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Teaching your kids how to type is easy and FUN with typing games for kids by KidzType. Read on for a full review of the program!
I have received compensation for my time to prepare a full and honest review.
We’ve progressed from oral narration to paper and pencil to a good chunk of online curriculum over the primary year. I noticed this year that my kids were becoming frustrated with the keyboarding aspect.
Many of the kindergarten and first grade apps and programs we used focused on point-and-click mouse skills. However, as he’s moved through the programs using the mouse takes longer, and hunt-and-peck typing is the slowest of all!
Free Typing Games
I’ve made some expensive curriculum flubs in the past (and present, actually), so I decided to start my kids with some free typing games. Of the online games that we tried, the favorite was KidzType.
KidzType is an online program that makes learning to type fun and engaging. My 2nd grade son and my kindergarten daughter have both really enjoyed learning on this platform.
At first glance (and what your children will hook on to first) KidzType appears to be all games. The homepage displays the Dance Mat Typing Games – which is what will get your kids’ attention!
But KidzType is more than just games. This program provides an excellent balance between interactive lessons and a gaming experience. Your child can access a variety of interfaces all focused on accuracy and increasing speed with touch typing.
Typing Games for Kids
KidzType Typing Games are a fun and interactive feature. Don’t let the cute cartoons fool you, your kids will be practicing their speed and accuracy as an enhancement to each lesson.
Although we are using the full program, the games provide instruction and practice. These typing games might be all your kids need to become fluent touch-typers.
The entire program progress through the home row, top row, bottom row, etc. Your child will progress through these stages, but they will probably need a little encouragement to keep their eyes on the screen and fingers in the right places.
These games provide that encouragement. The screen is set up to show a color-coded keyboard and set of hands with coordinating fingernails. Your child will soon learn that they can play faster by watching the fingers and keyboard on the screen – rather than looking down to hunt-and-peck.
This screen shot is taken from the first game that focuses on the home row. The games then build on that knowledge with finger exercises and nonsense words.
Tip: This program includes ads and other options on the screen. My daughter ignored them, but my son loves to click around on anything and everything. If the extras on the screen are a distraction for your child, increase the zoom to fill the screen with the playing area.
Typing Instruction
KidzType offers a range of instruction great for everyone from first-time-typers learning where to put their fingers on the keyboard to more advanced typers looking to increase their speed.
The site includes clear instruction about what touch typing is and how to get started. Check out the video below to get a sense about what your child will learn:
Getting started with instruction was incredibly easy. I helped my kids get set up to type using the Finger Chart on the site. Repeatedly going over this graphic really helped my kids get themselves ready to practice – sitting correctly and fingers in the right places.
Tip: I bookmarked the Finger Chart page so when my kids get on the computer, they go to the chart first, set themselves up, and get ready to start lesson or game.
The lessons are broken down into categories that start with the Home Row. The lessons themselves are short – you can choose from a 1, 2, or 3 minute lesson. These short lessons really help keep my kids’ attention.
After the lesson, your child can go on to a practice, exercise, or game to give extra practice the row they’ve completed.
Since the site does not require a sign-in, I’d encourage you to keep a simple checklist somewhere nearby so you know which lessons and practice sessions your child has completed.
Tip: As your child progresses through the games, you may want to give them an assessment to see if they’re making progress. I would highly recommend the typing tests on TypeDojo – a site by the makers of KidzType. You can find tests with age-appropriate word practice by grade level.
Try KidzType Free Typing Games
I would highly recommend trying out KidzType with your child. It is a solid online program that will motivate your child to learn to touch type with a balance of interactive instruction, practice, and games.
It will take a bit of parent guidance to get them set-up correctly and using the correct fingers (especially with younger children). However, after a few sessions, your child will be able to complete lessons and games independently.
Check out the free typing games on KidzType now!
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Ashley helps parents who want to homeschool find the resources they need to successfully teach their children. Ashley is a former teacher, current homeschooler, published author, and designer behind Circle Time with Miss Fox printables as well as the creator of this website, The Homeschool Resource Room.
Just had a peak at the Kids Type website, it looks great! I had to have a go myself!