When it comes to computers, games used to get a bad rap! Thankfully, games have become more widely accepted for learning and education, with many touting their benefits for teaching children to code. This has led to many developers releasing coding games to help people learn how to program.
Sounds pretty cool; play a game and learn an essential skill for the future!
In 2024, coding games are some of the most fun and engaging ways to learn to code. After all, gamification is known to be an effective way to optimize learning, as it can boost motivation while helping users recall what they’ve learned more clearly.
In this article, we’ve found 12 of the best coding games available in 2024, including games for various skill levels and ages, so there’s something here for everyone!
Featured Coding Games [Editor’s Picks]
- CodeCombat - Best for Beginners
- Human Resource Machine + 7 Billion Humans - Best for Adults (and big kids!)
Are There Any Games That Teach Coding?
There are lots of games that teach coding for various ages and experience levels. Some games are targeted toward children as young as four, while others are designed for beginner adults or more experienced professionals.
So whether you want to learn web design or want to help a child learn coding in a fun way, there are plenty of choices for games that teach you how to code. Coding online games can also be helpful for learning the fundamentals of programming. So if you’re curious about what coding is used for, coding games can be an excellent gateway to the wonderful world of programming.
You can also find coding games to download and install on various platforms, including desktop and mobile, with some even being offered on the Nintendo Switch gaming console. So regardless of the platform, these games can be a fun and challenging way to be entertained as you learn to code. Who knows, you might even want to learn how to code your own game when you’re finished!
Best Coding Games of 2024
|
Game |
Free/Paid |
Platforms |
Main Feature |
|
Free for 10 levels; in-app purchase for more levels |
iOS, Android, Amazon App Store |
Teaches young children programming basics and logical thinking by designing and programming a car to move around an obstacle course |
|
|
Paid; 7-day free trial |
iOS for iPhone and iPad |
Using intuitive drag-and-drop programming blocks, users can control an adorable fuzzball and move it around their screen or make it perform various actions |
|
|
Free |
Web |
An online platform to learn and improve programming skills by solving challenges and playing games. Users can learn various programming languages, including C++, Java, Ruby, Python, and more |
|
|
All core levels free; paid CodeCombat Premium |
Web |
Rather than using drag-and-drop code blocks or traditional game controls, CodeCombat players write code in various programming languages to control their heroes |
|
|
Free |
Web |
Teaches users the fundamentals of CSS flexbox layout so they can learn how to create flexible and responsive web layouts |
|
|
Free |
Web |
This interactive game is a fun, engaging way of learning and practicing the fundamentals of CSS selectors |
|
|
Free |
Windows, macOS, Linux |
Users write code to control their tank and its movement, aiming, and firing. Robocode provides APIs that let players interact with their virtual environment |
|
|
Paid |
Nintendo Switch, Android, Windows, iOS, Linux, macOS |
Puzzle-type game set in an office environment that teaches users programming basics — no programming experience necessary |
|
|
Free |
Free |
Learn CSS flexbox layout in a tower defense-style game by writing CSS code |
|
|
Free |
Web |
A meta-JavasScript game in the adventure genre that helps learners use their JavaScript skills for problem-solving |
|
|
Paid |
Nintendo Switch, Android, Windows, iOS, Linux, macOS |
From the the same devs behind Human Resource Machine, players must optimize a large corporation’s workflow by writing code |
The Best Kids Coding Games
The experiential learning experience offered by coding games online can be invaluable in teaching kids how to code in an engaging way. In fact, institutions like Texas A&M have even gone so far as to say that video games should be used more widely in school. Let’s take a look at some of the best kids coding games available today.
1. CodeKarts
Main Feature: Teaches young children programming basics and logical thinking by designing and programming a car to move around an obstacle course
Price: First 10 levels free, then an in-app purchase of $0.99
Platforms: iOS, Android, Amazon App Store
Why We Chose This Coding Game
CodeKart’s challenges continually ramp up in difficulty, allowing children to use problem-solving skills to decipher the correct solution using drag-and-drop coding blocks to navigate their car through the obstacle track.
There are many free coding games online, and CodeKarts is free for the first ten levels, but to access the rest, you’ll need to make an in-app purchase for a small fee. Regardless, this coding game is one of the best for kids as it allows children to develop logical thinking while they learn the basics of programming.
2. Kodable
Main Feature: Using intuitive drag-and-drop programming blocks, users can control an adorable fuzzball and move it around their screen or make it perform various actions
Price:
- $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year
- Alternatively, you may purchase lifetime access for $149.99
Platforms: iOS for iPhone and iPad
Why We Chose This Coding Game
Kodable allows users to move and command their adorable fuzzball creature using intuitive drag-and-drop code blocks. Players go through levels that build upon each other, with each one introducing new programming challenges and concepts. Students will learn programming concepts like loops, sequencing, functions, conditionals, and more.
Teachers and parents can monitor student progress through the teacher dashboard. They can also adjust the game difficulty to match the student’s skill level.
Best Coding Games for Beginners
If you want to learn how to program, games are a great way to get started as they can introduce you to foundational concepts in programming while also helping to build skills over time. Let’s take a look at four fantastic online coding games and coding games websites for beginners.
CodinGame
Main Feature: As an online platform, CodinGame allows users to learn and improve programming skills by solving challenges and playing games. Users can learn various programming languages, including C++, Java, Ruby, Python, and more
Price: Free
Platform: Web
Why We Chose This Coding Game
This online platform supports most programming languages while providing fun, challenging, and engaging games to play and learn with.
