Traditional coding exercises ask learners to complete partial code or answer questions. Challenges ask learners to create something from scratch — using the same skills, but with a tangible, motivating output.
An exercise says: "Fill in the blank to make this loop run 5 times." A challenge says: "Build a timer that counts down from 10 and plays a sound when it hits zero." Both teach iteration — the challenge is more motivating and more memorable.
Working challenges are satisfying. Non-working ones have a clear goal: make it work. This creates a natural feedback loop that is far more engaging than marking exercises correct or incorrect.
For learners in their first 6–8 weeks of coding. Each challenge produces a working, shareable Scratch project.
Make a sprite that says your name when clicked. Add a colourful background. Make the sprite change costume when clicked a second time.
A sprite that counts down from 10 to 0. Displays each number for 1 second. Says "Go!" at zero.
Click the sprite as many times as possible in 10 seconds. Display the score. Add a high score that remembers the best result.
Press a key to make the background change to a random colour. Add a sprite that changes size randomly each time.
For learners who have completed the Scratch stage and know Python basics. Each challenge takes 30–45 minutes.
Ask the user to type a sentence. Count how many words it contains. Display the result. Bonus: also count the number of vowels.
Generate a random number between 1 and 100. Ask the user to guess. Tell them if their guess is too high, too low, or correct. Count how many guesses it took.
Store 5 questions and answers in lists. Ask each question in turn. Track how many the user gets right. Display their final score and a grade.
Ask for two numbers and an operator (+, -, *, /). Calculate the result using IF statements. Handle division by zero gracefully.
Ask for a message and a shift number. Shift each letter of the message by that amount. Display the encoded message. Then decode it.
Generate a random 8-character password using letters, numbers, and symbols. Allow the user to regenerate if they do not like it.
Arcade Live sessions include weekly challenges tailored to each learner's level. Monday and Thursday, 12:30–1:00pm, maximum 3 learners.
Challenges are graded from beginner (first 6 weeks of Scratch) to advanced (Python with data structures). Arcade Live sessions adapt to each learner's level.
Yes. Scratch runs in a browser at scratch.mit.edu. Python runs in a browser at repl.it. All challenges can be completed without installation.
Yes. Arcade Home packs include weekly challenges and projects for both Scratch and Python pathways. Term packs and Year packs are available.
Follow a structured route from Scratch to Python.
The foundation for Scratch challenges.
Build the Python skills needed for intermediate challenges.
Join live sessions for weekly challenges with Dee.