Scratch for kids: parent guide
Scratch is one of the safest first steps into coding because it removes typing syntax and lets children focus on logic, sequencing, experimentation, and creativity.
What is Scratch?
A beginner-friendly visual coding platform where children create games, animations, and interactive stories with coding blocks.
Best for
First coding projects, animations, stories, and simple games
Parent verdict
Best free starting point for children who need playful coding before syntax.
Pricing
Free
Best age fit
Best for ages 8-12 as a first coding tool. Younger children can use it with adult support; older children can use it as a project sandbox before moving to Python or JavaScript.
Parent guide
Ask your child to build one small project at a time: a moving character, a quiz, a story, then a simple game. Focus on what they are trying to create, not whether the code is perfect.
Safety note
Use parent supervision around public community features and remixing projects.
Pros
- Excellent first coding experience for visual learners.
- Encourages creativity through games, stories, and animations.
- Large library of examples and community projects.
- Free to use.
Cons
- Children may eventually need a more structured path into text-based coding.
- The community features should still be supervised for younger users.
Alternatives
- Code.org
- Tynker
- Python
Recommended next step
After Scratch, compare it with Tynker or introduce Python basics when your child is ready for text-based coding.