What's the easiest way to get kids playing Minecraft together?

October 12, 2019 11:58 AM

I am a teen librarian and there is interest in having a Minecraft Club at the library. The last time we did this (2 years ago) we used laptops running the Java edition. I understand now that the Bedrock version is compatible with more devices and might make it easier for more kids to play.

I have 4 iPads that I can install Minecraft on, plus I think most kids will bring their own tablet. How easy is it to set up a server? Do I need to pay for this or is there a DIY free solution? Can kids with laptops join in? Is there a FAQ somewhere that will walk me through what I need to know?
I've read this thread, which is how I know about Bedrock.

posted by Biblio to Computers & Internet (3 answers total)

I use a Minecraft hosting account from ApexHosting for $6/mo. It requires a tiny bit of time to configure and read documentation on PocketMine but their support is very helpful. I haven’t really figured out a good way to install Addons, and that’s a big part of what my kids like to do with Minecraft. If you keep one of your iPads as the host, you can have the kids play on worlds hosted by that device and that gives them the flexibility to make addons with Tynker and install them from other iPad apps, as well as custom skins.
posted by annathea at 12:09 PM on October 12, 2019

That doesn’t solve the problem of kids with laptops vs kids with devices - if all the laptops run windows 10, you can purchase and install Minecraft for Windows 10 which is Bedrock edition. It might be easier to just use devices if these are teens with their own phones or tablets.
posted by annathea at 12:12 PM on October 12, 2019

The Bedrock Dedicated Server (BDS) runs on Windows or Ubuntu Linux and works well. There's a little bit of setup, but it's not too tough, and is an official solution for a self-hosted Bedrock server. If the kids have their own Bedrock machines (iPads/Windows/Android), it's pretty simple to walk them through attaching to your self-hosted BDS. Nintendo Switches also run Bedrock, but Nintendo doesn't allow them to join arbitrary servers.
posted by eafarris at 5:31 AM on October 14, 2019