Minecraft Game Design

Price: Starting at $399
Age: 7 - 9
Skill Level: Beginner–Intermediate

About This Course

Invest in your future as a game designer with your favorite game—Minecraft! You'll dive into the fundamentals of creating your own levels in a wide-open world, learning level design and problem-solving while building extraordinary environments. You can use custom resource packs to create visually stunning worlds or let your imagination run wild and create your own adventure.

Tools: Minecraft Java Edition

Topics Covered

Create resource packs to re-skin blocks and items
Build redstone circuits and machines
Utilize command blocks to enhance maps
Develop planning and design skills

Sample Schedule

Here’s a sample of what a week in the course could look like. Please keep in mind that students will progress at varying paces; this is a general outline of key material and the overall student experience.

Monday: Learn Fundamentals of Data Packs

Students will explore the fundamentals of data packs by looking at the formatting and how to change properties in Minecraft.

Tuesday: Change Item Textures & Names

Next, students will progress to changing the textures and names of different items through datapacks. They will install their datapacks and start building features they’ll use for their final projects.

Wednesday: Practice Creating Art Assets

To enhance their games, students will practice creating art assets and graphics and begin exploring mob textures and mob loot tables. Students will also dive into the crafting system and create new recipes.

Thursday: Craft & Refine with Redstone Traps

Students will craft and refine their final projects with features like redstone traps and treasure chests.

Friday: Polish, Share & Discuss

To complete the week, students will polish their dungeons and add any story elements they’d want to add. They will share their projects with their peers for discussion and constructive feedback.

Course Formats

Virtual Camp

Ideal for kids and teens who thrive in a high-energy, team-oriented environment! Meeting Monday through Friday, campers spend 2 hours together with their peers and instructors and 2 hours working independently on their project. Not your average online learning, our virtual camps include the games and challenges that make iD Tech camps core memory makers.

Private Lessons

Ideal for kids and teens who thrive in a focused, 1-on-1 setting, need flexible scheduling, or both! Your child will unlock new skills at their own pace, led by an experienced mentor who is dedicated to their success. These 8, one-hour lessons feature customized curriculum and are available to be scheduled 24/7.

Portfolio-Boosting Transcript

At the conclusion of your child's course, they will receive an official iD Tech transcript outlining the skills they learned over the course of the week.

Learn from the best.

Passion for tech. Unmatched expertise. Personality that brings out the absolute best in your child. With 23 years of experience, we know there's no replacement for the best teacher. It's no surprise that iconic companies like Google, EA, Microsoft, and Disney hire the same talent we do. Our iD Certified instructors possess the whole package of skills that top employers seek.

100% USA-based, adult instructors
Recruited from top universities like Stanford, Caltech, and NYU
Rigorous background and reference checks
Robust training programs and certification
Adherence to American Camp Association accredited guidelines

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Software Engineer
at Google

Instructor Highlights

Chris M.

Software Engineer
at Google

“My time as an iD instructor was really formative. I stayed with STEM in college as a Computer Science and Electrical Engineering major, and now I’m working at Google in Chicago. If you find yourself thinking about STEM-related things outside of school, follow that passion. Major in it. Keep pursuing it.”

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Associate Designer
at Bethesda Softworks

Instructor Highlights

Aspen C.

Associate Designer
at Bethesda Softworks

“The spirit of innovation and creativity I felt around my students while teaching Unity led me toward my career as a professional game designer. My time at iD Tech taught me that no dream is too big, and that brilliant ideas can come from anywhere.”

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Software Engineer
at Disney

Instructor Highlights

Brian M.

Software Engineer
at Disney

“The opportunity to create an environment of collaboration, inclusion, and creativity was a truly special experience. The skills I honed while teaching at iD Tech led me to my software engineering roles at ESPN and the Walt Disney Company.”

Select your online format

Private Lessons $449

8 lessons on your schedule

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are command blocks?

Using Java, kids can create command blocks - which are sets of instructions - in order to add a customized feature or action to existing gameplay. For example, different command blocks can change the weather, allow players to teleport, and more!

Why should my child learn Minecraft?

The learning benefits of Minecraft are as endless as the world itself. From game design, to coding, to activating kids’ creativity and critical thinking skills, Minecraft offers a wealth of learning opportunities beyond hours of entertainment.

What college and career opportunities does this course lead to?

If your child loves to build and interact with Minecraft, they’re steps away from becoming game designer! Making the transition from playing Minecraft to thinking critically about the game is one of the best ways to encourage young kids to pursue STEM in school, college, and beyond.

Is this course suitable for all skill levels?

Yes, this course is designed for beginner to advanced students. Our small class size ensures that each student receives individual attention and has the freedom to learn at their own pace.

What is the online camp experience like?

While we are proud to offer world-class experiences on many of the world’s most prestigious university campuses, we also recognize that many families need the flexibility of quality virtual learning! It’s with these families in mind that we’ve adapted the core elements of our flagship camps to an online format with our Virtual Tech Camps.

Like our on-campus programs, Virtual Tech Camps feature structured small-group sessions led by expert instructors. Each week includes live teaching of our signature, cutting-edge curriculum, plus peer collaboration, social time, and independent project work. To complete the experience, our Virtual Tech Camps incorporate all the magic of summer camp including games, challenges, and legendary iD traditions!

What are the technical requirements for this online course?

To run this online course with iD Tech, students will need a Mac or Windows computer (no Chromebooks, unless otherwise specified), Minecraft Java Edition, a webcam, and a stable internet connection with access to Zoom video conferencing. Additional info on course-specific installation requirements will be communicated after registration.