When it comes to coding gifts, the list is quite extensive. Most of the coding toys available work by teaching children logic and problem solving which is a valuable skill to have. The tween will learn basic commands for the toy to perform an action like lights and sounds or complete specific tasks.
In this article, we will round up the best coding gifts for tweens.
Buying for a Tween
Buying any type of gift for a tween, or generally trying to make them happy is not an easy task. A tween is said to be a young person that is between a child and a teenager – ages 10 to 13. It can be a difficult age group to please as they approach their teenage years due to the challenges they face as they near adolescence.
During this time in the life of the tween, they will begin to take on new challenges as they transition, at home, at school and socially. Your tween will also be learning new sets of skills which can be a great time to consider a coding gift.
While your child may spend many hours glued to their device on Snapchat and the many other social media platforms, many children actually have a genuine interest in what goes on behind the scenes.
Encouraging this interest as a parent or relative can be of a great benefit, especially if they eventually want to have a career in a related field since a lot of IT careers now require basic coding. A great coding toy will expand their critical thinking and give them valuable skills.
Remember some coding toys require an external screen like a computer, tablet or phone to get the full use out of it. Now let’s take a look at coding toys for 10 year olds and above.
Ultimate Coding Kit For Kids
Designed for ages 10 and above this all-in-one coding kit has it all. Perfect for beginners, no previous coding knowledge is required. Your child will learn all the fundamentals of coding while using this educational toy. It’s a great kit to really get ahead with computer coding.
Everything a Beginner Coder Needs
There are over 60 coding projects included. However, you can use this kit for your own designs too. This is a great way to spark creativity. Set up is very easy, there are no tools required. Build circuits using the 17 components. These include an LED light strip, the speaker, sensors buttons and even an LCD screen.
The coding software is easy to install on Windows, Mac, or Chromebook computers. The software includes tutorial videos so your tween can start coding in as little as 10 minutes!
Sphero SPRK+
First launched back in 2010 to a small number of creatives who were interested in education and learning it has now grown into a huge global community of followers.
The SPRK+ edition comes with a very simple set up that includes a cardboard protractor, country-specific adaptor, charging cable and a notepad and pencil. There is also an app available on both IOS and Android. We featured SPRK+ in our best robots like cozmo post.
Once set up the robot will await programming commands that you input into the app. The app is very user-friendly and you will even be guided through making your first program. The programming uses drag and drop blocks also known as Blockly.
Ozobot Bit Coding Robot
The company has released lots of extras including a Blockly app for those that want to try advanced programming and even an Ozobot classroom starter kit.
Ozobot the robot that fits in your hand is available in a single and two pack version.
The programming allows you to give Sphero a color and get the robot to move in certain directions. While the blocks are pre-programmed, advanced users can program from scratch. If robot programming is something you want more information on, we have a guide on programmable robot kits for beginners.
Snapino – Snap Circuits & Arduino Compatible 
The Snapino Coding Kit is a great introduction to coding at a very reasonable price. This kit can be used on its own or with any of the Snap Circuits kits. It is also compatible with Arduino hardware components.
Included in this kit is 6 project modules to get your tween started with coding. This is an excellent beginner coding toy for tweens. As they advance their skills you can expand on this set with additional Snap Circuits and Arduino parts.
What is Arduino?
Arduino is an open source coding software and hardware used by the gadget community all over the world. the software is free to download and use on Mac or Windows computers. The hardware is included in this kit so your tween can get coding right away.
If you are not familiar with Snap Circuits and think your tween will be interested in this kit be sure to check out our post on Which Snap Circuits Should I Buy? It will give you a good overview of what Snap Circuits are all about and how to choose the right kit.
Kano Computer Kit
Bundled with the kit is Raspberry PI3 which is a computer within itself. Included with the Kano Computer Kit are a case, cables, mouse keyboard and the Kano Operating system.
There are loads of apps as well as challenges while learning to program.
Osmo Coding Jam
Osmo Coding Jam works by putting together physical blocks, the app can then recognize the sequence in which they are linked. Once the linked blocks are picked up on screen musical characters can then walk, jump or perform other actions.
Eventually, the child would be able to put together their own musical elements using various loops, pauses, and other directions.
The kit comes with plastic tiles that slot into place using magnets as well as a base and mirror.
If your tween is interested in music you might want to check out the Otamatone.
Final Thoughts
If you want to give the gift of coding to a tween you will see that there are plenty of options to suit all learning abilities and budgets. Whether you want to provide a brief introduction to coding or allow them to get fully immersed in it there is something for everyone.
