"How did an 8-year-old learn to use Claude Code?"

"The child learned Claude Code through exploratory play by building games. Starting with simple HTML and JavaScript games, they created over 30 games in 30 days through hands-on experimentation. This gamified learning process naturally taught them the tool's capabilities without formal tutorials or documentation."

"What is vibe-coding and how did the child use it?"

"Vibe-coding is a flow-based programming approach where you explore and create rapidly through AI tools. The 8-year-old used vibe-coding by building games daily, treating each small success as leveling up. They learned by doing rather than following step-by-step instructions, discovering new capabilities through experimentation."

"What is the sandbox vs screwdriver approach to AI tools?"

"The sandbox approach treats AI tools as open creative environments where you can explore unlimited possibilities, while the screwdriver approach treats them as single-purpose utilities. The sandbox mindset encourages experimentation and discovering multiple use cases, as demonstrated when the child naturally expanded from building games to creating presentations."

"How can children learn AI tools differently than adults?"

"Children learn AI tools through play and exploration rather than documentation and tutorials. They treat AI tools like games, where each success feels like leveling up and each new capability is like finding a secret area. This natural gamification emerges from giving them freedom to experiment without rigid structure."

"What skills do children develop by using AI coding tools?"

"By using AI coding tools like Claude Code, children develop problem-solving skills, creative thinking, technical literacy, and the ability to transfer knowledge across domains. They learn that tools have multiple applications and develop confidence in exploring new capabilities independently."

"Can AI tools like Claude Code replace learning to code traditionally?"

"AI tools complement rather than replace traditional coding education. They lower the entry barrier and make programming accessible to younger learners. Children can focus on creative problem-solving and understanding concepts while the AI handles syntax details. The exploratory approach builds foundational computational thinking skills."

My 8-Year-Old Built 30 Games in 30 Days (Then This Happened)

The Setup

About a month ago, I installed Claude Code on my son’s computer. By the way, I gave him a Linux computer. To be honest, I opened the terminal, installed Claude Code, and now he’s using it.

I thought, “Okay, it will be cool. He’ll make some simple games; some HTML, JavaScript, and that’s it.”

The 30 Games Surprise

In the last 30-40 days, he coded more than 30 web games with HTML and JavaScript.

Of course, when I say coding, mostly I should say it is vibe-coding. Don’t think it is 100% coding. So roughly, he has one game per day.

The Unexpected Moment

Then there was a school assignment, and his teacher asked him to prepare a presentation.

I was working at my desk when he walked in and said, “Look what I did.”

To be honest, I was shocked by what I saw.

He built the entire presentation with Claude Code, not PowerPoint, not Google Slides, nothing. Just Claude Code.

Why I Was Shocked

That’s something I wasn’t expecting because I was expecting him to use Claude Code only as a gaming tool, a creative engine, so he could explore and build some tools, build some games.

Then it seems this gamification in this tool, in this AI tool, kept him exploring.

Every mini-win probably felt like he was leveling up. You know, one day he unlocked a new part of the map.

And this is like, “Hey, this tool is not only for games.” I think this is what he figured out.

The Discovery

He understood that this is not just for games. It is also a tool he can use for other purposes.

So this is the lesson: AI tools aren’t just single-use gadgets. I’m sure you know it, but I’m talking about an eight-year-old kid here.

We know AI tools are open worlds. The more you play with them, the more you see the new possibilities; the new paths, the new applications. And suddenly, you see the gamification in the AI tool usage process.

The Lesson: Sandbox, Not Screwdriver

If you’re experimenting right now with AI, treat it like a sandbox, not a screwdriver.

What else could I do with this? Where else can I apply this same skill?

For my son, games were the tutorial. Building games with Claude Code was the tutorial to using Claude Code, to using AI tools.

But now he unlocked another path, and he is using it for presentations.

I’m sure he will unlock new hidden maps in the next days, in the next months.

Final Thoughts

The next generation isn’t learning AI tools the way we do. They’re not reading documentation or following tutorials step-by-step. They’re playing with them. They’re exploring them. They’re treating them like creative sandboxes where the only limit is imagination.

And maybe that’s exactly how we should all be approaching these tools.

Watch the Video

I also shared this experience in video format. You can watch it here:

The Setup#

The 30 Games Surprise#

The Unexpected Moment#

Why I Was Shocked#

The Discovery#

The Lesson: Sandbox, Not Screwdriver#

Final Thoughts#

Watch the Video#