At 6, a Canadian girl began learning how to code. Before turning 7, she had created a videogame and earned a Guinness World Record

Video games are usually seen as something children play for entertainment, but some young kids become interested in what happens behind the screen. Learning coding at an early age has also become more common, with children using it to build simple games and projects. Simar Khurana from Beamsville, Ontario, Canada, took that interest much further. She created her first videogame at just 6 years and 364 days, earning recognition from Guinness World Records as the world’s youngest female videogame developer.

Simar's interest in maths and coding

Simar began learning coding less than a year before she created the game, initially attending three classes each week. Her father, Paras Khurana, had already noticed that she had a strong interest in mathematics and enjoyed making things on her own.

“Simar learnt math on her own by watching YouTube videos,” Paras told Guinness World Records. “While in Kindergarten, she was able to do Grade 3 maths. She was making crafts and games with whatever she had, sometimes just out of waste paper.


“I felt that she would naturally excel at coding as she had an ideal combination of skills. So, I got her to try a demo coding class which she loved!”

Finding a coding teacher was not easy because several institutes were unwilling to accept Simar due to her age. Game development also requires reading and writing skills, making it difficult for many people to believe that a six-year-old could take on such a project. Her father eventually found a teacher who agreed to work with her.

Why Simar created Healthy Food Challenge

After a few months of coding lessons, Simar decided to make a videogame for children her own age. The idea came after a visit to her family doctor, who spoke to her and her elder sister about eating healthy food and avoiding junk food.

She then created Healthy Food Challenge, an educational game meant to help children understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy food.

“The doctor said I have to eat healthy, so I decided to make a game about healthy food and junk food,” Simar told Guinness World Records.

The game aimed to make children more aware of their food choices and the importance of having a balanced diet from a young age.

She had four months to complete the project

Simar and her father decided to attempt the Guinness World Records title after she had already started learning game development. They realised they had only four months to complete the project before she passed the age limit.

Her coding classes increased to four each week, while she continued dance, gymnastics and karate. She also spent around one to two hours practising coding projects after school.

“Imagine a 6-year-old who goes to school and after that, she has 1-2 classes each day and has to do coding projects which required 1-2 hours of practise each day.

“It was intense, [it would be] even for a grown-up!” Paras said.

Simar has since started exploring artificial intelligence and machine learning. She also has a YouTube channel, Simar’s World, where she plans to share ideas for more games.