nowfound

Dev tools · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to An iPad app to teach kids how to program

This app is a graphical programming environment for kids to learn coding by creating animations. Although we released it to the app store it's still more of a beta version and we would love to solicit feedback from HNers with iPads. To me, programming is something that kids could really enjoy but the obstacles in their way (getting a programming environment, publishing their code, learning syntax) make the barriers to entry unnecessarily high. We're hoping this will be a good first step in overcoming some of that. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/daisy-the-dinosaur/id490514278?ls=1&mt=8…

Daisy the Dinosaur is a graphical programming environment for iPad that teaches children coding through animation creation. The app removes common barriers to learning programming by eliminating the need for complex… Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. An iPad app to teach kids how to program launched in 2011; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

  1. 1

    Learn serious code on your iPad in a seriously fun way

    2016 · developer.apple.com · its alternatives →

  2. 2

    Dive into the world of Python programming through our curated collection of interactive coding tutorials.

    2021 · tinkerstellar.com · its alternatives →

  3. 3
    imagi▲314

    Inspire kids to create with code

    2021 · imagilabs.com · its alternatives →

  4. 4

    The coding app for beginners by Google

    2018 · its alternatives →

  5. 5
    Swifty▲411

    Learn to code in Swift on iPhone & iPad

    2015 · hellocode.io · its alternatives →

  6. 6

    Learn to code on your iPhone

    2014 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →

  7. 7

    Coding for kids: an iPad programming language

    2014 · gethopscotch.com · its alternatives →

  8. 8
    Mimo▲520

    From idea to app–in an Instance (iOS, Android & Web)

    2016 · mimo.org · its alternatives →

  9. 9
    Fini▲326

    A fun platform for learning to code

    2024 · finihq.com · its alternatives →

  10. 10

    Pickcode is a new language and editor for getting kids started with coding. The code editing experience is totally structured, where you select choices from menus rather than typing. I made Pickcode after experiences teaching kids both block coding (Scratch, App Inventor) and Python. To me, block coding is too far removed from regular coding for kids to make the connection. Pickcode provides a much clearer transition path for students to Python/JS/Java. Our target market is middle/early high school kids, and that’s who we’ve tested the product with during development. On the…

    2023 · pickcode.io · its alternatives →

  11. 11

    Interactive mobile shows kids can play, not just watch

    2020 · hellosaurus.com · its alternatives →

  12. 12
    Dodoboo▲148

    Super kid friendly AI drawing platform

    2024 · iran-music.net · its alternatives →

  13. 13

    PickCode is designed for use on desktop and tablet, and supports creating chatbots, visual designs, and 2D games. There is plenty of functionality missing - you can't add media to games for instance, but the current version shows off the foundation of what I'm aiming at. I taught myself to code using MIT's App Inventor, so I have an enormous respect for block based languages like App Inventor, Scratch, Snap!, MakeCode, etc. PickCode is my attempt at adding options for students who want to learn more about programming without making the jump to text, or as an alternative to block coding for…

    2022 · pickcode.io · its alternatives →

  14. 14BA
  15. 15
    hyperPad▲233

    A no-code game making tool for iPad

    2024 · hyperpad.com · its alternatives →

  16. 16

    Duolingo like app to learn coding 💻📱👨🏻‍💻

    2019 · programminghub.io · its alternatives →

  17. 17IA

    2014 · mobileicecube.com · its alternatives →

  18. 18

    Teach your kids the alphabet using AR 👪

    2018 · skillstack.firebaseapp.com · its alternatives →

  19. 19
    Kidovo▲106

    Interactive videos to make kids fall in love with learning

    2023 · kidzovo.com · its alternatives →

  20. 20

    A toy train to teach coding to kids, grows with the kids

    2022 · its alternatives →

  21. 21
    Lexie▲102

    Built this because kids 10-15 can't prompt AI effectively. They'd type "make quiz plz" and get confused when ChatGPT asks for context. Lexie takes 46 steps of AI prompting, context explanation, and output formatting and makes it one step: point camera, get quiz. The photo constraint isn't just better UX, it's the only way to get usable output from that age group. This demographic gets the worst deal in edtech. Too advanced for baby apps, too young for adult tools. They get gamification theater instead of real learning tools. I stripped all that out. Photo your geology notes, get instant…

    Apr 2026 · lexielearn.com · its alternatives →

  22. 22

    A Github-hosted curriculum on Swift for teachers by Apple

    2015 · swifteducation.github.io · its alternatives →

  23. 23

    Easy to Learn Sight Words!

    2019 · its alternatives →

  24. 24

    Dinosaur puzzle game to for every kid who likes dinosaurs

    2022 · play.google.com · its alternatives →

Also compare

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →