this post was submitted on 08 Nov 2025

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118

Ideas for computer challenges for a 7yo (sopuli.xyz)

submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by wizzor@sopuli.xyz to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

87 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I promised my kid they'd get a laptop when they learn to read well enough.

This turned out to be a good motivator and they can now read full books.

The kid likes competitions and challenges. I would like to come up with tasks they can learn to do with the laptop.

The reason I want my children to have access to a computer specifically, is that while TVs and phones are used to consume, computers are used to create.

I will be installing some Linux flavor on this machine, as it is a bit dated.

I was thinking about things like:

Write a short story
Install a graphics editing program
Draw a picture of a cat

To get them started.

Probably I need some easier ones first.

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[–] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 4 points 5 days ago (3 children)

Krita is free and awesome for that age. Maybe install it together. If you have a tablet or touch screen, it's really fun.
How familiar are you with (also free) Blender? You would have to install it and learn the basics. Just the 3d sculpting program might be a blast for him and have him edit a UV sphere. There are a few basic tips to get you going, but kids pick it up way easier than adults do.
- The object mode is for the overall, individual objects
- The edit mode is to work on, inside, the object you select
- You absolutely have to have a scroll mouse
- There is a description in the lower left corner that lets you edit the mesh you're "adding" or putting in, then it goes away. This messes up a lot of people.
- At the top are tabs that let you select a layout for Blender for each focus. There is one for sculpting.
- The upper right has a lot of icons that let you move around the program (solid, see-thru, etc., and perspective. You would have to know this stuff.
- This video is for you right now if you don't know anything, and for him in a couple of years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOmYInaX-wE
Have him search Wikipedia on something he loves and to look for the sources.
Have him look for, speed up if necessary, and learn from youtube tutorials on topics that interest him.

Side note: Affinity (photoshop alternative) just became free, but I think that's too much. Good to know about though.

[–] helpImTrappedOnline@lemmy.world 5 points 5 days ago (1 children)

For photo/paint applications,

Paint.net is a great program, and photopea is a pretty good in-browser Photoshop clone.

[–] aloofPenguin@lemmy.world 1 points 21 seconds ago

Paint.net, unfortunately, is a Windows-only software. For Linux, I'd recommend something like Lazpaint. It's pretty close feature-wise, and I believe that it supports plugins.

[–] rudyharrelson@lemmy.radio 4 points 5 days ago

Have him search Wikipedia on something he loves and to look for the sources.

I like this idea, but with the additional step of vetting the topic in question on Wikipedia before allowing the kid to read the page.

e.g.: the kid says, "I love MrBeast!" and wants to research him. That Wiki article, while mostly innocuous, has a fairly lengthy "Controversies" section, including blue links to topics like "sexual harassment" and "homophobia".

[–] wizzor@sopuli.xyz 2 points 5 days ago

I never learned blender myself, although I can do some cad... Need to include some 3d modeling for sure though.

I didn't know about Affinity, need to check it.