Beyond offering games, CodinGame also has tutorials and an active community and forums. A progression system allows users to feel rewarded as they go through challenges. If you’re looking for coding games for beginners free of charge, CodinGame is worth a look!
CodeCombat
Main Feature: Rather than using drag-and-drop code blocks or traditional game controls like mice and keyboards, CodeCombat players write code in various programming languages to control their heroes
Price:
- All core levels are free
- Unlock more levels/resources through a paid CodeCombat Premium subscription
Platform: Web
Why We Chose This Coding Game
Those looking for games to learn Python or JavaScript can give CodeCombat a try. This is a fantastic game for everyone, be it children or professionals looking to upskill.
CodeCombat starts players on simple coding challenges and then ramps up the difficulty, helping players to learn and improve their code-writing skills. CodeCombat also offers plenty of resources for players, including real-time feedback via the code editor and community forums.
Flexbox Froggy
Main Feature: Teaches users the fundamentals of CSS flexbox layout so they can learn how to create flexible and responsive web layouts
Price: Free
Platform: Web
Why We Chose This Coding Game
Flexbox Froggy teaches users how to use CSS flexbox layout to create flexible and responsive layouts for the web. In the game, players control a frog and move through one level after another by writing CSS code. This code positions the frog on the lily pads using Flexbox.
Flexbox Froggy is one of the best coding games online that’s also free to play. Expect to start out easy to learn fundamentals and then ramp up to more complex challenges.
CSS Diner
Main Feature: This interactive game is a fun, engaging way of learning and practicing the fundamentals of CSS selectors
Price: Free
Platform: Web
Why We Chose This Coding Game
CSS Diner is among the few free online coding games that can help users learn how to target HTML elements and apply CSS styles to them. In this game, players control a waiter that serves food to customers based on the specific requests they make. Users must write CSS code to accomplish these requests.
Best Coding Games for Adults (Beginner+)
There are many coding game websites that help adults learn how to code for free, with some being web-based and others are available on multiple platforms. Let’s take a look at five programming games online for adults (and big kids!).
Robocode
Main Feature: In this open-source game, users write code to control their tank and its movement, aiming, and firing. Robocode also provides APIs that let players interact with their virtual environment
Price: Free
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Why We Chose This Coding Game
Robocode is a fun, interactive game with an active community where users must write code in Java or .NET in order to control their tank. Tanks fight in last-man-standing battles within virtual arenas. Players will learn about logic, algorithms, and object-oriented programming.
Human Resource Machine (HRM)
Main Feature: HRM is a puzzle-type game set in an office environment that teaches users programming basics — no programming experience necessary
Price: Up to $14.99
Platform: Nintendo Switch, Android, Windows, iOS, Linux, macOS
Why We Chose This Coding Game
Human Resource Machine is available on various platforms, including the Nintendo Switch. In this game, players will learn programming concepts by writing programs to control the actions of their character in-game, an employee working for the “Tomorrow Corporation.”
HRM has a visual programming language using icon sets representing concepts in programming. It’s a very beginner-friendly game, but even experienced devs can enjoy the game for practice.
Flexbox Defense
Main Feature: Learn CSS flexbox layout in a tower defense-style game by writing CSS code
Price: Free
Platform: Web
Why We Chose This Coding Game
Flexbox Defense teaches players about CSS and CSS flexbox layouts to help them create websites with responsive and mobile-friendly layouts.
This game asks users to write CSS code as they play a defender protecting their base by building defensive towers. The exciting challenges in Flexbox Defense start easy and become more challenging as users gain more knowledge.
Untrusted
Main Feature: A meta-JavasScript game in the adventure genre that helps learners use their JavaScript skills for problem-solving in a rogue-like game experience
Price: Free
Platform: Web
Why We Chose This Coding Game
Untrusted offers a unique experience where players guide the main character, Dr. Eval, through a machine continuum where he must alter his reality to be free.
Players must write and edit the JavaScript in the game to succeed, as each level is unbeatable when initially loaded. Untrusted offers a rogue-like experience for ultimate replayability.
7 Billion Humans (7BH)
Main Feature: A puzzle game developed by the same devs behind Human Resource Machine, where players must optimize a large corporation’s workflow by writing code
Price: Up to $14.99
Platform: Nintendo Switch, Android, Windows, iOS, Linux, macOS
Why We Chose This Coding Game
In 7 Billion Humans, players must control a large workforce and optimize their workflow by programming them to perform their tasks in specific orders.
Widely available and, like its predecessor HRM, playable on the Nintendo Switch. 7BH has more than 60 levels of programming puzzles suited for even complete beginners.
Conclusion
Video games and gamification are great ways to learn new skills, including coding and programming. Coding games can help learners engage with new knowledge and challenges, allowing them to absorb what they’ve learned more optimally.
If you want to learn programming through video games, you can find many coding games for free online. There are also many premium game options that offer plenty of features and community access if that’s more your speed.
Just remember to choose a game that suits your experience level — and pick one that features the programming language you’d like to learn!
1. What Games Help With Coding?
If you’ve decided you want to learn to program, games can definitely help. There are many games that can help you learn how to code, with any of the options on our list being a great starting point. If you’re looking for games for kids, consider codeSpark Academy. Alternatively, if you’re a beginner that wants to play fun coding games to learn, try CodeCombat or Human Resource Machine.
2. Are Coding Games Helpful?
Yes, code games can be incredibly helpful for learning how to code. Gamification has become more widely accepted as a way to facilitate learning, as it can help the brain optimize how to process new information. Programming games online are often designed to make the learning process more fun and engaging while providing structured experiences that help users understand programming concepts as they develop their coding skills.
