Scratch
Free block-based coding studio from the Scratch Foundation, originally built at the MIT Media Lab, where kids snap blocks together to make games, animations and stories and share them with a moderated community.
What is Scratch?
Scratch is a free coding tool where kids snap colored blocks together to make characters move, talk and react. It was built at the MIT Media Lab by Professor Mitchel Resnick's team and launched in 2007. Since 2019 it has been run by the Scratch Foundation, an independent nonprofit.
The foundation says more than 200 million kids have created on Scratch and that young users have shared over a billion projects. It is free for everyone, with no ads.
How it works
Kids open the editor in a browser, choose a sprite, and drag blocks into a script. Blocks fit together only in ways that make sense, so there is no tricky syntax to get wrong. They can use built-in characters, sounds and backdrops, or upload and draw their own.
Finished projects can be shared with the online community, where other kids can play, comment and remix them. Built-in tutorials walk beginners through first projects like an animated name or a simple game.
There is no lesson plan or grade book. A typical session is open-ended: a child picks an idea and builds until it works. Parents can help by suggesting a goal, playing the finished game, or pairing Scratch with structured lessons.
What it covers
| Tool | Ages | What kids learn |
|---|---|---|
| ScratchJr | 5–7 | Picture blocks, sequencing, simple stories, no reading needed |
| Scratch | 8–16 | Loops, conditionals, variables, events, messages, cloning |
| Scratch offline app | 8–16 | The same editor without an internet connection |
The offline app runs on Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.13 or later, ChromeOS and Android 6.0 or later. ScratchJr is available on iPad, Android and Amazon tablets.
Who it's best for
Scratch suits curious kids who like to make things, and families who want to try coding for free. It is also the tool many live classes use, so kids who take a class can keep building at home.
Kids who want step-by-step levels may stall without a plan. Teens ready for text code will want Python or JavaScript next.
Pricing at a glance
Scratch is free, and so is ScratchJr. The nonprofit is funded by donations.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
There is nothing to pay for. If you want a teacher, some ESA and scholarship programs may cover a paid Scratch class from another provider; each program decides. Browse our scholarships hub, save classes you like to your wishlist, and apply once on Edulist.
How it compares
Code.org is also free and adds structured, step-by-step lessons. Tynker builds on the same block style with paid courses and a parent dashboard. Create & Learn teaches Scratch in live small-group classes. For ages 3–7, codeSpark and Kodable are more guided. See all coding programs for kids and elementary coding.
Who Scratch is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Kids ages 8–16 who like making games, animations and stories
- Families who want a free, ad-free coding tool
- Kids taking a Scratch class who want to keep building at home
Look elsewhere if
- Children who need a step-by-step course with levels and grades
- Teens ready to type code in Python or JavaScript
- Families who do not want any online community features (use the offline app instead)
Scratch pros and cons
Pros
- Completely free with no ads or in-app purchases
- Huge library of shared projects to study and remix
- Runs in a browser, plus an offline app
- ScratchJr extends it down to ages 5–7
- Used by many schools and coding classes, so skills transfer
Cons
- No built-in course sequence or progress tracking for parents
- Online community means kids see other users' projects and comments
- Older kids eventually need a text language
- Offline app requirements vary by device
What’s included
- Free drag-and-drop block coding in the browser
- Built-in sprites, sounds and backdrops, or upload and draw your own
- Moderated online community for sharing and remixing projects
- Offline Scratch app for Windows, macOS, ChromeOS and Android
- ScratchJr app for ages 5–7 on iPad, Android and Amazon tablets
- Step-by-step tutorials built into the editor
How much does Scratch cost?
Scratch is free for everyone. The Scratch Foundation, an independent nonprofit, maintains it with support from donors. ScratchJr is also free on iPad, Android and Amazon tablets.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | One-time | Free |
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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Scratch FAQs
Is Scratch coding free?
Yes. The Scratch Foundation says Scratch is free for everyone, supported by donors. There are no ads, subscriptions or in-app purchases, and ScratchJr is free too.
What age is Scratch for?
Scratch's parent FAQ says it is designed especially for ages 8 to 16, though people of all ages use it. For ages 5 to 7, ScratchJr is a simpler tablet app with picture blocks.
Is Scratch safe for kids?
Scratch has a moderated community and community guidelines, and the foundation says moderators help keep it safe and welcoming. Kids can still see and comment on other users' projects, so younger children do best with a parent nearby or with the offline app.
Can you use Scratch offline?
Yes. The Scratch app can be downloaded for Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.13 or later, ChromeOS and Android 6.0 or later. Projects made offline can be uploaded to the online community later.
Who makes Scratch?
Scratch was created at the MIT Media Lab by Professor Mitchel Resnick's group and launched in 2007. In 2019 it moved to the Scratch Foundation, an independent nonprofit that develops and maintains it.
Does Scratch teach real coding?
Yes. Scratch teaches the same ideas used in text languages, such as loops, conditionals, variables, events and broadcasting messages. Kids who want to go further usually move to Python or JavaScript next.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: