My 2-year-old ships games with the same tools I use professionally.
We skipped the “kid-friendly” stuff and went straight to the real thing. Turns out toddlers are wildly underestimated. They don’t need training wheels – just a bit of guidance and a reason to care.
The Entire Setup (Yes, Really)
Step 1: Install VS Code (3 minutes)
Download Visual Studio Code. That’s the whole step. The same editor I used at work is now my toddler’s creation platform. Don’t overthink it – kids don’t care about themes or extensions.
Step 2: Add the Cline Extension (2 minutes)
Search “Cline” in the VS Code extensions panel. Click install. This is the AI assistant that turns plain language into code. No configuration needed beyond adding your API key.
Step 3: Make It Toddler-Friendly (5 minutes)
- Bump the font size to 20 (Command+Plus a few times)
- Hide the sidebar (they don’t need it)
- Full-screen the window (fewer distractions)
- Make a folder with their name on the desktop and open it in VS Code
Done. Your toddler can now build software.
The Real Secret
Here’s what I didn’t do:
- Install a “kid-friendly” IDE
- Set up Scratch or Blockly
- Create special shortcuts
- Baby-proof anything
Why not? Because the complexity lives in the syntax, not the tools. Strip the syntax away (thanks, AI) and VS Code is suddenly about as hard to use as any toy. (Well – you might have to help them type.)
The First Session
Open VS Code. Open Cline. Say: “Tell the computer what you want to make.”
That’s your entire onboarding.
My son’s latest request: “Make a green car website for kids.”
I typed exactly that. A few minutes later, it existed. No configuration. No setup. No “let’s learn about variables first.”
What About Safety?
Fair question. Here’s my approach:
- I’m always present (it’s a together activity)
- The API has spending limits
- We use a separate user account on the computer
- Generated games run locally in the browser
If you want to be extra, extra cautious, you can use a devcontainer to isolate Cline’s coding environment entirely (I walk through that in my post on API keys and safety ). But honestly? The biggest safety feature in our house is that he can’t type yet. I’m the gateway, which means moderation comes built in.
Skip the Kids’ Stuff
Scratch teaches drag-and-drop coding. ScratchJr simplifies it further with picture blocks. Both still teach syntax, just dressed up in friendly colors. We’d rather teach creation with the real tools that will still matter when he’s grown.
Your toddler doesn’t need a special “learning environment.” They need:
- A way to express ideas (their voice)
- Something to turn ideas into reality (AI)
- A place to see it happen (VS Code)
That’s it. Ten minutes to set up, and a childhood of creation ahead.
Tonight’s Homework
Stop researching “best coding apps for kids.” Install VS Code and Cline instead. Tomorrow, ask your kid what they want to make.
Then make it.
You’ll be amazed what happens when you stop teaching them to code and start helping them build.
Stuck on setup? Reply and I’ll help you out. Let’s get your kids building.