How to turn your child’s love for video games into a creative writing project

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably walked into the living room, and there’s your child, eyes glued to the screen, thumbs flying across a controller, completely lost in a digital world. Your first instinct might be to check the clock and sigh about “too much screen time.”

But what if I told you that your child isn’t just “playing a game”? They are actually participating in a complex, multi-layered narrative. They are navigating character arcs, exploring intricate world-building, and making pivotal plot decisions.

Many parents worry that video games are the enemy of literacy. I’d argue the opposite. If we stop viewing the controller as a distraction and start seeing it as a creative tool, we can help our children transition from being passive players to active creators.

Gaming is storytelling in action

Most modern video games are interactive worlds. Whether it’s the sprawling landscapes of The Legend of Zelda or the choice-driven drama of Detroit: Become Human, these games rely on the same pillars of fiction that we teach in our Creative Writing Club.

Research shows a strong positive correlation between video game playing and creativity. When children play narrative-rich games, they aren’t just reacting; they are co-creating. They are learning about:

• Pacing and tension: Knowing when a challenge needs to get harder to keep things exciting.
• Feedback loops: Understanding that every action has a consequence (a vital lesson for any protagonist).
• Character agency: Learning that the story only moves forward when the character makes a choice.

So, how do we take that energy and put it onto the page?

Step 1: World-building beyond the screen

One of the easiest ways to get a young gamer writing is to focus on the setting. Games like Minecraft or Roblox are masterclasses in world-building.

Instead of asking your child to “write a story,” ask them to describe the world they just built or explored.

• What does the air smell like in that digital forest?
• What kind of creatures live in the shadows of those mountains?
• If a traveller arrived in this world, where would they find water or shelter?

By focusing on the “lore” of the game, you’re teaching them to create a sense of place. You can even encourage them to draw a map and label the locations. This is exactly how many professional fantasy authors start their manuscripts.

Step 2: Developing characters with “stats” and stories

In many games, characters have “stats”: strength, intelligence, agility. This is a brilliant entry point for character development.

Have your child create a character profile for an original hero. They can list their “stats,” but then push them further into the realm of creative writing:

• What is this character’s biggest fear?
• What is a secret they’ve never told anyone?
• Why are they on this quest in the first place?

In the gaming world, we call this a “backstory.” In the writing world, we call it character motivation. If they can understand why a character needs to reach Level 10, they can understand why a character needs to find their lost home in a novel.

Step 3: Leveraging branching narratives

One of the most powerful elements of gaming is the “choice.” In games like Cyberpunk 2077, the player’s decisions change the ending. This is a fantastic way to teach plot twists.

Ask your child about a pivotal moment in their favourite game. Then ask: “What if the character had made the opposite choice? How would the story have changed?”

This “what if?” exercise is the heart of all great fiction. Encourage them to write a “deleted scene” or an “alternate ending” for their game. This is essentially fan fiction, and it’s one of the best ways for young writers to practice their craft without the intimidation of a completely blank page.

Step 4: Translating game mechanics to writing

Writing can sometimes feel like a chore because the “reward” is so far away. Games, however, use feedback loops: instant rewards for completing a task.

We can mimic this in a writing project. Instead of asking for a 10-page story, break it into “Quests”:

1. Quest 1: Describe the protagonist and their home (Reward: A favourite snack or 15 mins of extra game time).
2. Quest 2: Introduce the “Boss” (the antagonist) and the main conflict.
3. Quest 3: Write the climax where the hero faces their fear.

By structuring the writing process like a game, you maintain momentum and reduce the “grind” feeling that often stalls young writers.

It’s not a shortcut; it’s a bridge

Moving from a controller to a pen isn’t always easy. Writing requires a different kind of focus than gaming. It involves the “messy” stage where the ideas in your head don’t quite match the words on the paper.

I often tell my students that every masterpiece was once a draft. If your child gets frustrated because their story doesn’t feel as “cool” as the game they played, remind them that game designers have teams of hundreds of people. They only have their imagination: and that’s their superpower.

Persistence is key. Just like they wouldn’t give up on a difficult level after one try, they shouldn’t give up on a paragraph just because the first draft is clunky.

Practical projects to start today

If you’re looking for concrete ways to start this transition, here are three ideas:

1. The quest log: Have your child write a daily “log” from the perspective of their character. What did they achieve today? Who did they meet?
2. The manual creator: Ask them to write an “instruction manual” for a world they’ve created. This can include the rules of magic, the types of currency used, and the history of the land.
3. The scriptwriter: If they love cinematic games, have them write a dialogue-heavy scene between two characters. This helps them find their “ear” for how people (or aliens!) actually talk.

Let’s turn players into authors

The goal isn’t to stop them from gaming: it’s to help them realize that they are already storytellers. They already understand stakes, conflict, and world-building. All we are doing is changing the medium.

If you’ve noticed your child has a fertile imagination but struggles to get those ideas down, they might need a bit of guidance to find their voice. I’ve seen so many children go from “hating writing” to “loving storytelling” once they realize they can write about the things they actually care about.

At Accomplish Press, we love helping young writers find that spark. Whether they are writing about dragons, space marines, or everyday heroes, the skills they learn will serve them for a lifetime.

If you’d like to support your child’s creative journey further, I’d love to have them join us. We offer a supportive environment where “game-inspired” stories are not just welcomed: they are celebrated!

---

Ready to take the next step? You can check out our Creative Writing Club for Kids and Teens specifically designed to get those creative juices flowing. For those looking for more specific support, I also offer a coaching programme for exceptional young writers to help your child move from a messy idea to a finished manuscript.

Let’s turn that love for gaming into a lifelong passion for writing.