IDEA Lab Kids - Central Austin — Video Game Design

My 9-year-old daughter has been attending the Video Game Design program at IDEA Lab Kids in Central Austin for the past six weeks, and overall, it's been a positive experience. The instructor, Jake, is very engaging and encourages the kids to be creative with their projects. This week, my daughter designed her own character and created a simple game level, which she was really proud of. I appreciated the small group size, allowing for more individualized attention. However, I did notice there was quite a bit of screen time, which made me a little uneasy, as I worry about her spending too much time in front of a screen. Pickup was organized, and I felt good about leaving her there. If you're considering this program, it's great for creative kids but just keep an eye on the screen time aspect.

My son, who is 9 and very creative, recently attended the Video Game Design program at IDEA Lab Kids in Central Austin. He loved the hands-on approach to learning about game mechanics and storytelling. Each week, he came home excited to show us the character he designed and the storyline he crafted; it was fantastic to see his imagination at work. The instructor, Sarah, was particularly engaging and seemed to really connect with the kids, which made a difference in their enthusiasm. On the downside, we did experience some long lines during drop-off, which was a bit inconvenient. Additionally, the price felt a little steep for our budget, but considering the skills he gained and the fun he had, it was worth it. Overall, I would recommend this program for other creative kids, but just be prepared for the logistics during pickup and drop-off.