Kids see games every day Roblox obbies, Minecraft maps, mobile games, Switch and Xbox titles. At some point, almost every kid says it:
“I want to make my own game.”
Most kids jump straight into Roblox Studio or Scratch, then get stuck halfway because they didn’t plan. The secret that pro game designers know is simple:
👉 Great games start on paper, not on a screen.
This guide shows kids (and parents) how to plan a first video game world step by step, so it works whether they’re making a Roblox game, a Scratch platformer, a Minecraft adventure map, or something else entirely.
We’ll cover game design for kids in plain language: idea, map, characters, rules, and levels.
Step 1. What Is Game Design (and How Is It Different from Coding)?
Think of a game like a movie.
Game design = writing the script, planning the scenes, deciding what the characters do.
Coding = using tools to actually film, edit, and publish the movie.
For games, game design includes:
The goal of the game (win condition)
The rules (what you can and can’t do)
The world and levels
The characters, enemies, and items
How the difficulty changes as you play
Coding is still important, but if you start with clear design, building the game in Roblox Studio, Scratch, Minecraft, or another engine becomes way easier.
Use AI to brainstorm your first game idea
Have your kid write 3–4 sentences about the kind of game they want:
“An obby in Roblox where you escape a lava cave”
“A Scratch game where a cat collects stars in space”
Then paste that into the DIY.org AI Homework Helper and ask it for 3–5 game ideas with:
A simple goal
A main obstacle
A one-sentence story
It’s still their game, but they get a boost past the “I don’t know” stage.
Step 2. Pick Your Platform
Good news: planning works across platforms. But it helps to choose where this first game will live.
Roblox game design for beginners
Roblox games are great for kids who like 3D worlds and multiplayer play.
Good starter types:
Obbies (obstacle courses)
Simple simulators (walk around, collect stuff, upgrade)
Roleplay maps (a city, school, or fantasy world)
Roblox Studio uses scripts (Lua), but kids can start with simple blocks and templates.
Scratch game ideas for beginners
Scratch is ideal for younger kids or total beginners. It uses colored blocks instead of typed code.
Great starter genres:
Clicker games (tap to score points)
Maze games
Platformers
Choose-your-own-story games
Minecraft & other options
Some kids want to:
Build a Minecraft adventure map
Add simple command blocks
Use kid-friendly engines or apps that export web or mobile games
Remind them: the planning steps are the same no matter what tool they use.
Step 3. Start with a Simple Game Concept
Before any code or building, answer three questions.
Question | What to Decide | Examples / Options |
1. Who is the player? | Choose who the player controls in the game. | • A space explorer • A brave cat • A cube jumping through a neon tunnel • A kid lost in a haunted arcade |
2. What is the main goal? | Use the sentence: “The player is a [who] who must [goal] before [what happens if they fail].” | • “A robot who must fix the ship before it crashes.” • “A cat who must find all five fish before the timer runs out.” • “A kid who must escape the obby before the lava rises.” |
3. What is the main verb? | Decide what the player does most of the time. This shapes controls, levels, enemies, and camera. | • Jump • Run • Collect • Explore • Build • Solve puzzles • Drive or fly |
Step 4. Design Your First Game World Map (On Paper)
Here’s where level design for kids really starts.
Draw a top-down map
Grab paper and pencils.
Draw the start, the finish, and the path in between.
Add symbols for important stuff:
⭐ = coins or collectibles
X = danger (lava, spikes, enemy zone)
☐ = platform or safe zone
🔑 = key needed to open a door
For an obby: platforms and hazards in order. For a Scratch maze: rooms connected by doors and corridors. For a Minecraft map: different biomes or buildings.
Think in chunks, not giant worlds
Beginners often plan a huge open world and get stuck. Start with:
One level
3–5 “rooms” or sections
A clear line from “Start” to “Finish”
Each section should have something interesting: a new obstacle, a choice, or a reward. No long boring empty corridors.
Turn your map into a game design worksheet
After the map is sketched, kids can describe it in words and ask the DIY.org AI Homework Helper to turn it into a game design worksheet for kids with boxes like:
Game title
Player / main character
Game goal
Level 1 map
Enemies / obstacles
Items / power-ups
You can print this or keep it digital and keep updating it as the game grows.
Step 5. Create Your Characters, Enemies, and Items
Good characters and obstacles make even a simple game feel memorable.
Main character (player avatar)
Have kids answer:
What is my character’s name?
What do they look like? (Color, shape, outfit, size)
What abilities do they have?
Abilities can be:
Double jump
Dash / sprint
Glide
Shield or temporary invincibility
Special attack (only if the game really needs combat)
Ask: would this avatar work as a Roblox character, Scratch sprite, or Minecraft skin? If yes, you’re on the right track.
