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Typing Programs for Kids: When to Start and Which to Use
Updated · By Edulist · 6 sources
How to choose typing Programs for Kids: When to Start and Which to Use
- Start with the home row
Every good program starts with the home row and teaches each finger's keys before speed. Avoid letting kids build a hunt-and-peck habit first; it's hard to undo.
- Free is often enough
TypingClub, Typing.com and Dance Mat Typing teach full touch typing for free, with ads in some. Paid plans mainly remove ads and add reports.
- Age-appropriate design
Younger kids do better with games and characters (Dance Mat Typing, TypingClub's Jungle Junior). Teens prefer clean lessons and speed tests.
- Accuracy before speed
Look for programs that require a minimum accuracy before moving on. Speed comes naturally with practice; bad habits don't fix themselves.
- A real keyboard
Tablet screens don't teach touch typing well. Use a laptop, Chromebook or an external keyboard.
Typing programs for kids compared
| Program | Ages or grades | Style | Price (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| TypingClub | Pre-K–12 | 600+ game-like lessons; Jungle Junior for pre-K–1 | Free with ads; Premium $35 a year |
| Typing.com | K–12 and adults | Grade-based lessons, tests and games | Free with ads; PLUS priced by quote |
| Dance Mat Typing | Grades 2–5 | BBC game, 4 levels and 12 stages | Free |
| Typesy | K–12 and adults | Video lessons and grade-aligned courses | $72 a year for 2 students |
| Keyboarding Without Tears | K–5 | Structured, grade-level lessons | $11 per student per year |
| ABCya, Turtle Diary | Pre-K–6 | Typing games among many others | Free with ads; premium plans |
Kodable also uses keyboarding as kids move into coding.
A simple typing plan
Week 1 to 2: home row only, 10 minutes a day. Weeks 3 to 8: add a row or two of keys each week, keeping accuracy above about 90%. After that, short daily practice and typing real assignments, like a weekly paragraph. Keep handwriting going too; see handwriting curriculum. For ranked picks, see the best typing programs for kids. To try touch typing before you choose, use our free typing practice for kids, typing games for kids and typing test for kids, and compare scores with the average typing speed by grade.
Paying for typing programs
Most strong typing programs are free. Paid subscriptions may count as educational software under ESA rules, which sometimes cap technology spending. Check what ESA funds can be used for and save programs to a wishlist.
Featured typing Programs for Kids: When to Start and Which to Use
Hand-picked from the grid above because they fit this page well.
Best-of lists and guides
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Questions
What age should kids learn to type?
Many kids start formal typing around 7 or 8, often in 2nd or 3rd grade. Younger children can explore the keyboard with playful programs like TypingClub's Jungle Junior, but proper finger placement is easier with bigger hands.
What is the best free typing program for kids?
TypingClub and Typing.com are both free with ads and run through high school. Dance Mat Typing from BBC Bitesize is free and especially fun for beginners ages 7 to 11.
How fast should a child type?
Accuracy matters more than speed for young kids. Speeds rise with age and practice; set goals based on your program's grade-level benchmarks rather than adult typing speeds.
How long should typing practice be?
Ten to fifteen minutes a day, most days of the week. TypingClub suggests sessions of 5 to 15 minutes. Short daily practice builds muscle memory faster than long weekly sessions.
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