Game development is now a subject of great interest for many parents. It not only helps children avoid game addiction and limit their gaming time but also allows them to develop technological skills and other cognitive abilities. Design and game development enable children to unleash their creativity while honing their critical thinking skills. There are numerous game development software and tool options available for kids. Algorithmics introduces some basic and user-friendly tools to make games for children.

Instead of playing games, let your child makes games

Instead of spending time playing games, why not encourage your child to try their hands at game development? It's a fantastic way for them to explore and develop their thinking and skills.

When your child makes games, they will immerse themselves in the process of creating their own unique games. From building challenging gameplay to designing characters and crafting storylines, they'll learn how to think logically and find solutions to issues that arise during game development. This not only hones problem-solving skills but also helps them develop patience and perseverance in perfecting their creations.

Moreover, game development encourages your child to be mindful of the user experience. Creating a game requires understanding and meeting the needs of players. This fosters empathy and understanding of others, which is a crucial skill in the modern world.

nstead of spending time playing games, why not encourage your child to try their hands at game development? It's a fantastic way for them to explore and develop their thinking and skills.

When your child makes games, they will immerse themselves in the process of creating their own unique games. From building challenging gameplay to designing characters and crafting storylines, they'll learn how to think logically and find solutions to issues that arise during game development. This not only hones problem-solving skills but also helps them develop patience and perseverance in perfecting their creations.

Moreover, game development encourages your child to be mindful of the user experience. Creating a game requires understanding and meeting the needs of players. This fosters empathy and understanding of others, which is a crucial skill in the modern world.

Instead of merely consuming products made by others, game development allows your child to be part of the process of content creation and self-expression. This not only fuels their creativity but also opens doors for them to explore and experiment with new ideas.

9 Game Programming Apps/Software for Kids

Scratch

One of the most popular tools

Instead of merely consuming products made by others, game development allows your child to be part of the process of content creation and self-expression. This not only fuels their creativity but also opens doors for them to explore and experiment with new ideas.

9 Game Programming Apps/Software for Kids

Scratch

One of the most popular tools to make games for kids is Scratch. With an intuitive graphical interface, Scratch allows kids to create games by dragging and dropping code blocks. This helps them quickly get familiar with programming concepts and create simple games.

Developed by MIT Media Lab.

Programming language used: Block-based programming language.

Age range: Suitable for 5-year-olds and up.

Pros:

• Intuitive, simple, and easy to use interface.
• Suitable for kids of all ages.
• Helps kids grasp basic programming concepts.
• Focuses on block-based programming language.
• Available on Android and online platforms.
• Multimedia integration and can connect with physical devices.

Cons:

• Suitable only for small and simple projects, not for complex ones.
• Not suitable for kids with a specific interest in professional game design and programming.
• Limited application scope.

G-Develop

G-Develop is a powerful and user-friendly game design platform that allows users to create games simply and quickly. With G-Develop tool, kids don't need to have complex programming knowledge. They can use the intuitive interface and drag-and-drop features to create unique and engaging games.

Developed by Florian Rival and iPower.

Programming languages used: Graphic programming language, JavaScript.

Age range: Suitable for 10-year-olds and up.

Pros:

• Intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
• Does not require basic programming knowledge.
• Integrates many useful features, such as audio support, graphics, physics, and event handling.
• Can create games on various platforms such as Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and HTML5.

Cons:

• Limited in creating complex and professional games.
• Does not provide high-performance graphic design tools like other professional game programming tools.
• May not be fully compatible with some platforms and specialized features.

Tinkercad

Tinkercad is a popular online 3D design platform. It is an intuitive 3D design and modeling platform widely used in education and programming communities. With a simple and user-friendly interface, Tinkercad allows users to create 3D models and program their actions and interactions.

Developed by Autodesk, a technology company.

Programming languages used: Does not use programming languages.

Age range: Suitable for 8-year-olds and up.

Pros:

• Easy to use, simple, and attractive interface, making it easy for kids to get familiar with 3D modeling.
• Integrates 3D design and programming tools.
• Can create 3D models and program their actions and interactions.
• Rich library with pre-made 3D shapes and objects, making it easy to create complex models without starting from scratch.
• Compatible and easy to share 3D models in STL or 3D graphic file format.

Cons:

• Lacks complex tools and features compared to other professional 3D design software.
• Primarily focuses on static designs and does not provide many interactive features.
• Requires an internet connection to use Tinkercad.
• Limited customization of details and attributes of the in-game models.

Roblox

With Roblox, kids can create, share, and experience thousands of different interactive games. Additionally, Roblox has a thriving development community where independent developers can be creative and share ideas. Roblox provides users with a safe and diverse environment to explore, create, and socially interact in the virtual world.

Software developed by Roblox Corporation.

Programming language used: Lua.

Age range: Suitable for 9-year-olds and up.

• Pros:
• Stimulates creativity and interaction through a powerful environment.
• Allows users to create interactive games themselves.
• Has a large and vibrant community that allows kids to connect and share ideas.
• Enables the creation of personalized games for others to play.
• Offers opportunities to learn programming and develop technology skills through game design.

Cons:

• The initial stage may be complex, and kids may find it challenging to get familiar with Roblox's tools and concepts.
• Requires an internet connection.

Unity

Unity is a powerful cross-platform game development that allows the creation of diverse 2D and 3D games on multiple operating systems and devices. With rich tools and features, Unity enables users to develop high-quality games, supports the integration of external resources, and has a large development community. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, Unity is an excellent choice for game development.

