This document provides an overview of how to support a child's Minecraft play by discussing different game modes, safety tips, and resources. It summarizes Survival Mode, where players must gather resources to survive dangers at night, and Creative Mode where players can freely build. It recommends the Minecraft Wiki and YouTube for guidance, and using Restricted Mode and an ad blocker for safety. Tips include setting up local servers with rules, avoiding downloading external files, and suggestions for kid-friendly public servers like MinePlex and moderation on online chatting.

1. How to support your
child’s Minecraft play
7:00-8:00pm
Patrick pcollins1@gmail.com

2. Minecraft Overview

3. Minecraft Overview
Survival Mode Creative Mode

4. Minecraft Survival Mode
• Survive
• Gather/Create New things (makes it easier
to survive)
• After 10 hours of play you might have
earned 10% of possible resources.

5. A typical starting screen. Dropped in a world with no guidance.

6. Days last 10 minutes. Nights last 10 minutes.
Most deadly creatures come out at night.

7. Caves have lots of resources, but are spooky to explore.

8. Survival Mode
Caves have lots of resources, but are spooky to explore.

9. The Minecraft Wiki
• A necessary
resource.
• Go back and forward
to figure out how to
create things.
http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/

10. Youtube
• Youtube has
– An idea generator
– Teacher
– Fun
• Turn on Youtube’s
Restricted Mode!
Some video creators
have potty mouths.

11. Minecraft Overview
Survival Mode Creative Mode

12. Minecraft Creative Mode
• You can fly.
• All bad guys (mobs) are peaceful.
• Unlimited resources.
• Main goal is to create and express
yourself.

24. Minecraft Editions
• Minecraft Regular - PC & Mac Edition
– Most feature complete
• Minecraft Pocket Edition (iOS, Android)
– Limited. No modding, some servers.
• Console Edition (e.g. Xbox, PS3)
– Limited. No modding. No servers.

25. Minecraft Servers
Local Servers
Internet /
Public Servers
Minecraft
Realms

26. “Don’t pour lava on your sister’s house”

27. Local Servers
• Make them agree rules. Most likely:
– Don’t break each others stuff
– Don’t steal each other’s stuff.
• It’s very simple to setup

28. Tips for a safe Minecraft Internet
• Many Minecraft websites have a lot of ads.
• Use Chrome and Install Adblock Plus.
• Make sure Youtube is in Restricted/Safe Mode.
Check it regularly.
• Tell them they’re not allowed to install programs
without you being there. That means, no .exe (on
PC) and no .dmg (on Mac).
• Never use their real names on public servers.
They’re not allowed to chat to strangers.

29. Minecraft Servers
Local Servers
Internet /
Public Servers
Minecraft
Realms

30. Some Safe Servers
• MinePlex (us.mineplex.com)
Woooooo! We hit 43,000 players and broke the world record for most users
online a Minecraft PC server!
• HyPixel (mc.hypixel.net)
• MCMagic - https://mcmagic.us/
An amazing Disneyland replica
• Minecraft Realms
For a private server where your kids can invite friends, use Mojang’s own
“Minecraft Realms”

31. Some Great Resources
Learn Tips - http://minemum.com/
Find Servers - http://minecraftservers.org/
Get your own server - https://minecraft.net/realms
Minecraft for Dummies - http://www.amazon.com/Minecraft-For-
Dummies-Jacob-Cordeiro/dp/1118537149

32. Skins
Customize your character
www.minecraftskins.net
Google minecraft skins
They’re all free

33. Mods
• Mods are written by Indie programmers (kids?)
• Some good starter mods: Optifine, Xaero’s Minimap,
Malisis Doors, Instant Structures Mod
• Get them at planetminecraft.com
• You’re installing foreign software on your computer
• Be careful of accidentally clicking on ads
• You need to know how to install files into a directory
• Probably too advanced for <12yo
• ¼ mods just won’t work anymore

34. Contact
Patrick pcollins1@gmail.com
This presentation at
Piedmont Makers Website
http://www.piedmontmakers.org/