⛏️ My First Minecraft Mod · Series 1 · 6 Episodes · All Free
⛏️ Beginner Friendly · Fabric · Java · Ages 10+

My First
Minecraft Mod

Build 6 real Minecraft mods from scratch no Java experience needed. Each workshop walks you through every step, from setting up your tools to seeing your mod in the game.

🧑 Ages 10+ ✓ Completely Free ⛏️ Fabric Modding 👨‍👧 Parent & Child ✓ No Java Experience Needed
💎 Start with Episode 1 →
6
Episodes
60+
Steps
10+
Age
Free
Always
The Full Series

6 Mods to Build Step by Step

Start at Episode 1 to get set up or jump to any mod that sounds exciting. Each one teaches new Java and Fabric skills that build on the last.

Ep 1
💎
⭐ Start Here · Setup · Your First Item
Hello Minecraft! Custom Gem Item
Install Java, IntelliJ IDEA and Fabric. Register your first custom item a glowing gem and hold it in the game. Teaches the basics of mod structure and Java classes.
Ages 10+ 10 Steps · ~1.5 hrs Start Building →
Ep 2
🪨
Blocks · Textures · Drop · Mine
Crystal Block! Custom Glowing Block
Create a custom Crystal Block that glows in the dark, drops your gem from Episode 1 when mined and can be crafted at a workbench. Introduces block registration and JSON models.
Ages 10+ 10 Steps · ~1.5 hrs Start Building →
Ep 3
🍪
Food · Effects · Recipes · Hunger
Magic Cookie! Custom Food & Effects
Make a Magic Cookie that gives the player Speed and Jump Boost when eaten. Add a crafting recipe, set hunger and saturation values, and apply potion effects in Java code.
Ages 10+ 9 Steps · ~1 hr Start Building →
Ep 4
⚒️
Tools · Durability · Mining Speed · Enchants
Super Pickaxe! Custom Tool Set
Build a Crystal Pickaxe and Sword using your gem material. Set mining speed, attack damage, durability and enchantability. Learn tool materials and how Fabric handles equipment tiers.
Ages 10+ 10 Steps · ~1.5 hrs Start Building →
Ep 5
🐸
Mob · AI · Spawning · Drops · Animation
Crystal Frog! Custom Friendly Mob
Create a Crystal Frog mob that wanders, follows players holding your gem and drops loot when killed. Introduces entity registration, AI goals and basic model rendering in Fabric.
Ages 10+ 11 Steps · ~2 hrs Start Building →
Ep 6
🎲
Lucky Block · Loot Tables · Commands · Events
Lucky Crystal! Full Lucky Block Mod
Put everything together a Lucky Crystal Block that triggers random events when broken: spawn your mob, rain items, summon lightning or give you a full set of crystal tools. A complete mod!
Ages 10+ 12 Steps · ~2 hrs Start Building →
Before You Start

What You Need to Install

Everything is free. You'll need four things set up before Episode 1 we walk you through each one in the first workshop.

☕
Java JDK 21
The programming language Minecraft is built in. Download the free JDK from Adoptium.
✓ Free · adoptium.net
🧠
IntelliJ IDEA
The code editor we use to write our mod. The Community Edition is completely free.
✓ Free · jetbrains.com
🧵
Fabric Mod Loader
The modding framework that lets us add content to Minecraft Java Edition.
✓ Free · fabricmc.net
🎮
Minecraft Java Edition
You'll need a copy of Minecraft Java Edition to test your mods in the game.
Paid · minecraft.net
📁 View Full Folder Structure & Setup Guide →
🛠️ Free Browser Tools

Design Your Mod Assets

Use these free browser tools to design textures, plan your items and create pixel art all without extra software.

🎨
Pixel Studio
Draw 16×16 pixel art textures for your items and blocks. Export as PNG ready to drop into your mod's assets folder.
Open Tool →
🖌️
Colour Palette
Pick a colour theme for your mod's items, blocks and mob. Export as hex values to use in your textures.
Open Tool →
🧑‍🎨
Character Designer
Sketch out your custom mob's look before building it plan colours, size and style.
Open Tool →
📋
Mod Planner
Plan your full mod what items, blocks, mobs and features you want to add. Export your plan as a PDF.
Open Tool →
See all free dev tools →

Ready to make your first Minecraft mod?

Install Java JDK 21, IntelliJ IDEA Community and Fabric all free. Then start Episode 1 and build your first custom item in about 90 minutes.

💎 Start Episode 1 → Get Fabric (Free) ↗

Questions & Answers

Do I need to know Java before starting?
No. Episode 1 introduces Java gently we explain every line of code as we write it. By the end of the series you'll have a solid beginner understanding of Java classes, methods and events.
Why Fabric and not Forge?
Fabric is lighter, faster to set up and has cleaner beginner documentation. It's the best choice for learning. Once you understand the basics, moving to Forge (or NeoForge) is straightforward.
Which version of Minecraft do the workshops use?
The workshops target Minecraft Java Edition 1.21. We'll note if anything changes with newer versions. You need to own Minecraft Java Edition it's the only paid item in the whole series.
What age is it suitable for?
Episodes 1-4 work well from age 10 with some parental support for the setup. Episodes 5-6 involve more Java and suit ages 11-12+ who are comfortable copying and editing code.
Can I share my mod with friends?
Yes! Once built, your mod is a .jar file. Friends can drop it into their Fabric mods folder and play with it. You can also share it on sites like Modrinth or CurseForge for anyone to download.
Is it really free?
All 6 episodes, forever. No ads, no paywall, no sign-up. The only cost is a copy of Minecraft Java Edition Java JDK, IntelliJ IDEA and Fabric are all free.
🚀 Keep Going

Where to next?

Finished here, or just curious? These series are a natural next step, same step-by-step format, bigger games.

☕
My First Java Game
Game-dev fundamentals in Java.
Ages 11+ Start →
🐍
My First Python Game
Games with Python & Pygame.
Ages 9+ Start →
🎮
My First Roblox Studio Game
Real 3D games with Lua scripting.
Ages 9+ Start →
Browse all workshops →