What Is Roblox Scripting Language? A Kid-Friendly Intro to Lua

Roblox uses Lua, an easy-to-use programming language, for game development. Learn how Lua works and why it’s a great first programming language for kids.

If your child is spending hours building games in Roblox Studio, that’s not just screen time—it’s creative coding in disguise. Behind the colourful avatars, crazy obstacles, and virtual pets, there’s a powerful engine at work: the Roblox scripting language.

In this guide, we’ll explain the Roblox programming language, how it works, and why kids are learning Lua to build their own games inside Roblox.

Key Takeaways:

• Roblox scripting uses Lua, a beginner-friendly programming language that teaches kids how to bring their game ideas to life.
• Lua scripting is great for building real coding skills, including logic, variables, events, and functions—all essential for future developers.
• Software Academy offers Roblox coding for kids from expert instructors.

Visit Software Academy to pick your week and let the scripting begin!

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What Is Roblox Scripting?

If your child loves Roblox, you’re not alone. As of 2025, Roblox has 380 million monthly users and 85.3 million daily users. It has over 32 million under 13 and 52 million over 13, proving its wide appeal across age groups.

But what if we told you that your child could go beyond playing and start building their own Roblox games? Roblox scripting is how creators bring their Roblox games to life. It’s not just about putting blocks together—it’s about making things move, interact, and react. And it’s all powered by Lua, a lightweight and super flexible programming language that Roblox uses behind the scenes. When your child scripts in Roblox, they’re actually writing Lua code.

This code can tell a game:

• How a character moves
• What happens when you click a button
• How enemies behave
• When a door should open or close

In short, scripting is like giving your game instructions in a language the computer understands. And in that case, that language is Lua.

Why Should Kids Learn Lua?

Learning to code sounds a little boring at first. But learning to code your own game?

Lua is recommended as a beginner’s language, and for good reason. It’s clean, simple, and easy to read. That’s why many educators choose Lua as the first language to teach programming fundamentals.

Here’s what makes Lua kid-friendly:

1. It’s Easy to Understand

Lua avoids confusing children with complex symbols or formatting. Its sentences are readable, like basic instructions. For example:

print(“Hello, world!”)

That one line of code tells the game to show “Hello, world!” on the screen. Simple, right? It’s a great way for kids to get instant feedback and feel that rush of success.

2. It Teaches Real Coding Skills

Lua helps kids understand important concepts like:

• Variables (naming things in code)
• Functions (doing actions)
• Events (responding to actions in the game)
• Loops (repeat actions)

These are the same building blocks used in more advanced languages like Python or JavaScript, so your child is starting off strong. They’re not just dragging blocks around like in some visual coding platforms—they’re actually writing code.

3. It’s Fun and Interactive

Let’s be honest: learning to code through a game your child already loves? That’s a win-win. Scripting makes coding feel like a superpower. Your child isn’t just sitting through lessons—they’re creating worlds, adventures, and stories.

Best of all, they get to test their ideas in real time. Did their door open with a button click? Did the monster follow the player correctly? Every line of code gives them instant, interactive results. It turns learning into play—and that’s where real creativity blossoms.

Your child plays Roblox—now let them code it.

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How Kids Can Start Writing Lua Code in Roblox

The best way to learn is by doing.

In Roblox, kids can switch to the “Explorer” and “Properties” windows to interact with different game parts. To script, they’ll:

1. Insert a Script object into a part.
2. Write their Lua code inside the Script.
3. Test the game using the Play button.
4. Debug or tweak the script to make it work better.

For example, a simple script to open a door might look like:

Door = game.Workspace.Door

function open()

   Door.Position = Door.Position + Vector3.new (0, 10, 0)

end

Door.ClickDetector.MouseClick:Connect(open)

This tells the game: when someone clicks the door, move it up by 10 units—an opening door!

Of course, understanding the why behind the code is just as important as the what. That’s why learning with an expert instructor (instead of randomly watching YouTube videos) helps students go from copy-paste coding to real problem-solving and creativity.

What Can Kids Actually Build With Roblox Scripting?

