Part 2 : Kid Coder Review: CodeCombat
This blog post is the second in a five-part series reviewing popular, affordable online platforms that teach kids to code. Each review focuses on four key areas that matter most when choosing a learning tool for children:
Beginner-Friendliness
Interactivity and Enjoyability
Content Quality
Cost and Accessibility
Reviewer:
Braedyn Thompson is a rising sophomore at UC Berkeley studying Computer Science & Economics and one of Kigumi Group’s Inclusive Tech Intern for summer 2025.
CodeCombat: The Adventure-Packed Coding Game for Kids
As technology becomes an essential part of our everyday lives, kids and teens are showing more curiosity than ever about how it all works. Parents and educators are eager to harness that interest and guide young learners toward meaningful digital skills, but finding a platform that’s both educational and fun can be a challenge. The ideal platform needs to be engaging, beginner-friendly, and aligned with how kids actually learn best: through play, story, and hands-on experience.
Enter CodeCombat, an online, game-based coding platform that turns learning Python and JavaScript into a fantasy RPG-style adventure. Unlike many learning tools that focus on either entertainment or rigor, CodeCombat blends both into a cohesive experience. It offers real coding education wrapped inside a dynamic, interactive world where players must write code to progress.
freeCodeCamp Rating by Kigumi
Overall Rating by Kigumi Reviewer: 8.75 / 10
Beginner-Friendliness — 9.0 / 10
Interactivity and Enjoyability — 9.5 / 10
Content Quality — 9.0 / 10
Cost and Accessibility — 7.5 / 10
I believe CodeCombat is an exceptional platform that really succeeds where many others struggle: making real programming fun, accessible, and motivating for kids. From my experience, combining gameplay with solid coding instruction keeps me fully engaged while teaching skills that truly matter.
What impresses me most is how well CodeCombat meets kids where they already are — in the world of games — and gently guides them toward real-world programming. I think this approach makes it ideal not only for beginners but also for students ready to move beyond block-based coding into deeper computer science concepts. As someone who learns best visually and actively, I found it especially effective compared to purely text-based tutorials.
Of course, there are some trade-offs. I recognize that the full experience requires a subscription, and the fantasy-game framework can limit creative freedom somewhat. But for me, that trade-off is worth it for the highly structured, motivating environment that feels more like playing a video game than attending a class.
Overall, I’d rate CodeCombat very highly as a top-tier choice for parents, teachers, and young learners seeking a platform that balances educational depth with joyful learning. With just a few tweaks to improve accessibility and expand creative options, I think it could easily become the go-to tool for helping kids not just learn to code — but truly love coding.
Beginner-Friendliness — 9.0 / 10
How easy is it for a child with no prior coding experience to get started, follow along, and stick with it?
I think CodeCombat does an amazing job of onboarding new coders, especially children and those with zero experience. When I first landed on the homepage, I immediately felt drawn into the game-like environment. But what impressed me was that it wasn’t just a visual gimmick. Every action in the game was powered by real code. I had to write actual Python or JavaScript to move my hero, cast spells, or defeat enemies, which made me feel like I was doing something meaningful right from the start.
What stood out to me most was the feedback loop. I could see my code instantly turn into in-game actions — when I wrote the correct syntax, my character responded by moving, attacking, or collecting loot. And when I made a mistake, the game gently explained what went wrong, which kept me motivated and eager to try again.
I also liked how CodeCombat broke down complicated ideas into short, manageable lessons. Early levels focused on simple commands and movement, and over time, I found myself learning loops, conditionals, and functions without even realizing how much I had progressed. The visual feedback helped me stay engaged, and the structured levels gave me a real sense of accomplishment as I moved forward. For someone like me who learns best through doing, this approach made coding feel exciting and accessible.
How it could improve:
Although the campaign-style structure is great for immersion, some students may want a break from the main quest to explore coding concepts at their own pace. Introducing a "sandbox mode" — where learners could freely experiment with syntax, test creative ideas, or even remix previously completed levels — would provide more flexible learning opportunities. Additionally, while the early stages are well-paced, some middle-to-late levels escalate quickly in difficulty. Introducing tiered difficulty settings or more guided hints could prevent frustration and help learners stick with the platform longer.
