Python playground ↗
For classrooms, clubs & kitchen tables

One hour.
A lot of “I made that!”A free one-hour coding activity for kids

Pick a route, open KidsCode in a browser, and follow the timings. Each plan mixes a warm-up, short hands-on activities, and a moment to share. No accounts, no installs, and no coding experience needed to lead it.

Choose a route →
Before you start

A five-minute setup

Devices

A computer, Chromebook, or tablet with an up-to-date browser. Robot missions and Python also work on phones; the block editor likes a bigger screen.

Internet

Pages load from the web. The first Python run downloads the Python engine, so open a lesson and press Run once before the session starts.

No accounts

Nothing to register. Progress saves in each browser, so on shared computers use the reset on the Explore page between groups.

Pairs work well

One child drives the mouse or keyboard, the other navigates and checks the plan. Swap every activity so both get a turn.

Three routes · 60 minutes each

Choose the route that fits

Routes are flexible. Mix them, stretch a favorite activity, or stop early when the room is buzzing.

No typing · roughly ages 7–10

First clicks

Robot puzzles and pixel art build sequencing, loops, and debugging without a keyboard.

  1. 0:00
    Warm-up: be the robot · 5 min

    One partner is the robot and follows instructions exactly: step forward, turn left, turn right. The other guides them to a target. Swap. What happened when a step was missing?

  2. 0:05
    Robot missions 1–4 · 15 min

    Plan arrow commands, then use Repeat to do more with fewer steps.

  3. 0:20
    Robot missions 5–8 · 15 min

    Break big routes into little steps and fix plans that bump into walls.

  4. 0:35
    Pixel studio · 15 min

    Turn on Mirror and paint a symmetrical robot or creature using coordinates.

  5. 0:50
    Share & reflect · 10 min

    Show a partner your art. Which bug was the trickiest to fix?

Total: 60 minutes

Comfortable readers

Block builders

Snap together real programs with variables, decisions, and loops, then test them.

  1. 0:00
    Warm-up: robot missions 1–2 · 5 min

    A quick reminder that computers follow instructions in order.

  2. 0:05
    Block mission 1: Sequences & output · 5 min

    First this. Then that.

  3. 0:10
    Block mission 4: Variables & assignment · 7 min

    A pocket with a name.

  4. 0:17
    Block mission 7: If / else · 8 min

    Two doors. One decision.

  5. 0:25
    Block mission 9: Counted loops · 7 min

    Encore, little robot!

  6. 0:32
    Bug detective quiz · 10 min

    Predict what code does and spot the mistake in eight short puzzles.

  7. 0:42
    Free block playground · 10 min

    Build a mood machine: if the mood is happy, Bit says something cheerful.

  8. 0:52
    Share & reflect · 8 min

    Run your partner’s program. Can you predict what it will do first?

Total: 60 minutes

Confident readers & typists · often 10+

First Python

Type real Python, run it in the browser, and finish with a project to remix.

  1. 0:00
    Warm-up: be the robot · 5 min

    One partner is the robot and follows instructions exactly: step forward, turn left, turn right. The other guides them to a target. Swap. What happened when a step was missing?

  2. 0:05
    Python lesson 1: Your first program · 5 min

    Hello, little universe!

  3. 0:10
    Python lesson 2: Variables & strings · 7 min

    A backpack for your ideas

  4. 0:17
    Python lesson 5: If, else & decisions · 8 min

    Choose your own adventure

  5. 0:25
    Python lesson 6: For loops & range · 8 min

    Again! Again! Again!

  6. 0:33
    Project: silly story machine · 17 min

    Change the inputs, then add your own sentence to the story.

  7. 0:50
    Share & reflect · 10 min

    Read your story aloud. What would you add with one more loop or if?

Total: 60 minutes

Questions that keep thinking going

  1. Predict: “What do you think will happen when you press Run?”
  2. Notice: “What changed? What surprised you?”
  3. Debug: “Where did the program stop doing what you expected?”
  4. Remix: “Change one number, word, or step. What happens now?”
Running a session for Computer Science Education Week in December, a coding club, or a rainy afternoon? This plan works any week of the year. KidsCode is independent and free, so there is nothing to register or download.

After the hour

Children who want more can continue the block coding trail (20 missions), the Python trail (10 lessons), or pick a Python project to remix. New words from the session are in the coding glossary. For ages, privacy, and accessibility details, read the parent and teacher guide.

Planning questions

Before you press Run

Do students need accounts or email addresses?

No. KidsCode has no sign-up or login. Students open the pages and start. Progress is stored in each browser on each device.

What if we only have 30 minutes?

Use the first half of any route: the warm-up plus the first two activities. Robot missions 1–4 or the first two block missions fit comfortably in half an hour.

Can children do this at home?

Yes. The same routes work for one child with a grown-up. Take turns being the driver and the navigator.

Which route should I choose for a mixed group?

Start everyone on the robot missions together, then let confident readers move to the block missions while others continue with robots and pixel art.