Beginning Computer Programming for Kids, with KidBasic

II. Quick Start

1. The picture to the right is a really simple example.  Click on KidBasic, click in the big box, and type. 
   
   • "color" sets the color.
   • "rect" says 'draw a rectangle on a grid'.
   • "circle" says 'draw a circle'.
   • "line" says 'draw a line'.
   • You have to push the Enter button after each line of words.
   • Click on the green Run button to say 'do all that'.
2. Click on KidBasic and try it!  (Requires Windows 98 or higher.)

III. More information

1. What's a grid and how do I draw on it?
2. Read more about KidBasic.  (A copy of the author's web site.)
3. See the Tutorials (example lessons).
4. See the 'cheat sheet' of commands.  Commands are words like "color" or "rect" that tell, or command, KidBasic to do something.
5. See the full (grown-up) reference guide
6. Try the cool examples.  Once you're using KidBasic, click on Open, look for Examples, and click on ones that look interesting.

IV. For grown-ups

1. KidBasic was written by Ian Larsen.  It is free and "open-source", anyone may distribute it or modify it.
2. This particular package was put together by Charles Roth, as part of an enrichment class at the Ann Arbor Learning Community.  Feel free to copy this CD and pass it on!  It also includes some example programs written by 8 and 9-year-old students.
3. You can run everything on this CD without an Internet connection.  It does have some links to external articles and sites, such as the excellent "Why Johnny Can't Code".
4. The KidBasic program on this CD runs on Windows 98 and above.  The CD also includes a version for MacOSX, version 10.3 or higher.  Unzip or unstuff it, and double-click on the resulting file.

   KidBasic can also be built from source to run on Linux, see the author's "project page".

5. To install KidBasic on your hard drive, just copy all the files from the CD to a new folder.  There's no other "install" step.  This CD was set up this way to make it as easy as possible for kids to start using.  (On Windows computers, this page should automatically appear once you insert the CD.)
6. This complete package can also be downloaded directly from http://thedance.net/kidbasic.  Feel free to pass that address on to others.