CodeMonkey Review | An Engaging and Fun Game-Based Way to Learn Coding for Kids

• Share on Facebook
• Email this Page
• Share on WhatsApp
• Share on Pinterest
• Share on X
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share on Telegram
• Share on Flipboard

Inside: CodeMonkey is one of our Top Favorite picks for the best coding curriculum for kids. It’s a fun, solid, and affordable game-based coding program for kids — a rare mix that actually teaches real coding skills while keeping kids hooked. Whether your child is curious about coding or you want to sharpen their problem-solving skills, this is a program worth trying.

We’ve tried a lot of coding programs for kids over the years. From self-paced platforms like CodeHS (great for AP prep in the upper grades) to teacher-led options like MytekLab and everything in between. Some were fun but too light, others were academically solid but lacked the spark to keep younger kids engaged. For a kid like Marc, who was passionate about the subject from the first line of real code, it was just a matter of trial until we found the one format that worked best for him, but I know not all kids take to coding as easily. 

This past year, Marc has been working more intensively in Python and I’ve seen first-hand how real coding practice sharpens thinking. It’s not just about learning a language (though, coding is a language in itself) it’s about training your brain to break big problems into smaller steps, stay organized, and persevere until you find the solution. Those thinking skills spill over into everything else he does and I loved witnessing that shift.

What I’m reviewing today is one of the rare programs that nails both sides: it’s fun and gamified enough to hook a 5-year-old, but structured and rigorous enough to teach actual programming skills from block coding all the way to typing and debugging real code.

If you’re looking for a great way to introduce your kids in grades K–8 to real programming languages without boring them with endless text, this CodeMonkey review is for you. CodeMonkey’s curriculum blends fun game-based challenges with structured coding courses that actually teach transferable skills. Whether your child has prior experience or is just starting out, this online platform is designed to meet them where they are, from the youngest students to older students ready for more complex projects.

Pin this image to read the article later. 📌

Why Coding Matters: What It Does for Kids’ Brains

I’ve always believed coding is more than just a “tech skill.” Over the years, watching Marc progress from basic coding to full Python projects (and taking the AP Computer Science in 8th grade AND scoring a 4), I’ve seen how it sharpens his thinking. Coding has trained him to break problems into manageable steps, look for patterns, and stay calm when things don’t work the first time. Those habits have spilled over into math, science, and even how he organizes everyday tasks.

And the research backs this up. A large-scale review of 105 studies found that learning to code significantly improves problem-solving, creative thinking, math skills, and metacognition (the ability to reflect on and improve your own thinking).

“Our response to the question whether learning to code improves other cognitive skills is positive: Indeed, positive transfer effects can be detected… learning to code has differential rather than uniform effects on other cognitive skills.”

— Julia Hermida, Is learning computer programming associated with developing thinking skills?, UNESCO IBE Science of Learning Portal, 2024

MIT neuroscientists found that reading code activates the brain’s multiple demand network (the same network used for complex reasoning, problem-solving, and holding multiple pieces of information in mind). In other words, coding isn’t just teaching kids how to program a computer but it’s literally training the brain to think more flexibly and strategically.

“Understanding computer code seems to be its own thing. It’s not the same as language, and it’s not the same as math and logic.”

— Anne Trafton, MIT News

That’s why I’m so intentional about finding coding programs that teach real skills, not just drag-and-drop games that are fun but shallow. And it’s why I was pleasantly surprised to find CodeMonkey, which manages to blend the engagement of gamified learning with the depth of true programming instruction from block coding all the way to typing and debugging Python.

Is Coding Still Worth Teaching in the Age of AI?

If you spend any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen posts claiming that “coding is dead” because AI can now write code. Alongside that, there’s been a push toward encouraging kids to learn trades instead — welding, plumbing, electrical work — as if the two paths can’t coexist.

Here’s the reality: AI can generate code, but it still needs humans who can think like programmers; people who understand the logic, can spot errors, can decide what the program should do in the first place, and can adapt it when AI’s output isn’t quite right. Without that foundation, AI becomes a black box, and your child is just another passive user instead of someone who can control and direct it.

The same executive function skills strengthened by coding — problem decomposition, pattern recognition, algorithmic thinking — are the ones that will help our kids work with AI effectively, not be replaced by it. Those skills are also transferable to any field, including trades. In fact, a future electrician or mechanic who can also code may be even more valuable as industries adopt more automation.

