Thinkabara

7 lessons Grades 2+

Scratch for Kids

Google Classroom

7 short lessons. In each one you add something to the same game, and at the end you have a real “Catch the Apples” game to share with friends.

Start: Getting started: sprite, stage and green flag →

All lessons

  1. 🚩 1. Getting started: sprite, stage and green flagOpen a project and make the cat move and talk
  2. 🔁 2. Loops: doing things again“repeat” and “forever” — the cat bounces between the walls
  3. ⌨️ 3. Keyboard controlsMove a sprite with the arrow keys
  4. 🎵 4. Costumes, backdrops and soundsSimple animation, a stage backdrop and a sound for each action
  5. 🍎 5. Conditions: “if… then”The apple falls, and if it touches the basket, something happens
  6. 🔢 6. Variables: score and timeCount apples, and a 30-second timer
  7. 🏆 7. A complete game, and sharing itFinish up, add a level and share with friends

✏️ Practice: Open the Scratch editor (free, in the browser) ↗

About this course

Scratch is a free coding language from MIT where you snap blocks together like LEGO. It runs in the browser at scratch.mit.edu — no installing. You can create without an account; to save online, a parent can help make a free account (kids under 13 need a parent’s email).

The course fits kids from about 2nd grade. Younger kids do it with a parent. Each lesson takes 10–15 minutes of building.

Questions & answers

Does Scratch cost money?
No. Scratch is completely free, made by the MIT Media Lab and the Scratch Foundation.
Do we need an account?
Not to start. Without an account you can save the project to the computer (File > Save to your computer). An account lets you save online and share.
What age is Scratch for?
Scratch is designed for ages 8–16, and ScratchJr (a tablet app) for ages 5–7. Younger kids do great with a parent next to them.
What comes after Scratch?
Kids who enjoy Scratch often move on to Python. See our Python for teens course.

Related

Python for teensInternet safetyTouch typing