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Best Tools to Make Games
Top Picks
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TinyTap: Kids' Learning Games
Book-and-game builder empowers creativity, boasts vast content library
Bottom line: With some patience and planning, this game maker can be a classroom game changer.
Grades: Pre-K–5
Price: Free to try
Bloxels EDU
Game-making app focuses on pixel art and level design
Bottom line: If it works, the app is a powerful non-coding way to get students into game design, though the physical cubes are more of a gimmick than anything else.
Grades: 1–7
Price: Free to try, Paid
Unruly Splats
Game-making platform fuses coding and physical play
Bottom line: This platform could appear gimmicky at first, but in practice it blends SEL, movement, collaboration, and STEM learning in clever, compelling ways.
Grades: 1–8
Price: Contact for pricing
The Infinite Arcade by Tinybop
Simple game-design app has endless creative potential
Bottom line: Letting students design, play, improve, and share their own games opens up opportunities for learning potential in many subject areas.
Grades: 2–6
Price: $3.99
Scratch
Creative sandbox opens the door to coding in any subject area
Bottom line: Scratch draws students of all types into coding and lays a foundation for future learning.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free
Gamestar Mechanic
Engaging manga-themed quest to become a game designer
Bottom line: Game design quests have everything students want but perhaps not everything teachers need.
Grades: 3–8
Price: Free to try
Minecraft
Spiraling sandbox of adventure and creation gets kids to dig deep
Bottom line: An irresistible and seemingly limitless incubator for 21st-century skills that, with a little guidance, can chart new courses for learning.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Paid
Roblox
Popular game development platform has classroom potential, pitfalls
Bottom line: Creating games for an authentic audience encourages coding and design skills, but real risks require extra caution.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free, Paid
Codesters
Differentiated text-based coding makes for truly authentic experiences
Bottom line: The well-designed Python lessons and user interface make this a great choice for serious coding instruction.
Grades: 5–8
Price: Free to try
Gamefroot
Fun and challenging platform for aspiring game designers
Bottom line: A great launchpad for students who love games and code.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free
LittleBigPlanet 2
Accessible yet deep game creator will dazzle and challenge
Bottom line: A deeply charming experience for teachers and students interested in pushing boundaries, making things, and participating in a healthy community focused on boundless creativity.
Grades: 4–12
Price: $19.99
Ready Maker
Fun and easy game design yields surprisingly complex creations
Bottom line: With teacher support, a creative introduction to coding and game design.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free, Paid
Sound Shapes
Jazzy music game lets kids design levels and create music
Bottom line: A visually stunning music game that inspires creativity by providing simple but powerful tools to build your own music games to share with others.
Grades: 4–12
Price: 14.99
Swift Playgrounds
Brilliantly designed iOS coding app great for newbies or pros
Bottom line: If you have iPads or Macs, this is an inspired choice for learning how to create and tweak code.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free
Wick Editor
Design interactive games and animations with creative online platform
Bottom line: A great starting place for aspiring creators to design and share engaging content.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free
LearnToMod
Modify Minecraft with this fun, applied use of coding
Bottom line: For students who already know and love Minecraft, this is a valuable way to hook students into coding.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Paid
Stencyl
Code-free game development tool helps kids program and publish
Bottom line: It ups the sophistication of building block coding by connecting student work to major publishing platforms.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free, Paid
Zulama
Teach a vast number of CS concepts with quality, depth, and choice
Bottom line: Zulama will help any middle or high school implement a comprehensive computer science program.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free to try, Paid
CodeHS
Computer science curriculum offers great feedback, fun challenges
Bottom line: Effective tools and clear lessons teach real programming, but you'll have to spend some cash to help kids master it.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free to try, Paid
Construct 3
Ideal 2D game builder supports students to create, innovate
Bottom line: Limitless game options, reasonable cost, and extensive support make this programming environment perfect for an educational setting.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free to try
micro:bit
Code games or fun displays with mini piece of hardware
Bottom line: This versatile tool for learning how to program with blocks or text is a nice fit for STEM classes and clubs.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free, Paid
Textadventures.co.uk
Play or design text adventures, but creation can get technical
Bottom line: Text adventures can be a blast to play and make, but the Quest game-making tool, while offering some decent support, can be tough to use effectively without coding experience.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
Unity Learn
Complete game creation curriculum gives students real-world experience
Bottom line: It's a slick, fun, and effective way to get students building games right away, with plenty of room for depth.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
Codecademy
Excellent text-based coding site a great way to learn real-world skills
Bottom line: For both introductory and higher skill levels, it teaches the breadth and depth of skills for programming careers.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free to try
GameMaker Studio 2
One of the best creation tools available for aspiring game developers
Bottom line: Provides teachers with the best choice for a full unit or class on game design, and gives students a tool to help them realize their game-making dreams.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free to try
GameSalad
Great interface, flexible publishing options make game-making a snap
Bottom line: This engaging platform will empower budding game designers, but the price tag could be a deal-breaker for tight school budgets.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Paid
Portal 2 Puzzle Maker
Mind-bending level editor for beloved physics game
Bottom line: For STEAM educators with the right tech and know-how, it'd be puzzling not to use this tool.
Grades: 7–12
Price: $19.99
Codea
Well-thought-out coding platform for real game programming
Bottom line: Codea is a professional tool that has enough help features that kids can learn programming hands-on.
Grades: 8–12
Price: $14.99
