Actually inspired by one of my nephews, who really wants to learn how to make his own video games, I started searching the Web to see if I could find some easy to use web sites that would allow anybody to create their own game.  I found more than a few, however these are the three best ones thus far.

PlayCrafter

This web site is pretty complicated when it comes to the number of things going on, on the screen – however it does have a lot of tools to use to create your own games (or play the games others have created).  You can either start from scratch or go with one of the templates they provide, such as action game, golf game, ninja game, jumping game and more.

Sploder

With Sploder, you are given the option of creating either a platformer game or a shooter game.  Also giving you the options of sharing your creation, I liked Sploder because it was a little more on the simple side.  So, if you want to show this off to a kid – it might be a lot easier for them to wrap their minds around. 

Mockingbird

Mockingbird is the last pick on my list.  They too give you a lot to work with, but instead of simply building one kind of game – they offer several kits (or the ability to build your own kit) with programmable sounds, actions and more.  If you wanted to get somebody into the mindset of programming a game – this would be the one I would have them play with.  Why?  Well, with having to set, for example, a bomb to be able to jump and assign the farting noise when he does so – gives a much better cause and effect result I think anybody from any age group could understand.

Although none of these games will have you programming your own games, each site delivers a unique way of getting a younger child, nephew, or sibling interested in the idea of game development.