Are you looking for a fun and creative way to help your kids develop critical thinking skills? Consider teaching them website design. While it’s not typically part of standard school curriculum, website design offers a wide range of benefits for kids. It develops problem-solving, creativity, and digital literacy, all of which are increasingly important in today’s world.
Kids are often far more capable with technology than adults expect. When given the opportunity to be challenged and grow, they can accomplish big things – from learning how to connect to Wi-Fi to building their very first website. By encouraging kids to access their creativity and problem-solving skills through website design, they can not only develop valuable digital skills for the future but also improve their self-confidence and ability to express themselves online in safe, constructive ways.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the many benefits of teaching website design to kids, offer practical tips for success, and share some helpful resources to get you started.
What is website design?
Website design is much more than just creating a visually appealing website. It involves both:
- Front-end development: the part that people see and interact with
- Back-end development: the site’s structure, system, and data behind the scenes
Modern website design also considers:
- Responsive design (how a site looks on phones, tablets, and desktops)
- Accessibility (making sure people with different abilities can use the site)
- Page speed and performance
- Clear navigation and intuitive user journeys
Elements such as color scheme, typography, graphics, layout, and navigation all play an important role in creating a cohesive and compelling website design.
A well-designed website can:
- Leave a positive first impression
- Enhance the user experience
- Support SEO by improving engagement and usability
By contrast, a poorly designed website can be confusing and frustrating to navigate, leading users to leave quickly.
Effective website design takes into account user needs and preferences, as well as the overall branding and goals of the website. Whether you are creating a website for your business, a school project, or a personal blog, good website design is crucial for ensuring the best possible experience for the user. By creating a website that is accessible, optimized for smartphones, and aligned with the brand, website design can create new opportunities for your company, classroom, or family project.
Essential tools and software for website design
Designing a website requires a variety of tools and software to create a professional, functional result. For beginners – especially kids – the tools you choose can make the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling excited to keep learning. Depending on the project, specific needs and preferences will dictate which tools to use, but some of the top essential tools and software include:
- Graphic design software
- Website builders
- HTML/CSS editors
- Wireframing tools
- Content management systems (CMS)
Here’s a closer look at each.
Graphic design software
Programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are used to create and edit images and graphics for the website. For kids and beginners, simpler tools such as Canva or other drag-and-drop design platforms can be a great starting point to learn about color, composition, and layout without advanced technical skills.
Website builders
Tools like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress offer user-friendly interfaces for creating websites without needing extensive coding knowledge. Website builders focus primarily on building the front-end, visual aspect of a website. Many kids enjoy these tools because they can see changes instantly and feel the satisfaction of publishing a real site.
HTML/CSS editors
HTML and CSS editors allow for the creation and editing of code for more advanced website design and customization. These tools help write code faster and more efficiently. They are especially useful for older children or teens who want to understand how websites work behind the scenes and move beyond drag-and-drop building.
Wireframing software
Programs like Sketch and Adobe XD allow for the creation of wireframes – simple, visual outlines of a website’s layout and content structure. Teaching kids to sketch out pages before building helps them think about user experience, content hierarchy, and navigation.
Content management systems (CMS)
Platforms like WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla provide tools for managing website content without having to code it from scratch. With a pre-built framework, CMS platforms provide extremely user-friendly systems that make it easy to update content regularly. Teens who are interested in blogging, portfolios, or online magazines can especially benefit from learning how a CMS works.
Teaching website design to kids
When teaching website design to kids, it’s crucial to approach the subject in a way that’s age-appropriate and engaging. Younger kids tend to learn best through simple visual explanations and hands-on activities, while older kids can handle more complex concepts like coding, layout systems, and JavaScript.
To keep kids engaged and excited to learn, try to incorporate a mix of:
- Short explanations
- Visual examples
- Guided practice
- Open-ended projects they can personalise
Encouraging creativity and experimentation is also key to helping kids develop their own unique ideas and design skills. This kind of freedom fosters growth in other subjects and areas of their lives, making it a valuable skill to practice. For example, projects like designing a personal blog or creating a website for a fictional business can help support creativity and allow kids to express themselves in a structured, purposeful way.
