Python

The coding projects that empowered creators in 2025

Code Clubs are unique learning communities where young people get hands-on experience with a wide range of tools, from drag-and-drop Scratch blocks to text-based Python, from micro:bit to emerging AI tools.

It’s no surprise that in 2025 the biggest hits were the projects that build key skills and give creators a solid foundation to grow from, all while sparking curiosity, boosting confidence, and supporting steady progression — let’s explore the projects you enjoyed most last year!

A young girl and an adult man smiling and working together at a laptop, with the text 'Make your ideas' displayed above them.

Scratch: Building foundations through play

For many creators joining Code Club, the journey begins with Scratch. Here, they learn the building blocks of programming. 

The top three Scratch projects that inspired young coders in 2025 were

  1. Boat race – Steer your boat to the island and avoid the obstacles
  2. Space talk – Code a space scene with characters that emote
  3. Catch the bus – Create an animation with sprites that run or fly to catch a bus

These projects are quick to start, easy to personalise, and full of opportunities for added challenges. Creators build skills in sequencing events, switching costumes to simulate movement, and synchronising actions to tell simple stories — all core storytelling and animation techniques in Scratch.

A child in a green sweater interacts with a large screen displaying a coding interface, likely for a game or animation project. Various coding blocks and character animations can be seen on the screen.

Python: Turning ideas into real-world programs

As young people grow in confidence, many are keen to try text-based coding to express more complex ideas.

The top three Python projects that inspired young coders in 2025 were

  1. Astro Pi: Mission Zero – Have your code run onboard the ISS
  2. Hello world – Write an interactive project that uses emojis
  3. About me – Write a program telling people all about you

Each of these projects builds confidence by showing creators that they can write code, that their work can have real-world impact and simple scripts can express personal creativity.

A young boy using a computer mouse while focused on the screen, with an adult man seated beside him, in a room with other people working on computers.

BBC micro:bit: Making code tangible

Nothing builds confidence like making something physical work, like buzzers, lights or sensors. We all love to see that “aha!” moment in a Code Club session!

The top three micro:bit projects that inspired young coders in 2025 were

  1. Music player – Create a mood-matching tune picker
  2. Sound level meter –Track and log sound levels, with an alarm for high noise!
  3. Fortune teller – Use your micro:bit to read the future!

These projects are valuable because they combine instant physical feedback, real-world relevance, and opportunities for tinkering and customisation.

Two children sitting at computer desks, engaged in programming or gaming activities on their screens in a classroom setting.

AI projects: Empowering creators to shape the future

In 2025, many Code Club members became curious about artificial intelligence (AI). By introducing AI safely and accessibly, we help young people see themselves not as consumers of technology, but as creators who can shape how modern tools work.

The top three AI projects that inspired young coders in 2025 were

  1. Chomp the cheese – Make a mouth-powered, cheese-chomping game. Silliness for everyone!
  2. Doodle detector – Train a machine learning model to recognise your drawing
  3. Run an AI image generator on a Raspberry Pi – An introduction to the world of AI image generation

These projects are powerful because they combine playful creativity and hands-on experimentation.

Two girls holding large green signs that read 'Be Cool' and 'code club', smiling at the camera in a creative workspace.

Code Club as a launchpad

From Scratch animations to Python adventures, from micro:bit inventions to AI explorations, 2025’s most popular projects show us that young people are keen to create, experiment, and express themselves.

As we look ahead to 2026, Code Club remains a launchpad for confident creators… and the best is yet to come!

Explore the rest of our projects and help creators spark their next big idea at Code Club.

Discover ‘Don’t collide!’ – A great starter project for Python and Coolest Projects

Does Raspberry Pi Foundation Learning Manager, Mac, have a favourite Code Club project? Yes, he does! He shares insights into an exciting Python game that promises both fun and learning. He also explains why it’s an excellent choice of project to enter into the 2024 Coolest Projects online showcase!

Mac is sat down and waving to the screen.
Say hello to Mac!

Hi Mac! You’ve worked on a lot of the Foundation’s projects. Can you share one of your favourites with us? 

That’s a tricky question! There are so many to choose from, but if I have to narrow it down to one project, I like our Python ‘Don’t collide!’ game. This project is in our Introduction to Python: Variables, functions, and loops path and it serves as an excellent introduction to the Design projects of 3…2…1…Make!. 

Why did you pick this project? 

This project helps young people learn to draw things in Python. They also have fun with images and emojis as game characters. I also really like that they learn to understand and use loops, if statements, and handle collisions between characters and obstacles. These are all essential building blocks of game creation when using the text-based programming language Python. 

Do you have any tips for introducing this project into a Code Club session?   

First off, run the game examples provided in the project to ignite children’s excitement about creating their games. 

Next, encourage young people to make their own design choices and put their own unique personalities and creative styles into their games — the exciting result is that each project will be unique. 

My last tip is to encourage thorough testing and debugging at each step to make sure it’s running as they expected it to. One mistake at the start is harder to spot and fix if you only test it at the end!

Graphic of a girl with rollerskates on.
Don’t collide!

What are the development/remix opportunities?  

There are so many options! The project is a great starter game, and learners can make it their own by matching it to a theme from their lives. Once they’ve picked their theme, they can then choose a character, backdrop, and obstacles to match that theme. 

Once the game is working, they can upgrade it by adding levels, or a high score table, or maybe extra types of obstacles. There are so many ways to make this project your own.

How can young people use the ‘Don’t collide!’ project to enter Coolest Projects? 

It fits perfectly into the Games category of Coolest Projects, and with enough improvements, it might even be fit for the Advanced programming category.

Thanks, Mac!

Registration is open for Coolest Projects.
Take part in Coolest Projects online!

‘Don’t collide!’ encourages your club members to build their Python programming skills. Why not showcase this achievement and celebrate their work by submitting it to the Coolest Projects showcase?

Young people have until 22 May to submit their creations. If you need further support, check out the resources for mentors webpage. Make sure you share your progress on X using the hashtag #CoolestProjects.

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.