Coding Camp December 2022 Awardee Announcement

In today’s tech-driven world, kids are not just consumers of technology. They can become creators too. One exciting way for young minds to explore this potential is by learning how to code. What’s even better? Coding is not just a fun and valuable skill. It can also help children start earning money at an early age. In this article, we will explore practical and age-appropriate ideas on how to make money coding as a kid, and how platforms like Timedoor Academy can help kickstart the journey.   1. Build and Sell Simple Games One of the most popular ways for kids to make money with coding is by creating simple games. Platforms like Scratch allow children to build their own games using visual programming blocks. Once they get the hang of it, kids can upload their games to platforms like itch.io or Game Jolt, where others can play and support their work through donations or small purchases. This is a great way for kids to combine creativity with coding skills. It also teaches them the basics of digital entrepreneurship, such as designing for users and thinking about what makes a game fun and engaging.   2. Design a Personal Website or Blog Creating a personal website is a great way for kids to showcase their projects and interests. Using platforms like WordPress, Wix, or coding from scratch with HTML/CSS, kids can build blogs, portfolios, or fan pages. Once the website gains some visitors, there are many ways to monetize it. These include placing ads through Google AdSense with adult guidance, using affiliate links, or even selling digital products like game templates or beginner-friendly coding guides. This helps kids learn how websites work and how online income is generated in real life.   3. Create YouTube Coding Tutorials Another exciting option on how to make money coding as a kid is by creating YouTube tutorials. Kids can teach others how to code in Scratch, build simple apps, or walk through a project step by step. These videos do not need to be fancy. They just need to be clear and helpful. As the channel grows, monetization through YouTube ads, sponsorships, and affiliate links becomes possible. This is also a great way for kids to improve their communication skills while reinforcing their own understanding of coding.   4. Sell Digital Art or Assets for Games Kids who enjoy both coding and art can create digital assets like characters, backgrounds, or sound effects. These can be sold on platforms like Unity Asset Store, OpenGameArt, or Itch.io. For example, if your child designs a cool background for a Scratch game, they can package it with a few more designs and offer it for free or for a small fee online. This is a fun way to blend art, coding, and entrepreneurship.   5. Try Safe Freelance Gigs (With Parental Help) Older kids or teenagers ages 13 and up can start exploring junior freelance work in simple coding tasks. These include fixing bugs, customizing websites, or helping with small scripts. Sites like Fiverr or Freelancer often have beginner-friendly gigs that can be done with parental supervision. Even if the job pays only a few dollars at first, the experience and confidence gained are invaluable. It helps children see how coding is used in the real world and builds their early portfolio.   6. Participate in Coding Competitions Many platforms and organizations hold coding competitions or hackathons for kids. These events often come with prizes such as gadgets, cash, or even scholarships. Websites like Tynker, Code.org, and local coding academies host events where kids can test their skills and possibly win something exciting. Competing not only motivates kids to learn faster. It also introduces them to other like-minded peers and creates a supportive community.   7. Build Mobile Apps With tools like Thunkable, MIT App Inventor, or even Flutter, kids can start building simple mobile apps. Whether it is a calculator, a quiz game, or a daily planner, these apps can be uploaded to the Google Play Store with adult help. Even if the app is free, kids can include ads or in-app purchases to start earning money. It is a great way to explore real-world coding with tangible outcomes.   8. Teach Coding to Other Kids Once your child becomes confident in their coding skills, they can teach younger children or peers who are just starting out. Whether it is through local workshops, helping a sibling, or organizing a mini class with friends, this builds leadership and communication skills. Some older kids even offer beginner Scratch tutoring sessions online, turning their knowledge into a meaningful side hustle.   Why Learning to Code Early Matters Understanding how to make money coding as a kid goes beyond earning an allowance. It teaches real-world skills like time management, problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and confidence. Kids who code not only learn how to build apps or games. They also gain a mindset that prepares them for the future.   Start Coding the Fun Way with Timedoor Academy If your child is curious about coding, game creation, or building their first app, Timedoor Academy is the perfect place to begin. With interactive lessons, expert guidance, and beginner-friendly projects, kids can explore coding in a way that is fun and engaging. Ready to see if coding is right for your child? Visit us to join a free trial class and let your child turn creativity into real skills and even their first coding income.

