Apple Unveils Swift Playgrounds App to Help Kids Learn to Code

At WWDC 2016, Apple unveiled a new Swift Playgrounds app for its iPad users. The app aims at making kids learn how to code in Swift through simple tools and interactive games.

As it is targeted towards kids, the app has basic coding lessons and puzzles, and the challenges are also fairly simple. It also brings a code specific keyboard to the iPad that makes it easier to enter code.

With Swift Playgrounds, Apple looks to interest children with coding and become developers eventually. It hopes that the app may spark their interest for coding, and help them kick-start building code at a very early stage.

(Also see: iOS 10: Top 10 Features Unveiled at WWDC 2016)

App Camp for Girls founder Jean MacDonald demoed the app on stage at the WWDC keynote. The app is full of bright colours, and funky characters to entice the children. Craig Federighi, Senior VP of Software Engineering, said in a statement, "Swift Playgrounds is the only app of its kind that is both easy enough for students and beginners, yet powerful enough to write real code. It's an innovative way to bring real coding concepts to life and empower the next generation with the skills they need to express their creativity."

The developer preview of the Swift Playgrounds app has been launched, while the final version will be rolled out sometime in fall. The app will be available for free.