Canva Code for Teachers: How I Make Quick Games Students Love
Last year I stumbled across Canva’s new AI feature called Code for Me. I was already using Canva to make slides and handouts, but this tool has completely changed how I build games for my classroom. No coding background, no extra apps, just a few lines of plain-English prompting, and suddenly I have interactive games my students actually ask to play again.
What is Canva Code?
Canva tucked an AI “coder” inside their design platform. Instead of writing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript yourself, you type a simple request:
“Make a memory match game for vocabulary terms with scoring and a timer.”
In seconds, Canva spits out working code, drops it into a live preview, and lets you adjust until it is ready. You can publish it as a link, embed it in Google Classroom, or even layer it into your Canva designs.
Why Teachers Should Care
Fast prep: Games that used to take hours to create now take minutes.
Engagement that sticks: My middle schoolers beg for review games and ask me to keep them available so they can play again.
Flexibility: You can build anything from quizzes and flashcards to drag-and-drop sorters or simulations.
Examples That Work in Class
Here are a few prompts I have used (and you can borrow):
“Create a flashcard flip game for medieval world history. Students match dates and events.”
“Build a drag-and-drop sorting activity. Causes of the Black Death into economic, political, and social categories.”
“Design a memory match game where students pair Enlightenment thinkers with their ideas.”
Every single one took me less than five minutes to generate, tweak, and post.
How to Prompt Canva Code
Here are some ideas that I use:
Explain what you want
Assign grade level and subject
Specify details (question type, rules, game mechanics)
Your style (timer, score tracker, images)
For example:
“Create a timed quiz game for 7th grade science with 10 multiple-choice questions, a score tracker, and confetti when students get answers right.”
Things to Know
It is not flawless. Sometimes the code cuts off or you will need to regenerate. The games are simple compared to polished apps. But the speed and customization make up for it. Students love the novelty of playing something their own teacher created. Be sure to play the game first before publishing. Sometimes small tweaks need to be made.
Quick Start Guide
Log into Canva, go to Apps, search Code for Me.
Type your prompt using the EASY method.
Preview, test, and tweak.
Share the link or embed it in your LMS. I put my links right into my Peardeck slides using the website add on feature.
Final Word
If you have ever wanted to add interactive, custom games to your teaching but dreaded the coding, Canva just erased that barrier. It is free, fast, and addictive once you start experimenting. My advice: try one this week. Start small, and watch your students’ faces light up.