From Code Club to Coolest Projects: Taking the next step

At Code Club, projects are a vehicle for something bigger. Whether creators are building a Scratch animation, designing a website, or experimenting with an AI project like Chomp the Cheese, the real value often lies in what they learn along the way.

Signing up for Coolest Projects 2026 gives this development a clear focus and a fun and inspiring goal to work towards.

Building confidence through sharing

When young people know they’re preparing a project to share beyond their own club, they take greater ownership of their work and spend more time refining their ideas. As they practise explaining what they’ve created, their confidence grows.

Coolest Projects isn’t about being the most advanced or technically complex. It’s about recognising effort, creativity, and progress. For many creators, submitting a project is the first time they see their work acknowledged on a wider stage, and that experience can be transformative.

“Over the years, I’ve learned how to approach projects when working on them… I’m starting a 3D printing project with LEDs and I want to use AI with it now after seeing it today.” – Amy, 13

Strengthening communication skills

Preparing their project encourages creators to pause and think about their work — what it does, how they built it, and what they’re most proud of.

Talking about their project, whether in a short description or a conversation, gives them the chance to practise explaining their ideas clearly. That process helps build confidence in sharing their thinking and often leads to helpful discussions about how they could improve or develop it further.

Connecting to a wider community

Just being in a Code Club means you already feel part of a community. Coolest Projects expands that sense of belonging by showing creators they are part of a global network of young digital makers.

Seeing the variety of projects submitted each year can be inspiring. It helps young people recognise that there isn’t one “right” kind of project, just different ideas, perspectives, and approaches.

“It’s nice to see all the different projects people have made…I want to keep working on my project, and I will definitely come back next year.” – Peter, 11

Inspiring pride and motivation

Taking part in Coolest Projects creates a natural milestone. It gives creators a reason to persevere when something isn’t working and a moment to feel proud when it is.

For some, it may be a first AI experiment. For others, a simple website or game they’ve steadily improved. Whatever the format, submitting a project reinforces that their ideas are worth developing and sharing.

That pride often leads to renewed motivation to try something more ambitious next time, to build on what they’ve learned, and to keep creating.

“I liked trying out new stuff and looking at people’s projects because most of them were interesting and it inspired me to start web design (html & css)!” – Raj, 14

Coolest Projects 2026 is open for registrations. Find an in-person event near you, or join our global virtual event this summer. 

If your Code Club is already building projects, you’re well on your way. Signing up is simply the next step in recognising the confidence, communication, and creativity your creators are already developing every week.