As for us, I will be guiding Marc toward computer science because it fits his brain like a glove and he genuinely loves it (along with science), but I’ll also steer him toward niches that are more future-proof. And no matter where he ends up in that field, he needs a solid base in how code works. Without it, he wouldn’t even know where to start when something breaks, let alone how to debug it properly. Debugging is much harder than it sounds and I’ve seen that first-hand.

When Marc used AI to help him code his base converter project, no matter how many AI tools he tried, the complexity of thousands of lines of code still required human input. It took his ability to see the bigger picture, think outside the box, and not get snagged on the minutiae of every comma or bracket — along with collaborative work with a tutor — to get it working.

That’s why I see coding as far more than a pipeline to a software developer career. It’s training in how to think, plan, and troubleshoot, skills that are AI-proof. Whether he uses them in STEM research, entrepreneurship, or something entirely different, he’ll carry that mental toolkit for life.

About CodeMonkey

CodeMonkey is an online, game-based coding program for kids that teaches them real coding skills through interactive challenges, games, and projects. It’s designed for ages 5–14 (K–8) and takes students from basic block coding to full text-based programming in languages like CoffeeScript and Python.

Courses are organized into themed adventures from solving puzzles in Coding Adventure to creating games in Game Builder, exploring math concepts in Dodo Does Math, or diving into Python in Banana Tales. Each lesson builds logically on the previous one, reinforcing concepts through practice and immediate feedback. The platform also includes teacher or parent dashboards (depending on the subscription you choose) with lesson plans (for homeschoolers), solutions, and progress tracking.

What really sets CodeMonkey apart is that it’s both fun and rigorous. It uses visuals, storylines, and game mechanics to hook younger learners, but underneath the playful surface, kids are learning genuine computer science concepts: loops, conditionals, functions, debugging, and more.

Honestly, I’m surprised homeschoolers don’t talk about it more. It’s flexible enough to fit into any homeschool style and so “open-and-go” that kids can often work independently yet it’s academically solid. For a K–8 coding solution that blends engagement with real skill-building, CodeMonkey is one of the most balanced options I’ve seen.

How CodeMonkey Works

CodeMonkey is built around the idea that kids learn coding best by doing, not by memorizing commands on a blank screen. Every course is structured as a series of small, game-like challenges where each level introduces a new concept or builds on a previous one. Kids immediately see the results of their code, fix mistakes, and progress at their own pace.

The platform covers a wide range of computer science skills through different types of courses:

One subscription unlocks access to all levels and courses, so students can move between block and text coding or explore different topics without switching programs. The design is “open-and-go” so kids can often work independently, but the structured sequence means they’re always building toward more advanced skills.

What We Tried in CodeMonkey

One of the things I appreciate most about CodeMonkey’s programming curriculum is that you get access to all their coding courses under one subscription. That meant Marc could explore Python, CoffeeScript, and Data Science without switching programs. As an online platform, it’s easy for parents to monitor student progress in real time, and for kids to jump between levels.

Banana Tales – Learning Python for Kids Through Games

Banana Tales is where Marc spent most of his time. It’s a Python-based coding course where a baby monkey is crying for bananas, and kids must solve puzzles in code to feed it. Each puzzle introduces new coding concepts in small, manageable chunks. The progression is spiral — meaning new challenges require kids to use what they learned in earlier levels — so knowledge is reinforced rather than forgotten.

What keeps it engaging is that the game itself evolves. It’s not just “code, win, repeat”; the storyline and visuals change as you advance, giving kids a sense of accomplishment and curiosity about what’s next.

What we liked:

• A gentle yet solid introduction to Python syntax and logic.
  
• Immediate feedback when something didn’t work, so Marc could debug right away.
  
• Gradual progression from simple movement commands to complex problem-solving.
  
• Challenges were built into the levels in subtle ways. Even if you could get the monkey its banana, you might earn only 1 or 2 stars out of 3 because there was a faster or more efficient solution. Kids would get explanations like, “Solve this in less than 5 lines of code” or “Use ‘if’ loops only once” — prompting them to think critically and refine their approach which is exactly how programmers are trained to think.
  
• Split-screen layout with the code on one side and the game on the other, helping kids learn how a compiler works in a non-intimidating way. They quickly understand what “Run” means, where to look for errors, and why you need to stop the code before making changes.
  
• Beautiful graphics and sound effects, making it feel like a real game, not a stripped-down “learning game” like Karel in CodeHS (which Marc enjoyed, but many kids might find boring).
  
