Coding for Kids
Here are a few Minecraft terms you might want to know before beginning a Minecraft modding session (especially as a parent or an educator brand-new to Minecraft).
Learn cool Minecraft terms every Minecraft Mom and Dad needs to know, so you ask your kids what they’ve been up to in Minecraft! Then unlock the secret to Minecraft fun with Tynker’s amazing educational coursework. Looking to try something shorter? Find more free Minecraft + Coding tutorials in your Student Dashboard!
Wondering why use Minecraft to teach in the first place? Read this article.
Basic Minecraft Terms
BTW. Already know the basics? Or want to dive even deeper? Make sure to check out the Advanced Minecraft Glossary, too, at the end of this article!
Absolute Position
A set of X, Y, Z coordinates that represents a single physical location in a Minecraft World. See also Relative Position.
- The X-axis runs West-to-East
- The Y-axis describes vertical height (sometimes called elevation)
- The Z-axis runs North-to-South
Agent
A robot within the Minecraft world that you can control. Minecraft agents can mine, build, farm, and more. They even have their own Inventory! Think of your agent as a Minecraft creature that you can control with code.
Bedrock Edition
The latest and greatest version of Minecraft, used by most players, sometimes nicknamed “Minecraft for Windows” or “Minecraft Pocket Edition.” The alternative is Minecraft Java (sometimes called Minecraft Classic). When using Tynker tools for editing skins, items, mods, or mobs, make sure to select your preferred version of Minecraft before beginning. For best results, use Tynker with Minecraft: Bedrock Edition.
Blocks
The fundamental “unit” of Minecraft. You can mine blocks, craft blocks, and place blocks. By editing a block using Tynker’s Block Editor, you can change how blocks look — and change the texture of your world.
Crafting
Creating new items via raw materials — crafting can happen in your inventory or at workbenches. For example, a Gold Ingot can be crafted from 9 Gold Nuggets. Look at your Recipe Book for ideas when crafting in Minecraft, or search online for “Minecraft crafting recipes.”
Creative Mode
A different way to play Minecraft. Give yourself powers and invincibility immediately: Double-jump to fly around your world. You have infinite infinite resources and blocks, too. Get creative! Switch modes by using the /gamemode creative or /gamemode survival command in chat.
BTW. Creative mode is often the “best way to play” while experimenting with Minecraft modding, so you don’t need to worry about enemies, but can instead focus on writing and debugging computer code.
Chat
More than just a chatting function, Minecraft Chat can be used as a trigger for your mods, to report the results of programs, and much more. Press T to enter chat
Minecraft Education
Formerly called Minecraft: Education Edition, this a special version of Minecraft that Microsoft makes available to educators and students. You might not have known it, but Tynker is embedded right inside of this product. Read how to use Minecraft Education with Tynker here. If you already have purchased Minecraft Bedrock Edition, and you’re following along at home, use that instead.
Item
Usable in-game objects. Any object in a player’s Inventory or in their hands is an item. Some familiar examples of items are: Apple, Diamond Pickaxe, and Fishing Rod. Change up items with Tynker’s Item Editor.
Java Edition (Minecraft Classic)
The first version of Minecraft that was ever released. Since the Java Edition was released, Minecraft was rewritten entirely as Minecraft: Bedrock Edition. Different versions of Minecraft are compatible with different courses on Tynker. When using Tynker tools for editing skins, items, or mobs, make sure to select your version of Minecraft before beginning. If possible, choose Minecraft: Bedrock Edition for best results.
Mob
“Mob” is Minecraft slang for animals, enemies, and anything else that moves. Think: Creepers and Endermen, but Pigs and Sea Turtles, too. Explore how to totally customize mobs with Tynker.
Mod (n.), Modding (v.)
An extension or “change in the rules” from normal Minecraft. Some popular mods include Spleef, Build Battles, and more. You can use mods that other people have written, or learn how to code your own with Tynker! Find dozens of FREE Modding Tutorials in your Student Dashboard (Minecraft > Modding). Looking for a place to begin? Try “Auto-Replenish” or any other mod marked BEGINNER.
Relative Position
A location in the Minecraft world that is described using a distance in particular direction from the user’s current location. Relative location is indicated in code using the squiggly line ~, which is called a tilde (till-deh). See also Absolute Position.
- The X-axis runs West-to-East
- The Y-axis describes vertical height (sometimes called elevation)
- The Z-axis runs North-to-South
Skin
A player’s in-game appearance. Change how you look with Tynker’s Skin Editor.
