When the internet reached mass-market appeal (sometime in the mid-90s) few realized how big the web design space would become. Today, coding websites can lead to a lucrative career. But what is the best age for kids to learn web design so they’re prepared for the job opportunities of tomorrow?

The best age for kids to learn web design is around 9 to 10 years old. By these ages, most kids have vast experience with computers, tablets, smartphones, and other electronic devices. At 9 to 10 years of age, kids have viewed thousands of websites and they understand many of the most frustrating design flaws. They also have ideas about what should be fixed.

Virtually every business on the planet needs a website. Businesses that don’t have websites struggle to capture market share. The challenge for most businesses is they aren’t run by savvy programmers. Instead, owners need help, and that’s why opportunities abound for kids who learn web design at the right age.

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Why Should I Want My Kids to Learn Web Design?

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When kids learn web design, they don’t just get a high-value skillset; they pick up values like problem-solving and resilience that can give them an edge for the rest of their lives.

That said, the main reason you want your kids to learn web design comes down to supply and demand. 

As mentioned above, every business needs a web presence, but business owners often lack the skill set to build their own websites. They also don’t have time to learn the skill.

Lacking the time and skill to build websites, businesses pay top dollar to hire web designers and developers. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay rate for web designers in 2021 was $78,000 per year with the top 10% earning nearly $130,000 per year and the lowest 10% earning around $38,000 per year.

Web design is a great skill for entry-level job applicants. 

Instead of working for minimum wage in fast food, your child can potentially go into a position earning $18 – $30 or more per hour. Imagine the advantage they’ll have in the future when their first job pays amounts that many adults struggle to earn across their entire careers.

For web designers, those rates are only the beginning, and they tend to increase as the designer grows in skill, experience, and expertise.

What Skills Do Kids Need to Learn Web Design?

For kids to learn web design in the 90s, they needed training in specific programs such as Microsoft’s (discontinued) Front Page service. Alternatively, they could learn coding languages such as C and C++. 

Today, web design is much simpler. Knowledge of HTML and CSS is enough to build fantastic websites. Likewise, there are many done-for-you solutions such as WordPress that offer customizable templates to speed up the process.

As your child reaches the ages of 9 to 10 years old, they should start to learn the fundamentals of HTML and CSS. 

HTML is the foundational coding language for most websites. Its function is to instruct web browsers (like Chrome, Firefox, and Brave) on how to display the contents of a website. It is also one of the easiest programming languages to learn.

CSS is a coding language that integrates with HTML to manage styling (i.e. changing font colors and sizes, and positioning items on the page). Like HTML, CSS is one of the easiest programming languages for kids to learn web design.

These two languages are where we recommend most children start. 

How Do I Introduce My Child to Web Design?

There are several ways to get kids to learn web design. Among the easiest is to invest in a domain name (around $15 per year) and web hosting (roughly $3 per month) with one of the major hosting companies like Bluehost, Siteground ,Hostgator, or another

From there, you can teach your kids how to design, build, and launch live websites using any combination of platforms (i.e. WordPress, Wix, Shopify) and modifying those sites with unique elements and styles using HTML and CSS. 

You can also teach your kids how to build websites from scratch with nothing but HTML and CSS so they don’t have to rely on platforms. This option sets children up for exponential success since they’ll have the skills to design, develop, and consult for major businesses and brands.

One challenge with the latter approach is that you may need to learn each programming language alongside your child (as well as how to use web hosts, and platforms) so you can explain the concepts to them.

If you’re among the many parents who simply do not have the time to sit down and teach yourself how to code, it might be worth it to enroll your child into a dedicated program that can teach these skills for you.

Should I Enroll My Child in a Web Design Program?

Although it’s possible to teach kids how to program, it may not be feasible unless you already know how to code. Most parents are strapped for time, and learning web design requires an extra time commitment.

Thankfully, programs such as those offered by iCode School can teach your child HTML, CSS, and a variety of other technical skills and programming languages in a focused learning environment. 

iCode School employs highly-qualified instructors trained to teach kids to rapidly amass web design skills.

When you enroll your kid with iCode School, they’ll learn alongside peers in a classroom environment with top-of-the-line equipment. Plus, our proprietary curriculum evolves with technology so it’s always up-to-date.

Many of our students go on to become web designers, developers, and programmers. Once they learn the basics, they can even explore other areas such as app development and video game design.

As a parent, you want to give your child every possible advantage. iCode School is one of the best ways to do that. 

With interactive classes, instructor-led programs, and hands-on projects, your child will learn skills that position them to enter high-paying careers even without a degree.

To get your child started down the road to web design, click here to learn about how you can enroll them with iCode School today!