Intro to Scratch
About this free Intro to Scratch course
Intro to Scratch is a free coding course for kids that teaches programming through Scratch, MIT's block-based visual language. Instead of typing code, students snap together colorful blocks to make characters move, talk, play music, and react to the keyboard and mouse.
Perfect for beginners, the course has students designing their own games and animations from scratch: interactive stories, animated characters, mini-games, and real coding challenges. Step-by-step guidance teaches sequencing, loops, conditionals, and variables in an easy-to-understand way, with plenty of room for imagination. Along the way, students build problem-solving skills and digital confidence that carry straight over to text-based languages like Python.
Who this course is for
The course is made for elementary and early middle school students, roughly grades 2 through 6, with no coding experience. Older beginners are welcome too. All you need is a web browser and a free account at scratch.mit.edu (you can also try Scratch without an account). A parent or teacher can help younger students get set up.
Course outline
- Getting started. What Scratch is, touring the editor, and creating a Scratch profile page.
- Moving and controlling sprites. Using motion and event blocks to move characters with the keyboard.
- Adding effects. Changing costumes, colors, size, and sounds to bring projects to life.
- Building a clicker game. Using variables to keep score and events to respond to clicks.
- Obstacles and game logic. Adding and controlling obstacles with loops and if-then conditionals.
- Music and a Flappy Bird game. Composing tunes with the music blocks, then building a Flappy Bird-style game.
- Your own project. Combining everything to design an original story, animation, or game.
What you'll learn
- Create interactive stories, animations, and games in Scratch
- Use events, loops, and conditionals to control sprites
- Keep score and track game state with variables
- Debug a project by testing it and fixing what doesn't work
- Share finished projects with friends and family online
How long it takes
The video lessons add up to about 30 minutes, but students spend most of their time building. Plan on roughly 8 hours in total, or about an hour per lesson, including time to experiment and customize each project.
Frequently asked questions about Intro to Scratch
Is Intro to Scratch really free?
Yes. Intro to Scratch is completely free, with no fees, subscriptions, or account required. STEM for Others is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and every course in our curriculum library is free for students, families, and teachers.
What age is Scratch best for?
Scratch is designed for ages 8 to 16, and this course is pitched at grades 2 through 6. Younger students may need help reading the instructions, and older beginners can move through it quickly before stepping up to Intro to Python.
Do I need to install anything?
No. Scratch runs in your web browser at scratch.mit.edu. There's also a free offline Scratch app if your internet connection is limited.
How do I start the course?
Click Begin Course at the top of this page to open the full slide deck, and use the companion video lessons on the STEM for Others YouTube channel when you want a walkthrough. Work through one unit at a time and try the practice questions before moving on.
Do I get a certificate?
The self-paced Intro to Scratch materials don't include an official certificate. If you're taking the course through a STEM for Others chapter program, ask your chapter leader about recognizing your completion.
Can teachers and clubs use this curriculum?
Yes. Teachers, homeschool families, libraries, and after-school clubs are welcome to use the Intro to Scratch materials with their students at no cost. STEM for Others volunteers also teach our curriculum in partner schools and libraries. You can find a chapter near you or start one at your school.
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