Spawn
When items appear in the user’s Minecraft world.
Summon
When creatures (mobs) appear in the user’s Minecraft world. Want to make a particular animal or enemy appear? Try using the command: /summon panda, replacing “panda” with whatever mob you like.
Survival Mode
The normal way to play Minecraft. You can die — you must fight or avoid enemies to live. Build shelter and survive, if you can! Switch modes by using the /gamemode creative or /gamemode survival command.
Teleport
Move the user or Agent from their current location to another location in the Minecraft World, instantaneously.
Tynkerbot
A Minecraft agent that can be controlled by Tynker. Tynkerbot has special abilities above and beyond regular agents, though.
Geek Out! Advanced Minecraft Terms
Really want to “geek out” while running a Minecraft afterschool group — or with your kids? Here are some more useful terms you might want to learn as a parent or educator. Learning these deeper Minecraft features can give you some cool coding and modding ideas, too!
Beacon
A block that projects a light beam skyward and provides status effects such as Speed or Regeneration to nearby players. It can be used to create landmarks and enhance gameplay. Find the Tutorial called Teleportation Spell in your Student Dashboard.
Biome
A region in a Minecraft world with distinct geographic features, climates, and vegetation. Examples include deserts, forests, and oceans. Different biomes host unique blocks, mobs, and resources.
Chunk
A 16×16 block section of a Minecraft world. Chunks are the method by which the game loads and unloads the terrain, impacting performance and gameplay.
Command Block
A special block that can execute game commands when activated by Redstone. Used in custom maps and mods to create unique gameplay experiences.
Enchantment
Magical abilities that can be applied to tools, weapons, and armor. Enchantments are created using an Enchanting Table and offer various enhancements, like increased durability or special effects. You can give yourself custom enchantments with code! Explore Tynker’s Player Effects category for step-by-step tutorials (Login at tynker.com > Projects > Create New Project > Minecraft > Player Effects).
Ender Dragon
The final boss in Minecraft, located in The End dimension. Defeating the Ender Dragon is considered beating the game and opens up additional exploration options. Want a serious challenge? Try summoning the Ender Dragon with a short script like this and get some practice in:
Fishing Rod Mechanics
The use of fishing rods not just for fishing but for various other activities like pulling mobs or other players, and even activating pressure plates.
Hunger
A gameplay mechanic that depletes over time and must be replenished by eating food. Low hunger affects health regeneration and can cause the player’s health to diminish.
Loot Table
A predefined list of items that can be found in chests, dropped by mobs, or obtained through fishing. Loot tables can be customized in modding to create unique rewards or challenges.
Nether
A scary, fiery dimension filled with unique resources, blocks, and mobs. Accessed through a Nether Portal, it provides challenges and rewards for adventurous players.
Observer Block
A Redstone block that emits a signal when an adjacent block is updated. Used in various Redstone circuits and automation designs.
Potion Brewing
The process of creating potions that grant temporary abilities or buffs. Brewing requires specific ingredients and a Brewing Stand, allowing players to craft potions for healing, speed, strength, and more. You can use Tynker’s code blocks to give a potion’s effect, too!
Shaders
Graphics enhancements that change the visual appearance of the game. They can be used to create more realistic lighting, shadows, and water effects.
PvP (Player vs Player)
A gameplay mode where players can engage in combat against each other. Some servers are dedicated to PvP, offering various game modes and rules.
Snapshot
A development release that contains parts of future updates. Snapshots allow players to try out new features before they are officially released but may contain bugs.
Stronghold
An underground structure filled with traps and treasures. Strongholds contain End Portals, leading to the game’s final area, The End.
Villager Trading
The act of trading goods with NPC villagers in Minecraft. Villagers offer various items and services in exchange for Emeralds or other goods, and trading can be a vital part of the game’s economy.
World Seed
A unique code used to generate a specific Minecraft world. Sharing a world seed allows others to play in an identical world, with the same terrain and resource placement, or for you to recreate a world from scratch!
Redstone Circuit
A combination of Redstone components used to create complex in-game mechanisms. These can control doors, traps, lights, and much more. Understanding Redstone can turn a player into a Minecraft engineer. Find the free tutorial called TNT Cannon in Tynker to see the basic idea!
Helpful Minecraft Links
Minecraft Skins, Items, and More
Live Minecraft Classes with an Expert
Build a Minecraft House with Code!
Benefits of Minecraft — Guide for Parents
Check out Tynker’s Curriculum and learn more about inspiring the next generation to change the world through code.
