Part 1 : Kid Coder Review: freeCodeCamp
This blog post is the first 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.
freeCodeCamp: The Free and Beginner Friendly Boot Camp for all
With the rise of the digital age, interest in technology has skyrocketed. This curiosity is growing not just among adults, but also among children and teens who want to understand the digital world they live in. As more parents, educators, and young learners search for ways to build foundational tech skills, one major challenge continues to stand out: finding platforms that are both high-quality and truly beginner-friendly, especially for kids.
freeCodeCamp is one of the most popular options out there. It’s completely free, accessible, and offers a wide range of lessons and projects that help learners of all ages and experiences build real-world projects while mastering the basics of coding.
freeCodeCamp Rating by Kigumi
Overall Rating by Kigumi Reviewer: — 8.5 / 10
Beginner-Friendliness — 7.5 / 10
Interactivity and Enjoyability — 7.0 / 10
Content Quality — 9.5 / 10
Cost and Accessibility — 10/10
I would give freeCodeCamp an overall rating of 8.5 out of 10, and I genuinely believe it’s one of the most valuable and well-rounded platforms for kids learning to code. After spending time with the curriculum myself, I’ve been impressed by the strength of its content and how accessible it is. It doesn’t just skim the surface — it teaches real, transferable programming skills that go well beyond the basics.
Beginner-Friendliness — 7.5 / 10
How easy is it for a child with no prior coding experience to get started, follow along, and stick with it?
freeCodeCamp is designed to be welcoming to first-time coders, and it delivers particularly well for teens. One of the first things I noticed is that freeCodeCamp doesn’t have a dedicated “course for kids.”
Instead, it’s a massive collection of lessons for all ages, mostly focused on adults and older teens. That
said, motivated kids — especially those 12 and up — can absolutely learn here. The platform
introduces coding in bite-sized pieces starting with HTML and CSS, which is a great entry point.
However, for younger learners or those completely new to programming, navigating the site can be a
challenge. There’s no guided pathway specifically labeled for kids or parents, which can make it feel
overwhelming. I found myself needing to dig around to find the right entry point — something a child
may struggle to do alone.
There are occasional video explanations (especially on YouTube), but the platform is overwhelmingly
text- and practice-based. That’s great for building real skills, but kids who learn better with visuals,
narration, or games might struggle to stay engaged. For them, the reading load and minimalist design
may feel more like school work than fun.
How it could improve:
Creating a beginner track labeled specifically for kids — with clearer navigation, simpler vocabulary, and
optional voice narration — would go a long way. Even a toggle for a “youth mode” could make the
experience more approachable.
Interactivity and Enjoyability — 7.0 / 10
Does the platform actively engage kids through hands-on learning? Is it fun enough to keep them coming back?
I’ve found that freeCodeCampexcelsinprovidingahands-oncodingexperiencefromtheveryfirst
lesson. Every exercise takesplacewithinanin-browsereditor,andIcanseetheresultsofmycode
instantly. This feedbackloopispowerful—I’mencouragedtotry,experiment,andtestmyideas
repeatedly. Rather thanjustreadingaboutwhatcodedoes,Igettoexperienceitfirsthand.Forme,this
kind of trial-and-errorlearningbuildsnotjustskills,butrealconfidenceandproblem-solvingability.
If you're someonewhoenjoyspuzzles,challenges,orlogic-basedtaskslikeIdo,thistypeofinteractivity
is deeply satisfying.Itmirrorshowrealdeveloperswork:writingcode,testingit,andtroubleshooting.I
think that’s whyolderkidsandteensoftenfinditsorewarding—itteachesthemtothink
computationally and work independently, not just follow instructions.
That said,I’venoticedthattheplatform’sstyleisquiteplain.Therearenoavatars,soundeffects,or
animations to liven things up. Personally, I don’t mind the minimalist design, but I can see how younger
learners might lose interest without the kind of playful, story-driven elements they’re used to in other
apps. While the content itself is excellent, I believe the experience could benefit from more personality
and visual energy to better engage kids.
Howitcouldimprove:
freeCodeCamp could enhance its appeal to younger users by incorporating lightweight gamification
features, such as badges, progress maps, and occasional celebrations when a milestone is reached. A
progress bar that turns into a colorful “achievement” screen or the ability to earn virtual stickers for
completing sections could make the learning experience more enjoyable and intrinsically motivating.
These touches wouldn’t compromise the depth of learning but would make it more inviting forkids who
respond well to visual and emotional feedback.
Exhibit C: Content Quality — 9.5 / 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 content quality, I believe freeCodeCamp sets an incredibly high standard. I’ve been
impressed by the wide range of topics it covers — from HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to Python, APIs, Git,
and responsive web design. As I’ve worked through the lessons, I’ve found them to be thoughtfully
designed and consistently up to date. I appreciate knowing that the content is maintained by a global
community of developers who care about teaching modern, relevant skills.
One thing that really stands out to me is how logically the curriculum is structured. It starts with the
fundamentals and builds up gradually, layering in new concepts in a way that feels natural and
manageable. I’ve found this step-by-step approach really helpful — especially early on, when
programming felt intimidating. Each lesson builds my confidence and gives me a clearer sense of
progress.
I also like that freeCodeCamp doesn’t just stop at explanations — it constantly challenges me to apply
what I’ve learned through real-world projects and coding tasks. It’s not just about memorizing syntax; I’m
actually building things. Personally, I prefer this over drag-and-drop platforms or overly gamified
environments. I value that I’m writing real code from day one, and that the projects I complete feel
practical and meaningful. For me, that makes the learning experience more authentic and empowering.
How it could improve: freeCodeCamp is already an outstanding resource for learners of all ages, but there’s an exciting opportunity to make it even more accessible for younger users. By offering optional simplified explanations, interactive examples, or age-adapted vocabulary alongside the core lessons, the platform could better support children who are just beginning to read technical material. These enhancements would preserve the platform’s rich, high-quality content while making it more digestible for a broader range of young learners.
Cost and Accessibility — 10/10
Is it truly free, with no hidden costs? Can kids access it easily regardless of where they live or what device they use?
One of the things I admire most about freeCodeCamp is that it truly delivers on its promise of being free.
Every lesson, challenge, project, and even the certifications are accessible at no cost. I’ve never
encountered any paywalls, trial periods, or “premium” upgrades — the entire curriculum is open and
available to everyone. Knowing that I can access all of this without spending a cent makes me feel like
I’ve found one of the most equitable learning tools on the internet.
I also really appreciate how practical the platform is when it comes to accessibility. Since everything runs
directly in the browser, I don’t have to download any apps or set up special software. It works smoothly
on my devices — even on an older laptop I sometimes use. I can see how this would be a game-changer
for students learning on shared or limited devices, like in schools or community centers. The platform
feels lightweight, and the lessons don’t seem to require much bandwidth, which I imagine makes it
usable even with slower internet.
For me, this kind of open access isn’t just convenient — it’s powerful. It shows me how tech education
can truly be democratized. Just by having a browser and an internet connection, I’ve been able to start
learning real programming skills, and I know that others around the world can do the same. That’s not
something I take for granted.
How it could improve:
While it’s difficult to ask for more from a platform that gives so much at no cost, there are still
opportunities to expand accessibility further. Offering a downloadable offline mode would make it
possible for students in rural or low-connectivity areas to continue learning without constant internet
access. A mobile-friendly redesign or app could also support learning on phones and tablets, which are
often the primary internet devices for families around the world.
Resources:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/dev?id=8782434175577008354
