12-year olds are at a fantastic age to either start learning to code, or to expand existing coding skills. If they have previously experience of coding, it’s a great time to push things on. Alternatively, if they have no experience at all, it’s a great age to get started, as we find 12 year olds are able to better understand the concepts of programming, and can then apply those in many different mediums, including popular game platforms such as Minecraft and Roblox.
There are many options available for 12-year olds who want to learn coding, or improve what they already know. In fact, it’s never been easier to pick up programming now, with multiple apps, games, and online coding classes designed for 12-year olds. All can take your child’s skills to the next level, but nothing can beat classes for a structured and effective approach to learning.
In this short guide we will highlight not just coding classes, but also some apps that are age appropriate for your child. But first, here are how our virtual lessons work.
Coding classes for 12-year olds
FunTech is the leading provider of coding lessons for 12 year olds in the UK. We’ve been educating children since the 1990s and in that time have seen thousands of kids pass through our doors and online lessons to become proficient programmers.
We make learning to code fun, with lessons offered during term time, after school, during the holidays, and both in virtual and real classroom environments. Our approach to teaching is valued by parents as we aim to help to set children up for life with tech skills that will be valuable now and in their futures.
Fun and safety are at the core of everything we do, and we would encourage you to browse our website and also check out the coding classes we have designed for 12-year olds below. The lessons listed here are followed by some app and game suggestions too.
1. Minecraft Game Coder
By leveraging your child’s enthusiasm, the Minecraft Coder course will teach them how to code. They will develop logical and critical thinking skills as they learn fundamental coding constructs such as variables, conditional statements, loops, functions and so much more. It’s a fun and engaging course that teaches your child how to create and code complex and innovative projects in Minecraft.
2. Minecraft Redstone Engineer
Redstone is Minecraft’s equivalent of electricity. The Minecraft Redstone course starts by teaching how to use this energy to create the different logic gates. Your child will then learn how these logic gates can be combined to create different circuits and complex electronic items such as calculators, elevators and more. They’ll use all the skills they learn to design and build an amazing adventure course full of challenges, surprises and puzzles that players must navigate through!
3. Roblox Lua Coder
Your child will use the popular gaming platform Roblox to create their own unique games by scripting their own programs and systems in Lua, culminating in the creation of multiplayer experiences. At the end of the course, your child will be able to create elaborate interactive games, using the logic of events and actions, iteration, inventory management and much more!
4. Python Coder
Python is a popular coding language that has a minimal and easy-to-read style. It’s moving fast up the rankings of the most popular languages! In this popular Python camp, we will teach your child to code, edit and problem-solve in a structured and methodical manner. Once your child has mastered how code is structured, they will learn to implement core programming constructs through fun, practical exercises and projects resulting in their ability to create Python projects with confidence!
5. Python OOP
This Python OOP course is for children who have already taken their first step into coding or completed the Python L1 Coding course. The FunTech Python L2 Coding course will expand their coding skillset into Object Oriented Programming. In the Python Object Oriented Programming course, 12 year old kids learn how to use Objects and Classes, rather than a ‘top-down’ approach. This will let your child code much more complex projects, such as coding a game GUI or making programs that can search a database.
6. Python Game Coder
This course has been designed for 12 year old children who already have some coding experience and are looking to progress the next level. Your child will learn the power of object-oriented programming (OOP) and apply these skills to create an impressive collection of interactive 2D game projects to take home! By the end of the course your child will be a more complete all-round coder.
7. Java Coder
Coding is the essential literacy of the digital age. This fast-paced Java summer school camp will teach your 12 year old to code, edit and problem-solve in a structured and methodical manner from the ground up. Once you child has mastered the core coding constructs, we present them with oodles of fun practical exercises and projects for variety of different scenarios. The secret to becoming a good coder is not merely in knowing coding constructs, it is more about how and where you use them in delivering elegant solutions to problems.
8. 3D Game Design
From the fundamentals of game design to essential 3D game programming concepts, your child will learn the skills required to develop a seriously impressive multi-platform video game. Our video game summer camps for kids is packed full of structured learning, practical exercises and projects guaranteed to capture the imagination and unleash creativity.
9. Unity Game Coder
During this course, your 12 year old will explore the popular game engine Unity, using the C# programming language to create exciting interactive games. As well as learning fundamental scripting techniques, they’ll see how these are applied in the ever-growing industry of game development, equipping them with the skills to create a diverse selection of 2D games.
10. A.I. Machine Learning
On the FunTech artificial intelligence course for kids, your 12 year old will learn to develop a Chatbot. This simulates human-like conversations, using conditional logic, neural networks, natural language and so much more – branching into one of the most exciting and cutting-edge areas of technology.
After school coding lessons for 12-year olds
As well as our holiday classes we’ve already listed, we also offer expert tuition during term time. The classes below can put your child on a path to taking a GCSE or A Level early with us, as part of our computer science curriculum.
Often kids will start off with our TechStarter class, eventually moving onto the PureCoder levels. You can browse them all in our Tech Academy section.
Handy Hint: If you need any help in deciding what level of coding class is best for your 12-year-old please call us to speak to a helpful member of staff.
How do I teach my 12-year-old programming?
If you want to get started immediately from home, then there are various apps, games, and techniques you can use to teach your 12-year-old programming. For example, there are plenty of resources on the FunTech blog which will steer you in the right direction:
- How you can help teach your child to code
- Home schooling resources with a technology focus
- The best online coding classes for kids
We are biased of course, but we believe that the best way to teach a 12-year-old programming is in a structured learning environment. We have options for online term-time coding lessons or virtual camps that run during the school holidays.
If you would like to discuss the options available, or have any questions about our classes and camps, please get in touch with our friendly team.
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