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In the digital age, coding has become an essential skill to possess. Not only is it a valuable tool for problem-solving and creative expression, but it also opens up a world of opportunities for those who understand how to use it. As such, coding competitions for kids are becoming more popular.
Coding competitions for kids can be a fun and rewarding way to introduce children to the world of programming. These competitions provide kids with the opportunity to challenge themselves and test their skills in a fun and engaging environment. Kids who participate in coding competitions have the opportunity to explore their creativity, collaborate with others, and gain valuable knowledge that can help them in the future.
Coding Competitions For Kids – 2023
Here is the list of top coding competitions for kids for the year 2023.
A must read for every parent
1. American Computer Science League
The American Computer Science League (ACSL) is an international coding competition among over 300 schools. Competitions occur online throughout the year and consist of four contests. Each contest consists of a written section to analyze code and a programming section.
Grades: K-12
- Contest #1: available Oct. 31, 2022; closes Sunday January 15, 2023 @ 11:59pm EST
- Contest #2: available Dec. 26, 2022; closes Sunday March 5, 2023 @ 11:59pm EST
- Contest #3: available Jan. 30, 2023; closes Sunday April 9, 2023 @ 11:59pm EDT
- Contest #4: available March 6, 2023; closes Sunday May 14, 2023 @ 11:59pm EDT
For details check here.
2. Bebras Computing Challenge
The Bebras Computing Challenge consists of problems in various topics related to informatics and computational thinking. Kids have 45 minutes to complete as many of the 15 problems as they can in the online competition.
The Bebras challenge is designed to help students explore their talents and passion for informatics and computational thinking with engaging challenges. Participating in the challenge is free and the tasks can all be completed without any preparation or studying. Students from 6 to 18 years old work through a set of tasks that focus on different topics and skills within informatics and computational thinking. They will have 45 minutes to complete as many tasks as they can, they are not expected to finish them all. The challenge has six different age categories with each their own set of tasks to keep things exciting and challenging for all students:
Kits (age 6-8)
Castors (age 8-10)
Benjamins (age 10-12)
Cadets (age 12-14)
Juniors (age 14-16)
Seniors (age 16-18)
Each group will get 3 sets of 5 tasks (except the youngest two groups, they will get 3 sets of 3 tasks and 3 sets of 4 tasks respectively).
The 3 sets each have a level of difficulty: easy, medium, or hard.
Next OUCC First Round (for invited students): 16th – 20th January 2023
Next Bebras Challenge: November 2023
For details check here.
3. Scratch Olympiad
The Scratch Olympiad is a coding contest for kids all around the world. Kids can participate individually or in teams and submit a Scratch project they create to the contest.
Starting 2017 Scratch Olympiad unites participants from all continents. Scratch is a visual event-driven programming environment designed for children and adolescents, while at the same time finding millions of adult fans. Scratch is the door to the world of “big programming” and the Scratch Olympiad brings together the most talented future developers and innovators.
My world, 7-8 year old
My book, 9-10 year old
Know-all, 11-12 year old
Games, 13-14 year old
STREAM-project, 15-18 year old
Scratch School, 18 and older
The schedule for the competitions is yet to be announced.
For details check here.
4. CodeChef
CodeChef offers coding competitions and contests for beginners to learn competitive coding. They also offer practice problems and monthly contests to help build skills and confidence in competitive coding. Competitions occur online throughout the year.
Grades: K-12
For details check here.
5. International Kids Coding Competition
The International Kids Coding Competition (IKCC) is a Scratch coding competition. Kids from all around the world participate in the competition by submitting projects they create in Scratch. The IKCC hosts competitions throughout the year on different topics.
Ages: 7-14 years old
Schedule:
January
World Scratch Game Challenge
Start Competition: January 02
End Competition: January 31
Result: February 15
July
World Scratch Animation Challenge
Start Competition: July 01
End Competition: July 31
Result: August 15
September
WORLD SCRATCH CODING COMPETITION
Start Competition: September 01
End Competition: September 30
Result: October 15
For details check here.
6. Google Code to Learn
The Google Code to Learn competition allows students in different age groups to create and submit projects using Scratch, App Inventor, or Google Cloud AutoML. The 2022 competition recently ended. Keep an eye out for the 2023 competition!
Grades: 5-12
For details check here.
7. Technovation Challenge
The Technovation Challenge invites teams of girls to solve real-world problems. Teams around the world create apps to solve problems. Technovation also hosts events in local chapters.
Ages: 8-18 years old
Registration Opens: October 11, 2022
Official Season Launch: January 10, 2023
We recommend starting in January at the latest so you will have a full 12 weeks to work on your project.
Registration Deadline (Students and Mentors): March 22, 2023 at 23:59 UTC.
The last day to formally register a team.
Please note: we recommend starting your project in January, not March.
Submission Deadline: April 18, 2023 at 23:59 UTC (4:59pm PDT—convert to your timezone with a tool like this one)
Judging: May – June 2023
World Summit: To be announced in 2023
For details check here.
8. International Olympiad in Informatics
The IOI is one of five international science olympiads. The primary goal of the IOI is to stimulate interest in informatics (computing science) and information technology.
Another important goal is to bring together exceptionally talented pupils from various countries and to have them share scientific and cultural experiences.
The International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) is an annual international coding competition for secondary students. Students are chosen to represent their country after participating in national competitions to participate in the IOI.
The IOI world final is hosted by any of the 91 countries and regions presently registered with the International Olympiad in Informatics. However, every participating country hosts their own prelims to select the students representing them at the world finals. Every participating country sends a delegation of 4 students and 2 adults, accompanying them as a coach or mentor. The two-day-long contest sees students competing individually by solving a set of informatics problems. The contest is followed by some cultural and recreational events organized on the remaining days.
The 4 students to represent India at the IOI are selected through the Indian Computing Olympiad (ICO). The first ICO was organized in 2002; however, it got its name in 2006. The Indian Association for Research in Computing Science(IARCS) organizes the ICO.
Grades: 6-12
Date to submit: August 22, 2023
For details check here.
9. CodeCup Spaghetti
CodeCup is a cyber security challenge originally designed for students attending CodeDay events, but now available to the public. During CodeCup teams of students attempt to earn points by writing code, hacking demonstration websites, and attacking and defending virtual machines.
For details check here.
10. CBSE National Coding Challenge
CBSE – National Coding Challenge is an opportunity for students from classes 6th to 8th to showcase their 21st-century skills to solve some of the real-life issues with technology. It is a platform for students to learn about various real-life issues prevailing and work out an innovative solution to address the problem related to the theme using their coding skills.
Join the coding competition brought to you, in partnership with Microsoft and become the coding champion. Students are invited to address the themes (any one of the following) to showcase their coding skills.
Grade: 6 – 8
Registration starts: 20 October 2022
Project submission: 15 March 2023
Results: 17 April 2023
For details check here.
Before you decide to participate in any coding competition, prepare yourself well for it. There are certain points you can include in your routine to prepare for these coding competitions such as doing thorough research on the subject/topic, picking an appropriate programming language, mastering algorithms, regular practice, etc. Read How to Prepare for Coding Competitions to know more about such tips.
Conclusion
These were some of the popular coding competitions for kids for the year 2023. If your kid is aspiring to be an ideal coder, then these platforms will certainly help. Practice is necessary for someone to become proficient in their area. Your child needs to take part in these coding competitions for this reason. It helps them improve their coding skills and smooth out any rough spots early on in their learning. Check the websites for the above-mentioned coding contests and encourage your kids to enter.
