If you want to get kids excited about learning or improving their typing skills, introduce them to some fun typing games online. There are many free typing games for kids that can help strengthen keyboarding skills and improve typing speed and accuracy. Plus, it’s important to help kids learn to use correct finger placement and typing technique early on.
“Habits such as typing with two fingers, looking down at the keyboard and not using the home row are very hard to break and end up significantly stunting the typist’s potential for speed and accuracy,” says Austin Butler, the founder of Teaching.com and Typing.com.
Additionally, when kids practice improper typing techniques, they may find themselves facing the same physical ailments that plague grownups who spend hours on the computer. “Repetitive stress injuries are often seen in children who are just learning these skills, activities and postures,” notes Oregon-based chiropractor Timothy Stecher, who adds that using a laptop on the floor or bed is “pain in the making.”
Want to get your child on the right typing track? Here are 16 free typing games for kids. With a variety of different characters and scenarios, you’re bound to find one that works for them.
1. Keyboard Zoo
This should be one of the first online typing games for kids you try, as it’s super basic. The goal in Keyboard Zoo is simply to match the word on the screen to the word on the keyboard. Perfect for elementary school kids.
2. The Typing of the Ghosts Game
Make the ghosts vanish in The Typing of the Ghosts Game by typing the characters on them. If they get too close, you lose.
3. Typing Rocket Junior
You get three minutes in Typing Rocket Junior to type the letters on the rockets and score by having more hits than misses.
4. Trash Typer
Type the words in Trash Typer in order to stop the trash from reaching the ocean floor in this ecologically themed typing game for kids.
5. Desert Typing Racer
Kids “get behind the wheel” in Desert Typing Racer, which has a fun theme song to boot!
6. Typing Band
Type the letter floating up the screen as it hits the speaker in order to keep the music playing in Typing Band.
7. Letter Cruncher
Hit the letters as they appear on screen in Letter Cruncher. Scoring depends on keys hit per second and gets tougher with each level.
8. Cup Stacking
Stack and unstack the cups by typing the characters on them. One key goal of Cup Stacking is to teach kids to type quickly.
9. Key Tower
Go retro with Key Tower, which is styled a bit like the vintage Tetris arcade game.
10. Dance Mat Typing
Dance Mat Typing is a four-level typing game that starts by teaching the home row keys and then builds on previous lessons.
11. Type-a-Balloon
Type the letters in Type-a-Balloon as they fly out of the cannon to shoot them down before they invade the atmosphere!
12. Sky Chase
Sky Chase is a multiplayer racing game that allows kids around the globe to race and practice keyboard skills. One of the most fun typing games online!
13. Nitro Type
Improve typing skills while competing in fast-paced real-time races worldwide in Nitro Type.
14. Spellerz
Save the world from invaders by typing the words that flash on the screen in Spellerz. Your kids will never get bored with this game, as there are 11 different word lists available.
15. Zombie Defender
Zombies are taking over! Help save humanity playing this Zombie Defender — a typing game with three levels and five word lists.
16. Owl Planes
Owl Planes is a multiplayer racing game where kids compete to type long words quickly and accurately.
