Meet the Turtle
Move a turtle that draws as it goes.
Meet the Turtle is a free Coding for Kids lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Coding for Kids learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Meet the Turtle!
Hello artist! 🐢🎨 Today we meet a magic turtle that draws on the screen!
It walks around and leaves a line behind, like a pen.
A Turtle With a Pen
Imagine a tiny turtle holding a pen with its tail. ✏️
Wherever it walks, it draws a line. So wherever we send it, we make art!
Bringing the Turtle In
First we tell Python we want the turtle. We write import turtle.
This wakes up the turtle so we can use it! 🐢
Creating a Turtle Friend
Then we make our turtle and give it a name, like t. 🐢
import turtle
t = turtle.Turtle()
turtle.done()Say Hello to t
Now t is our turtle friend! 🐢
Every time we want it to move, we will talk to t.
A Window Appears
When the turtle runs, a window pops up on the screen. 🪟
That window is the turtle's drawing paper! 📄
The Turtle Starts in the Middle
Our turtle starts right in the center of the window. 🎯
It usually points to the right, ready to walk!
Telling the Turtle to Move
Soon we will say things like t.forward(100).
That means "walk forward 100 little steps". 🚶
import turtle
t = turtle.Turtle()
t.forward(100)
turtle.done()A Line Appears
When the turtle walks forward, it draws a straight line! ➖
You just made your first turtle drawing. 🎉
turtle.done() Keeps It Open
We end with turtle.done(). 🪟
This keeps the window open so we can admire our art! Without it, the window might close too fast.
You Met the Turtle!
You learned to import turtle, make a turtle, and open the window. 🐢🎉
Next we make it turn and draw shapes!
Quick Check
Turtle quiz time! 🐢
Great Start!
Woohoo! 🎉 You met your turtle friend.
Next lesson: making it walk and turn to draw lines! ➡️🔄
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Meet the Turtle” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Meet the Turtle” is free to read here on the web, and the Coding for Kids course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Coding for Kids course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Meet the Turtle”?
Move a turtle that draws as it goes. You practise Coding for Kids with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Coding for Kids?
No prior experience is required. Coding for Kids on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Meet the Turtle” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Coding for Kids lesson?
Yes. Every Coding for Kids lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Meet the Turtle
- Drawing Lines and Turns
- Drawing Shapes
- Adding Colors