Have you ever watched your child tap away at a keyboard and wondered if it could be more than just noise and chaos?
The good news is—it absolutely can be!
Using a keyboard doesn’t have to be a chore or something only for schoolwork. With a few creative ideas and fun tools, it can become a playful way for children to learn, explore, and build confidence with technology.
Why Make Keyboards Fun?
Keyboards are everywhere—on laptops, tablets, phones, and assistive devices. Helping children feel comfortable and confident using one can support:
- Reading and writing skills
- Spelling and vocabulary
- Fine motor coordination
- Confidence using assistive technology
For children needing more support, keyboard familiarity can be especially valuable as it opens doors to tools that support learning and independence.
Keyboard Games and Typing Practice
Forget the boring drills—these typing games are colourful, interactive, and perfect for young learners.
- Dance Mat Typing (BBC Bitesize) – A fun and free game that teaches touch typing through animated characters and levels.
- TypingClub – Great for older kids, with fun themes and progress tracking.
Let your child explore at their own pace and celebrate small wins. Bonus: it helps build coordination and muscle memory!
Customise Your Keyboard – Make It Theirs!
Kids love to personalise things. Try these ideas to make the keyboard feel fun and friendly:
- Add colourful stickers or key covers to highlight important letters—like their name!
- Use a big key keyboard (like the KOS Early Learning Keyboard) if your child has difficulty with small buttons or needs extra visibility.
Typing Treasure Hunts
Turn it into a game! Say a word (like “CAT”) and ask your child to find and press the C, A, and T keys.
You can do this with:
- Spelling practice
- Alphabet games
- Favourite characters or animals
Add sound effects or play music in the background to make it extra fun. It’s a great way to sneak in learning while they play.
Learn Through YouTube
YouTube has lots of great keyboard videos for kids. Here are two we love:
- Keyboarding for Kids – Learn to Type! (Learning Time Fun) – Friendly and engaging intro for younger kids.
- How to Use a Keyboard – Kids Guide – Clear visual guide that shows what each key does.
You can watch together and even pause the video to try typing along!
Let Them Explore Freely
Sometimes the best learning happens when we’re just having fun. Open a blank Word document or a simple notepad app and let your child type whatever they want.
- A silly story
- A diary entry
- A pretend letter
- A list of favourite foods
- Just tapping keys to see what happens!
No pressure—just curiosity and fun.
Final Thought
Making the keyboard part of playtime can help your child build skills they’ll use for years to come. Whether they’re writing stories, playing typing games, or using assistive tools, it all starts with confidence—and fun!
Got any favourite games or keyboard tricks at home? Share them in the comments or let us know what’s worked for you!
Useful Links
Fun Typing Games
These games make learning to type engaging and interactive for kids:
- Nitrotype – A competitive racing game where players type quickly and accurately to win races. Great for motivation and speed improvement.
- Dance Mat Typing – A colorful, animated game by BBC that introduces typing in stages, perfect for younger learners.
- TypeRacer – Players compete by typing out passages as quickly and accurately as possible to race against others.
Typing Programs
These structured programs provide step-by-step typing instruction and are useful for developing skills over time:
- TypingClub – A free program offering interactive lessons and games to help children improve from beginner to advanced levels.
- Typing.com – A comprehensive platform with touch typing lessons, gamified learning, and real-time progress tracking.
- Keybr – A minimalistic typing tool that generates random words to help develop accuracy and speed.
- The Typing Cat – A customizable typing program that allows children to focus on specific skills like speed or accuracy.
- Doorway Online – A highly accessible typing tutor developed by CALL Scotland, offering options for diverse learning needs, including single-handed typing and auditory support.
- Touch-type Read and Spell (TTRS) – A multi-sensory program designed for touch typing, reading, and spelling, particularly beneficial for children with dyslexia. Free access may be available through local libraries.
Additional Assistive Technology & Resources
- Read&Write for Education Academy – A tool designed to support students with literacy challenges.
- Dyslexia Ireland Assistive Technology Resources – Helpful for understanding how AT can support young learners.
- CALL Scotland Dyslexia Resources – A useful site for exploring various assistive technology supports.