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Activities for every setting: Choosing and adapting projects for different club environments

Every Code Club is different, and the best activities are the ones that suit your young people, setting, and goals.

Code Club projects are designed to be flexible, whether you are running a club in a school, library, or other community space. In this blog post, we’re sharing practical ways to choose and adapt projects for your club, to help your creators get the most out of their sessions.

For more inspiration on adapting Code Club to different settings, read our blog post with insights from mentors Fiona and Bob, who run their clubs in a library and a school.

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Choosing projects for your setting

Some Code Clubs enjoy working on the same project together, to give young people the opportunity to collaborate, ask questions, and learn from each other. In other clubs, it may work better to encourage each creator to choose their own project based on their interests and experience.

Whichever approach you take, you can adapt most projects to suit your club and the young people attending. However, before you start to choose projects, it can be helpful to consider the following questions:

How often do you run sessions?
Does the same group of young people attend each session?
Are the young people a similar age, or do they have similar experience levels?

These questions can help you decide which approach is likely to work best for your club, and as a result, which projects may suit your creators best.

A smiling boy holds a sign that says 'We made this' in a classroom setting, with other students in the background.

Regular sessions

If you are working with groups of young people over a period of time, following a project path may be a good place to start. Project paths guide creators through a series of six projects that will help them build their coding and design skills, offering clubs a structure with clear progression, which they can bring into their sessions.

Examples include:

Introduction to Scratch: This path is ideal for less experienced creators. Young people build their skills in block-based coding through playful, story-led activities.
Introduction to Python: This path is a good next step for creators who are ready to try text-based coding. Young people develop simple interactive programs and explore graphics, animation, and more.
Introduction to micro:bit: If your club has access to BBC micro:bits, this path is a great way to introduce physical computing. Young people create fun interactive programs using sensors, lights, and buttons.

Drop-in sessions

Libraries and community centres often welcome young people of a mix of ages and experience levels, and different creators may attend each session.

In these settings, it can be helpful to encourage each creator to choose a project based on their interests and coding experience. This helps them get engaged straight away, and makes it easy for participants to join in at any point, without needing to have completed previous projects, which supports a more flexible, drop-in style of learning.

With more than 200 projects to choose from, you can use the filters on the Code Club Projects website to find projects by theme (for example, art, sports, or health), difficulty level, and technology, to help every young person discover something that is right for them.

“I really want the children to come here and be free — free to be themselves, free to be creative, without the restrictions of adults and their parents telling them or suggesting what their outcomes should be. Because once the children have been creative in their own space, they will continue to be creative in life. They will continue because they have the skills and confidence and the knowledge to know that they can create what they want to create without being directed or steered.” – Marie, Code Club mentor, Breadline London

Graphic showcasing coding projects for kids and teenagers with options in various topics including nature, games, music, art, sports, and science.

‘Bring your own device’

Your club may support young people bringing their own devices. This allows them to use types of software that they have installed, which may be different to the software available on devices that might be available at the venue, giving them more freedom to create with a wider range of programs.

Adapting projects to inspire every creator

The same project can feel completely different depending on how you use it. By connecting activities to your setting and the interests of the young people attending, you can make coding feel more meaningful, inspiring, and fun — while still helping learners develop the same core skills. Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Chatbot

This Scratch project can be educational, creative, personal, or community-focused, depending on the context.

In a school, creators could build a chatbot that quizzes their peers on a curriculum topic, to support their studies.

In a library, young people could create a project to recommend books or introduce library services, combining coding with storytelling and user-centred thinking.

In a community centre, creators could design a chatbot to welcome visitors or share information about local activities, using coding to support and connect with their community.

Cartoon robot face with yellow eyes, a smiling mouth, and an antenna on top, set against a green background.

2. About me

This project is a great way for young people to express themselves while taking their first steps with Python.

In a school, creators could write a program to introduce themselves, sharing their interests, favourite subjects, and hobbies.

In a library, coders could create a program inspired by their favourite books or characters.

In a community centre, creators could personalise their programs and share them with one another, encouraging creativity and helping everyone learn more about each other.

A simple, cartoonish robot character outlined in dotted lines, walking with one arm raised, against a yellow background.

Small changes, big impact

Each venue may be different, but the goal remains the same: helping young people build digital skills, confidence, and creativity. Small changes to the way you introduce or adapt a project can have a big impact, as this can help you make coding more relevant, engaging, and meaningful for the young people in your club.

“It makes me proud to know that I’ve made something, because I used to think, ‘I’m never going to be able to make that!’ Now, I’m a bit more confident.” – Alex, creator

Whether your Code Club meets in a classroom, a library, or another community venue, you can adapt our free projects and paths to suit your learners and your setting. Explore our projects to find inspiration for your next session.

Girl holds a laptop showing a coding project while smiling woman beside her holds a sign reading “we made this”.

Explore the Code Club arcade: Six brand-new Scratch games to create, remix, and play

There’s something special about building a game. Whether it’s chasing ducks across a pond, decorating the perfect cake, or creating an endless clicker that nobody wants to stop playing, game projects inspire young people to experiment, solve problems, and proudly share what they’ve made.

That’s why we’re excited to open the doors to the Code Club arcade.

We’ve created six brand-new Scratch game projects, designed to help creators build their coding skills while leaving plenty of room to personalise, remix, and make every game their own. From quick beginner projects (level 1) to more advanced challenges (level 3), there’s something for every Code Club.

So… press start.

Choose your game

🦖 Dino jump (Level 1)

Create an endless jumping game inspired by the classic browser dinosaur game. It’s quick to get started, easy to personalise, and a brilliant introduction to making games in Scratch.

“This is a brilliant first game project. Most people recognise the classic browser dinosaur game, but that’s just the inspiration. Once creators understand how it works, they can redesign it however they like and make it completely their own.” – Mr C, Learning Manager, Raspberry Pi Foundation

🎂 Icing on the cake (Level 2)

Decorate cakes, add sprinkles, light candles, and top everything off with a cherry in this creative game. Along the way, creators will learn how to build buttons, broadcast messages, stamp images, and use variables.

The best part? Once the game works, creators can completely reinvent it with their own themes and decorations.

“Creators can have a working game after just a few steps, making it easy to build confidence early on. From there, the project offers extra challenges for those who want to push themselves further, while giving everyone the chance to personalise their game.” – Becca Rose, Learning Manager, Raspberry Pi Foundation

🍕 Pizza party (Level 2)

Tap, upgrade, repeat!

This clicker-style game is all about collecting points, unlocking upgrades, and watching your score grow faster and faster. Although the starter project is pizza-themed, it could just as easily become a sweet shop, space station, farm, or anything else your creators imagine.

“Who says it has to be pizza? The clicker mechanic works brilliantly with almost any idea, so I can’t wait to see all the imaginative twists creators come up with.” -– Mr C, Learning Manager, Raspberry Pi Foundation

🧽 Dishwasher simulator (Level 2)

Who knew washing dishes could be so relaxing?

In this surprisingly satisfying project, creators scrub dishes until they sparkle, rack them away, and add music to create a cosy gameplay experience.

It’s a great project for practising organisation while working with multiple sprites, sounds, and animations.

“This project is a great reminder that even simple games can teach powerful skills. There are lots of sprites to bring together, so creators learn to build methodically—and by the end, they’ll have a game that’s both satisfying to make and to play.” Mr C, Learning Manager, Raspberry Pi Foundation

🍉 Watermelon drop (Level 2)

Inspired by the popular Suika-style puzzle games, Watermelon drop challenges players to combine matching fruit before the box overflows.

Creators will experiment with clones, variables, and collisions while designing their own adorable characters — fruit isn’t the only option! Why not drop planets, pets, or even pizzas instead?

“I wanted this project to feel approachable, so creators can build a working game with just a few fruits. After that, it’s all about experimenting. Swap the fruit for animals, cars, or anything else you can imagine, give them personalities, and create a world that’s completely your own.” – Becca Rose, Learning Manager, Raspberry Pi Foundation

🦆 Duck island (Level 3)

Ready for a challenge?

Glide around the pond collecting lost ducks while avoiding hooks, rocks, and pond sludge. Along the way, creators will explore animation, collisions, and create an eye-catching parallax scrolling effect.

It’s perfect for creators who have already built a few Scratch projects and are ready to level up.

“I wanted this project to feel achievable while encouraging creators to think carefully about how they build it. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes, but once everything comes together, it’s really rewarding. I also love seeing people take the idea in a completely different direction — the pond could just as easily become a beach, a forest, or even outer space.” – Becca Rose, Learning Manager, Raspberry Pi Foundation

The arcade is open

Think of these six projects as your Code Club’s arcade collection. Play them in any order. Return to your favourites. Challenge creators to remix them. Combine ideas from different games. Add extra levels. Invent new characters.

There are no credits to run out, no game over screen, and no wrong way to play. Just unlimited opportunities to create!

Ready to press start? Explore the Code Club arcade, pick your first game, and let the creativity begin.

Making your Code Club welcoming for everyone

Code Club thrives because every young person brings something unique: different interests, strengths, and ways of learning. By welcoming and valuing those differences, we create clubs where more young people can belong, participate, and grow.

As leaders and mentors, we play an important role in making that happen. Creating an inclusive Code Club doesn’t mean having all the answers or making everything perfect. It starts with being curious, listening, and thinking about what might help everyone feel confident, welcome, and able to take part.

Here are five practical ways to help create a Code Club where every young person feels they belong.

1. Start with belonging

When we think about accessibility, we often think about physical access. Can everyone get into the building? Is there an accessible toilet? These things matter, but creating a sense of belonging matters too — young people might be able to access the venue, but still feel unsure about attending.

You can help by thinking about how young people experience your club. Some may find busy or noisy environments overwhelming. Others may need extra time to process instructions, benefit from visual demonstrations, or appreciate having choices in how they complete a project.

Three children laughing and interacting at computers in a classroom setting, participating in a code club activity.

