Here are 10 projects to get you started learning the Python programming language. Not a newbie? Check them out anyway for some Saturday afternoon project ideas.
If you’re trying to learn something new, making it fun can be a big help. Being engaged in a project means you remember why you did something the way you did and helps to make you more confident when using the same tools again.
Bonus if you get creative and start adding your own touches – it’s the best way to broaden your knowledge. Add an extra row to the tic-tac-toe game. Add some flashing lights to your Python-powered pachinko machine. Add a horn to your Python-powered remote-controlled tank to scare the cat out of the way when you come rolling through.
Learning Resources
If you need to look something up while running through any of the tutorials on this page, check out the resources below:
Now, onto the projects – learn by doing!
Raspberry Pi & Python Powered Pachinko
https://www.linuxscrew.com/raspberry-pi-python-pachinko
A LinuxScrew Original. Build your own physical Pachinko machine and use a Raspberry Pi and Python to monitor the play area, keep score, and play sound effects. A great way to learn about using Input/Output on the Raspberry Pi.
Python Wikipedia Data Scraper (And Linux Desktop Notifications)
https://www.linuxscrew.com/covid-vaccination-rate-notifier-project
Scrape and display data from Wikipedia (or any other website) and pop up a notification on your desktop when that data is updated. Why not expand on it and get a notification when your favorite game drops in price?
Resize and Watermark Images with Python
https://www.linuxscrew.com/python-script-resize-watermark-images
You might not know it, but when you upload a photo online, it often includes a bunch of data that describes the exact location the photo was taken, the time it was taken, and what it was taken with.
You mightn’t want this information shared – this Python project will remove that data from photos for you, so they’re safe to upload, and you can also resize and watermark the images so that they’re quick to load, and you’re always credited for your creations.
Python Snake Game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzWzlXiavXs
Nokia fans can re-live the 1990s classic game – snake! Learn how to code game logic, and display graphics on the screen.
Python Text Adventure
Text adventure games were the PC game genre of the early 1980s. Make your own text-based saga and share it with your friends.
Build a Python Calculator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5PfbC5ld-Q
Sounds boring, but it isn’t. You’ll learn how to crunch numbers and display a graphical user interface. When you’re done, you’ll have built a real desktop application and be well on your way as an app developer.
Rock Paper Scissors Python
https://thehelloworldprogram.com/python/python-game-rock-paper-scissors/
The timeless classic. Learn how to compare values and work with conditional login in Python – perfect for people just getting started.
Python Tic-Tac-Toe
https://medium.com/byte-tales/the-classic-tic-tac-toe-game-in-python-3-1427c68b8874
Once you’ve conquered Rock, Paper, Scissors, you can move up to a more complex game. This Tic-Tac-Toe project has sweet ASCII graphics and introduces a little complexity without any extra difficulty.
Send an Email Using Python
https://realpython.com/python-send-email/
Send an email using Python. Simple but useful. Great for automated projects.
Convert a Photo to a Pencil Sketch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZNo0U1wIxc
There are a bunch of useful libraries for Python – some make graphs, some play sounds. CV2 (for Computer Vision 2) captures and manipulates images. This 4 line project will convert a photo to a pencil sketch.
Bonus: Python Powered Tank!
https://www.linuxscrew.com/raspberry-pi-python-powered-tank https://www.linuxscrew.com/raspberry-pi-python-powered-tank-part-2 https://www.linuxscrew.com/raspberry-pi-python-powered-tank-part-iii
This one isn’t really a beginner thing and needs some soldering, but check out what you can do with Python – remote-controlled tanks!
Want More?
There’s no limit to what you can build with Python – check out the free eBook below for more projects – automate your daily life!
