My 13-year-old son completed Khan Academy's Python course last school year and really enjoyed it. I don't code myself, so I'm unsure what skills he should have at this point or how to judge his level. I'd like to find an online course or project-based resource that challenges him appropriately during the upcoming school year. What would be a good next step?
5 Answers
Project-based practice may be more useful than immediately taking another course. Have him build small Python programs such as tic-tac-toe, hangman, Connect Four, or a text adventure. If he wants graphics, Pygame is a good option for making something like Snake.
It may be worth checking the local library for free online learning resources or coding groups. Some libraries offer access to courses and may also connect kids with practical, instructor-led activities.
Learning basic HTML could be an enjoyable change of pace, especially if he likes creating web pages. There are plenty of beginner-friendly video lessons, and he can combine HTML with CSS later to make the projects more polished.
A structured course like CS50 could be a good next step. It introduces broader computer science ideas and gives him more challenging problems to work through.
Try coding puzzles or guided game-building projects. Platforms that check solutions can provide useful feedback while letting him work through problems at his own pace. The main thing is to avoid staying in step-by-step tutorials forever—he should gradually design and troubleshoot his own projects, even if that means getting stuck sometimes.
That makes sense. Building something independently should also help me see what he can actually do rather than relying on course-completion labels.