Make Your Own Game for Kids
Coding, Game Design & Tech
Equip your kids with valuable coding skills and programming language taught by the best tutors and university lecturers, and set them up for future computer programming success!
Game Design course for kids aged 6 to 16
University-level Education
with Accredited Qualifications
Learn game design at the only academy in the world approved to deliver NCFE-accredited qualifications to children aged 6 to 16.
Kids will learn game development just like game developers at the university level. Our courses are designed by university educators, offering a unique learning experience by building games that prepare them for the future world of technology.
About Game Design Course for kids
Your child will learn how to create their own video game using existing game engines like Unreal Engine, the world’s most powerful real-time render engine. They’ll design creative projects that cover everything from developing their own games and designing characters to scripting game mechanics with blueprints. As they create games, they’ll develop problem-solving skills and unleash their creativity, all while building a strong foundation in game development that will help them bring their ideas to life.
- 3D Level Design
- Game Physics
- Artifical Intelligence
- Character Design
- User Interface
- Blueprint Scipting
- 3D Modelling
- Texturing
- Material design
- Asset creation
- Concept design
- Animation
Project-based game design education for kids
Our approach to teaching game design to kids is to ensure students have a hands-on experience. Have a look at the projects our students create during our fun video game design camps!
Level 1: Project 1
For their first project, students will create a First-Person Shooter (FPS) game. This project provides a fun and engaging introduction to the basics of 3D game design.
Level 1: Project 2
For the second project, the student will create a Mario-like
Sidescroller Game. Students will be introduced
to new uses for tools they learned in project 1, as well as more complex Game mechanics!
Level 1: Project 3
In the final project, studenta will explore another Game
Genre and create a 3rd Person Shooter game. This capstone
experience completes the foundational journey, designed
to refine their skills.
Level 2: Project 1 – Part 1
For their first level 2 project the student will create an Arena
platformer game. This project is a great, and fun introduction to using custom assets.
Level 2: Project 1 – Part 2
In the second part of the project the students create the game logic and learn the basics of using animations.
The students start by learning how to use animations to create enemies, building a foundation for future projects.
Level 2: Project 2 – Part 1
In the second part of the project, the students will learn more advanced techniques of creating AI. Students will build upon their foundation and improve their skills by using Animation Notifications to create fun and responsive Artificial Intelligence (AI) characters.
Level 2: Project 2 – Part 2
In the second part of the project, the students will learn more advanced techniques of creating AI. Students will build upon their foundation and improve their skills by using Animation Notifications to create fun and responsive Artificial Intelligence (AI) characters.
Level 3: Part 1
For this final project students will create a Third person wave shooter game. This capstone project will challenge and solidify their 3D games design skills. Students will then learn to add player mechanics using blueprints, while adding plenty of visual feedback using VFX, and animations. This will include weapons, jetpack and more.
Level 3: Part 2
The second part of the project will focus on creating game
logic using blueprints and game systems. Students will learn how to create complex gameplay elements to make their game fun and engaging.
Level 3: Part 3
In this part, students will focus on learning practices for designing, developing and creating Multiple Enemy AI for
3D Games. Students will learn how to create animation blueprints for different enemy types, using animation assets and animation montages.
Level 3: Part 4
This final part will see students complete their fully fledged game, they will learn high level design principles, and the importance of play-testing and polishing games during
development.
What do parents & students think?
Kids can learn Game Design in 4 different modes
FAQ
Children can begin learning 3D game design from around age 9 (even though some start even earlier). At this age, they can start understanding design logic, storytelling, and visual creativity. As they get older, they move into more technical skills such as 3D environments, asset creation, and gameplay mechanics.
Coding focuses on writing the logic that makes a program or game function, it’s mainly about syntax and problem-solving, where students learn traditional coding skills.
Game design, on the other hand, goes beyond coding. It combines art, storytelling, level design, animation, and interactive thinking to create full playable experiences. Game design teaches creativity and how to turn ideas into interactive worlds.
It depends on their age, interest, and how deeply they want to go. Most students start building simple games within the first few weeks, and within 6-12 months, they can design and publish their own small 3D projects. Because our courses are structured in levels, students progress naturally from beginner to advanced.
Absolutely. Game design requires students to think critically, solve real-world problems, and apply creativity in every step, from building environments to balancing gameplay. It’s one of the best ways to teach both technical and creative skills together, helping children develop strong logical reasoning, artistic confidence, and teamwork.
Each level typically takes 1 academic year to complete when studying 1 hour per week through our Term Time lessons. Students who take Private Tuition or Self-Guided options can progress faster or slower, depending on how much time they dedicate to practice between lessons.
Students will need a Windows or Mac computer capable of running Unreal Engine, a stable internet connection, and a webcam with a microphone for online lessons.
All software used in our courses, including Unreal Engine and supporting tools, is completely free to download.
We’ll provide setup guidance before lessons begin to ensure everything runs smoothly.
If you’re a tech savvy parent, you may be interested in reading the official system requirements here
Other courses
Games Coding & Programming
- Age: 9+
Code your own games with Python, the world’s most famous & fastest growing programming Language.
AI & Machine Learning
- Age: 10+
Go deeper than writing “prompts”. Instead, learn how to design a AI system!
Computing Basics
- Age: 6 to 8
The perfect course for young children to
learn all the essential computing skills they
need in the digital world!
3D Modelling & Animation
- Age: 11+
Design Hollywood-style motion graphics & learn essential 3D modelling & animations skills with Blender.
Digital Media Design
- Age: 10+
Design your own photos, artwork, and videos with ease, using the world-renowned creative apps by Adobe.
Architectural Visualisation
- Age: 12+
The world’s first 3D Architectural Visualisations course for kids, offering a unique journey into design.
Do you ever find yourself wishing your kids spent less time playing video games? How about letting them create a simple video game to move their focus and attention into something useful? Take a look at what students say about our courses on game design for kids!
“How To Build Your Child’s Future”
A short message from our founder & CEO
The UK's Only Training Centre To Give Your Child NCFE Accredited Qualifications
In Creative Tech Subjects
Tutor-led courses or study at your own pace
- More than 900 courses provided
- Over 7000 students
- Ofsted Registered
- NCFE approved centre
- 5 Stars on Trustpilot
- 5 Stars on Facebook
- 4.9 Stars on Google
- Curriculum by university lecturer
3D Game Design classes for kids are designed for younger kids aged 9 to 16 with or without tech experience. You can have your child take weekend online coding classes or after-school classes — whichever is more convenient for you.
*Only Level 1 can be achieved through holiday camps. Students will need to attend at least 2 holiday camps of the same course with different projects to learn advanced game design skills. Projects-based learning during holiday camps may differ from other study modes. Further registration & assessment fees may be payable for accreditation.
