New coding 'dojo' for kids opens in Sioux Falls

Katie Nelson
Argus Leader
Logan Mobine, right, works on a digital art project with the help of sensei Connor Byrne at the new Code Ninjas dojo in Thousand Oaks. The facility is the first of its kind in Ventura County and the fifth franchise site in California.

A new business geared toward teaching kids how to code has opened in southwest Sioux Falls.

Code Ninjas uses a karate-themed program to show kids how to build their own video games like Minecraft, Roblox and Scratch, the company said in a statement. Kids ages 7 to 14 start at a "white belt" level and gradually move up to black belt, at which point they will publish their own app. While the program is self-paced, children are guided by Code Senseis who encourage their progress.

The business opened at 513 West 85th St. on Monday.

David and Stephanie Lilke are the owners of the Sioux Falls location. As IT professionals and parents, the Lilkes wanted to teach local children how fun coding can be.

“Code Ninjas keeps kids interested by consistently providing more advanced and intricate activities that they can create with,” Stephanie Lilke. “The curriculum mirrors the technology field, it’s always changing and these skills and techniques aren’t going anywhere.”

Code Ninjas has been around since 2016 and has more than 400 centers in 44 states, including another location in Rapid City.

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