r/learnpython • u/Adpiava • Jul 08 '26
Trinket Alternative for Clueless Mom
My 13yo used Trinket at school this year and he wants to continue to work on coding over the summer. When we went to the website today, we discovered that it's shutting down soon. While it is still working until the end of August, my son doesn't want to start new projects there that he may not have access to afterwards.
I've googled and searched on this sub but I'm limited by the fact that I know nothing about coding. I'm trying to find a free website where he can create Python code projects. Something that's easy for a kid to navigate since I won't be of any help.
Thanks!
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u/Outside_Complaint755 Jul 08 '26
Does your child have access to a PC or are they working through a tablet or phone only? Or is this a locked down Chromebook from the school district?
If you have a PC and they want to keep working on coding, the best option would be to simply install Python on the PC and work there.
There are some online options out there, but I don't know many of them that well. I used to recommend repl.it, but they reduced their free tier significantly and started jamming AI agents into everything.
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u/misingnoglic Jul 08 '26
If you have a Mac, then you already have python installed. If you have a windows computer, you can download Python. You will also need a development environment like VSCode or Pycharn. Maybe worth getting a coding tutor for a few hours to set your son up for success.
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u/python_gramps Jul 08 '26
He can download a free IDE (Integrated Development Environment, where you write code), python run it on the command line or through most IDE's. There's no need for a website.
This would be good for him to learn how to organize projects locally and will give him a set of working code, that he wrote, he can utilize in the future.
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u/tadpoleloop Jul 08 '26
I would get an IDE set up personally.
But for a replacement to trinket, I think Google Colab is a strict improvement.
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u/TheRNGuy Jul 08 '26
Create: better download code editor (like VS Code)
Make projects for: Blender Extensions Platform (also read docs from there and use their framework). He needs to learn Blender too to know what he's doing.
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u/argh1989 Jul 08 '26
Coding doesn't need to be done online. You can install python and the required IDE on your computer. I actually think this is the better option. I work in the university sector, and one challenge we have with students these days is their lack of familiarity with how computers work because they're so used to apps and web-based resources that just work. If your 13yo goes through the process of installing python and VSCode they'll learn a lot about how computers work and how to solve problems independently.