Ask HN: How to best teach a group of children how to code?

I had a lot of success with 'unplugged' computer science activities. Basically, any activity without computers. Let's learn what an algorithm is. Let's play with binary and make a 'secret code'. These activities are engaging and teach something worthwhile. It's very easy to get bogged down with tools, syntax and minutia when actually programming. For younger age ranges definitely try some computerless lessons.

http://csunplugged.org/

In that case Python is a good choice. It's the #1 language in education world wide. I used it to teach programming to my son. It is free, low threshold, and I've earned a living with it for many years.

Some experimentation can be done on-line without installing anything.

https://trinket.io/

http://www.transcrypt.org/live/turtle_site/turtle_site.html

But of course in remote places there may be no fast internet connection.

When I teach programming to a group, installation of software always costs lots of time. So it's important to preinstall what the children need, in a more or less protected way, e.g. administrator privilege. Otherwise they'll probably cripple their system accidentally in no time.

Specially, in remote areas where there is low/no connectivity, as Web Maker works offline!