Visual programming
Drag-and-drop logic in Construct 3 means anyone can make things move, jump and score from the very first session.
Construct 3Game dev workshops · Ages 8+
Don’t just play games.
Make them.
Kids Game Dev runs hands-on workshops where young people design, build and code their own video games — using the same tools professional studios use. Most have something playable within minutes.
- Tools we teach:
- Construct 3
- Unity
- C#
- Blender
- Tinkercad
- AI tools
Proud to work with
…and schools and groups including Tangaroa College, James Cook High School, Manurewa College, Ngāruawāhia High School, Ngā Rangatahi Toa and NGEN Whangārei.
Playable in minutesWhy game development?
Games are the hook. The skills last a lifetime.
Kids already love games — so we meet them there. Making a game means planning, drawing, coding, testing and fixing, which quietly builds the problem-solving and digital skills behind tomorrow’s careers.
Think like a coder
Logic, sequences and debugging — learned by making things that actually work.
Create like an artist
Characters, worlds and 3D models that start in their own imagination.
Build like a founder
Design, playtest and get a peek at how games go from idea to market.
What they’ll learn
Real tools. Real skills. Seriously fun.
Our courses use industry-standard software that’s easy to start and hard to master — so beginners and budding pros are both challenged.
3D game making
Step up to Unity — the engine behind thousands of commercial games — and build real, explorable 3D worlds.
UnityReal code
Write C#, a language used across the games industry and in professional software everywhere.
C#3D modelling & animation
Sculpt characters and props in Blender and Tinkercad, then rig and animate them to bring them to life.
Blender · TinkercadGame design
Plan like a studio: ideas, rules, levels and playtesting — the thinking that makes a game fun.
DesignCreating with AI
Learn to use AI tools thoughtfully to brainstorm ideas, generate assets and speed up the making.
AI toolsHow it works
From idea to playable game
Every workshop follows the same loop real studios use, scaled to each learner.
01
Dream it
Sketch an idea, invent characters and decide the rules of the game.
02
Build it
Lay out levels and worlds in a real game engine.
03
Code it
Add movement, enemies, scoring and all the bits that make it play.
04
Play it
Playtest, tweak and proudly share it with friends and whānau.
Ways to join
Workshops that fit your world
Whether you’re a teacher, a parent or a community leader, there’s a format that works for your young people.
For schools & kura
School workshops
Bring game development into the classroom with a one-off workshop or a series across the term.
- Run with Year 9 and 10 classes
- From a single class to 70-student events
- Hands-on digital technologies learning
- Sponsored options with industry partners
For families
Holiday programmes
Action-packed game-making days in the school holidays at partner venues like MOTAT.
- 2D and 3D game making in one day
- 3D modelling with Blender
- Ages 8+, no experience needed
- Kids leave with a game they made
For groups & trusts
Community & remote
Programmes for community organisations and regional groups — in person or live over video.
- Run regularly with NGEN in Whangārei
- Live online classes anywhere in NZ
- Tailored to your group’s goals
- VR sessions with our partners
Gallery
Inside our workshops
Concentration, collaboration and plenty of “look what I made!” moments.
Stories
Recent workshops
A few highlights from schools and communities we’ve worked with.
Mega game dev workshop at VR Studio
We teamed up with Playtech and VR Studio to run a massive games workshop for 70 students from Manurewa College. It was an amazing, high-energy day!
3D and virtual reality course at Ngāruawāhia High School
An excellent course on virtual reality game development, covering 3D modelling, level design and game programming.
MOTAT workshops with Ngā Rangatahi Toa
We had an awesome time teaching game dev to the rangatahi of Ngā Rangatahi Toa and showing them the fun of VR gaming. VR Studio kindly provided the Oculus headsets.
Our team
The people behind KGD
Industry experience, classroom patience — and a genuine love of games.
Joe Chang
Founder
Joe started Kids Game Dev to share the thrill of making games. He’s a video games consultant with more than 15 years in IT, and a lifelong gamer.
LinkedIn →
Jeff Chilberto
Technical advisor
Jeff is a seasoned software architect who advises KGD on technology and helps keep our teaching in step with industry.
LinkedIn →
Tyren Chang
Assistant tutor
Tyren works one-on-one with students during sessions, helping them get unstuck and keep building.
FAQ
Questions from parents & teachers
Can’t see your question? Send us a message and we’ll get right back to you.
What age are the workshops for?
Our workshops suit ages 8 and up. Younger makers start with visual coding in Construct, while older or more experienced students move on to Unity, C# and 3D modelling.
Does my child need any coding experience?
None at all. We start with visual programming so everyone has something playable fast, then build up from there. Experienced kids are stretched with more advanced tools.
Can they keep going at home?
Yes! Blender is completely free, and Unity and Construct both have free versions — so kids can keep creating long after the workshop ends.
Can you run a programme at our school or venue?
Absolutely. We work with schools, community groups, trusts and venues — in person or live online. Get in touch and we’ll shape a session around your group.
Get in touch
Let’s make something fun
Tell us a little about your school, group or child and we’ll come back with options, dates and pricing.
- Emailinfo@kgd.nz
- FacebookKids Game Dev
- Based inAuckland, teaching across Aotearoa