Interactivity and Enjoyability — 9.5 / 10
Does the platform actively engage kids through hands-on learning? Is it fun enough to keep them coming back?
I’ve found that CodeCombat is one of the most interactive and gamified coding platforms out there. Unlike other educational tools that try to gamify learning by tacking on points or badges, CodeCombat is a game. Every lesson feels like a video game level, and I have to write real code to advance. Because the curriculum is fully woven into the gameplay, the experience feels immersive, seamless, and — most importantly for me — genuinely fun.
Each time I tackled a new challenge, I noticed that it introduced a coding concept naturally, as part of the story. If I needed to defeat an ogre or avoid a trap, I had to use conditionals. When I wanted my hero to navigate a maze more efficiently, that’s when I learned about loops. I wasn’t just memorizing syntax — I was applying it to solve problems that actually mattered within the game world. That connection between coding and storytelling really helped everything click for me.
Beyond the thrill of gameplay, CodeCombat includes light RPG mechanics like character customization, item upgrades, and level unlocks, giving kids the same type of intrinsic motivation they get from popular games. This makes learning feel less like work and more like play, which is the goal!
How it could improve:
While the game has great pacing early on, it could benefit from additional story arcs or paths to accommodate different play styles. For instance, not all kids are competitive — some might prefer exploration or creativity. Adding side quests, mini-games, or branching narratives could extend replayability and support a wider range of learners. More avatar customization or the ability to "design your own level" could also give learners a creative outlet alongside their structured training.
Content Quality — 9.0 / 10
Is the material clear, accurate, up-to-date, and genuinely useful? Does it teach valuable skills that can grow over time?
When it comes to teaching real coding, CodeCombat is a serious contender. Unlike drag-and-drop tools that restrict learners to simplified logic blocks, I appreciate that CodeCombat introduces actual programming languages — Python and JavaScript — right from the very first lesson. For me, this early exposure to professional languages felt like a solid foundation for building deeper technical skills.
I found the curriculum to be well scaffolded and thoughtfully designed. It starts with the basics like syntax and then gradually builds up to loops, conditionals, and variables. As I progressed through the campaign, the challenges got more complex, covering topics such as functions, parameters, and even object-oriented programming. I also like that, in classroom settings, CodeCombat offers tools like an educator dashboard, lesson plans, and progress tracking. This makes it easier for teachers to bring coding into their instruction and for learners to stay on track.
What really stood out to me was how the game goes beyond just teaching coding syntax. It encourages computational thinking — helping me learn how to plan, break down problems, test ideas, and debug errors. These are skills I know are essential for any programmer, and I felt like CodeCombat did a great job of building them alongside the coding lessons.
How it could improve:
A few advanced content areas are locked behind a paywall, and for students who can’t afford a subscription, that may limit long-term growth. Additionally, while the fantasy setting is engaging, expanding content beyond medieval worlds — such as into space, city-building, or storytelling environments — could help show kids the broader application of code. Including more open-ended creative projects or design-based challenges would help students transfer their skills from the game world into real-world applications like building websites, apps, or digital art.
Cost and Accessibility — 7.5 / 10
Is it truly free, with no hidden costs? Can kids access it easily regardless of where they live or what device they use?
CodeCombat operates on a freemium model, but the free tier is quite generous — it includes a full introductory campaign with over 39 levels. I found this provides plenty of material to build a solid foundation in coding without any payment. It covers all the key concepts and offers hours of engaging content right from the start.
For those wanting to go further, the paid subscription unlocks additional content such as more advanced levels, different hero classes, multiplayer arenas, and helpful teacher features like classroom controls and detailed analytics. The pricing seems fairly reasonable, especially for schools and educational organizations that can take advantage of group discounts.
What I appreciate most is that CodeCombat runs entirely in the browser, so there’s no need for downloads or installations. It performs well even on older laptops and Chromebooks, making it especially useful in classrooms or homes with limited tech access. This accessibility is a significant advantage in my view.
How it could improve:
Greater transparency about what’s included in the free tier versus premium plans would be helpful for families making decisions about subscriptions. An offline version or downloadable lesson packs could support students in rural or low-connectivity areas. A mobile app version would also increase access for kids who rely on tablets or phones as their primary internet device.