• There are printable lesson plans and these made it easy for me to see exactly what’s covered

What I didn’t like:
Honestly, nothing… except that it ended too soon and I wish they would make increasingly challenging units for high schoolers, too.

How Marc did with it:
Even though Marc already knew the Python concepts taught (he’s studied Python for two years and even sat for the AP exam), Banana Tales became his go-to for daily fun practice. The big draw for him was how each line of code instantly came to life in the game. He even told me this visual approach to coding helped him understand “classes” better.

Data Science Course

The Data Science course introduces students to reading, organizing, and interpreting data. Marc had already covered the concepts while prepping for his AP exam, but this version was far more visually engaging. The lessons are delivered through colorful (and very CodeMonkey-style, meaning tasteful and not overwhelming) slides that explain concepts in a way kids can actually grasp.

What I liked:

• Clear, well-structured explanations that make abstract terms easy to understand
  
• The mix of instruction and practice — after each set of slides, kids jump into games and reviews that tie directly to what they just learned
  
• The familiar, polished CodeMonkey graphics that make it feel more like play than study (even if these sections for CS Learning are more “dry” since they’re just explaining more abstractconcepts)
  

What we think could be better:

• Less visually exciting than the game-based courses, so it required more intrinsic motivation (but that’s to be expected since this is supposed to explain tricky abstract concepts)
• Marc didn’t like that there was no audio or video component. I agree with him. Adding an option to have the slides read aloud would make the course more accessible, especially for auditory learners.
  

How Marc did with it:
Marc breezed through the content because of his prior knowledge, but he still enjoyed the review games. He said the quizzes were more fun and interactive than what he’d experienced in CodeHS, and the visual design kept him from zoning out. For him, it worked best as a light, engaging way to reinforce concepts he already knew.

Game Creation in CodeMonkey – Building a Frogger-Style Game for Kids

Game Creation uses CoffeeScript, a text-based language that compiles into JavaScript. While CoffeeScript itself isn’t widely used in the professional world anymore, it’s still an effective teaching tool. It strips away some of the syntactic complexity of JavaScript, allowing kids to focus on learning real coding concepts — loops, conditionals, variables, and functions — without getting bogged down in punctuation. Those skills transfer easily to JavaScript, Python, or any other modern language.

The course is set up so kids build their own Frogger-style game piece by piece. The screen is split into three sections: instructions on the left (with clear, concise guidance, challenges, and bonus point opportunities), the coding window in the middle, and a live game preview on the right. I loved that Marc had to follow written instructions precisely and could instantly test his code to see the results.

Each mini-lesson introduced a new trick or mechanic to add to the final game, and all of them built progressively toward one big project at the end.

What I liked:

• Immediate payoff — he could see his own game taking shape as he coded
  
• Encourages experimentation and creativity alongside technical skills, showing that coding isn’t just logic; it’s also design and innovation
  
• Reinforced coding concepts he’d already learned in a playful way
  
• Clear, easy-to-follow written instructions that pushed him to slow down and follow directions carefully
  
• A satisfying sense of progression, with each mini lesson adding another feature to the final game
  

What I didn’t love: I didn’t find anything we would have changed in terms of the structure, maybe just more challenges and the option to extend it into “coding your own app” for a next-level experience

How Marc did with it:
This was his wind-down coding time — still productive, but with more room to be creative and try things. It was also a great bridge between pure learning and applying concepts in a self-directed way. I honestly haven’t seen him this immersed and focused on something since he decided to code a base converter in Python (which he did, by the way).

After exploring Banana Tales, Data Science, and Game Creation, I can confidently say CodeMonkey strikes a rare balance between teaching real, transferable coding skills and keeping kids genuinely engaged. Each course approached computer science from a different angle (problem-solving through Python, data literacy through interactive reviews, and creativity through game development) yet they all reinforced the same core skills: logical thinking, precision, perseverance, and adaptability.

For Marc, it wasn’t just about “learning to code” but about seeing how code can be applied in different contexts, from building tools to telling stories through games. And as a homeschooling parent, I loved that all of this came under one subscription, giving us the flexibility to move between courses without losing momentum.

Pros & Cons

Before we wrap up, I want to give you the quick version. If you’re wondering if CodeMonkey is worth adding to your homeschool, here’s my honest take after seeing Marc use it daily. Spoiler: it’s rare that I find a program with almost no drawbacks. 

