Success story: Got my 11yo to code actual games instead of just playing them

Dec 251 min read

So I've been nervous about my kid spending 6+ hours a day on Roblox, right? Last month I finally bit the bullet and signed him up for a local coding camp at the library (it was FREE btw, totally worth checking your library). Three weeks in and he's actually creating mini games in Python instead of just grinding Roblox. He's been showing me his code, explaining logic, the whole thing. It's not perfect (he definitely still plays Roblox) but at least now some of his gaming time feeds into actual learning. Has anyone else found these in-person coding programs helpful?

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Comments(5)

DDanny G.RegularDec 26

The fact that it was free is clutch. Lots of parents would never find this because coding camps seem expensive. Does your library have ongoing programs or was it just a one-time thing?

MMike R.New DadDec 26

FREE coding camp is the move. And honestly, letting him build stuff he actually wants (games!) instead of just consuming is such a better use of screen time. How long was the camp?

RRaj P.RegularDec 26

This is the kind of success story I needed to read. So many posts about kids gaming too much but nobody talks about redirecting it. How's the screen time now?

DDanny R.RegularDec 26

The library coding camp angle is genius and I'm definitely stealing this. My 10yo is in the same 6+ hours of Roblox situation and I've been losing my mind about it. Was your kid resistant at first or was he into it?

SSam Y.RegularDec 28

This is genuinely smart parenting. Instead of "stop playing games" you're like "okay but what if we build them instead." Did he actually get into the coding or is he still mostly into the game aspect?