As technology becomes more embedded in daily life, education continues to evolve alongside it. One of the most exciting developments is the use of virtual reality in kids education, a concept that is no longer just futuristic. From classrooms to living rooms, VR is now used to enhance how children explore, understand, and retain knowledge. This article explores how VR is transforming the way kids learn, its benefits, real-world applications, and how parents and schools can embrace this shift.   What Is Virtual Reality in an Educational Context? Virtual reality is a digital simulation that allows users to interact with a 3D environment. In educational settings, it means that students can immerse themselves in topics such as history, science, art, and space in ways that were never possible before. Instead of reading about ancient civilizations, children can walk through virtual ruins. Rather than imagining the solar system, they can experience it in full scale. This hands-on approach to learning is what makes virtual reality in kids education so impactful.   From Passive Learning to Immersive Exploration Traditional learning often relies on reading, note-taking, and static visuals. While these methods are effective, they are not always engaging for every type of learner. Virtual reality enables multisensory learning experiences that feel more like exploration than instruction. For example, a child learning about volcanoes can virtually step inside one to see lava flow and tectonic plate movement. This type of experiential learning boosts curiosity and helps children grasp abstract or complex topics much faster.   Key Benefits of Virtual Reality in Kids Education 1. Increased Engagement and Motivation VR transforms lessons into adventures. Children are naturally more engaged when learning feels like play. This makes it easier to hold their attention and deepen their focus on the subject matter. 2. Better Knowledge Retention When children interact with content instead of simply reading or listening, their brains form stronger memory connections. VR helps students retain information through direct experience, not just memorization. 3. Safe Exploration of Real-World Concepts Certain experiments or field trips may be too dangerous, expensive, or inaccessible in real life. Virtual reality allows students to simulate these experiences safely. From exploring deep ocean ecosystems to observing chemical reactions, VR enables safe and repeatable learning. 4. Encourages Independent Learning Virtual reality in kids education supports autonomy. Children can learn at their own pace, repeat difficult lessons, and explore topics that interest them deeply. This fosters independent thinking and self-directed learning. 5. Inclusion for Different Learning Styles Some children learn visually, others through movement or sound. VR incorporates multiple modes of learning, helping educators reach students who might otherwise struggle with standard teaching formats.   Examples of VR Use in Real Classrooms Many educational institutions and platforms are already applying virtual reality in kids education. Some noteworthy tools include: Google Expeditions: Offers virtual field trips to locations such as the Great Wall of China or the surface of Mars. VictoryXR: Creates full science labs and virtual classrooms where students can conduct experiments. ClassVR: Provides ready-made curriculum-aligned content for schools to use with their students. These examples demonstrate how virtual reality in kids education is already improving outcomes in subjects like science, history, and geography.   How Parents and Teachers Can Get Started Adopting VR technology for learning doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. Many educational VR platforms are compatible with smartphones and entry-level headsets. Parents can start by: Downloading trusted educational VR apps Using cardboard VR viewers with supported apps Setting screen time guidelines and offering support during learning sessions Teachers can integrate VR into their lesson plans by using tools that align with existing curriculum. It is important to ensure that content is age-appropriate and has clear learning objectives.   Things to Consider While the benefits are clear, there are a few considerations before adopting VR for children’s learning: Supervision: Younger kids need adult guidance to navigate VR content safely. Screen Time: Use VR as a supplement, not a replacement for human interaction or physical play. Content Quality: Not all VR apps are educational. Review each platform and select those developed by educators or trusted publishers. Equipment Requirements: Make sure devices are compatible and safe for children’s use. With thoughtful implementation, virtual reality in kids education can be a highly positive tool for both home and school environments.   The Future of Learning Is Immersive In 2025, virtual reality in kids education is no longer a novelty. It is becoming a core part of how children learn new skills, discover the world, and stay engaged in school. The technology is helping transform learning from something passive into something active, memorable, and exciting. As the cost of VR continues to decrease and content improves, more families and schools will be able to offer students this immersive learning experience.   Support Your Child’s Learning Journey with Timedoor Academy Looking for an engaging and tech-friendly way to support your child’s education? Timedoor Academy offers interactive online courses in coding, robotics, math, and digital creativity. While not all our classes use VR, they are designed with innovation and child engagement at the core. Sign up for a free trial class today and see how your child can build future-ready skills in a fun and structured environment — all from the comfort of home.

