Which Video Game Genre Should Kids Choose to Start Coding?
Video game genres are like the building blocks of every game your child loves to play or create! Knowing the different types helps kids and parents understand what makes a game fun, educational, or safe. In this friendly guide, we explain video game genres, share examples, and give tips to help your child explore coding, learning, and creativity safely online.
What Are Video Game Genres? Explained for Kids
Video game genres are groups of games with similar stories, goals, or ways to play. For example, adventure games focus on exploration, while racing games are all about speed. Understanding video game genres helps parents and kids pick the right games and even inspires new ideas for coding projects.
Each genre comes with unique game mechanics and skills to learn.
Subgenres provide even more specific experiences and challenges.
Knowing these genres is great for coding your own games in Scratch or Python!
Explore more Coding for Kids topics
Video Game Genres List: Main Categories and Subgenres
| Genre | What It Means | Popular Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Fast-paced; testing reflexes, timing, and hand-eye coordination. | Super Mario Bros., Sonic the Hedgehog |
| Adventure | Story-driven; focuses on exploration and solving puzzles. | Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda |
| Role-Playing Games (RPGs) | Players take on character roles, grow skills, and make choices. | Pokémon, Final Fantasy |
| Puzzle | Logic and problem-solving games for all ages. | Tetris, Candy Crush Saga |
| Simulation | Real-life activities like building, flying, or running a business. | The Sims, SimCity |
| Strategy | Planning, managing resources, and outsmarting opponents. | Chess, Plants vs. Zombies |
| Sports & Racing | Mimics real-world sports or racing in exciting ways. | FIFA, Mario Kart |
| Fighting | Two or more characters battle using combos or special moves. | Street Fighter, Super Smash Bros. |
| Casual | Easy to start, fun in short play sessions—great for everyone! | Angry Birds, Flappy Bird |
The video game genres list above can jumpstart creative ideas for kids to code their own games and understand what makes play fun and safe. Exploring many genres helps develop critical thinking, logic, and problem-solving skills.
Popular Video Game Genres and Subgenres Explained
Let’s look at each main genre, discover subgenres, and find real examples. These explanations will help you learn how to make your own video game or pick the best ones to play and code with your family.
Action Games
Action games are fast-paced and great for improving reflexes. Subgenres include platformers (jumping, climbing), shooters, fighting, and beat 'em ups. Games like Sonic the Hedgehog or Minecraft’s Adventure mode let kids practice quick thinking and precise movements.
Adventure Games
Adventure games tell engaging stories. Players solve puzzles, talk to characters, and explore new worlds. Subgenres include point-and-click adventures and interactive fiction. A game like The Legend of Zelda or Scratch story games inspires young coders to use creative storytelling in their projects.
Learn to animate your own adventures!
Role-Playing Games (RPGs)
In RPGs, you create a character, explore worlds, and complete quests. Subgenres range from action RPGs (real-time battles) to turn-based or tactical RPGs (careful planning needed). Games like Pokémon and Dragon Quest teach decision-making, resource management, and planning.
Try coding a simple RPG in Scratch
Puzzle Games
Puzzle games challenge logic and pattern spotting. Types include tile-matching (Candy Crush), word games, and brain teasers. These games help boost problem-solving skills and are perfect for young coders to recreate or remix in Scratch or Python.
Make your own puzzle game with Python!
Simulation Games
Simulation games mimic real-life activities. Kids can build a city (SimCity), create a family (The Sims), or fly a plane. Subgenres include management simulators and creative building games like Minecraft. These games support strategic thinking and creativity.
Strategy Games
Kids who love planning and making choices will enjoy strategy games. They include real-time strategy (RTS) like Clash of Clans and tower defense games like Plants vs. Zombies. These games improve foresight, patience, and logical thinking.
Start simple coding projects on strategy games
Sports and Racing Games
Sports games like FIFA or Mario Kart focus on friendly competition, speed, and teamwork. Racing games teach about physics, quick reactions, and timing. These are ideal for short fun sessions with friends or family.
Fighting Games
Fighting games let players compete in fast, skill-based matches (e.g., Street Fighter, Super Smash Bros.). Movements, combos, and practice help players improve. Coding a fighting game in Scratch is a great beginner challenge for kids!
Tutorial for Scratch fighting games
Casual Games and Party Games
These games are easy to pick up and fun to share. Popular titles like Angry Birds, Flappy Bird, and party games inspire creativity, quick play, and friendly competition. These are perfect first-games for new coders to recreate.
Video Game Genres and Digital Literacy for Kids
Exploring video game genres with examples is more than just play—it's a chance for kids to build safe online habits. Parents should discuss online safety, age-appropriate content, and encourage positive screen time. Building games with Scratch or Python nurtures critical thinking, digital literacy, and confidence in coding for kids.
Talk as a family about which genres suit your child's age.
Encourage kids to remix or build their favorite games with safe, child-friendly tools like Scratch.
Teach kids about balancing play, learning, and online kindness.
