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Ask Slashdot: Best Book Or Game To Introduce Kids To Programming?

Posted by Unknown on from the next-generation dept.

New submitter connorblack writes "My very gifted nephew is about to turn nine this month and I would love to get him some sort of fun, engaging book or game to introduce him to the basic concepts of programming. I have a feeling if approached correctly he would absolutely devour the subject (he is already working through mathematics at an 8th grade level). What I first was looking at were the Lego Mindstorm programmable robots- which would have been perfect, if only they weren't around 300 dollars... So if there's anything similar (or completely new!) you've either heard praise about or used yourself with your kids, it would be great to get a recommendation. Also if possible I would want to stick to an under 100 dollar budget." Would a nine year old be able to follow The Little Schemer?

5 of 246 comments (clear)

  1. Scratch by goertzenator · · Score: 5, Informative

    Scratch, visual multimedia programming system from MIT. http://scratch.mit.edu/

  2. SpaceChem by Jeremi · · Score: 5, Informative

    This blog posting seems apropos:

    http://hostilefork.com/2012/03/06/a-word-on-programming-education-and-spacechem/

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    I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.
  3. +1 for Python by occasional_dabbler · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Yep, get him into Python, he should be able to pick that up quickly enough to keep him interested but it will also offer him challenges for years if he wants it. Or... at the risk of being downmodded (again) for not being a MS/Nokia hater, you could get him a cheap WP7 phone (plenty around right now with WP8 coming) and take a look at the amazing TouchDevelop scripting environment that lets you write anything from one-liners to quite complex apps right on the school bus, mostly without having to actually write anything - you connect up various blocks and pipes to get results. https://www.touchdevelop.com/

    --
    "Our opponent is an alien starship packed with atomic bombs," I said. "we have a protractor"
  4. You by Sarten-X · · Score: 5, Informative

    Mentors are the most significant educational source. Match wits with the kid. Say "look what I can do, and here's how I did it". Then challenge the kid to do something similar himself. Build from "Hello, world" to a text adventure, or an animation, or a video game, or whatever else he shows some talent in. First just spend time with the kid, and let the programming interest grow naturally. If it doesn't, don't force it.

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    You do not have a moral or legal right to do absolutely anything you want.
  5. Re:Minecraft by Barlo_Mung_42 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Another good option is Arduino. Easy to teach basic structure while wiring up lights and buzzers and stuff to make it fun.