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Game Design 101

An introduction to programming for beginners in upper elementary grades. Introduce your class to programming using a fun scenario-based approach where they build two complete games. Side Scroller Survival introduces them to basics of motion and animation. In BeatBot Battle, they program a robot to make it dance. On completing this lesson plan students will be able to build simple games, animations and a variety of simple projects.

Topics Covered: Use sequencing, pattern recognition, loops, conditional logic to create programs. Create scenes, add sounds and music and use keyboard controls to drive your programs. Learn about motion, broadcasting messages and adding special effects.

Game Design 101

An introduction to programming for beginners in upper elementary grades. Introduce your class to programming using a fun scenario-based approach where they build two complete games. Side Scroller Survival introduces them to basics of motion and animation. In BeatBot Battle, they program a robot to make it dance. On completing this lesson plan students will be able to build simple games, animations and a variety of simple projects.

Topics Covered: Use sequencing, pattern recognition, loops, conditional logic to create programs. Create scenes, add sounds and music and use keyboard controls to drive your programs. Learn about motion, broadcasting messages and adding special effects.

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125 Activities

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Recommended for Ages +

Web

No Prerequisites

Tynker Code Blocks

Tynker's visual code blocks are a great way for beginners to code, without needing to remember how to type syntax. By dragging and dropping code blocks together, young coders can produce vividly complex programs and games in our proprietary app, which includes support for graphics, sound, physics, and more.

How Kids Learn with Tynker

Kids learn on their own with a guided, hands-on approach that individualizes the learning experience. Tynker's online courses provide a complete learning system for your child to master the fundamentals of programming. Tynker's visual programming language makes it easy to learn, and once kids gain proficiency, they can seamlessly transition to Javascript coding within the Tynker learning system. Enroll in one of our plans for unlimited play across all courses.

Game-Based Learning

Tynker's self-guided lessons break down coding concepts while solving puzzles and making cool apps.

Interactive Assessments

Quick practice quizzes and assessment tests evaluate a child's comprehension of subjects taught.

Captivating Topics

There's always something to learn with multiple subjects, projects, and coding languages available.

System Requirements

Online courses require a desktop computer, laptop computer, Chromebook, or Netbook with Internet connection and a Chrome (29+), Firefox (30+), Safari (7+), or Edge (20+) browser. No downloads required. Courses are not supported on tablets.

Minecraft courses and server access is available to verified accounts. Minecraft for Windows 10 is required for Training Day, Agent Recall, Gears of Time, Mythicraft, and Mind Crafters courses. Content and courses are subject to changes. NOT AN OFFICIAL MINECRAFT PRODUCT. NOT APPROVED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH MOJANG.

Lesson image for: Welcome to Game Design

Welcome to Game Design

Get Introduced to Tynker and start coding through guided tutorials and solving puzzles. Finally create your own "Treasure Chase" project.

13 Modules:

  • Introduction
  • Intro Video
  • Puzzles Intro
  • Collect the ray gun
  • Use a loop
  • Jump
  • Walk and Jump
  • Right Angle
  • House
  • Tutorial Intro
  • Move the Knight
  • Avoid the Ghost
  • Treasure Chase
Lesson image for: Loops and Animation

Loops and Animation

Use multiple costumes and a loop construct to animate Gus.

9 Modules:

  • Introduction
  • Play the Game
  • Concepts
  • Animate Gus Example
  • Animate Gus
  • Fix the Animation Speed
  • Animate on Your Own Example
  • Animate on Your Own
  • Quiz
Lesson image for: Creating a Scene

Creating a Scene

Create an interactive scene with music. Build and add your own characters and animate them.

9 Modules:

  • Add Music Example
  • Add Music
  • Dancing Actor Example
  • Dancing Actor
  • Match the Aliens
  • Dance Party Example
  • Animated Dance Party
  • Musical Actors Example
  • Musical Actors
Lesson image for: Jumping over Obstacles

Jumping over Obstacles

Program an Actor to jump. Move the Actor up and down using a loop to change their y-position.

8 Modules:

  • Concepts
  • Make Gus Jump Example
  • Make Gus Jump 1
  • Make Gus Jump 2
  • Jump Over Obstacles
  • Jump on Your Own Example
  • Jump on Your Own
  • Quiz
Lesson image for: Storytelling

Storytelling

Use speech bubbles using the Say block to simulate a conversation between Actors. Use Wait blocks for timing.

9 Modules:

  • Speaking Example
  • Speaking
  • Conversation Example
  • Conversation
  • Play a Game of Charades
  • A Funny Chat Example
  • A Funny Chat
  • Comic Book Example
  • Comic Book
Lesson image for: User Interaction

User Interaction

Program input controls to move Actors. Use this to move Gus back and forth to collect powercells.

