codeSpark Academy

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you do not see an answer to your question below, check out our Knowledge Base for more help. Support hours are:
Monday thru Friday, 9am - 6pm PST
Saturday thru Sunday, 9am - 12pm PST.

Billing/Technical Questions

How much is the subscription? Do I get a free trial?
You have a 7 day free trial after you agree to the monthly subscription. You will be charged once the trial expires.
Why a subscription?
We want to continue teaching and inspiring kids around the world for a long time. The new subscription plan is the best way to deliver high-quality and super fun educational content that keeps children learning and creating month after month. In addition, we can avoid annoying in-game advertisements and in-app purchases.
How often will I be billed?
Your billing cycle is determined by the date that you subscribe as well as the membership option you select. For a monthly subscription, your renewal date is one month from your purchase date.
How do I cancel?
We’re sorry to see you go! Our learning app has a ton of different content so please have your child explore for all seven days of the trial so they get a chance to solve puzzles, make games and learn about automation.

If after your trial you’d still like to cancel your subscription to codeSpark Academy then please follow these directions:

Apple App Store (iOS) - cancel your subscription here.
Google Play Store (Android) - cancel your subscription here. If the cancellation button does not appear, please contact us at support@codespark.com with your Google Play ID from your original e-receipt (the number begins with “GPA”) so we can manually cancel for you.
Our website - cancel your subscription by logging into your account.
If I purchase a codeSpark Academy subscription on iOS, will it work on Android (and vice versa)?
Yes! One codeSpark Academy subscription can be used on either an iOS or Android device.
Can I gift a subscription?
Yes! Please visit our gifting page to get started!
For which platforms is codeSpark Academy with The Foos available?
codeSpark Academy with the Foos is available on smart devices that run Apple and Android operating systems. We are in the process of developing a browser edition of codeSpark Academy with the Foos for our web users.
What kind of Amazon Fire/Kindle devices do you support?
Here are a list of Amazon devices that run codeSpark Academy:
  • Kindle Fire HD (2013)
  • Kindle Fire HDX (2013)
  • Kindle Fire HDX Wan (2013)
  • Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 (2013)
  • Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 Wan (2013, 2014)
  • Fire (2015)
  • Fire 7 (2014, 2017)
  • Fire HD 6 (2014)
  • Fire HD 8 (2015, 2016, 2018)
  • Fire HD 10 (2015, 2017)
  • Fire HDX 8.9 (2014)
  • Fire 7 Kids Edition
  • Fire HD 8 Kids Edition
Amazon Kindle Fire devices from 2011-2012 are not compatible with our platform due to the fact that they run an Android operating system that is too old. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Can my child play on desktop?
codeSpark Academy with The Foos is not available on the web. We do have a “lite” version of the game with the first 24 puzzles available at thefoos.com/webgl.
I’ve downloaded codeSpark Academy with The Foos but it doesn’t load. What should I do?
You may have a firewall in place that is blocking access to codeSpark Academy with The Foos. Make sure to make these allowances in your firewall:
  • gameserver-live2.thefoos.com
  • d2rxtexhquillh.cloudfront.net
  • files.parsetfss.com
  • codespark.com
  • (port 80 and 443 on all)
If you are still experience problems, email support@codespark.com with a description of the problem, what device/platform you’re using, and any screenshots you may have.
I purchased a subscription but can’t login! What do I do?
If you purchased a subscription, first try using the “Restore Purchases” option on the bottom right of the paywall screen. Our servers should detect your purchase and then give you access to the game. You can start playing now or you can create a username and password to sign in on multiple devices.

To create a username to sign in on multiple devices:
  1. Once you see the green play button, press the “Parents” icon on the top left screen.
  2. Enter you birth date.
  3. Switch to the “Account” tab and press “Register”.
  4. Create your username and password.
I saw that codeSpark Academy comes with free iMessage stickers? How do I get them?
If you’ve downloaded the latest version codeSpark Academy onto your iOS device, you will also get our fun sticker pack for iMessage.

Follow these directions to add the codeSpark Academy sticker pack to your Messages: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206906

General/Education Questions

What is codeSpark Academy with The Foos?

codeSpark Academy with The Foos is the expanded, subscription-based edition of the award-winning coding app, The Foos. In early September 2016, The Foos became codeSpark Academy, and all current players must update their app in order to use the product.

codeSpark Academy with The Foos will have several exciting NEW features that are updated regularly with new content every month:

  • New Foos!
  • More puzzles and games
  • Game Kits
  • Personalized Daily Activities
  • Brand New Menu and Map
  • Teacher Dashboard
  • More tutorial videos

Do you offer a free trial of codeSpark Academy with The Foos?

The monthly subscription comes with a 7-day free trial. Once the trial has ended you will be charged.

How many children may I register per account?

