Python Projects for Kids

Key Features

• Learn to start using Python for some simple programming tasks such as doing easy mathematical calculations.
• Use logic and control loops to build a nice interesting game.
• Get to grips with working with data and, once you’re comfortable with that, you’ll be introduced to Pygame, which will help you wrap up the book with a cool game.

Book Description

Kids are always the most fast-paced and enthusiastic learners, and are naturally willing to build stuff that looks like magic at the end (when it works!). Programming can be one such magic. Being able to write a program that works helps them feel they’ve really achieved something. Kids today are very tech-savvy and cannot wait to enter the fast-paced digital world.

Because Python is one of the most popular languages and has a syntax that is quite simple to understand, even kids are eager to use it as a stepping stone to learning programming languages.

This book will cover projects that are simple and fun, and teach kids how to write Python code that works.

The book will teach the basics of Python programming, installation, and so on and then will move on to projects. A total of three projects, with each and every step explained carefully, without any assumption of previous experience.

What you will learn

• Start fiddling with Python’s variables, build functions and interact with users
• Build your own calculator using the Math Library
• Train Python to make logical decisions
• Work with moving 2D objects on-screen
• Understand the Pygame Library and build your very own game!
• Write a cool program to manage inventories in your backpack

About the Author

Jessica Ingrassellino is a multi-talented educator, business leader, and technologist. She received her EdD from Teachers College, Columbia University for music education with an emphasis on assessment.

Jessica is currently employed as the lead software engineer in testing at Bitly, New York City. She transitioned from a teaching career of 10 years to a technology career through a balance of freelance work and social media exposure. Jessica’s current work focuses on using Python to develop automated testing tools. She is an ASTQB certified quality assurance engineer with experience in testing web, mobile, and backend applications.

In addition to working at Bitly, Jessica remains committed to education and has founded http://www.teachcode.org/, a nonprofit that teaches computer programming skills to teachers and students in urban or underserved populations through Python and 2D game programming. This new initiative will give teachers the support they need through a standards-referenced curriculum, student-engaging activities, and access to experts in the field of technology.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Welcome! Let’s Get Started
Chapter 2: Variables, Functions, and Users
Chapter 3: Calculate This!
Chapter 4: Making Decisions – Python Control Flows
Chapter 5: Loops and Logic
Chapter 6: Working with Data – Lists and Dictionaries
Chapter 7: What’s In Your Backpack?
Chapter 8: Pygame
Chapter 9: Tiny Tennis
Chapter 10: Keep Coding!
Appendix: Quick Task Answers