Here’s where things get super exciting. Once kids get the hang of Lua scripting, they can start building:

• Obstacle courses (Obbys) that challenge reflexes and timing
• Tycoon games where players build businesses and earn in-game money
• Role-playing games with shops, tools, and character interactions
• Battle arenas with custom weapons and enemy behaviour
• Story-driven adventures with cutscenes, sound effects, and secret areas

They can even create games like mini-economies, team battles, or parkour races. The options are practically endless, and every new script adds another layer of complexity and fun.

The best part? Lua is used far beyond Roblox. It’s also used in World of Warcraft, Adobe Lightroom, and even Angry Birds. But it’s in Roblox where Lua becomes truly accessible for kids.

They’re not just playing—they’re learning to plan, test, problem-solve, and think like real game developers. These skills apply far beyond games. They help in math, logic, design, and teamwork.

Learning Roblox Scripting at Software Academy

Is your child obsessed with Roblox? Turn their time into learning time with Roblox Game Design Campaigns at Software Academy! This exciting week-long holiday camp is perfect for kids aged 11 and up—no coding experience needed.

Over the course, students dive into the Lua scripting language, the same programming language used in Roblox and other popular games. They’ll learn how to design, code, and create their own custom game mods using Roblox Studio. It’s not just about fun—it’s about building real-world skills!

What your child will learn:

• Create Custom Game Mods – Design your own unique Roblox experiences.
• Learn Lua Programming – Code using Lua, a powerful and beginner-friendly scripting language.
• Build Core Concepts – Explore data types, game logic, and scripting techniques.
• Design, Test, and Improve – Go through the full game development process.
• Boost Creativity and Problem Solving – Tackle challenges and think outside the box.

Extra benefits of the course:

• Improves Soft Skills – Boosts confidence, teamwork, and communication.
• Inspires Future Careers – Introduces kids to computer science and tech paths.
• Hands-On Learning – Practical projects make learning engaging and rewarding.
• Create a Portfolio Piece – Take home a finished Roblox mod to share with family and friends!

Our Roblox Coding Course is more than just a camp—it’s a launchpad for creativity and future success. Designed by London university professors, this course turns Roblox fun into an unforgettable learning journey.

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FAQs

Can I use Python to script in Roblox?

No, it’s not compatible with Python. Lua is the official scripting language used in Roblox Studio to create and modify games.

Is Roblox coded in Java?

No, Roblox is not coded in Java. Instead, it uses Lua, a lightweight and beginner-friendly scripting language. Lua is often easier for kids to learn than Java because it has simpler syntax—there’s no need to use semicolons or complex structures.

Does Roblox use C++?

Yes, Roblox uses C++ in its core systems. While Lua is the primary coding language for kids within the Roblox Studio interface, C++ operates in the background to handle performance-intensive tasks such as memory management.

Is Roblox scripting hard to learn?

Like any programming language, Lua scripting in Roblox can be challenging at first, but with proper guidance, kids can pick it up quickly. Structured courses or coding camps, like the Software Academy, make the learning process much more accessible and fun.

Can kids learn Roblox scripting with no coding experience?

Absolutely! Roblox scripting is designed to be beginner-friendly. Lua, the scripting language used in Studio, is simple and readable, making it ideal for kids with no prior programming background. Platforms like Software Academy offer step-by-step guidance tailored for young learners.

What can kids create using Roblox scripting?

With Roblox scripting, kids can create custom game mechanics, interactive objects, virtual worlds, and even their own playable games. Lua scripting opens up endless creative possibilities, helping them bring their imagination to life on the Roblox platform.

From Roblox-Player to Roblox-Coder

If your child is already deep into Roblox, they’re halfway there. The Roblox platform is familiar to them, and learning Lua just opens up a new layer of creativity.

They’ll move from:

• Asking “Why can’t I do this?”
• To “Let me write the code that makes it happen.”

That mindset shift—from consumer to creator—is powerful. It builds confidence and shows people they can shape the digital world, not just exist in it. So, whether your child dreams of building the next viral obby or just wants to customise their Roblox world, Lua scripting is a skill worth learning—and Software Academy is the perfect place to start.

Want to give your child a head start in coding while doing what they already love? Enrol them in Software Academy’s online Roblox Lua coding courses, designed just for kids who want to make their own games.

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