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Code and games

Kids learn to tell a computer exactly what should happen, and turn that into pages, characters and games that other people can use.

Running in our studio todayStudiosCodeGames

The physics launcher: a slingshot on a green hillside aims at a tower, with the score at the top.The bouncing-ball orchestra: balls fall onto glowing bars that play notes.
A game built in the Games studio, and the bouncing-ball orchestra from Music. Real screens from the platform, in test mode.

What they learn

  • Events and conditions. When this happens, do that. If the character touches the edge, it stops.
  • Variables and repetition. A number that changes, a game that does not stop, a difficulty that rises little by little.
  • Blocks first, then real code. Every block writes real code, and kids can go back and forth without losing work.
  • Testing with another person. What is obvious to you is not obvious to others, so you listen and fix it.

How they learn it

Example mission

Chip's button

Step 1 · Chispa · ages 7–9

Your first program with blocks: a button that makes Chip jump. Every block is real code.

  1. 1Drag Chip into your page and add a button.
  2. 2Say what happens: when I press the button, Chip jumps.
  3. 3Count the jumps and change Chip's face when he jumps.
  4. 4Let someone at your table try it alone, then press “I want to show it”.

What they build

Example of finished work

A page with a button that makes Chip jump and counts the jumps.

Also: a one-button game, a game with levels, a boss fight built on questions.

Skills it develops

DirectionFinishingTeamwork and teaching

How it grows with age

Ages 7–9

Blocks, one-key games and characters that move with the arrow keys.

Ages 10–11

Real HTML, CSS and JavaScript: a collectible card, a game with levels, a two-player game.

Ages 12–14

Systems and logic: a boss fight, a ranking that sorts itself, a game your teammate tests.

Tools they use

Tools they use

Real tools, with one line on what your kid does with each.

  • HTML, CSS & JavaScriptLanguage

    Writes pages, buttons and games in the same code the professional web runs on.

  • BlocklyOpen source

    Programs with blocks first, before written code.

  • ScratchOpen source

    Builds games that can really be played, by dragging blocks.

  • GodotOpen sourceIn the toolbox

    The step after Scratch: an engine for games that get published.

  • PiskelOpen sourceIn the toolbox

    Draws the pixel characters of their games.

  • BlockbenchOpen sourceIn the toolbox

    Models 3D characters for their games.

  • Office studioCHIP studio

    A clear email, files and folders in order, shortcuts and windows, practiced on our screen.

  • DriveWorkshop account

    Keeps their work in their own folder, with a name that makes sense.

Every outside tool is used with a workshop account. A kid never creates or uses an account of their own.

See every tool

Let's talk
about your kid.

Request an interview. We will write to set it up, and your family goes first on the list for the first cohort.

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Next · What they learnMusic and soundSongs with their own lyrics, loops and live sets.