Dance Mat Typing
A free BBC Bitesize typing game that teaches the whole keyboard in 4 levels and 12 stages, led by singing animal characters. It starts at the home row and ends with capital letters and a speed test.
What is Dance Mat Typing?
Dance Mat Typing is a free touch-typing game from BBC Bitesize, the BBC's learning website. It sits in the Key Stage 2 computing section, which covers ages 7 to 11. A cast of animated animals teaches the keyboard one small group of keys at a time, then celebrates each finished stage with a song and dance.
How it works
Your child opens the game in a web browser, picks a level and chooses a stage. Each stage:
- introduces two or three new keys,
- gives short practice drills that mix in keys already learned,
- ends with a song and a reward.
At the end of each level, kids can take a typing speed test. All stages are open from the start, so you can repeat a stage or skip ahead. The BBC suggests headphones or speakers for the songs. It also recommends a simple trick: cover your child's hands with a box or cloth so they learn not to look at the keys.
There is no account or saved progress. If you want to track how far your child has gotten, write it down.
What it covers
| Level | Stages | Keys |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1–3 | Home row (a s d f g h j k l ;), then e, i, r, u |
| 2 | 4–6 | t, y, w, o, q, p |
| 3 | 7–9 | v, m, b, n, c, comma |
| 4 | 10–12 | x, z, apostrophe, slash, period, Shift for capitals |
By the end, your child has met every letter key. Numbers and longer passages are not covered.
Who it's best for
Dance Mat Typing is ideal as a first introduction for kids around 7 to 10, and a nice free test of whether your child is ready to learn typing. Older kids may find the characters babyish. Common Sense Media noted that it works best for children with fairly strong fine-motor skills, even though the look is aimed at little kids. It also flagged some characters as leaning on stereotypes, so you may want to preview it.
Pricing at a glance
It is free. There are no accounts or purchases.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Because it is free, there is nothing to fund. If your child needs a full keyboarding course next, paid programs like Typesy may be reimbursable in some education savings account programs. Check scholarships and ESAs by state, such as Arizona's ESA. You can save free and paid tools to your Edulist wishlist to plan the year, and apply once for the paid ones.
How it compares
- TypingClub is a free program with a much longer lesson path and saved progress, a natural next step.
- Typing.com is another free option with a K–12 keyboarding curriculum.
- Typesy is a paid, ad-free program with video lessons and parent reports.
Browse more typing programs for kids and elementary typing.
Who Dance Mat Typing is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Young kids trying touch typing for the first time
- Families who want a free, no-signup option
- A quick refresher on key positions
Look elsewhere if
- Older kids or teens, who may find it babyish
- Families who want progress tracking and assignments
- Building real speed and accuracy over months
Dance Mat Typing pros and cons
Pros
- Completely free, with no purchases or sign-up
- Clear sequence: home row, top row, bottom row, then capitals and punctuation
- Friendly characters and songs keep young kids engaged
- Speed test and reward at the end of each level
Cons
- Short program that covers only the basics
- No accounts, saved progress or parent reports
- Common Sense Media flagged some characters as leaning on stereotypes
- Does not teach the number row
What’s included
- 4 levels, each split into 3 stages (12 stages in all)
- Starts with the home row and adds new keys stage by stage
- Animated animal teachers with a song and dance after each stage
- Typing speed test and reward at the end of each level
- All stages unlocked from the start
- Free, with no account needed
Dance Mat Typing levels
| Level | Grades | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1: home row | 2–5 | Stage 1 home row keys (f d s a j k l ; g h), Stage 2 e and i, Stage 3 r and u. |
| Level 2: keys above the home row | 2–5 | Stage 4 t and y, Stage 5 w and o, Stage 6 q and p. |
| Level 3: keys below the home row | 2–5 | Stage 7 v and m, Stage 8 b and n, Stage 9 c and comma. |
| Level 4: last letters and capitals | 2–5 | Stage 10 x, z and apostrophe; Stage 11 slash and period; Stage 12 Shift keys for capital letters. |
How much does Dance Mat Typing cost?
Dance Mat Typing is free on BBC Bitesize. There are no plans or in-game purchases.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
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View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Common Sense Media rates it for ages 7 and up. It praises the free, simple design, the steady pace and the encouraging characters, but calls it rote and basic, and says some characters cross into stereotypes.
Common praise
- Free and easy to follow
- Adds new keys at a reasonable pace
- Kind, encouraging animal teachers
Common complaints
- Rote practice with nothing new
- No ongoing speed tracking
- Some character designs lean on stereotypes
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Dance Mat Typing FAQs
Is Dance Mat Typing free?
Yes. Dance Mat Typing is a free game on the BBC Bitesize website, with no purchases. You do not need an account to play.
What age is Dance Mat Typing for?
The BBC lists it under Key Stage 2 computing, which covers ages 7 to 11. Common Sense Media rates it for ages 7 and up.
How many levels does Dance Mat Typing have?
Four levels, each with three stages, for 12 stages in all. You can pick any stage from the start, and each level ends with a speed test and a reward.
Does Dance Mat Typing teach numbers?
No. The stages cover the letter keys, comma, apostrophe, slash, period and Shift for capitals. For the number row and longer practice, move on to a fuller program.
Can I use Dance Mat Typing in the US?
It is hosted on the BBC Bitesize website, which is built for UK schools, and it plays in a standard web browser. If it does not load where you are, TypingClub and Typing.com are free US-based alternatives.
What should my child use after Dance Mat Typing?
Once your child knows where the keys are, a program with saved progress and longer drills helps build speed. TypingClub and Typing.com are free; Typesy is a paid option with video lessons and parent reports.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: