This November, YOU can join the world’s largest teen game jam. Yes, you! It doesn’t matter if you have years of experience, or just learned what they are today.
You’ll join thousands of teens making games from all around the world. Don’t consider yourself a game dev? No problem - we have tons of workshops for you to make your game!
This is your chance to learn something new, meet new friends, and go on an incredible adventure together!
What is Haven?
Haven is a teen game jam run by Hack Club, the global nonprofit network of teen coders. Thousands of teenagers gather at local events around the world over the same weekend to design, build and share games, and Refract is proud to bring it to the West Midlands.
You’ll spend the day turning an idea into a playable game, supported by workshops and mentors, and finish by showing what you built to everyone else in the room.
What Happens on the Day
Follow beginner-friendly workshops, or create at your own pace.
Make a video game with friends, with mentors and teammates to help you every step of the way.
Show off your project, play other people's games and celebrate what everyone made.
Free snacks and prizes are part of the fun. A full schedule will be published here once the venue and times are confirmed.
Event Details
14th or 15th November 2026 — a 12-hour event, date to be confirmed
Venue to be announced, West Midlands
Ages 13–18, all experience levels — no prior experience needed
Free — Hack Club is a nonprofit and runs Haven at no cost to teens
To be confirmed — we'll update this once the schedule is final
12 hours on the day — exact times to be announced
west-midlands@haven.hackclub.com
Sign Up
Sign up for Haven West Midlands →
Our Sponsors
Haven West Midlands is made possible by our sponsors and partners.
FAQ
Do I need to know how to code? No. There are workshops for beginners.
Is it free? Yes.
Can I come with friends? Yes, please sign up individually so we can plan numbers.
Do I need experience? No. Game jams are designed for beginners.
Who can come? Anyone aged 13–18.
Is it safe? Yes. Haven follows Hack Club’s code of conduct and safeguarding policy, which apply to everyone at the event.
Who do I contact with questions? Email west-midlands@haven.hackclub.com. All contact for this event goes through that address.
Get Involved
Want to volunteer, mentor or sponsor Haven West Midlands? Email west-midlands@haven.hackclub.com.
We’ve Done This Before
Haven is new to the West Midlands, but running a teen game jam isn’t. On Saturday 28th February 2026 we hosted Campfire Birmingham, our first hackathon and a Hack Club satellite event, at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy.
Everyone built a game from scratch around the theme “beneath the surface”, with food and swag provided by our sponsors. Haven West Midlands builds on that, and you can see the games and photos on our Campfire page.
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Refract is entirely youth-led. Your donation helps us deliver programmes, events and resources that empower young people through technology and education.
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