Curious how to learn Python for kids ages 8 to 18? Discover some of the best free Python resources for kids, including free classes, tutorials, and worksheets you can use with your student to help them conquer this approachable yet high-level coding language favored by industry giants such as Netflix and Google.
Middle and high school students can have fun learning Python programming with the support of an engaging, expert instructor in our award-winning live online free Python class, designed by experts from Google, Stanford, and MIT.
Free Python Resources For Kids And Teens
Programming is an art and a science. While a programming script has a logical design—with an input and an output, it also has a specific style based on the coder. There are many styles that can be used to accomplish the same goal whether it be to iterate a function (e.g. add 20) over a list (e.g. a list containing the salaries in dollars of 5 individuals), or pass a function like enumerate() over a tuple to retrieve the indices or locations of the elements.
Coding with logical design and style is easy with Python. It is one of the most accessible programming languages for many reasons. Its syntax is specific yet simple relative to other languages like C++. Also, it has many modules/libraries that can be readily installed and used to solve a variety of problems (e.g. NumPy and Pandas). If your student is new to code or would like to refine their skills, let’s visit the basics of Python with free courses, fun tutorials, and free Python coding games. Soon, you will be on your way to writing algorithms that can manipulate data or generate beautiful visualizations!
Enjoy Free Beginner Python Courses For Kids
Live online Python classes offer the benefits of structured learning from the comfort of home. Real-time interaction with experienced instructors allows students to ask questions, receive immediate feedback, and engage in discussions that deepen their understanding of the material. This interactive environment mimics a traditional classroom experience, fostering motivation and accountability. For students that prefer to learn at their own pace, there are also on-demand classes. Let's explore a few options.
1. Free Beginners' Python Course
This award-winning online course, designed by professionals from Google, Stanford, and MIT, guides students through beginning to learn one of the most popular and versatile languages. Led live by an expert, students learn how to animate and draw with Python, and build their own story project to create a cool animation. Once you've completed this course, continue learning with the full Python for AI course. Required: creativity and a passion for learning to code!
Ages: 10-15
Class type: Live online, small group
Class length: 55 minutes for one free session, 70 minutes for the complete course's sessions
2. Introduction to Python Programming
Offered through Udemy, this free Python course introduces Python to anyone with little-to-no experience or those who are refreshing their skills. Topics covered include variable assignments, data structures like lists and dictionaries, loops, conditional statements and built-in functions (that don’t require importing modules). Access through a free account is required.
Ages: 10+
Class type: Free access to pre-recorded coding sessions with instructor narration
Class length: Self-paced. <10 minute, each video. Total: 1.5 hrs.
3. Python for Data Science
Python is a powerful language in data science for its capability to develop artificial intelligence (AI). This Udemy course is designed especially for beginners with an interest in learning and applying basic python in the context of data science. The course highlights practical skills by using the IDE Jupyter Notebook, leading you through its installation to its use for coding basic python data structures, functions, if/else statements and loops.
Ages: 10+
Class type: Free access to pre-recorded coding sessions with instructor narration
Class length: Self-paced. <10 minute, each video. Total: 4 hrs.
Note: This course does not offer hands-on experience with AI. Once comfortable with the course’s basic Python skills, you can continue your Python journey through Create & Learn to explore hands-on experiences with AI-oriented projects (see AI Creators I).
4. Introduction to Python with DataCamp
Offered by DataCamp, this introductory course to Python provides insight into Python applications, variables, and data types and how to manipulate them. These lessons are interactive with a coding interface made directly available to you. Upon making your free account, there will be the following prompts to lead you to your first class: Learn Python > Programming > Python Fundamentals.
Ages: 10+
Class type: Access to a Python interface as well as prompted questions
Class length: Self-paced with prompted guidance
5. IBM’s Python for Data Science, AI & Development
On Coursera, IBM offers an introduction to python that requires only interest in the language. The curriculum involves data types, variables, data structures and core python libraries such as Pandas and NumPy. Registration requires choosing a certification you are interested in earning related to AI, data science, or software engineering. Interest in the aforementioned fields is recommended.
Ages: 14+.
Class type: Free access to pre-recorded lectures and discussion forums for a 7-day trial period.
Class length: Total: ~21 hrs.
