Pickcode – A new way to introduce programming to kids
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…
In plain words
Pickcode is a programming education platform designed for children ages 10-13 that teaches coding concepts using text-based syntax similar to JavaScript or Python, rather than visual block coding. The platform guides students through hands-on projects, such as building a chatbot that plays mad libs, to introduce programming fundamentals in a more direct way. It aims to bridge the gap between block-based systems and traditional programming languages.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
In the maker’s words, at launch
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 programs (like drag and drop web apps), and obviously many more lessons. If you're a teacher and interested in using this with students, email me at [email protected]
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