Dev tools · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Curly Bracket: The Hidden Code

A comic that teaches children to think like coders

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Curly Bracket: The Hidden Code launched in 2016; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1NV
   New visual language for teaching kids to code▲420

   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 →

2. 2
   CodeCrumbs▲211

   Code snippets for your Webflow!

   2020 · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Secret Code▲68

   A customizable children's book that breaks stereotypes

   2016 · its alternatives →

4. 4CC
   Code Cards – Anki for code▲152

   2017 · codecards.me · its alternatives →

5. 5VW
   Variables War, a kid-friendly code playing-cards game▲78

   2018 · github.com · its alternatives →

6. 6CK
   Code Kingdoms – a game that teaches kids to code▲34

   2014 · codekingdoms.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Brackets▲91

   Code the Web

   2014 · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Hopscotch▲94

   Coding for kids: an iPad programming language

   2014 · its alternatives →

9. 9EL
   Edabit – Like Duolingo for Learning to Code▲217

   2018 · edabit.com · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Code Arcade▲111

    An arcade game for programmers

    2016 · its alternatives →

11. 11
    CodeCode Ninja▲114

    Flashcards for programmers

    2015 · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Coderoulette▲158

    Pair programming game for developers 🚀

    2016 · its alternatives →

13. 13AA
    AsciiDots – a 2D esoteric language inspired by circuits▲148

    2017 · github.com · its alternatives →

14. 14RI
    Robotopia – Introducing kids to coding with tiny virtual robots▲133

    2017 · github.com · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Pickcode – A new way to introduce programming to kids▲56

    Hello HN, I've linked a tutorial from Pickcode, where students are guided through making a chatbot that plays mad libs. Pickcode is designed for introducing programming without block coding, in a way that's closer to Javascript or Python. I made Pickcode based on my frustrations teaching beginners in both block coding and in Python. The link here is to just one lesson, and I have a few more that you can find on the site. I'd love feedback from HNers with kids age 10-13 or so, or HNers who can put on an intro to programming hat. On the roadmap is adding more complex use cases for your…

    2022 · app.pickcode.io · its alternatives →

16. 16AP
    A puzzle game inspired by functional programming, written in PureScript▲121

    2015 · david-peter.de · its alternatives →

17. 17
    KidBot▲71

    Teaches kids to code - iOS and Android

    2016 · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Codie (pre-launch)▲91

    A robot that helps kids learn coding

    2015 · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Flowhub▲85

    Let's Make Code More Playful (Beta Open)

    2014 · its alternatives →

20. 20LA
    Luculent, a new code/terminal font▲120

    2014 · eastfarthing.com · its alternatives →

21. 21
    PaintCode 2▲89

    The missing bridge between developers and graphic designers

    2014 · its alternatives →

22. 22
    CodeQuest▲91

    Mini-games that intro kids to HTML and web development

    2014 · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Fun to Code▲80

    The game that teachs kids how to code

    2018 · its alternatives →

24. 24
    Code Magic▲83

    All-in-one styling tool for developers

    2022 · its alternatives →

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 →