Note: Once the trial has ended, the course will cost $39 USD per month to continue. When registering for the free trial, it will prompt you to choose a certificate that you will earn upon completion of the course; the choice only matters if you plan on completing the full course.
Free Python Exercises And Worksheets For Kids
For additional learning and answers to specific Python questions, explore any of the following websites for fun challenges and activities.
6. PythonAI Coach
Get started learning Python with Create & Learn's AI Coach powered by ChatGPT in this simple interactive experience. Complete basic Python syntax challenges before moving onto a fun animation project. Ask questions and get immediate answers from your AI Coach, if your student gets stuck along the way.
7. W3Schools
W3Schools offers clear, beginner-friendly tutorials that cover fundamental concepts and practical applications of Python. The site includes interactive examples and exercises, allowing students to practice coding directly in their browser and see immediate results. Additionally, W3Schools provides comprehensive reference materials, quizzes, and projects to reinforce learning and build confidence in programming skills.
8. CodingBat
CodingBat helps students build their skills progressively. This website provides a wide range of coding problems that are designed to reinforce key concepts and improve problem-solving abilities. Each Python exercise comes with immediate feedback, allowing students to learn from their mistakes and understand the correct solutions. The site is user-friendly, making it easy for students to navigate and focus on practicing coding.
9. IBM’s “Beginner’s Guide to Python”
Once you’ve taken a look at this webpage, please refer to the “Next steps” section towards the end (especially A Whirlwind Tour of Python, offered by the successful tech publisher O’Reilly).
10. Learnpython
Here you will find basic as well as more advanced or field-related tutorials (e.g. data science) for coding in Python.
11. GeeksforGeeks
GeeksforGeeks organizes a range of lessons from basic coding in Python (e.g. using print()) to coding more specialized tasks (importing the Pandas library and creating a Pandas dataframe). This can also serve as a helpful reference for any questions related to python.
Pandas + Python is a powerful combination that will help your child understand the foundation of Data Science and explore an exciting field. Join our live online class to learn the basics of Pandas.
12. Python's 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.
13. Google's Python Course
Google’s Python class has many, lengthy tutorials that go through extremely detailed examples of various Python concepts. This class has lots of good information, great mini projects, and does a good job correcting common misconceptions that beginner coders often have. Also, software downloads are required.
14. Raspberry Pi Python
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 child can code along with the instructions. RPCC has multiple levels so students can begin where they most feel comfortable.
Explore Free Python Tutorials For Kids
Python tutorials can help students practice, problem solve, and build critical thinking skills. Here are a few of our favorites to challenge your student's new skills.
15. Write A Message Python Game Tutorial
Simplicity wins! So, no matter how confident of a programmer you may be, always start off by making a simple game in Python. To help you get started, we have put together a step-by-step tutorial for a simple Python game we call Write a Message.
16. Build Your First Animation
See the simple steps it takes to build a stick figure and animate it in Python. Try the extra challenge of adding eyes and hair!
17. Make a Harry Potter Hat Game
Learn how to make a Hogwarts Sorting Hat-inspired game! Use basic concepts in Python starting from importing packages, interacting with the user using input(), and ending with taking decisions using if-elif-else structures. Simply use this template and follow along!
18. Make a Chatbot with Python
This tutorial has all the steps and libraries needed to code a cool chatbot in Python!
19. Make Python Turtle Art
Learn how to make awesome animal art and fonts such as bubble letters in Python with this beginner-friendly project!
Free Python Resources For Kids
Now you know many of the best resources to learn Python. Python is an intuitive and versatile programming language. Exploring any one of these opportunities—courses, tutorials or exercises, you will emerge with basic skills in Python. Even if you have existing knowledge, programming can become beautiful once the style of the programmer grows as well. This can only be achieved through continuous coding. We wish you luck on your journey! We look forward to seeing you in our Python for AI class.
Written by Nicole Maeser, a second-year PhD student in the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology program at the University of Minnesota, developing and deploying artificial intelligence-based solutions to understand and treat cancer. Along her academic and professional journey, Nicole has been teaching since 2013, and recently held a 4-hour workshop in May 2021 entitled "Introduction to Deep Learning and Creating Neural Networks in Python and R." She hopes to inspire a growth of technical skill and confidence in the field of artificial intelligence.
