Python for Kids: Code Games, Quizzes and Drawings (Ages 10–14)

Twelve short lessons that take a 10-to-14-year-old from a first line of Python to their own quiz game — variables, decisions, loops, lists, functions, random numbers and turtle drawings — on the family computer, with no account.

What you'll be able to do

• Write and run Python programs in IDLE, the editor that comes with Python
• Store information in variables, ask the user questions and print friendly answers
• Make decisions with if, elif and else, and repeat with for and while loops
• Keep collections of things in lists and write reusable functions
• Build games with random numbers, and draw patterns with turtle graphics
• Read error messages calmly and fix their own bugs
• Design and build a quiz game of their own

Before you start

• Comfortable reading and typing in English
• A Windows, Mac or Linux computer (a phone or tablet is not enough)
• A grown-up for about ten minutes in lesson 1 to install Python

Curriculum

Lesson 1 is free to read, no account needed. The rest unlock the moment you buy.

1. 1 Your first Python program Preview free What Python is, installing it on the family computer with a grown-up, talking to Python in the shell, and writing, saving and running your first program file. 3 min
2. 2 Variables and asking questions Store information in variables, ask the user with input(), and build friendly messages with f-strings — then write a program that has a conversation. 3 min
3. 3 Numbers and maths Whole numbers and decimals, the maths operators, turning typed text into numbers with int(), and a pocket-money calculator. 3 min
4. 4 Making decisions with if Comparisons, if, elif and else, combining conditions with and / or, and indentation — then a quiz question that marks your answer. 3 min
5. 5 Loops — doing things again and again for loops with range(), while loops, counting and adding up, and a times-table tester that checks your answers. 3 min
6. 6 Lists — keeping lots of things together Make a list, add and remove items, loop through it, count and sort, and build a to-do list program. 3 min
7. 7 Functions — your own commands Wrap code into a named function with def, pass information in with parameters, get answers back with return, and tidy up earlier programs. 3 min
8. 8 Random numbers and games The random module — dice, coin flips, picking from a list, shuffling — and a complete number-guessing game with tries and hints. 3 min
9. 9 Strings and secret codes Text tricks — upper and lower case, length, counting, slicing, looping over letters — and a Caesar-cipher machine that encodes and decodes secret messages. 3 min
10. 10 Drawing with the turtle Python's built-in turtle draws as you move it — squares, stars, spirals and colourful patterns with loops and functions. 3 min
11. 11 Bugs and error messages How to read a Python error message, the six errors you'll meet most, and a calm step-by-step way to find and fix bugs yourself. 3 min
12. 12 Project — your own quiz game Plan and build a complete quiz game using everything in the course — questions in a list, functions, scoring, random order, and replay — then ideas for what to build and learn next. 3 min

How it works

1. 1 · Buy once

   One payment in your own currency, no subscription. An adult buys; the account is created from the email you pay with.

2. 2 · Log in and read

   Every lesson opens in the adult's account on any device. Mark each one done and pick up where you left off.

3. 3 · Keep the Word file

   The whole course as a .docx — annotate it, print it, read it offline. Re-download it any time from your orders.

Questions about this course