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Coding · Grade 3

Build a Maze Game

Third graders plan and build a maze game in parts: a game plan, arrow-key controls with walls that push the player back, a gems score with a win condition and message, and playtesting to find and fix bugs such as an early win or a score that is not reset.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 90 minutes
  • Maze game check: 8 questions
  • Ways to answer: program with blocks, choose an answer, put code in order, trace code, highlight a text and type a number
See plans Included with Family, Teacher and School plans. Open in PlayOwl

What learners will discover

  • Plan a maze game: goal, player, controls, rules, score and win condition, built in a sensible order.
  • Program arrow-key controls and stop the player walking through walls by undoing a move.
  • Add a score that changes when gems are touched and a win condition that triggers a message.
  • Playtest a game with a checklist, find bugs and fix them.

Lessons

  1. Plan the maze game 4 steps2 practiceabout 16 min
  2. Controls and walls 5 steps3 practiceabout 17 min
  3. Score and winning 5 steps3 practiceabout 16 min
  4. Playtest and fix 5 steps2 practiceabout 16 min
  5. Maze game check 8 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

  • Robot RoutesSnap together arrow, repeat and dance blocks to guide Bolt the robot home.
  • Bug DetectiveA robot program almost works. Run it, spot the buggy block, and fix it.
  • Sorting FactoryTurn a work order into if/else rules and watch the conveyor sort every item.

More 3rd grade coding

Guide for grown-ups