Here are our top tips for making website design a positive and engaging learning experience for kids:
- Start with the basics
Before diving into coding and layout, introduce the basics of website design. Discuss topics such as the purpose of a website, the different components of a webpage (header, navigation, content, footer), and the importance of user experience to ensure that kids understand how many elements are involved in designing an effective website. - Use visual aids
Kids learn better when they can visualize what they are learning. Utilize visual aids like diagrams, flowcharts, screenshots, and short video clips to help them understand and visualize concepts like navigation, responsive design, and page structure. - Make it interactive
Studies show that kids retain information best through interactive activities. For example, research on active learning and engagement in children’s education (see: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01603/full) highlights the benefits of participation over passive listening. While direct instruction is useful in certain areas, try to incorporate interactive tools and games to keep them engaged and informed about website design. - Break it down
Website design can be overwhelming for adults, let alone children. Instead of bombarding kids with heavy information all at once, break the lessons down into small, manageable steps. This way, kids can easily understand the topics and concepts and retain the information when designing their own websites. - Encourage creativity
Encourage children to use their imagination and creativity when designing their websites. By doing so, they’ll gain more self-confidence, develop their own personal style, and stay engaged throughout the learning experience. Encourage them to choose themes that matter to them – pets, sports, stories, games, or favourite subjects at school. - Use real-world examples
Tie the lessons back to the real world by using examples of websites in use by businesses, schools, charities, and creative projects. This will allow children to see how website design is used in practical situations and help them understand the relevance and importance of the skills they’re learning. - Provide constructive feedback
To encourage children to do their best and keep improving, provide constructive feedback on their work. Focus on what they did well, then suggest one or two specific things they could try differently next time. This helps build their confidence and keeps them motivated to learn more.
Why early web design education matters (new section)
Teaching website design early can have a long-lasting impact beyond just “learning to make a website.” Some key benefits include:
- Stronger digital literacy and comfort with technology
- Better problem-solving and analytical skills
- Improved written communication and information organisation
- Increased creativity and visual thinking
- Early exposure to STEM and design career paths
- Greater resilience through trial-and-error learning
As more careers incorporate digital tools, understanding the basics of how websites work can give kids a meaningful head start.
Resources for teaching website design to kids
Since website design has become an essential skill in this digital age, it’s never too early to start learning. Teaching website design to kids can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but finding the right resources can be challenging. Fortunately, numerous resources are readily available to assist children in learning website design. From online tutorials and courses to summer camps and books, teaching website design to kids has never been more accessible.
Let’s explore some of the best resources to help your kids get started in the world of website design.
Online tutorials and courses
For those seeking a reliable starting point in teaching website design to kids, online tutorials and courses can be a great option. These resources provide step-by-step, easy-to-understand instructions and interactive learning experiences. Here are some online courses that cater specifically to kids:
Canva Design
Grades: 3 – 6
Topics: Graphic design
Website: https://www.create-learn.us/design-for-kids/graphic-design-canva
WIX Website Design
Grades: 5 – 12
Topics: Modern website design
Website: https://www.create-learn.us/cloud-computing/wix
Build Your Web Class
Grades: 5 – 12
Topics: HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and website coding
Website: https://www.create-learn.us/cloud-computing/javascript#web
Udemy Web Design
Grades: K – 12
Topics: 7 lessons of website building
Website: https://www.udemy.com/course/kidsnextcode/
Coder Kids JavaScript Coding Projects
Grades: 5 – 8
Topics: JavaScript and coding
Website: https://register.coderkids.com/summercamp/onlineclasses/online/javascript-coding-projects/2370
These courses can help kids move from simple visual builders into basic coding, structured layouts, and real project creation at their own pace.
Tampa Bay web design camps and courses for kids
Although online courses are a valuable resource for teaching website design, enrolling your kids in summer camps or after-school programs can give them a fun and immersive learning experience. If you’re in the Tampa Bay area, here are some top recommendations for coding and website design camps that your kids are likely to enjoy. These camps offer an exciting way for your kids to learn about website design while having fun and making new friends.
