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Floor is Lava Makecode Arcade

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Last edit: 28 October 2026

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Resource Type Worksheets and Activities
Curriculum Topic Algorithmic Thinking, Computational Thinking, Physical Computing, Programming
English Key Stage 7-11 year (KS2), 11-14 year (KS3)

A step-by-step game development worksheet for Microsoft MakeCode Arcade where students build a vertical-scrolling platformer called "Floor is Lava". Suitable for Key Stage 2 or Key Stage 3, this resource guides learners through tilemap creation, sprite physics, collision detection, multi-level progression, and advanced extension challenges.

Resource Overview "Floor is Lava!" is a complete, structured project worksheet designed for teaching block-based game design in Microsoft MakeCode Arcade. Students code a retro vertical platformer where their character must scramble up platforms to reach the goal before the rising lava catches them.

The resource is designed for self-paced independent learning, pair programming, or teacher-led classroom instruction at upper KS2 or KS3. 

What the Worksheet Covers:

  • Getting Started & Setup: Setting up a custom 20x40 vertical tilemap, animating character sprites, configuring backgrounds, and defining player/hazard sprite kinds.

  • Physics, Controls & Positioning: Implementing jump mechanics with gravity (Y-acceleration), wall-collision checks (hitting wall bottom), camera tracking, countdown timers, and coordinate mapping between tile units and screen pixels.

  • Level Progression & Dynamic Hazards: Transitioning to Level 2 with increased lava velocity, resetting player coordinates, and introducing falling projectile lava drops using periodic game updates and random positioning.

  • Extension Challenges: Differentiated challenges for early finishers, including retro background music/SFX, homing minion enemies with sprite-following AI, and moving/bouncing platforms with ride-along velocity mechanics.

Key Concepts Explored:

  • Event handlers (on start, on button pressed, on game update, sprite overlaps)

  • Variables and 2D Cartesian coordinates (X/Y position, velocity, and acceleration)

  • Conditional logic and collision detection

  • Pseudo-random number generation

Included: