Python

Four Python projects for your Code Club to try! 

We asked the Code Club team and friends to share their favourite Python projects and why you should give them a go in your club. There is a perfect project for everyone, from beginners to more experienced coders.

A young girl looking at a laptop, with an adult kneeling beside her.

Why Python? 

Python is the perfect next step from the block-based programme language, Scratch. It has a simple and easy-to-learn syntax (the structure of statements in a computer language), it is user-friendly and readable and is used by software developers across the world — which makes it perfect for Code Club members to explore! 

To get your Code Club members started with Python, all you need is a computer or mobile device and Trinket which lets you run and write code. You’re then ready to dive into our Python projects. 

Moving on from Scratch to Python 

‘Target practice’ is the second project in our ‘Introduction to Python: Variables, functions, and loops’ project path and provides a great starting point for getting stuck into learning Python. 

“One of my favourite Scratch projects within my code club has always been archery. To have a Python project that replicates that using text-based code is an excellent way for the attendees of my club to make the transition from block-based coding.”

Darren Bayliss, Seir Kieran Code Club and Kinnitty National School, Ireland

An arrow is being fired at a moving target circle.

Be still my beating heart! 

Getting that “Aha!” moment can really encourage a young person to explore Python further. 
Learn more about getting started with MicroPython, a Raspberry Pi Pico, and the ‘Beating heart’ project.

“This was my first project using a Raspberry Pi Pico and MicroPython, and I had a real sense of achievement when I made the LED light up! This is a great way to show the ‘real world’ impact of your code, and a fun way to continue your Raspberry Pi Pico progress.”

Isabel Ronaldson, Global Programme Coordinator

A heart illustration with an LED in the middle

Make a face and share it with the world! 

Experimentation is an important part of learning, which is why ‘Make a face’ is the perfect project to get creative with code and discover how you can use Python to explore generative arts. 

“I love the way you can make art with code in this creative project! It’s a great way to understand the design process, as well as showing how code can be super creative. Every project creates a completely unique coded face, which young people could enter to the Coolest Projects showcase, to share their creativity with the world!”

Helen Gardner, Coolest Projects Manager 

Frida Kahlo using geometric shapes

Creating secure passwords 

Initiating online safety discussions with your Code Club is important, so try using the Python project ‘Password generator’ as a conversation starter! 

“All the children in my club understand the importance of a strong password, but quickly run out of inspiration for creating them. They really understand the use of this project! I like it because it is easily simplified or split into sections for different pupils or times available.”

Tamasin Greenough Graham, St Paul’s C of E Primary School, England

An illustration of a laptop with a red cross through it.

Explore our free educational project paths

Whether your Code Club is just starting out with Python or is looking to explore other coding languages, we have something for you. 

You can find all the Code Club classics on our projects webpage or explore the project paths, where coders are guided through new coding and design skills to make things that matter to them. 

Have we missed your favourite Python project off our list? Share it with us on Twitter, using the hashtag #MyCodeClub.

Go on a coding adventure with our NEW project paths!

To celebrate the new term, we’re bringing new coding discoveries to your Code Club. Find out how you can support your club members to become independent tech creators with our free educational project paths. 

Our new project path learning resources are structured so learners develop skills, knowledge, and increased independence as they progress through each path.  

Each path contains six projects. In the first three projects, known as ‘Explore’, new skills are introduced and learners are provided with step-by-step instructions to build their confidence. Next up are two ‘Design’ projects, to give children the opportunity to practise their new skills by creating their own personalised projects. The final ‘Invent’ project encourages coders to meet a project brief and decide how they want to develop their ideas using the toolbox of skills they’ve learned in previous projects. 

The project paths

Explore the project paths and choose one that suits your club this term. 

Introduction to Scratch: sprites, scripts, and loops
Club members find out how to add code, costumes, and sounds to sprites. They can make animations, games, apps, and books within this path.

Space Talk Scratch project

More Scratch: broadcast, decisions, and variables
To build on what they have learnt in the ‘Introduction to Scratch’ path, learners explore message broadcasting, if..then and if..then..else decisions, and variables.

Liz Smart, Learning Coordinator, shares why she’s enjoying the Grow a dragonfly project with her Code Club: 

“When club members realised the range of edits they could make to existing Scratch sounds, and how these could be used in their code, the club sessions got super creative! Every session since then has had an extra level of noise….and I love it!

An added bonus to this project was the amazing dragonfly facts that we all learned.”

Grow a Dragonfly Scratch project

Further Scratch: clones, my blocks, and Boolean logic
To take their Scratch learning a stage further, club members learn how to use Boolean logic, functions, clones, and more within their projects.

Introduction to Python: variables, functions, and loops
Coders are introduced to the text-based programming language Python. They code with variables, loops, and functions to create visual and interactive artwork, animations, simulations, games, and more.

Physical computing with Scratch and the Raspberry Pi
Bring physical computing into your club! This path guides you through how to use input and output electronics with Scratch and a Raspberry Pi computer.

Introduction to Unity: 3D objects, character controllers, colliders, text, and buttons
Help your coders take their first exciting steps in learning how to create 3D worlds and games with collectibles, timers, and non-player characters. These projects are brought to you with generous support from Unity Technologies.

Join us at an online workshop and discover how your Code Club can make 3D worlds with our NEW Unity project path!  

Unity 101: Setting up for success
Wednesday 2 February, 11:00 GMT / 6:00 EST / 16:30 IST

Unity 102: Creating 3D worlds
Wednesday 9 February, 13:00 GMT / 8:00 EST / 18:30 IST

Celebrating success 

Once club members have completed a path, celebrate their achievements by downloading one of our editable path certificates. 

If you’re based in the UK, the USA, India, or Ireland, head to your dashboard to download. If you’re based outside of these countries, visit our Code Club International website. 

Share your completed projects with the Code Club community on Twitter, using the hashtag #MyCodeClub.

New year, new resources! Welcoming well-being in 2022

Here at Code Club, we’ve been talking about our New Year’s resolutions. Like many people around the world, our focus this year will be on our health and well-being.

In this blog post, we’ll be sharing how we plan to look after ourselves, each other, and you — our amazing Code Club community! Spoiler alert: It involves three new resources for you.

As we welcome 2022, we want to talk about what we can do to look after our mental health this year. Focusing on good mental health is an excellent New Year’s resolution and it ties in brilliantly with Children’s Mental Health Week, which takes place next month (7–13 February). 

Last year, the team got active to help our physical and mental well-being. We put on our walking shoes to take part in a virtual walk from London to Delhi that took 12 months and 14,251,903 steps! We also had a go at yoga and practised mindfulness to help us stay healthy.

To help us continue with our well-being mindset, we’ve been thinking hard about how we can support the health and well-being of our clubs in the coming months.

NEW well-being project collection

Following the success of our project collections in 2021, we are excited to launch a new project collection all about health and well-being. Each project has step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow to help young coders and educators to learn together and develop their coding skills! 

The Relax and stretch project is an ideal beginner Scratch project. Your coders will motivate people to stretch and exercise regularly throughout the day. 

Your confident coders can work on our Mandala project to create beautiful images by repeating geometric symbols. This is known to be a relaxing and mindful activity, and your young people can make their own mandalas in Scratch with this project.

Mandala Scratch project

And there’s more!

Our NEW Scratch and Python word searches are now live. We hope that your young coders enjoy them as much as our team did! These resources are not only great offline activities, but also encourage mindfulness and a moment of calm for coders in the classroom. 

So whether you are coming back to Code Club after a break or simply want to focus on well-being in your club this term, check out these new resources.

If you’re based in the UK, the USA, India, or Ireland, head to your dashboard to download these three new resources. If you’re based outside of these countries, head to our Code Club International website and find the collection and word searches inside your Club Organiser Pack.