Software developed by Unity Technologies.

Programming language used: C#.

Age range: Suitable for 12-year-olds and up.

Pros:

• Supports game development on various platforms, including computers, mobile phones, gaming consoles, and virtual reality, reaching a wide audience of users.
• Strong community and forums for exchanging experiences, learning materials, seeking support, and resolving inquiries.
• Rich tools and features, including image and audio editors, scene editors, 2D and 3D graphics creators, and physics systems.
• Integrates external resources such as images, audio, video, and third-party plugins, expanding capabilities and creating diverse experiences for games.
• Provides high performance and supports resource management and optimization.

Cons:

• Deeper learning requires substantial knowledge and demands longer study time.
• Application size may be larger compared to other game development software and applications due to the integration of multiple features and resources.
• Although Unity supports various platforms, compatibility and support can vary between different versions and platforms, requiring developers to work to ensure compatibility and efficiency of the game or application on target platforms.
• Requires high computer resources to develop and run efficiently with complex games and applications.

GameMaker Studio

GameMaker Studio is a powerful and user-friendly game development platform. Children can create diverse 2D games quickly and easily without requiring deep programming knowledge. This platform provides an intuitive interface and drag-and-drop tools to design environments, characters, and game mechanics. With multi-platform publishing capabilities, GameMaker Studio allows you to deploy your games on various operating systems and devices.

Software developed by YoYo Games.

Programming language used: GML (GameMaker Language).

Age range: Suitable for 10-year-olds and up.

Pros:

• Intuitive interface and drag-and-drop tools make game design easy for children without requiring deep programming knowledge.
• GML (GameMaker Language) allows children to customize and expand their game's capabilities according to their desires.
• Publish games on various operating systems and devices, from computers to mobile devices and game consoles.
• Large community and ample supporting documentation for guidance.

Cons:

• Primarily focused on 2D game development, limiting the creation of complex 3D games.
• Performance limitations for some games with complex graphics and processing.
• Understanding and utilizing all the features of GameMaker Studio may require time and effort to learn.

Stencyl

Stencyl is a powerful and user-friendly 2D game development platform based on block programming. With its intuitive interface and drag-and-drop tools, children can easily create unique 2D games. They can build game logic and functions by selecting and arranging programming blocks. With Stencyl, you can unleash your creativity and easily create your own distinctive 2D games.

Developed by Stencyl LLC.

Programming Language: Stencyl's Drag-and-Drop

Age Range: 8 years old and above

Pros: 

• The intuitive interface and drag-and-drop tools enable children to easily create and design 2D games.
• The block-based programming system allows users to build game logic and functions by selecting and arranging programming blocks, eliminating the need to write source code.
• Provides a diverse set of tools and resources for creating and managing games, including image and sound libraries and various available extensions.
• Allows game publishing on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and the web.

Cons:

• Limited in creating more complex games or 3D games.
• Limited customization and expansion of game features due to reliance on available tools and features in the platform.
• To create unique and engaging games, children need to have knowledge and game design skills to fully utilize the potential of this platform.

KTurtle

KTurtle is a platform that helps children learn programming through drawing images. With a simple and user-friendly interface, KTurtle allows children to explore and practice programming creatively. Children can draw simple images and control them by using basic programming commands. Learning programming through KTurtle helps children develop logical thinking, object-oriented thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Software developed by: KDE

Programming language used: Turtle Script

Age group: 8 years old

Pros:

• Simple and easy-to-use interface allows children to quickly grasp and become familiar with the programming process.
• Enables children to draw and create simple images, exploring their creative potential through programming.
• Develops logical thinking and problem-solving abilities when creating programming commands to control images and actions.
• Introduces object-oriented thinking, enabling children to create objects and interact with them through programming.

Cons: 

• Primarily focused on teaching basic programming and drawing simple images.
• Often used for small activities and projects, such as drawing and creating simple images.
• Uses a simple and limited programming language, which restricts the ability of children to expand and apply their skills when they advance and desire to learn more popular programming languages.

Code Monster

Code Monster is a programming learning platform designed for children to explore and interact directly with code. With a simple and engaging interface, Code Monster helps children develop logical thinking and creativity in programming.

Software developed by: University of Washington

Programming language used: JavaScript

Age group: 9 years old

Pros: 

• Child-friendly interface, easy to use and understand.
• Allows direct manipulation of the code, such as changing values, moving objects, and seeing immediate results.
• Provides detailed step-by-step instructions for children to easily absorb programming knowledge.

Cons:

• Primarily focuses on teaching basic programming in a child-friendly environment, which limits the ability to extend and advance complex programming skills.
• Supports only some basic programming languages like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. However, it does not provide support for other popular programming languages.
• Code Monster concentrates on introducing and practicing fundamental programming concepts. As a result, it lacks support and documentation for more complex projects and expanding children's programming skills further.

Conclusion

Learning game programming helps children develop technological skills and creative thinking. It not only enables them to become creators of unique games but also fosters the development of various other skills. However, parents and educators need to choose suitable software that aligns with the child's abilities and interests to optimize the learning process and enhance programming skills. Learning game programming not only provides an enjoyable experience for children but also builds a strong foundation for their future.

To assess the child's abilities and technological skills, as well as finding the right programming language, parents can participate in a free evaluation session at HERE. From there, they can determine whether their child is suitable for this field or not.