Discover coding apps for safe learning
Video Game Genres Project Ideas for Kids
Kids can learn coding by making simple games in genres they already love. Here are fun project ideas that support hands-on learning and creativity:
Create a maze (puzzle genre) in Scratch for friends to solve.
Build a racing game in Python, learning about speed and timing.
Remake a favorite platformer with new levels and characters.
Invent a role-playing game story, then code the quest using branching paths.
Find more coding game ideas for kids
Tips for Parents: Supporting Safe Play in Video Game Genres
Help your child explore new games by staying involved and encouraging coding in a safe, structured way. Choosing games by genre helps you set expectations and avoid inappropriate experiences. Try learning with them—making your own simple game or story in Scratch is a wonderful way to connect!
Check age ratings and talk about online safety for each genre.
Set daily screen time limits for different types of games.
Use platforms like Scratch for safe, creative, and social coding fun.
Encourage group coding or playing for teamwork and social skills.
Explore Scratch coding for beginners
How Video Game Genres Inspire Coding Skills
Learning about video game genres and subgenres lets children not only enjoy playing, but also inspires them to code their own projects. By understanding what makes each genre special—like puzzles, action, or strategy—kids can build games that challenge, teach, or tell fun stories. Vedantu’s courses help kids turn gaming passion into real coding abilities!
Get started coding your favorite genre!
Page Summary
Video game genres help families choose, enjoy, and create games together. Each genre offers unique ways to play, learn to code, and express creativity. By discovering video game genres with examples, kids become smarter digital citizens and budding coders. Explore more with Vedantu to find the perfect fit for your child’s learning and playing journey!
FAQs on Video Game Genres Explained for Kids: A Coding Guide
1. What are the main types of video games?
The main types of video games for kids include several key genres that teach different coding and thinking skills. Popular genres are:
- Action: Fast-paced, requiring timing and coordination
- Adventure: Story-based and exploration-driven
- Puzzle: Focused on logic, problem-solving, and critical thinking
- Simulation: Mimicking real-world activities
- Racing: Speed and reflex-oriented
- Platformer: Jumping and navigation challenges
2. What is the difference between a puzzle game and an action game?
Puzzle games require logical thinking and problem-solving, while action games focus on quick reactions and movement. Key differences include:
- Puzzle games: Encourage critical thinking, sequencing, and pattern recognition (e.g., matching games, mazes).
- Action games: Build hand-eye coordination and timing (e.g., platformers, shooting games).
3. Can kids make their own video games?
Yes, children can create their own video games using easy, safe coding platforms designed for their age and learning level. Platforms include:
- Scratch: Block-based, visual coding – ideal for beginners (ages 7+)
- Roblox: Lua coding for interactive 3D games (ages 9+)
- code.org: Guided tutorials for various game genres
4. Which coding games are suitable for beginners?
Beginners should start with coding games that are simple, interactive, and visual. Good options are:
- Puzzle games: Encourages logic and sequencing (e.g., Scratch Maze, code.org puzzles)
- Platformer games: Teaches movement logic and event handling
- Racing games: Simple to code, focuses on variables and scores
5. How can understanding game genres help in school computer projects or coding competitions?
Knowing video game genres helps students pick the suitable project and demonstrate key skills in school assignments and Olympiads by:
- Selecting age-appropriate, curriculum-aligned games to code
- Connecting genre features to coding concepts like logic, variables, and loops
- Standing out in STEM and school coding competitions with creative, syllabus-based projects
6. Are there safe, child-friendly platforms to explore different game genres?
Yes, safe platforms like Scratch, code.org, and Roblox offer child-friendly environments with built-in safety features. For example:
- Scratch: Moderated community, parental guides, and block-based coding
- Roblox: Parental controls and private games for kids 9+
- code.org: Teacher-led courses with monitored gameplay
7. Which genre should my child start with to make their first game: action, puzzle, or something else?
Puzzle and platformer genres are ideal for beginners because they teach fundamental coding concepts, problem-solving, and logic. Suggestions include:
- Puzzle games: Start here for logic and sequencing
- Platformer games: Good for practicing movement and events
- Racing games: Fun way to learn about variables and scores
8. What skills do kids learn by making different types of coding games?
Creating coding games helps children build a range of practical and academic skills:
- Logic and problem-solving (puzzle and maze games)
- Creativity and storytelling (adventure games)
- Hand-eye coordination (action and racing games)
- Understanding variables, events, and loops (all genres)
9. What are the best game genres to code for beginners?
The best game genres for coding beginners are ones that are simple, fun, and allow students to see results quickly, such as:
- Puzzle games: Easy logic and structure
- Platformers: Basic movement and event triggers
- Racing games: Fast feedback, reinforces scoring logic
10. What is video game genre in simple words?
Video game genre means the type or style of a game based on its rules, gameplay, and goals. For example:
- Puzzle genre: Focuses on solving problems
- Action genre: Requires quick moves
- Simulation genre: Mimics real-life activities
11. Which video game genres are commonly used in Scratch and Roblox?
Scratch is often used for puzzle, platformer, and adventure games, while Roblox is popular for adventure, racing, and RPG genres. Both let students code their own game projects that match school curriculum skills and interests.
