Coding for Kids
Have you ever wanted to learn to code, but thought it would be dull? There is a way to learn valuable coding skills. Now, you can learn Python with Minecraft.
Whether you’re a parent or teacher, you can make learning fun with the power of Minecraft and Python. Many adults have started to consider making career pivots and teaching their kids about programming too.
Let’s face it, staring at lines of code can be boring. That is especially the case for kids, although I know many adults who feel the same.
Table of Contents:
Why Learn Python with Minecraft?
It’s a game and a coding platform all in one. This opens up ways to learn that are fun and rewarding, instead of mind-numbing.
Minecraft provides a visual, interactive environment. Students see code come to life.
Coding becomes less like work and more like magic. Kids and adults may be interested in AI today.
And, that is something that could translate well after learning python, as you can also use artificial intelligence through Python. So how do you start to Learn Python with Minecraft?
Get Minecraft: Education Edition
First, you’ll need Minecraft: Education Edition. It is a version that has features that help it work in a school environment.
Think of helpful things like classroom management and assessments. It gives teachers a toolbox to let students learn computer science inside of Minecraft.
Keep in mind that because of how education editions might vary based on region and licensing, it is important to read about what is included or what features are different if you do not buy the education edition or want something different. Minecraft Education offers training that provides educators with personalized learning.
To take the AI a step further, there is even an AI for Oceans lesson for middle and high schoolers who use Minecraft. But where does python factor into this if it comes down to Computer Science?
Unlocking Python in Minecraft
The Education Edition makes learning accessible. Once you have the Education Edition up and running, you have ways to make use of Python inside of Minecraft.
It can be easy, as with a mod you’re emulating the Raspberry Pi Minecraft protocol with Raspberry Jam Mod to make Raspberry Pi python scripts run with Minecraft’s full desktop. Using Minecraft with Python can seem tricky, so you can even start out in Scratch before trying to learn python.
These scripts let you do all sorts of neat things. From building structures to controlling the game world around you.
Coding courses can be uninteresting since problems can include number factorials. There is much more of a point in doing lessons inside of the game Minecraft because it will keep learners motivated by how fun and rewarding they will be in the visual space you can directly manipulate.
You manipulate objects by using your own Python code. You are going to see your work instantly.
With Visual Studio it is easier than ever, whether through Python Tools or through bundled installation or setup for Visual studio you are more easily developing the python code with simple mods. All this allows a better and more custom teaching process that has opened career paths like Platform Engineering that otherwise students might have dismissed from the outset..
Here is a quick way to install and use your own mod with Python scripts that you control within Minecraft:
- Install Forge for Minecraft.
- Run Minecraft 1.12.2 (it must be this version).
- Create a new profile on the Minecraft Launcher.
- Choose “Release 1.12.2” and start a world.
- Exit Minecraft and the Launcher.
- Download the Forge installer for 1.12.2.
- Run the installer using default settings.
After all that, you have a Forge 1.12.2 profile. Once you have Forge, use a Windows installer to install everything automatically (RaspberryJamMod, a Python interpreter, IDLE for Python, plus sample scripts.)
As someone teaching gifted kids code, I am planning on making use of Minecraft with these Mods. Since there are mods of various compatibilities it is easy to adapt all of these teachings so no one will feel left out, because python scripting helps the player manipulate various elements as covered in this course on how exactly you go from basic to complex actions..
It also brings people together who may be on separate software ecosystems who can access and learn from the same content. Also, for teachers there is support available for helping train more teachers on how they may come to take advantage of the Minecraft ecosystem..
The best place to start when wanting to actually go on to code python with Minecraft, try starting with easier sample scripts. I endorse that it helps to make a simple way of getting to the %appdata% folder to check these folders..
Choosing Your Python Version
A key part of integrating Python with Minecraft is selecting the right Python version. Both Python 2.7 and Python 3.x can work, so here’s the breakdown.
You should be sure to know and note these compatibilities, there’s also been work from communities and modders of modern updates too that allows greater version accessibility. That lets more groups use different features from all builds..
So it all still factors into consideration based on what and who exactly you are building with so they don’t encounter problems along the way as all great works and creations rely on this version control. Many sample scripts you find may be written for 2.7.
This can work better when working with more systems, as different Raspberry Pi models change over time, it will matter which has the necessary hardware, so the mcpiapi mod may require earlier Minecraft builds for its python interaction, or how Visual Studio is built may need older downloads like what Python toolkits it all utilizes.. You will get lots of mileage by understanding 3.x in 2024.
A lot of work has gone into converting older scripts. When getting into building and knowing that what version it will support also means that what product can be built on which API as Visual studio with a modern toolkit won’t help when someone tries to build something that is years out of date.
To take the development side seriously, as said by the people at Microsoft and with the help from Microsoft, Visual studio can make code even greater. So it is recommended in your coding journey.
There is also documentation created at Microsoft with development languages such as:
These languages help and have support that also translate and assist in making better Python builds. To best support yourself get documentation like code libraries ready.
By setting up code spaces effectively, you can easily see that things get way easier in what you create, what goals you put forward, and to bring everything full circle with learning Microsoft AI skills to learn how exactly this will matter most, like with Robot structural Perception code building. Next are some other lessons and things that I found to be fun to manipulate using python with Minecraft..
Fun Python and Minecraft Ideas
I can think of all sorts of simple tricks anyone can code using Python and Minecraft together. It depends on if that code is actually functional or able to get implemented.
Many players build spectacular spires. There are those users who can set up the right Minecraft settings by part 1 or other such builds that were planned accordingly, which makes code, planning and learning essential in helping a student grow for real.
A big build can become easy. It can come with one click instead of many blocks placed.
That also helps for the smaller builds too that won’t take you days.. The Minecraft world also makes the Minecraft python coding academy so special thanks to those building tools and skills..
It’s like a playground. The game comes to life with every command that comes to fruition.
Python also provides a practical bridge into the world. It can then expand into Learn for Organizations which means people learning new team building to be had and for others to get in to it too thanks to everyone’s involvement..
FAQs about Learn Python with Minecraft
Can you learn Python in Minecraft?
Yes, you can. The Education Edition of Minecraft has built-in features that let you use Python code to change the game world.
This hands-on way makes learning Python a very rewarding process.
Can you learn coding with Minecraft?
For Sure. Minecraft acts as a fantastic gateway to coding concepts. Minecraft provides a visual and engaging environment for this to become second nature.
Does Minecraft support Python?
Minecraft: Education Edition supports Python. It allows you to write Python code.
Minecraft offers many options and can let you bring Python into the game.
Is 3 months enough to learn Python?
Yes, 3 months is often enough time to grasp Python’s basics. You can then build a solid base for programming.
However, the journey to mastering it is continuous and life long.
Conclusion
As we talked about in this article, using Minecraft as an easy platform to learn can help people discover just how coding helps. Not only is there new fun thanks to your own coding with Minecraft, this all allows new people to jump into various STEM fields..
This provides a much better alternative to traditional teachings, but there can be a worry on compatibilities depending on whether what you are creating will take time but learning various building approaches in various system toolsets makes code easily brought around. There is support on all of these topics if it starts from one block at a time, the more teachers teaching people who can use coding by leveraging python in Minecraft will ensure there is strength from teaching more teachers too.
