Want to learn how to code? An ambitious goal, you might say, but it’s doable, even playable. Yup, that’s right, you can learn to code just by playing games!

Why Play Games to Learn Python?

You see, incorporating games to help you learn a programming language like Python transforms the process into more of an enjoyable and interactive activity instead of just feeling like another task. It’s perfect for not just the younger folk, but also the older ones too.

Playing games to enhance understanding and retention of Python concepts allows you to enjoy the process and build a solid foundation of the language through hands-on and interactive experience. So, instead of watching a video or reading a textbook, you get to play a game.

Research from the National Library of Medicine showed that digital educational games strengthen and increase learning outcomes in students (compared to just studying theory), which is an excellent way of motivating you to learn. These games can also provide you with some really useful step-by-step guides to grasp some complex programming concepts. Isn’t that exciting?

So, let’s go ahead and check out the games that can help us learn Python while playing.

CodeCombat (Beginners)

CodeCombat offers a unique way of letting you enjoy the gameplay while learning to write code, and that’s just the beginning. The game not only instills a growth and active mindset in beginner learners but also promotes confidence that you can code!

It’s an innovative game-based coding platform where you can write code to solve puzzles and control a character. This provides an educational foundation that offers an engaging and enjoyable experience. The game also has the option to let you build your own levels with the game’s development world. That’s a cool feature, don’t you think? You get to improve your current coding skills further by adapting to the virtual world you created.

It’s quite an exciting role-playing game, where you get to type in code to lead your hero character out of dangerous dungeons and solve intricate puzzles. You also have to collect gems and fight off enemies to advance to the next level. Skilled players can also compete in the AI league once they’re confident with their coding skills. Aside from Python, students can also learn other coding languages such as JavaScript, CoffeeScript, and HTML.

CheckiO (Beginners and Intermediate)

Programming syntax is made up of strings of letters, numbers, and special characters. Seeing these alien-like writing can scare off beginners for good. It can be a little reminiscent of the scene in the sci-fi movie Matrix where strings of codes drip down. Well, the good thing is, as humans, we’re all adaptable and capable of learning new things. How hard can it be, right?

CheckiO is another online gaming platform that provides coding challenges. It’s a game designed to help not only beginner Python learners but intermediate programmers, as well to enhance their Python skills. The game also offers an engaging and interactive environment for solving a variety of tasks, further developing problem-solving skills.

Although fun and enjoyable, some students say that certain problems are super difficult. You have to see that as part of the learning journey, I would say.

The game presents you with a variety of missions ranging from sorting robot boxes to interpreting “ancient” messages. These lessons progress your coding skills through increasingly complex algorithm tasks. It also has a feature for competing with other players, as well as a collaborative community that encourages feedback on the code quality of the player, which I thought was pretty cool. The interface features virtual islands for different Python challenges and levels for learners to progress and navigate.

CodinGame (Intermediate)

Don’t be dismayed if CodinGame looks complicated. Although it’s more for intermediate learners, you can try it out once you’re ready. You can start by playing more beginner games like CodeCombat, and as you make progress and solve difficult challenges, you can check this one out.

Remember, it’s not always about speed but more about accuracy and problem-solving that makes one a good programmer. Speed will come in time. So take your time and enjoy every step of your coding journey.

The game has a variety of puzzles and coding competitions that allow users to develop combat robots using more than 25 coding languages, including C++ and JavaScript. As expected of intermediate learners, complex sequences of code must be created to solve difficult coding problems in the programming language of your choice. You can compete with other players, or you can solve challenges individually, with levels of difficulty increasing as you progress in the game.

This gaming platform focuses on algorithm-based challenges that enable you to further improve your coding skills by solving complex puzzles, gaining new concepts, and learning from the best developers around the world. As you move up the top of the competition ladder, it will present you with the opportunity to garner the attention of tech companies looking to hire their next coder. How cool is that?

Coding for Kids (Beginners)

Coding for Kids is not only for youngsters who want to take the path of becoming a programmer one day; it’s also a fun gaming environment for adults as well to learn coding, especially if you have a preference for visual and playful learning.

As with other game-based approaches, this interactive and playful method makes the coding journey more effective and enjoyable. Coding decisions in the game environment directly affect the outcome of the task, making your coding experience exciting.

Using the code editor, you are guided in creating code that will allow the character to perform certain movements, such as taking a step forward or back. Complex features are gradually presented as the user progresses through the game.

Looking at the image above, you might think that everything here is easy. Beginner, right? Though it is more geared towards beginners, the difficulty levels also include an advanced level. So it’s a good idea to sharpen your coding skills beforehand by taking all the basic challenges.

Learning to code is not a linear process. Don’t be afraid to break or tweak the codes to your liking. Test new logic beyond the pre-set challenges. Build your own project. Also, join online communities like Reddit’s r/learnpython and learn to try out other websites and apps. Happy coding!