From Player to Creator: Game Design for Kids

You probably know the scene well — your child, headphones on, completely absorbed in a game.

What if this focus and enthusiasm could be channeled into something that builds valuable skills while they have fun?

The leap from player to creator

Here's the thing: kids who start making games often discover creating is even more satisfying than playing. It's like the difference between watching a great movie and making your own film — your creations might suck at first, but there's a deeper fulfillment in bringing something you made into the world.

What most kids lack isn't interest – it's the tools, structure, and support to take that first step from player to creator.

Making games helps kids learn invaluable skills regardless of what path they choose later in life. I am an example of that.

My journey: from gamer to game designer

I was that kid — I played games a lot. And my parents worried, just like you might be worrying now.

But, at some point, my drive for playing games turned into creating games. In my case, I created adventures for me and my friends in the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote stories, formed characters, and drew elaborate maps.

And later in life, when I was designing innovations for companies like NASA or IKEA, creating and teaching a course at a university, and started my own companies, I was using the same skills I learned as a game designer in Dungeons & Dragons at 11 years old:

• Design thinking: creating experiences that entertain or solve problems for others
• Project management: organizing complex projects with many tasks and people involved
• Storytelling: creating pitches and presentations, and writing articles like this one

All of these skills are crucial to me and I use them every day. I just wish I had some structured guidance earlier. Imagine if someone had given me the right tools to develop these skills intentionally. That's something you can do for your child today.

3 simple things you can do today

If you want to nudge your child from playing to creating, here are some things you can try:

1. Ask "what would you change?" when they're playing. This simple question plants the seed of design thinking — getting them to approach games critically.
2. Challenge them to create a new level for a game they already play. Many popular games like Minecraft or Roblox have built-in level editors that are surprisingly accessible. Or they can just use pen and paper.
3. Play a board game together that you both know well and let them modify it with house rules — this introduces the concept that games are systems that can be changed. Then talk about whether this change made the game better or worse, and why.

Take the next step: Game Design Workshop for Kids

I'm running a hands-on game design workshop for kids ages 8-14 who love playing games. The workshop is going to be online.

What your child will get:

• Step-by-step guidance to create their own card game
• Printable templates and materials (no special supplies needed)
• Small group sessions (max 8 kids) for personalized attention
• A finished game they can print and play with friends

No coding or art skills needed - just bring creativity and enthusiasm. The workshop builds confidence through simple steps that work for both beginners and experienced gamers.

Workshop dates: (coming soon)

If you want to know when registration opens, join our waitlist:

Not sure if your child would be interested? Show them this 1-minute video about the workshop:

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Why this matters

Games are more than just fun - they're a gateway to creativity for this generation of kids.

When a child moves from playing to creating games, they discover something powerful: they can build worlds, not just visit them. This shift changes how they see technology - from something they consume to something they control.

My own journey from D&D maps to designing for NASA showed me how game design builds skills that matter in real life. I've seen the same transformation in dozens of kids who've taken this path.

My dream is simple: I want every child to find what they truly enjoy doing. Game design offers a path that starts with what kids already love and leads to creative skills they'll use forever.

Let's help them take that first step from player to creator.