Ask HN: Raspberry Pi projects for 7y olds?
4 comments
I have kids at a similar age, and I work for an official Raspberry Pi reseller.
I'd recommend you have a look at:
Scratch [1] on Raspberry Pi (this is visual programming). Originally made by MIT. We tend to make interactive games based on their current interests. I've done both Voltron and My Little Pony versions of these for the various spawn.
If textual coding is more your thing you should do a bit of Python [2].
Besides cost, the key differentiation of the Pi vs a regular PC is the ability to directly connect electronics components (LEDs, sensors and actuators etc) to the GPIO pins. These can then be controlled with Python and other programming languages. We have some free guides on this here [3].
One thing many folks don't know is that you can also get Mathematica [4] (for free) on the Raspberry Pi. There is a pretty good companion book available called "An Elementary Introduction to the Wolfram Language" [5]. You wouldn't know it by the title, but it is aimed towards a younger audience.
Best of luck w/ your Raspberry Pi journey!
[1] https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/usage/scratch/READ...
[2] https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/usage/python/READM...
[3] https://www.littlebird.com.au/a/how-to#raspberry-pi
[4] https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/usage/mathematica/...
[5] https://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Introduction-Wolfram-Langu...
I'd recommend you have a look at:
Scratch [1] on Raspberry Pi (this is visual programming). Originally made by MIT. We tend to make interactive games based on their current interests. I've done both Voltron and My Little Pony versions of these for the various spawn.
If textual coding is more your thing you should do a bit of Python [2].
Besides cost, the key differentiation of the Pi vs a regular PC is the ability to directly connect electronics components (LEDs, sensors and actuators etc) to the GPIO pins. These can then be controlled with Python and other programming languages. We have some free guides on this here [3].
One thing many folks don't know is that you can also get Mathematica [4] (for free) on the Raspberry Pi. There is a pretty good companion book available called "An Elementary Introduction to the Wolfram Language" [5]. You wouldn't know it by the title, but it is aimed towards a younger audience.
Best of luck w/ your Raspberry Pi journey!
[1] https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/usage/scratch/READ...
[2] https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/usage/python/READM...
[3] https://www.littlebird.com.au/a/how-to#raspberry-pi
[4] https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/usage/mathematica/...
[5] https://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Introduction-Wolfram-Langu...
Maybe try setting up one of the game emulators. That would help with an understanding of how you can have different OSs and explore how emulators work while having games to play when it's set up.
Another simple thing could be sensor hats. You can use something like an enviophat to read tempature and flash the LEDs based on some condition (written in python).
Another simple thing could be sensor hats. You can use something like an enviophat to read tempature and flash the LEDs based on some condition (written in python).
I did a fun project with our 9yo: we installed Minecraft and did some programming tutorials!
https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/projects/getting-started...
https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/projects/getting-started...
You'd both probably like Microsoft Makecode. It runs in the browser and on lots of cool devices. http://makecode.com
But I've decided it's time to help her understand that basic technology is not magic (though someone other than her webdev dad will eventually have to help her with sufficiently advanced technology ;)
I'm looking for fun Raspberry Pi projects to do with a 7y old. I've DDG'd around and the listicle articles for "kids" range from very basic to projects for high schoolers. It's a bit overwhelming.
I'm curious what other HNers have worked on with the young kids in their lives.
Thanks!