Hey, future tech stars! Want to try coding but don't know where to start? Or maybe you’ve already started, and you’re ready to take it to the next level? Well, we’ve got some exciting news for you! nimbl is teaming up with Young Coders again in 2025-26! A competition that’s perfect for beginners and all about encouraging young people to get creative with coding. This year, the theme is "Neighbourhood Navigators"
nimbl + Young Coders 2026: equipping children with skills that last a lifetime
At nimbl, our mission is simple: to help young people build skills that matter. From learning how to budget pocket money to understanding the value of saving, we believe good habits start young — and real-world confidence grows from everyday experiences.
That’s why we’re proud to continue our sponsorship of the Young Coders Competition for a second year, especially as the competition celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026. And what better time to share the news than National Coding Week, starting 15th September — a moment to spotlight the importance of digital skills for young people across the UK.
A milestone year
For the past decade, the Young Coders Competition has been giving children the chance to discover the power of coding, creativity, and teamwork. Thousands of children have taken part, building confidence, problem-solving abilities, and digital skills along the way.
This year’s theme, “Navigating Your Neighbourhood”, invites children aged 8–13 to create Scratch projects that help others explore and learn about their local communities. From designing interactive maps to showcasing hidden gems, the theme encourages both technical and social skills — creativity, empathy, communication and collaboration.
For us at nimbl, this theme couldn’t be a better fit. Our ethos — “explore your world, your way” — is all about helping young people gain the confidence to navigate life, make choices, and build independence. Just as nimbl supports children to practise financial skills in a safe environment, Young Coders offers the space to experiment with technology and creative problem-solving.
Why coding still matters
As AI rapidly evolves, some might ask: is coding still a skill children need? We believe the answer is yes — and the data backs it up.
In a recent nimbl survey of professional coders, over 70% agreed that coding remains essential, even in an AI-driven world. Coding helps children understand how technology works, teaches them how to think critically, and encourages them to solve problems independently.
These are exactly the kinds of skills that last a lifetime, supporting children not only in school but in whatever path they choose for the future.
How to get involved
The Young Coders Competition 2026 is now open. With support from schools and parents, children can take part individually or in teams of 2–6, using free resources, curriculum-linked lesson plans, and live webinars designed to guide them every step of the way.
Every participant receives a certificate and personalised feedback, with prizes for the winning schools and special recognition for international entries.
👉 Parents, carers and educators: encourage your child’s school to get involved, or explore the competition at home. Full details and registration are available at codingcompetition.org or fill in the form below to receive your pack
Inspiring skills for life
At nimbl, we see coding and money skills as two sides of the same coin. Both help young people to make decisions, explore creativity, and grow into independent problem-solvers.
As Young Coders marks its 10th year, we’re proud to be part of this milestone — and can’t wait to see how children across the UK and beyond will bring their neighbourhoods to life through code.