Backyard Explorers — Video Game Design

My 12-year-old son recently participated in the Backyard Explorers Video Game Design program in Brooklyn, and he had a solid experience overall. His instructor, Jake, was engaging and made the concepts of game design accessible. They spent the week working on building their own simple games, and my son was thrilled to create a platformer game with custom characters. The small group size allowed for plenty of individual attention, which he appreciated. However, I did notice that the kids were on screens quite a lot, and I wish there had been a little more balance with hands-on activities or outdoor breaks. The program runs weekly, and while it’s on the pricier side, my son made some friends and was excited to share what he learned. I would recommend it for other creative kids looking to dive into video game design, but keep an eye on screen time.

My son attended the Backyard Explorers Video Game Design program in Brooklyn, and overall, it was a solid experience. He is 9 and loves to create, so this was right up his alley. Each week, he worked on building his own game, and I could see his enthusiasm grow as he learned about coding and storytelling. The instructor, Jamie, was very engaged and provided helpful feedback, making sure the kids didn’t feel overwhelmed. I also appreciated the small group size; it allowed for more personalized attention. However, I found the pickup could be a bit chaotic at times, with parents crowding the entrance. Still, my son made a new friend and came home excited to show me the game he designed. The program is a bit on the pricey side, but for us, it was worth the investment in his creativity. I would recommend it for kids who are focused and creative.