becomes increasingly part of everyday life. Kids who learn to code when they're young can set themselves up for a lifetime of opportunities for success.

Is coding OK for kids? ›

Coding teaches kids that there always is a solution, one just needs the patience and time to find it. And it's more than obvious why every parent would appreciate the learning of these skills happening as fast as possible! Another component essential to coding.

Is code org good for kids? ›

Code.org Review: Intended Audience

Their website is designed for K-12 users, so students of all ages can benefit from the program (and even grow with it as they progress with their education).

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