If it’s a young person’s first time at your club, they might worry about making friends, joining a new group, or not knowing what to expect. You could consider using an icebreaker activity, name tags, or sending them an example project and a few details about what a session typically looks like before their first session.

You could also take inspiration from St Nicholas Primary School in the UK. They created a visual story to show creators what to expect at Code Club.

Creating an inclusive Code Club means recognising and responding to a range of needs so that more young people can participate confidently and enjoy the experience.

“Inclusion is not about perfection, it’s about presence and persistence.” – Chidi Duru, co-founder of Codeant Technology Hub, Nigeria

A classroom scene with a diverse group of children engaged in a coding workshop, seated at wooden desks with laptops. An instructor sits among them, guiding the students. The walls are painted yellow, and the room has a rustic appearance.

2. Think about barriers, not labels

Rather than focusing on diagnoses or labels, focus on what helps young people take part and feel comfortable at your club.

Ask yourself:

Have we helped new members know what to expect before they arrive?
Do we explain activities in different ways?
Can young people access a quieter space if they need one?
Do learners have opportunities to take breaks and rejoin activities?
Can young people make choices about how they complete projects?

By focusing on small, practical changes like these, rather than labels, you can make it easier for every young person to join in and enjoy Code Club.

“Start by assuming that every young person belongs, regardless of their experience level. We tell students and families that no coding knowledge is required and that our Dojo is a safe place to learn, ask questions, make mistakes, and grow. New participants are introduced to mentors who share their own journeys into technology and technology-enabled careers, helping students see relatable role models and future possibilities.” – Nefertiti Stanford, Philly CoderDojo, USA

Headphone policies aren’t just about noise control—they’re a key tool for accessible learning.

“Have an open policy on headphones. Some young people need headphones to reduce the background noise and let them concentrate. Some young people love to incorporate a lot of sound into their coding projects so having headphones means they don’t impact others. And for some, headphones means they can access text to speech service, or translation services, without standing out in the group.” – Kaye North, Community and Engagement Manager for Code Club Australia

A young girl wearing headphones smiles while working on a laptop in a busy workshop setting, with adults and other children in the background.

3. The environment matters

Take a moment to look at your club through a new member’s eyes.

While you may not be able to change everything about your venue, thinking about the first impression the environment gives can help you identify barriers and think about how to make your club more welcoming.

Consider:

Can young people easily find and access the club?
Is there step-free access and an accessible toilet available?
Are the toilets and other facilities clearly signposted?
Is it easy to move around the room?
Are noise levels, lighting, or distractions likely to affect participation?
Can you share a floorplan, photos, or a video of your club venue with new members so they know what to expect

Sharing information about your venue in advance can help families decide whether the club is right for their child and open up conversations about any support needs before they attend.

“Sometimes young people need a break. Having fidget and sensory toys, pencils and paper to draw with, or having a dedicated ‘calm space’ can really help anyone who gets overwhelmed.” – Mentor, Selby CoderDojo, UK

One of the simplest ways to make your club more welcoming is to ask the people attending:

“Is there anything we can do to help make this club work better for you?”

Young people and their families often know best what support will help them feel confident and included. You don’t need specialist expertise to ask that question, but the answer may help you make a meaningful difference.

Two children sitting on a couch, focused on a blue learning tablet. They are surrounded by large teddy bears, one resembling Winnie the Pooh, while a caregiver is seen in the background.

4. Celebrate different kinds of success

Every young person learns, creates, and experiences success differently. Recognising those differences helps us create a Code Club where everyone can thrive.

Success is about more than just finishing a project. By celebrating creativity, persistence, teamwork, curiosity, and problem solving alongside technical skills, we can help every young person feel recognised and valued. Explore our selection of downloadable certificates, designed to help you value and celebrate every creator’s achievements.

“Code Club has definitely helped Micha grow in confidence. Prior to joining Code Club he was quite anxious about joining after school activities, but this has definitely given him more confidence to try new things and socialise with other children as well.” – Catherine, Micah’s mum, UK

A diverse group of children and adults engaged in a creative workshop at a table covered with arts and crafts materials, including scissors, colored papers, and electronic components.

5. You don’t need to have all the answers

No volunteer can anticipate every need or situation that might arise at their club. Creating a welcoming Code Club is mostly about being open to listening, learning, and adapting when needed.

Small changes can make a big difference. Small, thoughtful adjustments can make a big difference for the young people who need them, while also creating a more welcoming environment for everyone else. For example, a visual timetable can offer reassurance and clarity to one creator, while helping the whole group know what to expect.

Supporting one creator doesn’t take anything away from others — it simply helps create a Code Club where everyone has the opportunity to feel comfortable, included, and ready to learn.

Useful resources

If you’re looking for more detailed guidance, our Code Club accessibility guide includes practical advice on running an inclusive Code Club.

We’d love to hear from you!

What have you done to help make your Code Club welcoming and inclusive?

Share your experiences with the Code Club community on Facebook and LinkedIn and help inspire other mentors around the world.

The Code Club Blog

A global network of free coding clubs

Author: Zoe Davidson