My kids have long been interested in electronics and technology, but only recently have they been interested in trying their hand at game design.
Right. As in my kids, 10, 8, and 6 years old, designing their own games.
Thinking about, planning, and creating games. Plotting challenges, goals, and objectives. Making levels, sub-levels, and clues. Trying to trick each other and be the one who designs the best of the best, the hardest of the hardest games.
On the computer.
Actually, on our Intel All-in-One PC. The one we’ve had the opportunity to explore and discover for the last few months.
As an Intel Partner, I’ve shared my experiences, when we first got the device and why I was thankful for it. And often on twitter and instagram I’ve shared shots of my digital kids doing their digital thing on our rad IntelAIO.
Here’s the skinny. . .
- Game Design for Kids–Innovation and Creativity with #IntelAIO: Maddy, Owen, and Cora have fallen hard for our Intel AIO, and it’s no wonder–it’s easy to use, and its touch screen mirrors the mobile devices they use every day.
But the AIO has really fostered innovation and creativity in my kids in new and exciting ways–the game design is just one. Their familiarity and comfort in using the device makes exploring new content online easier.
At Digital Family Summit this year, my kids participated in a totally fab Game Design Workshop, and I really think that it was here that the seed was planted for their interest in exploring this new side of technology: the creation side.
This workshop introduced Maddy, Owen, and Cora to Gamestar Mechanic. Brian Alspach of E-Line Media and the creator of Gamestar Mechanic facilitated this hands-on workshop, and my kids were hooked from the beginning.
Gamestar Mechanic is simply “a game and community designed to teach kids the principles of game design and systems thinking in a highly engaging environment . . . it is designed for 7- to 14-year-olds but is open to everyone” (from the Gamestar Mechanic site). You’ve got to check it out.
Kids can play, take courses (NO joke! It’s my summer plan for the kids. . . ), make games, and join a community of game creators. I love, though, that in order to publish your game and have others play it, kids must complete the course on game creation. So smart.
According to Owen, “Gamestar Mechanic is that site where you can make games yourself or play the ones they have. It’s cool because I’m in charge.”Game design requires innovation, creativity, and a new way of thinking. My kids are stretching their brains like never before, doing things I never imagined they’d be interested in doing.
But the really fab thing is that what they learned at Digital Family, they could bring home thanks to our IntelAIO PC.
The possibilities are endless.
Three cheers for our Digital Kids and for friends at Intel All-in-One PC for giving us the opportunity to explore this rockin device.
#spon: I am in a partnership with Intel. Through this partnership I gain access to content, product, or other forms of value.
My 9-year-old is just learning Scratch now to make his own games. How does this compare do you think Amy? Is it the next step or similar? My son really loves learning to make his own games and I like it because it’s better than just playing games (which he does excessively!).
Mia, I’m not sure. . . to be honest, this is the only one we’ve tried! I’ll have to look at Scratch in the next few days! I see a blog post coming–maybe we could do one together!?