Pros

• Truly engaging for kids – Marc absolutely loved this. At one point, he was on a mission to create the most challenging version of Frogger out there. I just love it when little things like this spark bigger interests and push him down more rabbit holes. Exposing kids to these kinds of experiences means they might find that spark and inner motivation to dig deeper…  and that’s exactly what we are always seeking to do in our homeschool.
  Show them the tools, teach them the skills, and find a way to spark that inner drive and boom… it becomes a mini obsession that leads to so much learning and retention — far more than you’d get in a traditional environment. We’re living proof of it.
  
• Solid skill-building – That instant visual connection between code and outcome made the process far more satisfying and helped Marc truly understand how code works on both the back end and the front end — without being overwhelmed by thousands of lines. And honestly, this is gold whether you’re planning to steer your kids toward a computer science career or not. These skills transfer to almost anything: problem-solving, logical thinking, creativity, and persistence.
  
• Spiral learning that sticks – Each new challenge builds on earlier concepts, so kids aren’t just memorizing commands for one level and forgetting them by the next. They’re constantly revisiting and applying past skills in slightly new ways, which cements the learning without it feeling repetitive. It’s a natural, low-pressure way to reinforce concepts  and it’s exactly how mastery is built over time.
  
• Instant feedback for debugging – Kids can immediately see where something went wrong and fix it on the spot, which is key to building confidence. Because the code runs in a split-screen setup with the compiler output visible, they naturally learn where to look for errors, how to interpret them, and why you have to stop the code before making changes. By the time they move into a real coding environment like Visual Studio Code, these habits are second nature rather than intimidating.
  
• Challenges that teach real-world coding habits – The built-in challenges don’t just ask kids to “make it work” — they nudge them toward code optimization, just like real programmers do. Whether it’s solving a puzzle in fewer lines, using a loop only once, or finding a faster way to reach the goal, kids learn to refine their solutions instead of settling for the first thing that works. That’s an invaluable mindset for any future coder.
  
• Variety of approaches under one subscription – From Python adventures in Banana Tales to building games with CoffeeScript and exploring abstract concepts through Data Science, kids can dive into multiple aspects of coding without you having to buy separate programs for each track. This mix lets them experience both the creative and analytical sides of programming, compare different coding environments, and discover what excites them most.
  
• Well-designed visuals and sound – The games are visually appealing, polished, and immersive without feeling gimmicky or “babyish.” The art style, animations, and sound effects create a real-game atmosphere that keeps kids engaged while still serving the learning goals. This balance makes it appealing to older kids and teens too, so they don’t feel like they’ve outgrown it after a few lessons.
  
• Easy for parents to trust – The balance of rigor and fun is rare, and for me, this is one of the very few homeschool coding programs I recommend wholeheartedly. It delivers genuine skill-building without the fluff, so you know your kids are learning something meaningful while still enjoying themselves. That combination makes it easy to stick with and easy to feel confident about as a parent.
  
• Extremely affordable – Starting at just $7/month for individual accounts, it’s a huge win for homeschoolers who want high-quality coding education without blowing the budget. Even the family and homeschool plans are very reasonably priced for the amount of content included.
  

Cons

• Honestly, I couldn’t find any real downsides. My only suggestion would be for CodeMonkey to keep developing it into more languages (like Java) and offer more advanced courses for high schoolers who are ready to take the next step. And maybe add a read-aloud option for the slide-based courses.

Watch Our Full CodeMonkey Review

If you prefer to see CodeMonkey in action (and hear more about how we actually used it in our homeschool), I’ve put together a full video review on YouTube:

📺 Watch: This Is the Best Coding Program to Teach Kids REAL Coding

Wrapping up

CodeMonkey isn’t just another kids’ coding game. It’s an online coding platform that teaches real programming languages through engaging, structured coding courses. From younger students who’ve never touched a line of code to older students ready for bigger challenges, there’s something here for every age. The family plan makes it affordable for multiple kids, and you can track student progress easily.

If you want your child to develop critical thinking skills, get comfortable with real-world coding, and have fun doing it, I can’t recommend it enough. And yes, you can try it out first with CodeMonkey’s 7-day free trial (card required, cancel anytime).

Frequently Asked Questions

This post may contain affiliate links. By making a purchase through these links, I get a small percentage for the item you bought while the price stays the same for you. Thank you for supporting me.

Read my Disclosure to find out more about how I support my website and how you can help.