Founded in 2015, KidIT empowers the next generation with tech skills that transcend traditional education, fostering a shift from passive technology consumption to active creation. It guides children aged 5-13 through immersive experiences and offers hands-on learning opportunities in real IT environments. By doing so, KidIT equips young minds with the hard and soft skills necessary to thrive in a tech-driven world, while also building a supportive community of families and educators.

In our interview, Yulia Tarasova, co-founder of KidIT Cyprus, shared the inspiration behind the program, rooted in her personal journey as a mother and professional experience in the gaming industry. Furthermore, she discussed how KidIT has evolved from its beginnings in Ukraine to a widely impactful initiative across Cyprus, Spain, and Ukraine, reaching over 7,500 families. Yulia also highlighted the importance of fostering a product mindset and emphasized the program’s commitment to making high-quality tech education free and accessible to all.

The idea for KidIT Cyprus came from a blend of my personal journey as a mom and my professional experience in gaming, EduTech, and international events. As a mother of two boys, I found myself grappling with the same challenge many parents face: my kids were absorbed in technology, but I struggled with how to steer them towards meaningful and creative use of it. My background in the gaming industry and time spent in Silicon Valley opened my eyes to how early tech integration can shape young minds. Yet, when I looked around, all I found were basic coding courses, which I felt didn’t go far enough in helping kids develop a product and global mindset and essential skills for the future. So, driven by a desire to fill this gap, KidIT was born.

We began in Ukraine, growing to 16 cities, and when I moved to Cyprus six years ago, the project evolved into a completely FREE, innovative FamilyTech program supported by leading IT companies. The aim was simple: to bring high-quality tech education to families across the island in a way that’s inclusive and accessible to all.

Fast forward to today, KidIT has been making an impact for 8 years, reaching over 7,500 families across three countries: Ukraine, Spain, and Cyprus. We’ve developed 15 educational programs tailored to different age groups, run 10 summer camp programs, and built a team of over 120 passionate Ninja-educators. Our kids have showcased their projects at 12 international conferences, participated in 10 Kids Games Hackathons, and explored 15 IT offices on educational excursions. As we grow, our commitment remains the same: to keep access to progressive tech education free, equipping kids with future-ready skills and nurturing a vibrant, multicultural community of parents.

Sure, our mission is to empower children to shift from passively consuming technology—like simply playing with a tablet—to understanding how to create something meaningful using technology as a tool. It’s not just about learning to code; programming languages are just one part of a much broader picture. At KidIT, we focus on fostering a product mindset, which combines essential hard skills with crucial soft skills that are often overlooked in traditional education.

Developing a product mindset means teaching kids what it means to work in a team, present their ideas, and understand the process of creating something from start to finish. We emphasize communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking—skills that will be invaluable no matter which industry they choose to pursue in the future.

Moreover, we aim to instill a global mindset in our students, showing them that no matter where they are from, what they create can be valued and appreciated worldwide. This is why we take our kids to the biggest IT conferences in Cyprus and abroad, where they showcase their projects and present their work on international stages. It’s about giving them real-world exposure and the confidence to see themselves as creators, innovators, and future leaders. This approach not only helps kids build technical skills but also equips them with the resilience and adaptability needed to thrive in an ever-changing digital landscape.

KidIT is not just another coding class—it’s a comprehensive ecosystem designed to inspire, educate, and connect. 

Our program stands out thanks to our main four ingredients:

First, Our Approach: We go beyond just coding. We develop both hard and soft skills within a product mindset, focusing not only on technical abilities but also on essential life skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and communication, all crucial for the child's future, regardless of the industry they choose.

Second, Immersive Learning Experiences: We provide hands-on learning by holding classes inside real IT companies and involving kids in various tech events. From Kids Games Hackathons to expos at international IT and gaming conferences, our students gain first-hand experience and insights. They also benefit from expert workshops led by professionals from IT companies and beyond, giving them a unique and inspiring look into the industry.

Third, Parent Community: We foster a supportive, cross-cultural network of parents who connect, engage, and share experiences. This community is a vital part of our ecosystem, helping families adapt to new educational landscapes while building lasting connections.

