If you’re in high school and a beginner looking to start programming – you should consider trying coding games. Coding games are a great way to visualize and familiarize yourself with basic programming concepts, and they often also have communities that can help in your learning journey. It can be daunting in the beginning, but everyone has to start somewhere and you will learn continuously while coding. 

Why try coding games?

Coding cannot be learnt by reading a book and memorizing things. It needs constant practice and application. It is very problem-oriented and the more problems you think through, the better you become at coding. 

Coding games are a fun, engaging, and interactive way to learn programming. Games allow you to apply coding concepts practically and see immediate results. They also expand how players think and display how creative programming can be. Additionally, they can help you gain valuable reinforcing concepts, problem-solving skills and logical thinking. They connect you with communities and can help solidify your foundation, showcasing your passion and interests in a unique manner. 

Even if you are not aiming for a computer science major, coding comes handy across an array of subjects, especially as you begin to do more rigorous research and analysis. We’d highly recommend you keep chipping away and building familiarity!

With that, here’s a list of 10 coding games for beginners!

1. CodinGame 

CodinGame incorporates aspects of both multiplayer communities and single-player game approaches. It is a free, challenge-based programming game offered in 25 languages. There’s a variety of features that help you improve on your coding skills – CodinGame’s library has over 1000 coding challenges that cover everything from basic algorithms to more complex and advanced concepts like machine learning. The ranking system allows you to track your progress and compare your skills to other users. The community forum is generally pretty helpful to ask questions, get help, and collaborate with other programmers. We also love how it gradually increases in difficulty. If you learn better while being social then CodinGame might be a good game for you to try. 

Cost: Free, though you can pay for additional features. 

Platforms: Web browser (most commonly accessed), Desktop clients for Windows, MacOS, and Linux (The Desktop clients are said to be more steady and reliable). Mobile apps available for iOS and Android. 

Languages: 25 languages offered – but most commonly used are Python, Java and C++. 

You can find code for Codingame challenges and solutions on various repositories on Github.

2. CSS Diner 

CSS Diner is a great game to learn CSS and the different types of CSS selectors. The website is divided into 32 levels. You start by learning about basic selectors, such as type selectors and ID selectors. As you progress through the levels, you learn about more advanced selectors, such as class selectors, attribute selectors, and pseudo-selectors. To learn about a particular selector, you type it into the editor and then click on the "Enter" button. The website will then show you how the selector works and what it selects. You can also see the HTML markup for the elements that are selected by the selector. This visual representation of how CSS affects HTML elements is useful for beginners because they can see the changes they make through CSS in real-time, reinforcing the connection between CSS and page layout. The challenges are bite-sized, and that makes it easier to engage with.  If you get stuck, you can click on the "help" button to get more information about the selector. The website also has a forum where you can ask questions and get help from other users. 

Cost: Free

Platforms: Website

Languages: CSS

3. Flexbox Froggy

Another great CSS oriented game, Flexbox Froggy teaches you how to use CSS flexbox in 24 levels. It's a fun and interactive way to learn the layout properties. In this game, you help a frog hop across a river by writing CSS code to position the lily pads on the other side. The levels start out simple, but they quickly become more challenging. As you progress through the game, you'll learn about the different properties of flexbox, such as justify-content, align-content, and flex-direction. CSS is a very important web-development language, so if you’ve been looking into learning it – this game is a good place to start. It’s also a web-based game so no installations are necessary!

Note: While Flexbox Froggy and CSS Diner are both interactive games that focus on CSS, they teach different aspects of CSS. Flexbox Froggy focuses on teaching CSS Flexbox layout. Flexbox is a layout model that allows you to create flexible and responsive web layouts. CSS Diner focuses on a broader range of CSS concepts.

Cost: Free

Platforms: Website

Languages: CSS Flexbox

4. CheckiO 

CheckiO is a strategy-based coding game that offers a variety of challenges designed to help you learn the basics of coding, as well as more advanced concepts. As you solve challenges, you earn points and level up. You can also compete with other users to see who can solve the most challenges or get the highest score. CheckiO offers challenges in Python, JavaScript, and TypeScript. It also offers a variety of difficulty levels, so you can find challenges that are appropriate for your skill level. CheckiO also has an active community forum!

