Resources

CodeSpark (Top platform for elementary school)

• Intro to Game Design in codeSpark with super teacher Kristen Brooks.
• Free access for teachers and students.
   

Scratch (Top platform for upper elementary and middle school)

• Online platform that combines computer programming with graphic design tools to allow users to create games, animations, and other interactive programs.
• This resource guides users through the process of using Scratch to learn the basics of programming and game design.
• Scratch game tutorials.
• Scratch Design Journal.
• Scratch Ideas & Resources.
• Starter Projects.
• Scratch YouTube Channel.
   

Unity (Top platform for high school - 16+)

• If you are new to game design then check out Unity Essentials and Create with Code.
• For aspiring programmers: Jr. Programmer Pathway.
• For aspiring game artists: Creative Core!
• For students under 16: Free teacher and student accounts.
• For students 16+: Free teacher and student accounts.
   

Unreal Engine

• The same powerful technology used by major studios. An end-to-end ecosystem to create, ship and operate games.
• Learning Library.
   

Snap!

• Snap! is a visual programming language for kids and adults, inspired by Scratch, but with the tools teenagers need to do serious computer science: procedures as first class data, lists as first class data, higher order functions, APL-style hyperblocks, metaprogramming, and more.

Kodu Game Lab 

• 3D game development environment designed to teach kids basic programming principles.
• Game design courses.
   

Minecraft Education 

• Game design tutorials.
   

Gamestar Mechanic

• Uses game-based quests and courses to help students learn game design and make their video games.
• Resources for teachers.
• Resources for parents.
   

Game Salad

• Tutorial videos.
   

Games for Change resources

• Resource hub.
   

Schell Games

• "A Deck of Lenses" (use this free interactive tool to review your game design ideas and make them better!)
   

www.code.org (Resources for game design)

• Elementary school kids.
• Kids ages 11 and up.
• Game Design (Grade: 3+, Instructional Hours: 5, Self-Paced PL Available)
• Coding with AI (Grades: 6–12, Instructional Hours: 1 Week, Self-Paced PL Available)
   

Examples of Learning Games 

• Field Day (supported and run by the University of Wisconsin).
• Filament Games is a full-service digital studio specializing in learning game development for hire basis.
   

Articles

• Game design basics: “How to start creating video games.”
• Games for good: Learning while you play.
   

Free, noncopyrighted image sources

• Freerange stock.
• MorgueFile.
• Wikimedia Commons.
   

Free, noncopyrighted audio sources

• Freesound.
• MusOpen.
   

Multimedia Gallery

• NSF - National Science Foundation.