Fourth, Heart and Social Responsibility: We believe in teaching children the importance of empathy and community engagement. Through projects focused on social topics, like creating and donating a game machine to a refugee center in Larnaca, we connect technology with doing good in the world, showing kids that technology and their skills can make a real impact.

These core elements make KidIT not just an educational program but a holistic experience that shapes young minds and nurtures their potential in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Offering KidIT Cyprus as a free program has been one of our core principles from the very beginning. We strongly believe that financial barriers should never stand in the way of a child accessing high-quality tech education. This is why KidIT operates in Cyprus as a social initiative, making innovative tech education accessible to all families on the island, regardless of their financial situation.

We have been incredibly fortunate over the past 5 years to work with some of the most innovative IT companies and spaces in Cyprus, including TechIsland, Exness, payabl., Space307, Beon Active Office, GDEV, Wargaming, Servers.com, and TheSoul Publishing. These companies not only provide financial support but also actively participate in the educational process, hosting our classes, workshops, and events within their office spaces.

Their involvement goes beyond sponsorship; it’s a partnership that creates a real-world learning environment for the kids and connects them directly with the industry. This collaboration is essential in sustaining the program, as it allows us to offer our educational services completely free of charge, while also providing the children with immersive experiences that traditional classroom settings simply cannot offer.

Our partners share our vision of fostering creativity, supporting social initiatives, and contributing to a better future for the next generation. This combined effort helps us keep KidIT accessible and impactful, ensuring that every child in Cyprus has the opportunity to shift from a passive technology consumer to an active creator.

Social responsibility is at the core of KidIT’s mission. We want kids to understand that technology is not just a tool for entertainment or innovation, but also a powerful means to make a positive impact on the world. That’s why many of our hackathons and projects are centered around social themes, encouraging kids to think creatively about how they can use technology to address real-world issues.

For example, one of our hackathons was themed "Make Cyprus Clean," where kids were tasked with creating games that reflected this message. Through this, they learned to use their tech skills to advocate for a cleaner environment, turning their ideas into interactive games that conveyed a meaningful message.

Another powerful project was our arcade game machine initiative. Together with one of the parents, talented Wood Wizard company, and the kids, we built a real arcade game machine from scratch. The kids were involved in every step—working with wood, assembling the machine, and installing the games inside. The completed arcade machine was then donated to a refugee center in Larnaca. For many of the kids there, it was their first time experiencing such a machine, bringing joy and a sense of connection.

These initiatives are not just about coding or gaming; they are about developing the heart and soul.

KidIT Cyprus has created a powerful impact on both children's learning and family engagement. One of the most rewarding aspects is how the program has fostered a diverse, multicultural community. We bring together families from different backgrounds, nationalities, and languages, uniting them under the common goal of supporting their children's development and strengthening family bonds. For many families who have recently relocated to Cyprus, KidIT has become more than just an educational program; it has been their entry point into a supportive network. It’s where they’ve met their first friends, found business partners, and built a new life on the island.

Additionally, for families whose first language isn't English, KidIT offers a unique chance for children to improve their English skills in a natural and engaging environment, as all classes are conducted in English.

For the children, the impact of KidIT is seen in their confidence and enthusiasm. It’s incredibly motivating to see our students, including kids as young as 5, presenting their projects on major stages at international conferences, surrounded by adults and receiving real-time feedback from top industry professionals. These experiences ignite their passion, boost their self-esteem, and inspire them to continue growing. Seeing the excitement and pride in their eyes is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do—it’s truly a meaningful journey.

Looking ahead, our vision for KidIT Cyprus is to continue expanding across the island and beyond. We plan to introduce more inclusive programs, especially for children with special needs, to ensure that every child can benefit from our tech education. Internationally, we are excited about the interest our model has generated in other countries like Denmark and Saudi Arabia. We aim to create a global network of tech-savvy kids who are not just consumers but active creators, equipped with the skills and mindset to succeed in an increasingly digital world. Our long-term goal is to continue breaking down barriers, making high-quality tech education accessible to all, and fostering a worldwide community of young innovators.

What: KidIT Cyprus

More Info

Application Form