Coder School Coding Camps and After School Care
Address: 1730 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33629
Grades: 1 – 8
Topics: Coding, HTML/CSS, and JavaScript
Website: https://www.thecoderschool.com/locations/southtampa/
CodeFu Tampa Summer Camp
Address: 240 South Plant Ave., Tampa, FL 33606
Grades: K – 8
Topics: Coding, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and website design
Website: https://www.codefutampa.com/summercamp
Everyone Can Code USF Summer Camp
Address: 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, EDU 105, Tampa, FL 33620
Grades: 4 – 6
Topics: Coding basics
Website: https://brightchamps.com/en-ph/courses/coding-classes-for-kids/coding-introduction-grade-4-to-6
These in-person experiences can be particularly valuable for kids who thrive with hands-on instruction and peer interaction.
Books for teaching website design to kids
If you’re seeking more in-depth information on website design and coding that’s specifically geared toward kids, books and other reading materials can be a wonderful resource. Amazon offers a wide selection of top-rated books on these topics for young learners. Here are some of the most highly rated website design and coding books currently available on the platform that are written with kids in mind:
Web Design for Kids by John C. Vanden-Heuvel Sr.
Topics: Basic coding, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Order online from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Web-Design-Kids-John-Vanden-Heuvel/dp/1499803117
Get Coding!: Learn HTML, CSS & JavaScript & Build a Website, App & Game by Young Rewired State
Topics: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, website design, app design, and game design
Order online from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Get-Coding-Learn-JavaScript-Website/dp/076369276X/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2OVYSAII9CLOJ&keywords=web+design+for+kids&qid=1677184462&s=books&sprefix=web+design+for+kids%2Cstripbooks%2C104&sr=1-8
Coding for Kids in Easy Steps by Mike McGrath
Topics: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and website design
Order online from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Coding-Kids-easy-steps-McGrath/dp/1840788399/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2OVYSAII9CLOJ&keywords=web+design+for+kids&qid=1677184462&s=books&sprefix=web+design+for+kids%2Cstripbooks%2C104&sr=1-7
JavaScript For Kids For Dummies by Chris Minnick and Eva Holland
Topics: JavaScript, HTML, coding, and website design
Order online from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/JavaScript-Kids-Dummies-Computers/dp/1119119863/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2OVYSAII9CLOJ&keywords=web+design+for+kids&qid=1677184462&s=books&sprefix=web+design+for+kids%2Cstripbooks%2C104&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1
These books can be used alongside online courses or as standalone learning resources for kids who enjoy reading and working through examples.
Final thoughts
If you’re considering teaching your kids website design, now is the perfect time to get started. As more opportunities emerge in the web development and digital design industries, you’ll be equipping your kids with skills they can use throughout school and into their careers. Beyond job prospects, learning website design can also help kids develop critical thinking skills, gain real-life application experience, boost their confidence, and encourage creativity.
While the idea of teaching kids a new and complicated skill might seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. By using the tips in this guide and taking advantage of the resources available – online courses, camps, books, and videos – you’ll be well on your way to helping them build something they can be proud of. Start by explaining what website design is, show them examples, and then let them explore and experiment. You might be surprised by how quickly they pick it up.
Websults | Web design agency located in Clearwater, FL
At Websults, we believe in delivering web solutions that produce real bottom-line results for our clients. Our approach to web projects is rooted in a deep understanding of business, with the ultimate goal of giving our clients a significant competitive edge in their industry. With experience in web development, SEO, and web hosting, we work closely with clients across a variety of industries to provide customized web solutions that meet their unique needs.
When you partner with Websults, you can expect us to listen carefully to your requirements, ask questions to help identify any other needs or future needs, and work tirelessly to deliver solutions that help you stay ahead of the competition.
Contact us today for a free consultation and see how we can help you achieve your web development goals:
https://websults.com/contact/
