Computers, smartphone, tablets, game consoles — these platforms will be with us for a very long time, though most will probably change in appearance and features. This means the demand for more coders will continue to increase as these devices evolve.

To help support the growing need to be mobile and connected, parents can start working with the next generation of coders by giving their kids gifts to feed their interests in technology and coding. But if you have no idea where to look for such gifts in time for Christmas, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list below …

Dash and Dot

Robots are cool, and that’s probably the best way to get kids interested in coding. Dash and Dot are a couple of robots that makes coding fun. Dot is the brains of a robot and comes with games such as Magic Dot Ball, Dot of Music, and Light Sword, and with the use of the free apps Wonder and Blockly, kids can see how the games are created and even make their own games. With the use of puzzle games, coding becomes fun.

Dash, on the other hand, is a robot that responds to voice, navigating objects, dancing and singing, aside from also being compatible with the above-mentioned apps and more. The two robots can also interact with each other, or they can be purchased separately, Dot for $49.99 and Dash for $149.99, or purchase them as a set for $199.95.

Cubelets

Remember those wooden blocks you used to play with as a kid? You use your imagination to turn them into buildings, cars or other objects other than a simple block. Modular Robotics has taken the concept another level with Cubelets, blocks that magnetically connect with each other but serve different functions.

Different combinations of the Cubelets create different results, including blocks rolling away, lighting up, spinning around, moving and stopping when faced with obstacles, and more. It’s a fun way to introduce coding even to a toddler, as it doesn’t require wiring or even writing codes. Plus, with a Cubelets Brick adapter, existing Lego blocks can be used to be even more creative. A Cubelets Six Kit is available for $159.95.

Kano

Kano is a kit that teaches kids how to build their own computers. The kit comes with a storybook that guides kids on how to build the computer, which comes with a CPU, keyboard, ports and cables, as well as a storybook that teaches kids how to code. There’s also a kit offered that allows kids to build their own monitors.

The basic Kano Kit costs $99.99, while the Kano Complet costs $219.99. Note that these are discounted prices only available until December 31, 2015. The shipping fee costs $19.99, and those in the U.S. will get the kit within 3-5 days after the order is placed.

Youth Digital

Youth Digital offers various courses that help kids and teenagers, or just about anyone, learn coding, from 3D animation courses to creating 3D animated movies, as well as a course that teaches Java, 3D game design, app design and more.

Each course costs $249.99, and it includes interactive lessons, software, project learning and a one-year support from online teachers.

Ozobot

The Ozobot is a smart, tiny robot that aims to teach kids, teens and even adults how to code with the use of markers and a sheet of white paper. Draw lines and squiggles using colored markers and see how Ozobot reacts to the different colors. There are also printable games that allow users to explore more of Ozobot’s abilities, or users can use apps on their mobile devices to make it play games so they don’t have to waste paper while having fun.

The Ozobot 2.0 Bit can be purchased $59.95, and accessories, such as the washable markers and accessory kit, are available for $5.99 $12.99, respectively. Printable games are free to download or print, and the mobile apps are also free to download and use.

Free goodies

Getting kids interested in coding need not be expensive, or cost anything at all, as there are some web services and apps available for free.

Bitsbox offers monthly subscriptions for a fee, but users can create a free account for their kid to get them started on creating apps. The free web account teaches some basic codes for app development, such as changing the background color, putting images on the screen, blowing things up or making things move. It tutors users at first by teaching users to copy codes, and then as the user progress to remember codes they’ve learned earlier to get to the next stage of app development.

For a free app, download Hopscotch on any iOS device. The app makes coding easy for kids as they just need to drag and drop blocks of codes to make their own game and the play it, or publish their app to the Hopscotch community so it can be enjoyed by others and users can get some insight as to how it can be improved.

Photo by timatymusic