Touch-typing, or keyboarding, isn't the most fun skill to learn, but it's one of the most important. Quality typing programs boast student-friendly interfaces, lots of customization options, powerful teacher dashboards, game-based learning, and even connections to other content areas like digital citizenship. They help struggling students with reinforcement and review and provide high-interest texts for more accurate typists. These are the best typing games and comprehensive programs we've found for helping kids learn to type, use proper form, increase their typing speed, and develop good keyboarding habits.

Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz: Best typing software for kids overall

Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz® 2021 is perfect for children and 'tweens who are either learning to touch type or want a fun way to improve their keyboarding skills. Whether you want to learn essential keyboarding skills or improve overall typing efficiency, Mavis Beacon Keyboarding Kidz® 2021! will guide you on your road to success! Improve speed and accuracy with detailed assessments, customized lessons, and skill-building games.

Key features:

• 430 Personalized lessons, exercises, and tests
• 10 Arcade-style games, including multi-level games
• Detailed tracking and progress reporting
• Practice sessions
• Certificates of Completion

Typing Instructor for Kids Platinum: The most fun software

Typing Instructor for Kids Platinum is an entertaining way for kids to become familiar with the standard keyboard, and gain proficient typing skills. This software is compatible with both PC and Mac computers, and there is a downloadable version offered for Mac users as well. The software includes access to several different programs, such as one for learning how to type home row, lower row, upper row, a program for games only, or for specific age ranges. The program is centered around Typer Island, a virtual island users will explore in order to find new typing activities, exercises, and games. The scenery and characters are well done, and overall the game is fun to play and easily adjusts to different skill levels of any user ages 8 and up.

• Platform/Console: Mac, Online, PC 
• LWK Recommended Age: 8+ 
• Thinking Skills Used: Focus, Time Management, Working Memory 
• Academic Skills Used: Writing

Type to Learn: Best cloud-based option

Type to Learn is a research-based typing program with a focus on keyboarding proficiency. Type to Learn’s cloud-based platform is used by all kinds of schools nationwide. Our typing app is compatible with virtually all classroom technologies including Chromebooks, iPads and laptops. The program’s game-based typing methodology engages all learners while promoting, assessing and recording each student’s level of mastery. Type to Learn has been thoughtfully designed to align with local, state and CCSS standards for typing. The cloud-based keyboarding curriculum ensures students are engaged, teachers have the right tools to introduce and advance students typing skills and expression, and administrators can easily assess overall student effectiveness of the curriculum.