Your kid wants to make a video game. Here is where to start.

Kids usually start with a huge idea. It has a world to explore, lots of characters, online play, shops, pets, and updates. That is fine. You do not need to talk them out of it.

Keep the big idea. Then make one small part of it first. A first game only needs a player, a goal, and a way to win or lose.

Start with one minute of play

Imagine a dog at the bottom of the screen. The player moves it left and right to catch falling stars. Catch ten and you win. Miss three and the game ends.

That is a complete first game. The title screen, shop, story, and extra levels can come later. Finishing this small version gives the child something real to test and improve.

Choose the tool that fits the game

For a simple 2D game or interactive story, start with Scratch. It gives kids characters, sounds, events, and blocks without asking them to learn a large game engine first.

MakeCode Arcade is a good fit for a maze, platformer, or retro arcade game. Children can build with blocks and later view the same project as JavaScript or Python. If your child already uses Scratch, our guide to what comes next compares both tools with several other options.

Use an AI builder for a small browser game

With an AI game builder, the child describes the player, the goal, the controls, and the rules. Then they play what was made and explain what feels wrong. It is a direct way to work, especially for a child who has an idea but does not enjoy tutorials.

Check the account rules before choosing a product. Look at the age limit, price, project privacy, and publishing settings. Many popular AI coding products were made for adults.

We make CodeDreams. Its game maker for kids is for small games that run in a browser, such as quizzes, clickers, platform games, puzzles, and interactive stories. Children can see the project files. Publishing a shareable link requires a paid plan. It is not a 3D game engine.

Use Roblox Studio for a Roblox game

Roblox Studio is free and includes a 3D editor, testing tools, a code editor, and publishing. Roblox games use a programming language called Luau. The official Creator Hub has templates and beginner lessons.

Studio runs on Windows and Mac. It is a large program, and publishing connects the game to Roblox. A parent should help with the account and understand who can see or edit the project. Our guide to Roblox Studio for kids covers the setup in more detail.

Use Godot when they want to learn a game engine

Godot is a free engine for standalone 2D and 3D games. It is a good choice for a child who wants to understand scenes, physics, assets, and scripts, and does not mind a slower start.

Begin with the official first-game lesson. Once it works, change one rule or add one feature. Rebuilding a large commercial game is not a useful first project.

A simple first weekend

1. Write down the player, goal, controls, and ending.
2. Make the game playable with basic shapes and no extra screens.
3. Let one person play without explaining the controls.
4. Fix the biggest problem they found. Save the rest for next time.

The parent's job is to help keep the project small and be the first player. Let the child make the choices. A rough game they made is a better start than a polished game an adult finished for them.