7 Modules:

  • Move to Collect Power Cells
  • Move Back and Forth Example
  • Move Back and Forth
  • Move and Collect Power Cells
  • Make Actors Move Example
  • Make Actors Move
  • Quiz
Lesson image for: Guessing Game

Guessing Game

Create an interactive quiz. Use the Ask block for user input and the If-Else block to check the answer.

9 Modules:

  • Asking Questions Example
  • Asking Questions
  • Guessing Game Example
  • Number Guessing Game
  • Find the Hidden Treasure
  • Create a Quiz Example
  • Create a Quiz
  • Ghostbusters Example
  • Ghostbusters
Lesson image for: Rotation

Rotation

Use the Turn block to rotate an actor. Using it in a loop and turning 360 degrees will flip the Actor.

9 Modules:

  • Flip Out!
  • Concepts
  • Do Flips Example
  • Do Flips
  • Flip to Collect Power Cells
  • Flip on Your Own Example
  • Flip on Your Own
  • Quiz
  • Bonus: Finish Side Scroller
Lesson image for: Alien Invaders

Alien Invaders

Move Actors to different locations within the screen using random number generators. Detect the screen boundaries.

5 Modules:

  • Asteroid Shooter Example
  • Target Practice
  • Looping Actors
  • Avoid the Asteroids
  • Build an Asteroid Shooter
Lesson image for: Music and Animation

Music and Animation

Use music to create a game where robots battle to mimic the sound sequence.

7 Modules:

  • Introduction
  • Add Background Music Example
  • Add Background Music
  • Animate the button
  • Add Music Example
  • Add Music
  • Quiz
Lesson image for: Instruments and Tempo

Instruments and Tempo

Generate computer music using musical notes, different instruments and changing tempo.

9 Modules:

  • Button Sounds Example
  • Button Sounds
  • Drum Machine Example
  • Beatbot Drum Machine
  • Set the Tempo
  • Build a Piano Example
  • Build a Piano
  • Build an Alien Piano Example
  • Build an Alien Piano
Lesson image for: Broadcasting Messages

Broadcasting Messages

Send and receive messages between Actors in a program. Use messages to control the robot.

7 Modules:

  • Introduction
  • Send a Message Example
  • Send a Message to the BeatBot
  • Send 2 Messages
  • Add Your Background Music Example
  • Add Your Background Music
  • Quiz
Lesson image for: Time Limits

Time Limits

Learn about time limits, and along with your knowledge of messaging, build a 2-player game.

5 Modules:

  • Time Limits Example
  • Time Limits
  • Lead the Way
  • Make Your Own Arcade Example
  • Make Your Own Arcade
Lesson image for: Sequencing

Sequencing

Program Codey the troll to stay on the path and get to his candy.

6 Modules:

  • Pick up the Candy
  • Get the Gum Drop
  • Avoid the Thimbles
  • Repetition with Loops
  • Repeat the Pattern
  • Bonus 1
Lesson image for: Pattern Recognition

Pattern Recognition

Make Codey jump to avoid the obstacles while staying on the path..

6 Modules:

  • Repeat the Pattern
  • Sequenced Repetition
  • Sequenced Repetition
  • Two Loops
  • Using Conditional Loops
  • Bonus 2
Lesson image for: Conditional Logic

Conditional Logic

Recognize simple patterns and use conditional logic and loops to solve.

6 Modules:

  • Using Conditional Loops
  • Using Conditional Loops
  • Using "Not"
  • Using "Not" in Loops
  • Conditionals
  • Bonus 3
Lesson image for: Advanced Logic

Advanced Logic

Guide Codey back to the computer using loops and logic.

6 Modules:

  • Conditionals
  • Multiple Conditionals
  • If-Else
  • If-Else
  • Bonus 4
  • Exit
Lesson image for: Red Baron's Adventure

Red Baron's Adventure

Help Red Baron navigate through the desert and collect the medals.

12 Modules:

  • Cross the Desert
  • Collect the medal
  • Turn. Forward. Turn...
  • Another medal
  • Staircase
  • Conditional Loop
  • Detect a path
  • Turn to the left
  • Left Spiral
  • Another staircase
  • Right, Forward?
  • Zigzag

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Choose a Plan to Accelerate Learning

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Yearly

$25 $15 /month Now $180 billed annually cancel any time
40% OFF

Lifetime*

$780 $468 one time payment Best Deal

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3-Year All-Access plans include:

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Tynker is designed to progress with your child. A three year plan accelerates their coding mastery from block coding to advanced text languages.