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Why we LOVE this product!
Making a game is the best motivation there is for learning to code, and this DK book delivers: real games kids would want to play, built step by step, with the "why" explained as well as the "how".
The layout is classic DK, clear and colorful, and the 2024 edition is updated for the current Scratch.
Two things to weigh: it needs a computer or tablet and some patience with longer projects, and complete beginners may find a simpler starter book or the Scratch Coding Cards an easier first step.
Description
SKU:
9780593841860
Coding Games in Scratch (DK, updated 2024 edition) is a 224-page book that teaches kids to program by building their own computer games in Scratch 3.0, including racing challenges, platform games and puzzles, with step-by-step instructions and pictures.
What's inside
- 224-page paperback, 2024 edition
- Step-by-step game projects: racing, platform and puzzle games
- Explanations of how and why the code works
- Ideas for remixing and customizing each game
How it works
Kids work through one game at a time in Scratch, the free coding site, following illustrated steps to add characters, controls, scores and levels. Each project explains the coding idea behind it, then suggests ways to change the game and make it their own. Finished games can be shared online.
What kids learn
- Coding concepts: loops, variables, conditionals, events and simple game physics
- Game design: rules, levels, scoring and testing
- Problem solving: finding and fixing bugs in their own code
Good to know before you buy
- Age: DK lists ages 9 to 12.
- Needs a device: Scratch is free and runs in a web browser; DK says this edition is the first to be tablet friendly.
- Easier start: kids who have never used Scratch may want to try a few simple projects first.
- Price: $21.99 at Barnes & Noble when we checked.
Who it's for
Kids from about 9 to 12 who play video games and want to make their own, kids who have outgrown beginner Scratch projects, and parents helping them learn.
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Learn more!
Get started with Scratch
- Scratch: the free coding site from the MIT Media Lab, works in any web browser
- Scratch Ideas: free tutorials and printable coding cards from the Scratch team
About
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble traces its roots to 1873, when Charles M. Barnes began selling books from his home in Wheaton, Illinois. In 1917, his son William joined G. Clifford Noble in New York to establish Barnes & Noble. The company entered a new chapter in 1971, when bookseller Leonard Riggio acquired the Barnes & Noble name and flagship store, beginning a period of growth that would help shape the modern American bookstore.
Under Riggio's leadership, Barnes & Noble expanded across the country and introduced its distinctive superstore concept, bringing together an extensive selection of books with a welcoming atmosphere where customers could browse, discover new interests, and spend time exploring. The stores also expanded beyond books to include educational toys, games, music, and gifts.
Today, Barnes & Noble continues to connect readers and families with stories, ideas, and new discoveries through its bookstores and online shop. Its range extends from children's picture books and young adult fiction to puzzles, games, creative toys, and collectibles. By bringing reading together with opportunities for learning and play, Barnes & Noble remains a destination for families looking for inspiration, entertainment, and thoughtful gifts.
