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Screen Time Without The Guilt? Meet codeSpark Academy (Your Kid’s New Fave App)
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Confession: My kids have screen time at breakfast. And thanks to my favorite momma mantra (Good for her! Not for me.), I am beyond any mom guilt because you know what? It just works for us. My husband and I value a quiet morning to read, write, drink coffee in peace, or do whatever else we need to open the day well. It truly makes us better parents. Of course, I do give some attention to what they’re actually consuming or doing on those screens. That’s why I was thrilled to learn about codeSpark Academy, an ultra-engaging app for young coders-to-be. CodeSpark exposes kids to critical coding skills at an early age and even works to bridge the gender gap surrounding STEM careers.
Right now, codeSpark Academy is offering Romper readers a 14-day free trial using the code FT14 at checkout. (Try it out before the holiday season to see if a subscription tops your kid’s wish list this year.)
Fast Facts About codeSpark
- Recommended Age: 5 to 10 years old
- Price: $6.67 per month for an annual subscription, $9.99 per month for a monthly subscription — but you can cancel at any time. Plus, you can register up to three children on one codeSpark Academy account.
- Helps Build Skills In: Math, reading, logic, problem solving, creativity, empathy, and pattern recognition
- Suitable For: Pre-readers and up. The words-free interface means your child doesn’t need to know how to read in order to use (and learn from) the app.
- Research-Backed: The curriculum was developed based on collaboration with and research from MIT, Princeton, and Carnegie Mellon.
- Kid-Safe Community: codeSpark undergoes an annual review by kidSAFE, is COPPA-compliant, and does not collect any private data on users.
What Is codeSpark Academy?
In a world of apps, games, and shows vying for kids’ attention, codeSpark Academy is screen time a parent can feel good about. Colorful characters like Safari Sam and The Glitch (collectively, part of a group of characters called The Foos) guide kids through an imaginative world where they’ll solve puzzles, build interactive stories, and play games with personalized daily activities. Puzzles like “Donut Detective” introduce kids to computer programming through sequencing and pattern recognition. Once puzzle concepts are mastered, they’ll move on to building their own games, combining storytelling with design to construct their own unique creations.
Why Try codeSpark?
The truth of it is, codeSpark gives our kids access to the tools and skills they’ll use in a technology-driven world. You’re setting them up for success even as they solve puzzles and take on challenges within a fun, fantasy world. Essentially, they’ll think it’s all fun and games — but you’ll know it’s so much more. From sequencing and loops to boolean logic and automation, they’ll be learning the building blocks of programming language.
With codeSpark Academy, children are exposed to a research-backed curriculum that teaches as they play. And while I’m not one to “trick” a child into learning, there is something to be said for accounting for all types of learners — many who are learn-by-doing types.
What’s more, codeSpark Academy is actively working to close the gender gap in programming by simply exposing children to coding at an early age. The app is inclusive of both boys and girls, with characters like astronauts and queens. All characters solve their own problems — no being rescued here.
Finally, and most importantly, codeSpark is built with safety in mind. The codeSpark team moderates every story created within the app before publishing to ensure safety and privacy for all kid coders.
One potential con of course is that it’s (quite likely another) monthly subscription. But codeSpark has a reason for that. Namely, a subscription means your kiddo is getting high-quality, kid-tested educational content month after month without annoying in-game advertisements or costly in-app purchases.
What’s more, your subscription allows codeSpark to give teachers and public schools in the U.S. access to the app free of charge — another reason to feel great about screen time with codeSpark Academy.
The Reviews:
With a 4.6-star rating on Apple’s App Store after more than 29,000 reviews, it’s clear that codeSpark Academy is doing something right. Here are just a handful of the rave — or should I say “Foo-tastic” — reviews of the app:
“My kid loves it!! Keeps him focused and entertained.” — Fernando J., Parent
“The design was so easy for the students that they took off on their own pace with minimal guidance.” — Amanda C., Educator
“I cannot say enough great things about this app and company! My kids LOVE it so much! They play alone or together, sometimes on a video call with friends so they can share screens and work on designing levels together [...] I contacted customer service with a log in issue and it was quickly resolved. [...] My daughter screamed in excitement when her profile was found! I honestly cannot say enough wonderful things about this app and company!” — Username KR617 (in App Store)
“[...]I love codeSpark academy and I definitely recommend it for other kids like me with that love for technology. Now on to complaints. Uuuumm let me think. Honestly, I can’t think of a single complaint! And I’ve reviewed a good couple of games and all of them have at least one complaint! ( sorry to be a picky other games!) anyway this game rocks and I don’t know if you’ve done this yet but I would love a sequel. Bye! Made by a kid who loves coding.” —Sosha P. (in App Store)
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