10+ Best Coding Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to introduce your little one to the world of technology? Look no further! Our roundup of the best coding books for 7-year-olds is designed to spark curiosity and nurture problem-solving skills. Whether your child is a budding programmer or just getting started, these books are packed with fun and educational content tailored just for them. Keep reading to discover our top picks for coding books that will entertain and educate your young coder!

Fun Coding Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding by Linda Liukas
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: Follow Ruby and her whimsical friends as they embark on an adventure to solve puzzles and learn about coding without needing a computer.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces coding concepts in a fun, engaging way that sparks creativity and problem-solving skills.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories and are curious about how computers work.

• Coding Games in Scratch by Jon Woodcock
  • Genre(s): Educational, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to create games using Scratch, a beginner-friendly programming language.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches coding fundamentals through the fun and relatable task of creating games, encouraging logical thinking and perseverance.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy video games and are interested in making their own.

• My First Coding Book by Kiki Prottsman
  • Genre(s): Educational, Interactive
  • Synopsis: Packed with fun puzzles and simple exercises, this book introduces children to the basics of coding through hands-on activities.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses a playful, interactive approach to teach coding, making it accessible and enjoyable for young learners.
  • Perfect for: Children who thrive on interactive learning and hands-on activities.

• Lift-the-Flap Computers and Coding by Rosie Dickins, illustrated by Shaw Nielsen
  • Genre(s): Educational, Interactive
  • Synopsis: A colorful, interactive book that explains how computers work and introduces basic coding concepts through flaps to lift and explore.
  • Why we recommend this book: The interactive flaps make learning about computers and coding a tactile and engaging experience.
  • Perfect for: Young inquisitive minds that enjoy exploring and discovering new things through physical interaction.

• Get Coding! Learn HTML, CSS & JavaScript & Build a Website, App & Game by Young Rewired State
  • Genre(s): Educational, Practical
  • Synopsis: Aimed at teaching kids how to build websites, apps, and games using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript through simple projects.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a practical introduction to real-world coding languages and tools, setting a foundation for future learning.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young web developers and anyone interested in creating their own digital projects.

Educational Coding Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Super Scratch Programming Adventure! by The LEAD Project
  • Genre(s): Educational, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This colorful comic book guides readers through creating their own games and stories using Scratch, a programming language designed for beginners.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic programming concepts, problem-solving, creativity, and logical thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses a narrative approach to engage readers, making the learning process fun and immersive.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love comics and storytelling and are interested in learning to code.

• Coding for Kids: Python by Adrienne Tacke
  • Genre(s): Educational, Practical
  • Synopsis: A straightforward, kid-friendly guide to Python programming, offering easy-to-follow examples and projects.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Python programming, logical thinking, problem-solving, and basic computer science concepts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down complex coding concepts into manageable, bite-sized pieces that are perfect for young learners.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters curious about more advanced programming and those who want to dive deeper into coding.

• The Official ScratchJr Book by Marina Umaschi Bers and Mitchel Resnick
  • Genre(s): Educational, Interactive
  • Synopsis: Helps kids learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively by programming their own interactive stories and games.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Early coding skills, creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's written by the co-creators of ScratchJr, ensuring an authoritative and engaging learning experience.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers and young children taking their first steps into the world of coding.

• No Starch Press's Scratch Coding Cards by Natalie Rusk
  • Genre(s): Educational, Interactive
  • Synopsis: A deck of cards offering fun and engaging activities that teach Scratch programming through simple projects.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scratch programming, creativity, problem-solving, and project design.
  • Why we recommend this book: The card format makes learning coding flexible and accessible, perfect for quick learning sessions.
  • Perfect for: Kids who prefer a more hands-on, activity-based approach to learning.

Challenging Coding Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang, illustrated by Mike Holmes
  • Genre(s): Graphic Novel, Educational
  • Synopsis: This graphic novel series follows Hopper and her friend Eni as they discover and solve coding puzzles to uncover the secrets of their school.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces more complex coding concepts through puzzles that require logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: The combination of storytelling and coding challenges makes complex concepts accessible and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love comics and mysteries, and are ready to tackle more challenging coding tasks.

• Learn to Program with Scratch by Majed Marji
  • Genre(s): Educational, Practical
  • Synopsis: This detailed guide expands on the basics of Scratch programming, teaching kids how to create more complex games and animations.
  • Why this book is challenging: It delves into sophisticated programming topics like data handling and game logic that are typically reserved for older students.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a deeper understanding of programming concepts, which can be a solid foundation for future coding endeavors.
  • Perfect for: Young programmers who have mastered the basics of Scratch and are looking to challenge themselves further.

• Coding Projects in Python by DK
  • Genre(s): Educational, Practical
  • Synopsis: Step-by-step instructions guide children through a series of exciting coding projects that teach them how to use Python effectively.
  • Why this book is challenging: Python is a text-based programming language, which is a step up in difficulty from block-based languages like Scratch.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces a real-world programming language through projects that are both educational and fun.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are ready to transition from block-based coding to text-based programming.

• Adventures in Minecraft by David Whale and Martin O'Hanlon
  • Genre(s): Educational, Interactive
  • Synopsis: This book teaches kids how to create and modify their own Minecraft world using Python, a professional programming language.
  • Why this book is challenging: It requires applying coding skills to modify a complex, popular game, which involves understanding both the game mechanics and Python.
  • Why we recommend this book: It leverages the popularity of Minecraft as a fun tool to learn serious coding skills.
  • Perfect for: Minecraft enthusiasts who are interested in learning how to customize their gaming experience through coding.

• Scratch Programming Playground by Al Sweigart
  • Genre(s): Educational, Interactive
  • Synopsis: Kids learn to program their own games and animations in Scratch, with each project introducing more sophisticated programming concepts.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers advanced Scratch features, such as cloning sprites and using lists, which require a deeper understanding of the language.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps solidify programming concepts through engaging, hands-on projects that encourage creativity and critical thinking.
  • Perfect for: Young coders who want to deepen their understanding of Scratch and expand their programming skills.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-year-old develop great reading habits while exploring the world of coding, you've come to the right place. Below, I've listed some fun and effective exercises tailored just for young readers. These will not only enhance their reading skills but also spark their interest in coding. Let's dive in!

• Create a Coding Story Map
  • What it is: Draw a map that outlines the sequence of events in a coding storybook.
  • How it helps: This helps with understanding the flow and structure of the stories and coding logic.
  • Tips: Use different colors or symbols to represent different actions or characters in the story.

• Character Coding Cards
  • What it is: Create flashcards featuring different characters from coding books and a fact or trait about them.
  • How it helps: Enhances memory and recall while linking coding concepts to familiar characters.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to use the cards to summarize the story to you.

• Book-based Coding Projects
  • What it is: After reading a chapter, come up with a simple coding project based on the events or challenges the characters faced.
  • How it helps: Applies reading comprehension to real-world coding projects, enhancing understanding.
  • Tips: Start with very simple coding platforms like Scratch or Blockly, which are kid-friendly.

• Daily Reading and Discussion Time
  • What it is: Set aside a specific time each day for reading a coding book together and discussing it.
  • How it helps: Builds a routine and improves comprehension through discussion.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions about the story to encourage critical thinking.

• Coding Vocabulary List
  • What it is: Keep a list of coding terms found in the books and their meanings.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of coding language and concepts.
  • Tips: Review and discuss this list regularly to reinforce learning.

Incorporating these exercises into your child's reading routine can make a huge difference in how they perceive and understand coding and reading. Not only will these activities keep them engaged, but they'll also build a strong foundation for both literacy and technical skills. Happy reading and coding!