You can register up to three children on one codeSpark Academy account. You can register them after purchasing your subscription. Children can customize their avatars and usernames at any time. Multiple children can use codeSpark Academy at the same time, provided they are using different devices.

For which age range is codeSpark Academy with The Foos best suited?

codeSpark Academy with The Foos is geared toward children ages 4-9, however we’ve seen kids older than 9 have a blast playing the game (they tend to go through the puzzles quickly and then spend most of their time coding levels). We’ve also seen kids younger than 4 play codeSpark Academy, but they would usually need some help from a grown-up.

Does codeSpark Academy collect any private data on my child?

Nope. We are COPPA-compliant and do not collect any private data on our kid coders.

Does codeSpark Academy allow any communication between players?

Players cannot send any messages to each other. The only communication between players is to send a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” rating on a community-created level. There are NO OTHER means of communication between players.

How is codeSpark Academy girl-friendly?

Every girl is different, and codeSpark Academy created its girl characters with that thought in mind. Girl characters in the game range from queens to police officers to astronauts. We specifically avoided girl character tropes in games; our female Foos are never rescued and can solve their own problems (with the help of the kid programmer).

Additionally, we continuously test codeSpark Academy with girl players in order to make sure that the characters and gameplay appeal to them. We’re happy to say that our game is girl (and boy) approved!

What does codeSpark Academy with The Foos teach?

codeSpark Academy teaches kids age 4-9 the basics of computer science. Kids learn concepts such as:

  • Sequencing
  • Loops
  • Conditional Statements
  • Events
  • Boolean logic & sorting
  • Variables (coming soon)

Are there any other activities or curriculum to support codeSpark Academy with The Foos?

Yes! We have unplugged activities and a 10-lesson curriculum available for download in the “Resources” section.

My child is a pre-reader/ELL student/has a reading disability. Can I still use codeSpark Academy with The Foos?

Yes! codeSpark Academy with The Foos does not use words to teach coding basics. The game is completely visual based, allowing kids of all abilities to play and learn.

What are “Game Kits”?

We realized that a lot of kids who start the Foo Studio Game Maker had trouble coming up with games to make. Game Kits are “paint-by-numbers” tutorials that guide kids through creating a game - blocks and code will be sketched out for kids to fill in to create some seriously cool games.

What are personalized activities?

Your child will get a set of activities with various puzzles and Game Maker activities each day. Completing the daily set earns each child a special prize. These activities will eventually adapt to your child’s set of skills - if it looks like your child needs more practice on a concept, the daily activities will have them doing more puzzles on that concept.

Is codeSpark Academy with The Foos available for schools?

codeSpark Academy is free for public schools and non-profit organizations. To set up a school/teacher account, you need to first set up a codeSpark Academy Teacher Dashboard account at dashboard.thefoos.com.

I have other questions. Is there a contact email?

If you have any other questions, send an email to our support team at support@codespark.com. Our support team is available Monday thru Friday from 9am - 6pm.

Gifting Questions

Can I purchase a gift subscription for myself if I already have a subscription?

Yes, but if you have an active subscription or trial you will need to make sure you to cancel your current trial or subscription so you are not double-charged.

How do I apply a gift code to an already active account?

If you have an active subscription or trial, you will need to make sure you cancel so you are not double charged. When your trial or subscription expires you will be able to apply your gift code to your current account. Your child’s progress will not be lost when you apply the new gift subscription.

How do I redeem my gift code?

Please follow these instructions to add your membership to your account.

  1. Go to https://accounts.thefoos.com/promo.
  2. Enter the gift code, click Redeem Code.
  3. Enter your email address on the popup that displays.
    • If you have an account, you will be prompted to login.
    • If you do not have an account, you will be prompted to register.
  4. Log in or register for an account.
  5. On the next page, fill out your name and click Complete Order.
Your gift code should now be applied to your account. If you continue to experience issues, please contact us at info@codeSpark.org with your gift code so we can further assist you.

Do I have to purchase more than one gift code if I have more than one child?

Just like our regular subscription, you can have up to three profiles for one account, so you’ll only need one subscription for up to three children per household.

Can I purchase a gift via iTunes or Google Play Store?

We do not have the ability to gift subscriptions via app stores. You can only purchase a gift subscription here on our website.

Can I just purchase a Glitch?

Unfortunately we are sold out of Glitches for the time being. We hope to get more in stock soon.

If I don’t live in the USA, can I purchase a lifetime membership gift?

Yes, you can purchase a Lifetime Membership gift if you live outside of the US. However, we do not deliver to addresses outside of the US & Canada, so you will receive the membership gift code but not the physical gift package.

Is the gift subscription auto-renewing?

Gift subscriptions do not auto-renew. You will only be charged when you make your initial purchase and will not be charged at the end of the 6-month or yearly subscription. Lifetime memberships are a one-time charge for the entirety of the life of the app.

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