Learning Python With My Kids

Learning how to code can be a daunting task for adults, let alone our kids. However, coding can also be a fun and highly rewarding experience, especially when done together with your children. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through a Python game designed to teach your kids both math and programming.

The game is called “Math and Ninjas,” and it’s as exciting as it sounds! It combines simple math problems with the thrill of becoming a ‘Math Ninja’. Let’s break down the code to understand its workings and how it can be an educational tool for you and your kids.

Setup and Introduction

Firstly, we import three Python libraries:

import random
import time
import os

• random is used to generate random numbers.
• time allows us to pause the program for a short duration.
• os provides a way to interact with the operating system, like clearing the screen.

User Input and Initialization

When the game starts, it asks for the player’s name and whether they want to play. The input is stored in the variables kids_name and player.

kids_name = input('What is your name?: ').title()
print(f"**********Hi {kids_name}!**********\n")
print('***Welcome to Math and Ninjas***\n')
player = input('Do you want to play?: ').lower()

The Main Game Function

The main() function contains the core game logic. It first checks if the player wants to play:

while player in ['y', 'yes', 'ye']:

Generating Math Problems

Inside the loop, two random numbers between 1 and 20 are generated, and a random operator (+ or -) is chosen.

first_operand = random.randint(1, 20)
second_operand = random.randint(1, 20)
operator = random.choice(['+', '-'])

Creating the Math Problem

Based on the operator chosen, the code calculates the correct answer. It then presents the math problem to the user for solving.

user_answer = int(input(f'\nWhat is the answer to the ninja math problem?\n{first_operand} {operator} {second_operand} =  '))

Verifying the Answer

The code then checks the user’s answer. If correct, it praises the player as a ‘Math Ninja’; otherwise, it provides the correct answer and calls the player a ‘Bug’.

if user_answer == correct_answer:
    print(f'\nGreat job {kids_name}!')
    print('You are a Ninja!\n')
else:
    print(f'\nTry again {kids_name}. \nYou are NOT a Ninja. YOU ARE A BUG!\nThe correct answer is {correct_answer}.\n\n')

The game then asks the player if they want to continue, and the loop starts over if they do.

Learning Points

1. Basic Syntax: The game is simple enough that even someone with no prior Python knowledge can understand it. This is excellent for teaching kids the basics of Python syntax.

2. Conditionals: The game uses if-else statements to check answers, providing a good learning point for conditional logic.

3. Loops: The game runs within a while loop, providing an opportunity to teach kids about loops in programming.

4. Input and Output: The game uses input() and print() functions to interact with the player, which can be a great introduction to user interaction in programming.

5. Variables and Types: The game uses variables to store information like the player’s name, chosen math operators, and generated numbers, teaching the basics of variables and data types.

6. Math and Randomness: The game brings in a math element, mixing learning and fun. Also, the use of random numbers makes each game round different, adding to the excitement.

Conclusion

Coding can be an invaluable skill, and it’s never too early to start. The “Math and Ninjas” game is an excellent way for your kids to practice basic math and learn programming in a fun, interactive way. So why not sit down with your kids this weekend, play some rounds, and raise a new generation of ‘Math Ninjas’?

Happy Learning and Gaming!