Cost: Free, but additional paid features are available

Platforms: Website

Languages: Python, TypeScript, JavaScript

5. Grid Garden

CSS Grid Garden is a fun and interactive way to learn CSS grid layout. The game is divided into levels, each of which introduces a new concept. As you progress through the levels, you'll learn how to use a CSS grid to create different layouts, such as a two-column layout, a three-column layout, and a grid with gutters. The game is presented in a garden setting, with each level represented by a different plant. The plants are watered by CSS code, and the goal of the game is to write the correct CSS code to water each plant. The correct CSS code is shown at the bottom of the screen, but you can also experiment with different code to see how it affects the plant. CSS Grid Garden is perfect for beginners who want to learn the basics of CSS grid layout, or for experienced developers who want to brush up on their skills.

Cost: Free

Platforms: Website

Languages: CSS

6. The SQL Murder Mystery

The SQL Murder Mystery is set in a fictional city called SQL City, where a murder has taken place. In this game, you are a detective tasked with solving the crime by using SQL to query a database of evidence. The game is divided into levels, each of which introduces a new concept of SQL. As you progress through the levels, you'll learn how to use SQL to select, filter, and sort data. You'll also learn how to use SQL to join tables and create views. The game is presented in a visual novel format, with each level represented by a different scene. The scenes are illustrated with hand-drawn artwork, and the dialogue is written in a suspenseful style. This is a great game for beginners to get an introduction to SQL – which is used to manage data in relational database management systems – but the Gamedevs do recommend that beginners try the walk through for SQL before diving into the game. 

Cost: Free

Platforms: Website

Languages: SQL

7. Elevator Saga

Elevator Saga is a programming game where you help a group of people get to their destination by writing code to control the elevators. The game is divided into levels, each of which presents a new challenge. As you progress through the levels, you'll learn how to use different programming concepts, such as loops, conditionals, and functions. The game is presented in a text-based format, with each level represented by a different scenario. The scenarios are described in plain English, and you're given a set of instructions to follow. You can write your code in any programming language. The Elevator Saga community is generally very helpful in providing insights, and the Elevator Saga blog and documentation has a lot of useful information about programming. 

Cost: Free

Platforms: Website

Languages: Most commonly used is JavaScript, Python, and C++

8. Untrusted - a user javascript adventure game

Untrusted is a social deduction/hacking programming game set in JavaScript. You guide Dr. Eval through a mysterious machine continuum, wherein, using only his computer and Javascript, he must alter his reality in order to find his freedom. The game requires you to edit and re-execute the very Javascript running the game in your browser, in order to save Dr. Eval. The game has multiple levels through which you'll learn how to use different JavaScript concepts, such as variables, functions, and loops.

Cost: Free

Platforms: Website

Languages: JavaScript

9. Robocode     

Robocode is a robot battle game where you write code to control a robot in a simulated battle arena. The game is divided into levels, each of which presents a new challenge. As you progress through the levels, you'll learn how to use different programming concepts in Java, such as loops, conditionals, and functions. The game is presented in a graphical format, with each level represented by a different battle arena. The arenas are filled with obstacles and power-ups, and you can use your code to control your robot's movements, firing, and targeting. If you’re already inclined to robotics, then robocode is an interesting and fun way to develop your programming ability. 

Cost: Free

Platforms: Download from Sourceforge or Github

Languages: Java

10. CodeCombat

CodeCombat teaches you how to code through various challenging puzzles set in a fantasy world. As you solve puzzles, you earn points and level up. You can also compete with other users to see who can solve the most puzzles or get the highest score. CodeCombat offers puzzles in a variety of programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, and Java. It also offers a variety of difficulty levels, so you can find puzzles that are appropriate for your skill level. Generally the user base for CodeCombat tends to be younger students – so some of the more social aspects may be inaccessible for older beginners, but the resources in CodeCombat are nonetheless useful if you’re looking for a place to start.

Cost: Free, with additional paid features available 

Platforms: Website, Desktop clients (MacOS, Windows, Linux), Mobile Apps (iOS and Android)

Languages: Python, JavaScript, Java

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Image Source: Flexbox Froggy Logo