Teaching Typing for Kids - Typing Games, Lessons and Software

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By Angela Harris

Why Typing for Kids Is Important

Typing for kids can be fun. Typing, or keyboarding as it is now called, is a necessary skill in today's world. Kids need to know how to type at a much younger age because of computers used in most schools today. However, most schools don't teach typing skills to students in early grades.

For their future careers, typing is an essential skill for students. Even jobs that aren't spent in an office require typing skills. Farmers, police officers, and other active professions all require time spent on a computer.

Many kids learn to type improperly because of time spent on a computer from an early age with no proper typing training techniques. In order to prevent your child from becoming a 'pecking' typer at the computer keyboard, he should learn the correct way to type. Besides being a leg up, teaching kids how to type properly also prevents injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Easy Ways to Teach Typing for Kids

Thanks to computers and the internet, typing for kids has become an easy skill to learn. Typing games for kids help teach typing skills in a fun, easy way without being intimidating. Younger kids don't even realize they are learning how to type properly.

There are many fun typing games for kids available at reasonable prices. There are also typing websites for kids which teach typing by offering free typing practice for kids.

I have homeschooled three children all the way through high school. Due to trial and error and lots of research, here are my favorite fun typing games for kids and recommendations for the best typing websites for kids that provide free typing practice for kids.

SpongeBob Squarepants Typing for Kids

Actually, all of my kids are too old to have used this typing program. However, many friends who have young ones swear that this is one of the best typing games for kids. If your kid is a fan of SpongeBob, it may be worth a try.

Best Typing Games for Kids

SpongeBob Squarepants Typing
Amazon Price: $21.00
SpongeBob Squarepants Typing
Amazon Price: $35.00
List Price: $19.99

Typing Instructor for Kids

Excellent keyboarding software with lots of typing games for kids and ten different typing plans. Great for elementary to middle school level.

Typing Instructor for Kids Platinum 5  [Download]
Amazon Price: $16.98
List Price: $19.95
Typing Instructor For Kids Platinum (Windows/Mac)
Amazon Price: $13.69
List Price: $19.99

Jumpstart Typing for Kids

My kids enjoyed Jumpstart Typing. I am a fan of most of the Jumpstart products. Mixes sports such as skateboarding with fun typing games for kids. Also provides timed typing tests and video typing lessons for kids.

Jumpstart Typing (PC & Mac)
Amazon Price: $13.98
List Price: $19.99

Mavis Beacon Typing for Kids

I know that this typing game for kids has become somewhat out of fashion. However, this is the main typing game that I used for my kids to teach typing skills. I was satisfied. Enough said. I don't know if it is compatible with newer Windows programs, so be sure before buying.

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 18
Amazon Price: $4.22
List Price: $9.99
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Deluxe 20
Amazon Price: $5.78
List Price: $19.99

Typing for Kids Comments

Madison Parker profile image

Madison Parker 2 years ago

Angela,

I'm SO glad you wrote this hub! I have been really concerned that my grandchildren will learn to "Peck" rather than type correctly. You can never write your term papers, letters or ANYTHING as quickly and precisely when you peck. Once the bad habit is set, it's hard to break.

So, I was wondering if there was any good software to teach kids properly. I will forward this to their parents and hope that they point them in the right direction.

Thanks for the great info!!

Angela Harris profile image

Angela Harris Hub Author 2 years ago

Thanks so much, Madison! I am glad this hub has been helpful. After homeschooling three kids, I do have a little bit of information I can share. ;)

cgull8m profile image

cgull8m 2 years ago

Well done Angela, I bookmarked it also. They didn't teach us typing, and my father advised me to type, but I said Engineers don't need to type :) I suffered for it lateron when I had to type my thesis :) it took me days instead of hours if I had known typing. Some schools are teaching typing but these online lessons are fun. Nicely done. Cheers

sciencewithme profile image

sciencewithme 2 years ago

This is a nice site thanks for sharing it. When I was a girl I did not want to learn how to type because I did not want to be a secretary when I grew up. But so many occupations require this skill now and kids need to learn. By the way, I gave in myself.

Chloe 2 years ago

Hello I am only passing by and i saw ur homepage it looks like a good things.

agvulpes profile image

agvulpes Level 4 Commenter 2 years ago

Angela I'm also glad I found this Hub. My 6 year old granddaughter has just got her own computer and needs to learn to type correctly.

I will bookmark this hub and get her moving. Thanks heaps.

martycraigs profile image

martycraigs 2 years ago

I have to say, I think typing games and the best. That's how my kids were taught. Well, they took some typing classes in school, but those classes were based largely around certain games and exercises. Now they type really well. They're probably faster than I am!

Great post, thanks for sharing.

Specialk3749 profile image

Specialk3749 Level 1 Commenter 23 months ago

Thanks for the info! I am looking for a typing program for my 9 and 10 year old sons. I have a couple that I used for my older girls, but the boys don't like them much. So, I am looking for something they will enjoy.

Ash  22 months ago

Hi Speciallk3749,

I would suggest that you consider kaz touch typing. You can try it out free. They claim that you can familiarize with they keyboard within 90 minutes.

Furthermore, they have also include typing test in the system. I think this is an essential part of a good program.

delicous 19 months ago

i like typing a lot that is my favorite thing and part of the computer typing is very fun

justinbieber's gurl 17 months ago

I love typing and fourtanately its very wonderful for me. Thx 4 the hub its so great now I get to type not only anything I want but I get to try out my speed and accuracy. This is so wonderful and I luv this thx so much! - JustinBieber'sGurl

Tova 15 months ago

i am 9 years old

arizonataylor profile image

arizonataylor Level 1 Commenter 15 months ago

Good hub. When I learned to type, in high school, it helped prepare me for college more than any other class I took. I agree that it should be taught in earlier grades. Thumbs up!

Olivia 13 months ago

This Is not Help Full To my Child And Also Not FREE!

Ema Anita 11 months ago

i think this typing is very good for me and all the kids like me

zanin profile image

zanin Level 1 Commenter 9 months ago

I have never considered the fact that my children cannot type quickly and without looking at the keys. I learned to type when I was young and so am very quick. However, this is not a skill that children are taught nowadays. I will definitely encourage my children to learn - although I have left it a bit late for the 19 and 20 year old! But there is hope for the 8 year old. It's just as Madison Parker said, how can they do term papers by pecking. I think schools need to incorporate this into ICT lessons. A unique hub. Thank you.

theopeningfinale 8 months ago

Interesting hub. I think for most children, it comes naturally after discovering the Internet.

marimccants profile image

marimccants Level 2 Commenter 8 months ago

Very interesting post. I really love it.

JAMIL UL RAHMAN 4 months ago

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Sheldon 3 months ago

I will forward this to their parents and hope that they point them in the right direction.http://bit.ly/u5cTiT

jamie-lyn 2 months ago

i love this so much i want to play this all the timke

unknown 3 days ago

THIS IS GREAT!!!!!!!!

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