Sidney K. Meier was born in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. His father was of Dutch origin, and his mother was Swiss. This international background may have sparked an early interest in different cultures and history.

Meier spent his childhood in Michigan, USA. Details on his exact upbringing are scarce, but it is known that he developed a keen interest in board games, model trains, and early computer technology.

Meier's early exposure to computers during this period was pivotal. He learned programming, possibly through school or self-study, which laid the foundation for his future career in game development.

Meier graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in computer science. This formal training equipped him with the technical skills necessary to pursue his passion for combining computing with entertainment.