4.6
Where to Buy

Hopscotch-Programming for kids App Review

App Info

Price: Free In-App Purchases

Overview

Hopscotch: Coding for Kids is a great tool for teaching coding not only to kids but adults, too. The design makes it suitable for both and is flexible for a wide range of user experience.

Features include:

  • Easy to use interface
  • In-app help
  • Ability to share projects with the Hopscotch Community

Quality

Hopscotch has a pleasant user interface that is easy to use whether the user is a beginner or experienced. The colors used in the design of the interface not only give the app an entertaining feel, but also aid nicely in learning the different concepts.

While the in-app help does a nice job defining the concepts in the app, beginners will definitely want to check out the tutorial available on the developer’s web site. Teachers and parents will want to take a look at the lesson plans and teaching curriculum available on the web site also. Internet access is required to access the in-app help.

Education

This app provides endless possibilities for learning coding. The design allows for use by beginners or the more experienced. You are not locked into completing specific levels before progressing onto more advanced concepts. I also like that the design is not too childish for older students or adults, but yet it is not boring.

While the information in the in-app help is beneficial, incorporating the on-line tutorial from the developer’s web site into the app would be fantastic. The tutorial is very nicely done and would be so helpful for beginners. As a parent, I found the curriculum information to be beneficial also. Both the tutorial and curriculum are helpful in guiding beginning users through the concepts and simple projects. Without that guidance the app may be a bit overwhelming.

Other educational benefits can be gained by using Hopscotch; users will definitely expand their critical thinking and problem solving skills while completing projects in Hopscotch.

Entertainment

Some could argue that this app is not for entertainment as it is not set up in a game-like format, but then there are people like me who find these types of apps entertaining. It may be my inner nerd, but I could sit for hours with an app like this.

Value

You can’t get much better than a high quality educational app for free. Hopscotch is an iPad only app.

Child Friendliness

Hopscotch is child-safe as far as not containing social media buttons, in-app purchases or ads; however, I always have concerns when children are able to share so easily with a community. Depending on the age of the users, adult supervision may be important for this feature as the user is able to share their projects easily and download others projects.

Hopscotch: Coding for kids, a visual programming language
Hopscotch: Coding for kids, a visual programming language
Whether you or your child wants to learn programming or you just want to work on problem solving and critical thinking skills, Hopscotch is a definite must download; especially being it is free.
Quality
Education
Entertainment
Value
Child Friendly
4.6
Where to Buy