Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is KidsCode?
KidsCode teaches children ages 8–14 real Arduino programming through themed, story-driven missions. Your child builds an actual circuit — LEDs, buttons, sensors, motors — on a real breadboard, then writes the code that brings it to life with a drag-and-drop block builder. Real Arduino code appears as they build it, so they're learning to code for real, not just clicking through a game.
Does my child need to already know how to code?
No. The block builder guides them step by step, so there's no typing and no syntax errors to get stuck on. Real code appears alongside the blocks so they can see what it turns into as they go.
What hardware do we need?
An Arduino UNO and a small parts kit — breadboard, resistors, LEDs, buttons, wires, and a few sensors depending on the project. Each lesson lists exactly what it needs and links to where to get it.
Can my child use KidsCode without my supervision?
Yes. There are no social features, chat, or messaging of any kind — your child interacts with the lesson, not with other people. Lessons are self-paced and explain themselves step by step, and you can check their progress anytime from your parent dashboard rather than watching every session.
Do I need the desktop app, or does the browser work?
The browser works fine for lessons and the block builder on any computer. For actually running the code on a real Arduino, though: if you're on Windows, installing the free KidsCode Desktop app gets you a one-click Upload button. Without it — or on a Mac, which Desktop doesn't support yet — you'll copy your code and paste it into the free Arduino IDE instead, which only takes an extra minute and is walked through step by step once you're in a lesson.
For Parents
How do I set up an account for my child?
From your parent dashboard, click "Create Student Account" and give them a username and password — no email address needed, which is why signup works this way instead of asking your child to register themselves. You can create up to 3 student accounts on one plan, and each one logs in independently after that.
Do I need to be there every time they log in?
No. Once you've created their account, your child logs in on their own with the username and password you set up for them.
How does billing work if I set up more than one child?
One subscription covers your account and up to 3 student accounts — there's no extra charge per child, and student accounts never need their own payment method.
Is my child's data safe? What do you collect?
We collect only what's needed to run accounts and track lesson progress — no ads, nothing sold to third parties, no social features to worry about. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.
How do I cancel my subscription?
From your parent dashboard, click "Cancel my subscription." Your account and your children's progress stay exactly as they are, and you can resume anytime before the current billing period ends.
Who do I contact if I need help?
Email hello@kidscode.ca — a real person will get back to you.