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This lockdown, we want to help parents and kids who are now pivoting to learning from home (again).
Here's a thread of introductory lessons to:
Learn How To Make a Videogame 
Here's a thread of introductory lessons to:
Learn How To Make a Videogame
Start by making some digital drawings!
Suitable for ages 6+
Use the free web app @piskelapp to draw and animate your own videogame character. Unleashes a kids creativity *and* learn some animation skills whilst you're at it.
https://thenvm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PixelArtonPiskel-NVMEducationResources-3.pdf
Suitable for ages 6+
Use the free web app @piskelapp to draw and animate your own videogame character. Unleashes a kids creativity *and* learn some animation skills whilst you're at it.
https://thenvm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PixelArtonPiskel-NVMEducationResources-3.pdf
Write your own interactive story and become a games writer!
Suitable for ages 6+
Use the free app Twine to write a branching interactive narrative. Getting lost in a virtual story is cool, but making your own is cooler.
https://thenvm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/GetTangledupinTwine.pdf
Suitable for ages 6+
Use the free app Twine to write a branching interactive narrative. Getting lost in a virtual story is cool, but making your own is cooler.
https://thenvm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/GetTangledupinTwine.pdf
(Submissions are still open for you to submit your own Twine story to @SheffLibraries! It will see all submissions playable on an arcade cabinet sometime later this year.) https://thenvm.org/a-christmas-carol-with-sheffield-libraries/
Dip your toes into programming with Scratch
Suitable for ages 8+
Programming seems daunting at first, but Scratch makes it super easy. We also have a step-by-step guide that shows you how to programme your first game in an hour!
https://thenvm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/NVMGettingStartedwithScratch.pdf
Suitable for ages 8+
Programming seems daunting at first, but Scratch makes it super easy. We also have a step-by-step guide that shows you how to programme your first game in an hour!
https://thenvm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/NVMGettingStartedwithScratch.pdf
Make more games with Bitsy!
Suitable for ages 8+
@adamledoux's Bitsy game creator is a fantastic starting point for creating your own game. We've got a guide to using it on our site too:
https://thenvm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/GettingStartedwithBitsy.pdf
Suitable for ages 8+
@adamledoux's Bitsy game creator is a fantastic starting point for creating your own game. We've got a guide to using it on our site too:
https://thenvm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/GettingStartedwithBitsy.pdf
Become a games music composer with BeepBox!
Suitable for ages 8+
Even cooler, you can take any sounds you make and put these back into Scratch, to really enhance your game! We've got a guide on using this too:
Suitable for ages 8+
Even cooler, you can take any sounds you make and put these back into Scratch, to really enhance your game! We've got a guide on using this too:
Or, maybe you just want to take your mind off it and play some games instead? That is totally valid - don't feel like you have to be learning every second of every day!
Kids can even pick up some skills by playing games too. Here's a list to get started: https://twitter.com/nvmuk/status/1240634714224017408
Kids can even pick up some skills by playing games too. Here's a list to get started: https://twitter.com/nvmuk/status/1240634714224017408
There are so many ways to get kids involved with making videogames. They teach arts, science, technology and so much more - all at the same time!
And if you need a hand getting started with ANY of this, we're here. Our DMs are always open.
And if you need a hand getting started with ANY of this, we're here. Our DMs are always open.
