Coding, AI & game designAges 9–154 min read
By Isabella ·
12 Python Projects for Kids, from First Program to First Game
Twelve Python projects for kids aged 9 to 15 in order of difficulty, with the concept each one teaches and tips for when your child gets stuck.
Your child has learned what a variable and a loop are, and now asks the question every new coder asks: what can I make? Projects are where Python starts to stick.
Work up from a few lines of text to a small game. Each project below adds one concept. Short programs your child finishes teach far more than an ambitious one they abandon.
Before you start
Your child needs a way to write and run Python. A free editor such as Thonny works well on a computer, and browser-based tools work on Chromebooks. If Python is completely new, begin with our parent guide to Python for kids.
Ask your child to type code, not paste it. Typing is slower, and it is how the patterns are remembered.
Projects 1 to 4: first programs
| Project | What it teaches |
|---|---|
| 1. Silly name generator | Variables, input and print |
| 2. Mad-libs story | Joining text together |
| 3. Number-guessing game | If statements and while loops |
| 4. Times-table quiz | For loops and keeping score |
Each of these is 10 to 25 lines. The guessing game is the classic first win: the computer picks a number and tells the player whether each guess is too high or too low.
A live class on this1-on-1 Advanced Python Tutoring: Algorithms and Data StructuresAges 13–18Projects 5 to 8: art and useful tools
| Project | What it teaches |
|---|---|
| 5. Turtle spiral art | Loops that draw, angles and colour |
| 6. Password maker | Lists and random choices |
| 7. Rock, paper, scissors | Functions and game logic |
| 8. To-do list in the terminal | Lists, menus and saving to a file |
Turtle graphics, which comes with Python, lets children see a loop as a pattern on screen. It is often the moment loops make sense.
Projects 9 to 12: games and beyond
| Project | What it teaches |
|---|---|
| 9. Text adventure | Branching, dictionaries and planning |
| 10. Quiz with a question file | Reading data and reusing code |
| 11. Simple chatbot | String handling and rules |
| 12. Dodge-the-blocks game with Pygame | A game loop, sprites and collisions |
Jumping straight to project 12. Graphical games need loops, functions and lists to be comfortable first. A child who skips ahead usually ends up copying code they cannot change.
When your child gets stuck
- Read the error message aloud. The last line usually names the problem.
- Check the line number mentioned, and the line just before it.
- Look for missing colons, brackets and indentation.
- Add a print line to see what a variable holds.
- Take a break. Many bugs are spotted on returning.
Getting stuck is part of coding. The aim is for your child to learn a routine for getting unstuck, with you as a calm second pair of eyes.
Make each project their own
After finishing a project, ask for one change: a new rule, a different theme, a harder level. Changing working code is how children move from following instructions to programming. A guessing game about dinosaurs or football is still the guessing game, and now it is theirs.
What parents can do next
- Install an editor or open a browser-based one together.
- Start at project 1, even if it looks easy.
- Ask for one personal change to every finished project.
- After project 8, consider a class or coach for the move to games.
Frequently asked questions
How long does each project take?
The first four take 20 to 40 minutes each. Later ones take an hour or two, spread over a few sittings.
Does my child need to be good at maths?
No. Basic arithmetic is enough for all twelve projects.
Is Python better than Scratch for projects?
They suit different stages. Scratch is quicker for animation and younger children; Python opens up text, data and larger programs.
What comes after these projects?
Larger Pygame games, simple data projects and, for teens, an introduction to machine learning.
Find a Python class
Live classes and 1-on-1 coaching guide children through projects like these, with help the moment the code will not run.
