Scratch is definitely the way to go. They use it in our elementary schools here and one of my kids (9) has gone all in. He makes little games, animations, choose-your-own-adventure style experiences, and more. And it's free!
Gen Z here (no experience with having children). I learned how to code around age 10 with Scratch. Pretty sure it’s still around as a learning tool. Started with a library program, followed by independent play and later (around 13yo) a summer class taught by community college faculty.
Might be too complex for 7? I honestly don’t remember much about being 7. But worth looking into.
Middle school me also got into some of the “basic programming as game” video games. Like Human Resource Machine.
I do love the idea of this. There’s a space for “challenge” and “mastery” in certain games, but there’s also space for just enjoying and experiencing it.
I loved that Tunic had a “No fail mode” so I was able to be more engaged in the story and puzzle solving elements than shouting at and repeatedly failing to kill hard bosses! 😅
Re: “coding” apps for young kids, I'd add another vote for exploring Scratch. I helped teach a community center course with it for older elementary school students -- I feel a motivated 7-year-old could grasp the fundamentals and start creating.
At my video game college we actually taught Game Maker to all first time game dev students since it's cheap/free, simple to use, and as powerful as you'd like it to be (the original Spelunky was made in Game Maker): https://store.steampowered.com/app/1670460/GameMaker/
This is such a good idea. It was so obviously a good idea in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. I don't know why I never thought that other genres should do something similar. I'll have to check POPUCOM out.
Scratch is definitely the way to go. They use it in our elementary schools here and one of my kids (9) has gone all in. He makes little games, animations, choose-your-own-adventure style experiences, and more. And it's free!
Thanks, Brett!
Gen Z here (no experience with having children). I learned how to code around age 10 with Scratch. Pretty sure it’s still around as a learning tool. Started with a library program, followed by independent play and later (around 13yo) a summer class taught by community college faculty.
Might be too complex for 7? I honestly don’t remember much about being 7. But worth looking into.
Middle school me also got into some of the “basic programming as game” video games. Like Human Resource Machine.
Thank you! Will keep this in mind.
I do love the idea of this. There’s a space for “challenge” and “mastery” in certain games, but there’s also space for just enjoying and experiencing it.
I loved that Tunic had a “No fail mode” so I was able to be more engaged in the story and puzzle solving elements than shouting at and repeatedly failing to kill hard bosses! 😅
Re: “coding” apps for young kids, I'd add another vote for exploring Scratch. I helped teach a community center course with it for older elementary school students -- I feel a motivated 7-year-old could grasp the fundamentals and start creating.
This seems to be the popular answer...
At my video game college we actually taught Game Maker to all first time game dev students since it's cheap/free, simple to use, and as powerful as you'd like it to be (the original Spelunky was made in Game Maker): https://store.steampowered.com/app/1670460/GameMaker/
Noted, Brian!
This is such a good idea. It was so obviously a good idea in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. I don't know why I never thought that other genres should do something similar. I'll have to check POPUCOM out.
Agreed! Rooting for more decisions like this in the future.