Minecraft: are our kids just playing or learning?
Musings from a Minecraft series author
When I first decided to write a book that my son might actually pick up and read without me subtly (or not-so-subtly) leaving it on his pillow, I knew it had to be set in a video game world.
At the time there was really only one contender—Minecraft. Both my kids loved it, and over time, I found myself surprisingly drawn into its blocky charm. Family gaming sessions had become part of our routine, though I’ll admit, they were always better at it than I was.
What is Minecraft anyway?
If you’re an older mama, like me, you’ve likely heard about Minecraft, but you might not have actually played it. Basically it’s world-building video game that lets players interact with and construct imaginative realms out of blocks.
Mojang—the creators of Minecraft—describe it as “a game about placing blocks and having adventures.” (Love that marketing simplicity.)
Once inside the game, the sprawling pixelated landscapes vary from forests, deserts and sweeping savannahs to the lava-filled underworld of The Nether, and everything is made of 3D cubes and shapes. Players mine materials, craft tools and buildings, breed animals, grow crops, and battle mobs as they shape the interactive environment with their imagination and creativity.
With different modes like Creative (everything is available to you and you can’t die) Survival (you have to find all your materials and you can die but you respawn) and Hardcore (when you die, you don’t come back), players of all ages seem to embrace Minecraft’s blocky world and it remains one of the best-selling games of all time.
But if, like me, you grew up with ‘playtime’ meaning racing around outside until someone’s mum yelled it was tea time, it’s easy to look at hours spent sitting crafting digital worlds and wonder, “Is this actually doing them more harm than good?”
I’ll admit I had that thought more than once.
But while there is obviously a balance to be struck between gaming and other play, I’ve realised Minecraft isn’t just a game. It’s a sandbox for creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration, with a healthy side of trial and error thrown in.
Watching my kids play—and importantly playing alongside them— has taught me that it’s not just downtime. It’s learning in disguise.
What Minecraft Has Taught My Kids (Without Them Realising)
Safe Creativity Without Limits
There’s no ‘right’ way to play Minecraft. Want to build a castle in the sky? Go for it. A rollercoaster through the mountains? Sure. Spawn a suspiciously large number of identical sheep? I mean… why not? My kids’ imaginations run wild, and we get a front-row seat to their creative process—no glitter or glue sticks required. And with parental controls it’s way safer than some other video games I could mention.
Problem-Solving in Action
Stuck in a cave with no way out? Lost all your resources because you accidentally fell into lava (again)? Minecraft throws challenges at players constantly, and the only way through is to think critically. I’ve seen my kids strategise, experiment, fail, and try again—all without the usual ego-hit that comes with ‘getting it wrong.’
Teamwork (Even When They Don’t Agree on Everything)
Multiplayer mode is where things get interesting. Watching my kids build something with their friends was like observing a live negotiation—there’s planning, delegation, the occasional squabble, and eventually, compromise. They learn to work together, whether they’re building a fortress or surviving a zombie attack.
Resource Management 101
In survival mode, you can’t just build with endless supplies. Kids have to gather materials, prioritise what they need, and plan ahead. It’s like sneaking in a lesson on budgeting without them noticing. (If only that worked with pocket money.)
Spatial Awareness & Logical Thinking
I’ve genuinely been impressed watching my two design beautiful structures with perfect symmetry—or create Redstone contraptions that involve circuits and switches their science and computing teachers would be tickled pink about. It’s logic and spatial reasoning wrapped up in fun.
Persistence, Patience, and the Art of Trying Again
Minecraft can be tough. You lose your stuff, get blown up by a creeper, or spend ages on a build that doesn’t quite work. But kids keep going. They rebuild, rethink, and try again. I love seeing them embrace that resilience—no motivational speeches required.
A Gateway to Coding (Without the Pressure)
For older kids, Minecraft’s ‘modding’ world is a quiet introduction to coding. My son’s dabbled and picked up basic programming concepts without even realising he’s doing it. And even when other games come along and grab their attention, they still pop in from time to time to get their creative fix.
Do your kids play Minecraft? Have you ever joined them? If not, I highly recommend grabbing a controller and giving it a go. Just be prepared—they’ll probably be better at it than you. I speak from experience.
Rescue Quest, my middle-grade adventure series set in Minecraft is perfect for 7-12 year olds - boys and girls - who love the game and enjoy thrilling fantasy stories. You can find out more about it here.
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