As parents, we want to understand the world of children that often seems “absurd”-full of fantasy, but also full of potential. In today's digital era, that world of imagination can be realized not only through drawings or handwriting, but also through digital media such as coding, animation, and game development. So, what can we learn from Jumbo's story about children and technology? 1. Children's Imagination Is Their Greatest Asset Jo, the main character of Jumbo didn't create Jumbo because she was told to, but because she felt alone and wanted a friend. Children have a rich inner world, and imagination is often the bridge to expressing emotions or exploring new ideas. Unfortunately, in an education system that focuses too much on academics, children's imaginations can be forgotten. In fact, in the world of technology, creativity is a major force. Many great innovations were born not from knowledge, but from the courage to imagine things that do not yet exist. As parents, we can start by asking: “If you could make a robot like Jumbo, what would it be like? Can it do anything?” From there, children learn to think creatively and express ideas concretely. 2. Technology: Not an Enemy, But a Tool of Expression In the movie Jumbo, technology serves as a medium of expression-not just an entertainment tool. Just like Jo who built Jumbo from scrap, kids today can also create something from what they have: laptops, tablets, and internet connections. However, the use of technology must be directed. Gadgets are not always bad. If used with a clear purpose, they can be a means for children to learn to think logically, innovate, and even convey their feelings. Instead of forbidding children from playing with gadgets, we can ask: “What can you make with it?” “Do you want to try making your own game or animation?” This is where technology changes function: from passive consumption to active creation. 3. Every Child Can Be a Creator, Not Just a User The movie Jumbo gives us one important message: children have the capacity to create something extraordinary, as long as they are given the opportunity. Not every child has to be a scientist or engineer, but every child can be a creator-they just need the right platform. Nowadays, learning technology such as coding or animation can start as early as elementary school. Children don't need to build robots right away, but they can start by creating characters, organizing storylines, or creating small games. This process trains many things: from systematic thinking, problem solving, to cooperation. And most importantly? They learn to believe in their own ideas. Are we ready to give children the space to create? As parents, we have an important role to play in assisting and facilitating our children's explorations - not rigidly directing them. Children's imagination, like Jo in the movie Jumbo, is often the early foundation of 21st century skills: creativity, empathy, technological literacy and innovation. Giving space to play and imagine with technology could be the first step towards a brighter future for our children. Help Your Child Bring Their Wild Ideas to Life with Timedoor Academy At Timedoor Academy, we believe that every child has tremendous potential to create and not just follow. Through programs such as coding, animation, and digital design, children are encouraged to hone their imagination and put it into tangible form: from interactive games, animated characters, to personal digital projects that reflect their ideas and feelings. With a fun and structured approach, we help children understand that technology is not just consumption, but also a space for exploration. Our classes are online and interactive, guided by professional mentors from Indonesia and Japan, and designed for children aged 5 to 18 from various backgrounds. So if your child has an imaginary world as big as a Jumbo robot, maybe they just need one thing: the right environment to make it happen. Timedoor is here to be the bridge between a child's idea-rich world, and a bright future!