Today we’re going to take a look at how to learn Python for kids ages 8 to 18. We’ll share some of the best free Python for kids resources online, including free classes, tutorials, and worksheets. There's even a guided AI experience for practicing Python with fun projects. If you are new to Python, check out our award-winning live online free Python class, designed by experts from Google, Stanford, and MIT!
Free Python resources for kids and beginners
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 you are new to code or would like to refine your skills, let’s visit the basics of python. With free courses, fun tutorials, and free Python coding games, you will be on your way to writing algorithms that can manipulate data or generate beautiful visualizations!
Try free Python courses for kids and beginners
To start your Python journey, enjoy these free coding classes available now:
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. Required: creativity and a passion for learning code!
Ages: 10-15
Class type: Live online, small group
Class length: 55 minutes, one session
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 and 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.
Check out 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 try your hand at!
6. 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.
7. 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!
8. 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!
9. Make a Chatbot with Python
This tutorial has all the steps and libraries needed to code a cool chatbot in Python!
10. 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 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.
11. 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.
12. W3Schools
W3Schools is a website that provides interactive lessons equipped with your own interface, allowing you to learn a lesson and try it on your own!
13. CodingBat
This website offers excellent hands-on exercises for coding in Python.
14. 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).
15. Learnpython
Here you will find basic as well as more advanced or field-related tutorials (e.g. data science) for coding in python.
More: 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:
Enjoy free Python resources
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.
