In today’s blog post, we’re bringing to you some of the best resources to learn Python programming. Given its popularity, accessibility, and user-friendliness, the demand for Python resources is currently high.

Consequently, there are a plethora of websites dedicated to helping new coders learn Python. We’ll break down some of the best ones for your student, describing pros and cons of each, to help your student discover the most favorable way for them to learn Python. We're here to make coding for kids easy.

What are some good free resources to learn Python?

There are a lot of great free websites for learning Python, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention our own, free intro class. Create & Learn offers an introductory Python for Kids Class that helps students get comfortable coding in a new language. We start with an animation which gives kids a feel for the basic concepts and methods of running programs. The class is led live by an expert, and designed by professionals from Google, Stanford, and MIT.

Which is the best website to learn Python?

Ultimately, the best website to learn Python will be the one that interests your student the most. Looking through our resources below, see if you spot one that will stand out for your child.

Is your kid interested in games? Checkio might be a fun option. Does your student love interactive, hands-on learning? Raspberry Pi Code Club has lots of great challenges.

Would your student benefit from small group teaching, creative projects, and lots of practice with core skills? Create & Learn’s Python for AI class is likely to be the best fit. We strongly believe your student succeeds when they have the chance to demonstrate and explore their other interests and passions through code.

Discover the best resources to learn Python programming for beginners

In this section, we’ll discuss 10 Python programming resources. As you’ll see, some are more geared towards stand-alone use, while some are better as supplemental resources. All of these sites, however, provide high-quality programming instruction in Python.

1. Create & Learn Python

Create & Learn offers four units of Python classes that cover all of the fundamental Python programming skills, and ask students to be creative and innovative in how they approach problem-solving.

Age range: 11-14

Pros: Create & Learn’s Python class provides individualized instruction to a very small group of students. Kids get to build their own projects to fit their interests, and learn by creating. As an added bonus, the first class is totally free.

Cons: Classes are synchronous, meaning kids have to sign up and show up for a specific slot (but there are lots to choose from!).

Beyond our Python for AI class, we are excited to have launched a new class due to popular demand: Data Science with Python and Pandas (Grades 5-12). Data analytics is critical to the success of modern businesses, and can be really fun to learn for kids and teens. No matter whether your student wants to become an entrepreneur, a lawyer, a journalist, a doctor, or an engineer, it is important for them to gain the power to analyze and utilize and the data to gain business insights and make decisions. Pandas + Python is a powerful combination that will help your child understand the foundation of Data Science and explore an exciting field.

2. CodeAcademy

CodeAcademy is a great resource for learning any new language, and its Python courses are no exception. Students spend the majority of their learning time coding and getting feedback on their programs.

Age range: 10+

Pros: The interactive lessons let students practice longer-form code, and give really useful feedback through more detailed error messages.

Cons: While the class is free, students will frequently run into annoying paywalls.

3. W3Schools Python Tutorial

W3Schools is a great resource for coding tutorials in multiple languages. Students can get detailed information on every imaginable Python topic in an easy-to-digest format.

Age range: 10+

Pros: The site does a great job breaking concepts down into small pieces and lets students try out tiny code snippets to reinforce fundamental concepts.

Cons: For kids, W3Schools will be better to use as a supplemental resource. It does not provide longer exercises or more independent work.

4. Khan Academy on Youtube

Khan Academy’s Python course, now listed on Youtube rather than its original location, does a great job breaking apart Python concepts and going through example code.

Age range: 12+

Pros: Khan Academy has a very high standard for its content, and they put together videos that are easy to understand with plenty of examples.

Cons: Khan Academy’s Python class used to be on their own site, but has since moved to Youtube.The lack of structure of the Youtube classes can make it challenging to identify a learning sequence that makes sense.

5. Checkio

Checkio transforms Python learning into a game. Students travel between different islands, completing progressively harder challenges all while practicing basic Python skills.

Age range: 11+

Pros: Checkio gamifies Python coding, which makes learning mission-driven and fun!

Cons: The interface can be a little text heavy and may take some getting used to.

6. Python's official website

The Python website has a beginner's guide for non-programmers that is very helpful. It's a useful first step to get on your way writing programs with Python! There is also plenty of Python documentation which can help you along the way.

Age range: 14+

Pros: You'll even find a Python community on the site, which hosts conferences and meetups, and collaborates on code.

Cons: This website is likely to be better as a supplemental resource, and not as the primary mechanism for learning Python, as your student would have to self-guide themselves through the content.

7. Python on Udemy

Udemy is a video learning platform where experts contribute lessons on a variety of topics. This Python course covers many core topics and is broken up into small, easily digestible parts.

Age range: 14+

Pros: The videos are short and to the point, conveying lots of information in an efficient, easy to understand way.

Cons: There is a paywall, but no individualized instruction.

8. Google's Python Class

Google’s Python class has many, lengthy tutorials that go through extremely detailed examples of various Python concepts.

Age range: 14+

Pros: This class has lots of good information, great mini projects, and does a good job correcting common misconceptions that beginner coders often have.

Cons: Google’s Python class is less good for younger kids, and is more suitable to students who have a little prior experience. Also, software downloads are required.

9. Raspberry Pi Code Club

Raspberry Pi Code Club takes your students through multiple modules that drill down on specific Python skills. Using an embedded code IDE (Trinket.io), your students can code along with the instructions.

Age range: 10+

Pros: RPCC has multiple levels so students can begin where they most feel comfortable.

Cons: This Python tutorial is likely better for students with a strong sense of self-direction and motivation to learn - there is less help on this platform than in a live guided lesson.

10. Practice Python

Practice Python has many different mini projects that cover everything from web development to plotting in Python. Exercises are rated by difficulty and present mini-lessons in addition to the project description.

Age range: 10+

Pros: The projects are engaging and help provide real-world context for using Python.

Cons: Practice Python is a good supplemental resource for practicing the language, but it will be more helpful to have another (or several) sources of information/learning before attempting these projects.

Enjoy the best resources to learn Python programming

We hope you loved learning about some of our favorite Python resources and the best Python classes for kids. Even more importantly, we hope you found a great one for your student. Sign up for Create & Learn’s Free Python Class for kids ages 11-14, and unleash your student’s potential.

Written by Sarah Rappaport, who graduated from Northwestern University with undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering and music. She's now working on a masters in data with Georgia Institute of Technology. She taught math and computer science with Teach for America for two years, and now works as a Systems Engineer.