Enemies and obstacles
Instead of making 50 different enemies, start with 1–3 types:
Slow but strong
Fast but weak
Stationary danger (lava, spikes, lasers, pits)
Each should have:
Look (shape, color)
Movement pattern (back and forth, chase, jump)
Weakness (jump over, wait for the right moment, use a power-up)
Power-ups, coins, and collectibles
These make players feel rewarded.
Ideas:
Health hearts
Speed boosts
Temporary double points
Keys that unlock doors
Special items (jetpacks, magic boots, wings)
Place them:
After hard sections (a “thank you” reward)
Just off the main path for explorers
Near risky zones to tempt confident players
Step 6. Decide on Rules and Game Mechanics
Now it’s time to write down the rules of your world.
Basic rules
How many lives or hearts?
Is there a timer?
What happens if you fall or touch danger?
Can you save or use checkpoints?
Writing these down helps when you later build the game in Roblox, Scratch, or Minecraft.
Simple mechanics for beginners
Pick just a few:
Move left/right
Jump
Collect items
Avoid or defeat enemies
Press switches to open doors
Use keys to unlock areas
Too many mechanics = confusing. Two or three strong ones = fun.
The game loop
Every game has a loop:
Explore → Face danger → Collect something → Reach a safe spot → Repeat
Ask your kid: “What will players do over and over in your game?” That’s the loop.
Step 7. Sketch a Level Plan
Now connect everything.
Break Level 1 into small parts:
Intro / Tutorial Area
Show the basics: moving, jumping, one enemy or obstacle.
Practice Area
Slightly harder version of the same idea.
Challenge Area
Combine two things: jump + enemy, puzzle + timer.
Reward Area
A small treasure room, a fun pattern of coins, or a safe place.
Exit / Boss / Goal
Final action before finishing the level.
You can add arrows and labels directly on the paper map.
Step 8: Turn the Plan into a Real Game
Time to open the engine of choice and build.
From paper map to Roblox game
In Roblox Studio, place parts to match your map: start platform, jumps, hazards, checkpoints.
Add spawn and checkpoint parts so players don’t restart from the beginning every time.
Use simple scripts or built-in properties for moving platforms and timers.
Pair this with:
These give structured steps while the design stays unique.
From game design to Scratch project
Open Scratch and create sprites for the player, enemies, and objects.
Make backgrounds that match each “room” in your plan.
Use Scratch blocks to:
Move with arrow keys or WASD
Detect collisions with walls or enemies
Increase a score when collecting items
Switch to a new backdrop when reaching the exit
Great DIY.org pairings:
Using your plan for Minecraft
Build your areas with blocks as shown on the map.
Use signs and paths to guide players if it’s an adventure map.
Add simple command blocks for teleporting or rewards if your kid is ready.
You can explore the Create a Minecraft Mod and similar challenges on DIY for next steps.
Use AI as a design coach, not just a coder
As kids build, things will feel off: a jump is too hard, a level is boring, enemies are annoying. They can describe what’s happening to the DIY.org AI Homework Helper and ask:
“How can I make this part more fun?”
“How do I make this level easier without making it boring?”
“What kind of enemy would fit in this area?”
It’s like having a friendly game-design mentor on call.
Step 9. Playtest With Real People
No game is finished until someone else plays it.
Watch, don’t just explain
Let a friend, sibling, or parent play with minimal instructions.
Observe where they get stuck, lost, or frustrated.
Notice when they smile, laugh, or say “That was cool!”
Questions to ask after
“What was your favorite part?”
“Where did you feel confused?”
“Was anything too easy or too hard?”
“Did you always know what to do next?”
Improve one thing at a time
Maybe add a checkpoint.
Or shorten a long level.
Or move power-ups so they feel more rewarding.
Explain that professional game designers constantly test and tweak; it’s part of the job, not a sign of failure.
Step 10. Save, Share, and Plan the Next Game
Once the game feels solid:
Save backups! (Cloud + local if possible.)
Take screenshots of cool moments or levels.
With parent permission, share with friends or classmates.
Encourage your kid to keep a “Game Ideas” notebook:
New theme ideas
Different genres they want to try (racing, puzzle, mystery, tycoon)
Things they liked from games they play on Xbox, Switch, or mobile
Their first project doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be finished. Every finished game makes the next one better.
FAQs Game Design for Kids
How can kids start game design with no coding experience?
Start on paper: idea, map, characters, and rules. Then use beginner-friendly tools like Scratch or guided Roblox lessons to turn that plan into a simple game.
Is Roblox or Scratch better for a first game?
Scratch is easier for younger kids because it uses blocks and 2D sprites. Roblox is great for older kids comfortable with 3D worlds and a bit more complexity.
What should go on a game design worksheet for kids?
Game title, goal, main character, enemies, items, level map, rules (lives, scoring), and a list of mechanics (jump, collect, avoid, etc.).
How big should a beginner game be?
One solid level is perfect. Huge open worlds are fun to imagine but very hard to finish. It’s better to ship a tiny, fun game than abandon a giant one.
