All Activities
Introduction to Scratch Coding

Introduction to Scratch Coding
Green highlight

Create an interactive animated story or simple game in Scratch using sprites, blocks, loops, and events to learn basic coding concepts and logic.

Orange shooting star
Download Guide
Collect Badge
Background blob
Challenge Image
Skill Badge
Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to create an interactive animated story or simple game in Scratch

What you need
Adult supervision required, optional paper and colouring materials for planning, scratch account or scratch offline editor

Step 1

Open Scratch and start a new project.

Step 2

Pick a main sprite from the Sprites library to be your story character.

Step 3

Choose a backdrop from the Backdrops library to set the scene.

Step 4

Add at least one more sprite to play with or to be an obstacle.

Step 5

Click the main sprite and add a "when green flag clicked" event block to the scripts area.

Step 6

Attach motion blocks like "move 10 steps" to the event block to make your sprite move.

Step 7

Attach looks blocks like "say Hello for 2 seconds" or "switch costume to" to add dialogue or animation.

Step 8

Put a "repeat" or "forever" control block around actions to make them loop.

Step 9

Add an event block such as "when key pressed" or "when this sprite clicked" to let the player control something.

Step 10

Create a variable called "score" and add a "change score by 1" block for positive actions.

Step 11

Add sound blocks like "play sound" at moments to make the story or game exciting.

Step 12

Press the green flag to test your project and watch how the sprites behave.

Step 13

Fix any problems by changing blocks and test again until it works the way you want.

Step 14

Share your finished Scratch story or game on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
Challenge badge placeholder
Challenge badge

Help!?

What can we use if we can't access Scratch online or the Sprites/Backdrops/Sounds libraries?

Use Scratch Desktop or ScratchJr, or upload your own images and audio to replace items from the Sprites library, Backdrops library, and sound blocks.

Why doesn't my sprite move when I press the green flag and how do I fix it?

Check that the 'when green flag clicked' event block is attached to the 'move 10 steps' motion block in the script area for the correct main sprite, then press the green flag to test again.

How can I adapt this activity for different ages?

For younger kids use ScratchJr or limit to 'Pick a main sprite', 'Choose a backdrop', and a single 'say Hello' looks block, while older kids can add 'when key pressed' controls, 'repeat' or 'forever' loops, and create a 'score' variable with 'change score by 1'.

How can we extend or personalize our Scratch story or game after the basics are working?

Add more sprites as characters or obstacles, switch costumes for animation, import custom sounds and use 'play sound' blocks, implement broadcasts or levels tied to the 'score' variable, and then share the finished project on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to create an interactive animated story or simple game in Scratch

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Scratch Coding Lesson 1 | Intro to Scratch Coding | How to start | Free Beginner Programming Class

4 Videos

Facts about block-based programming for kids

🔁 Loops like "repeat" and "forever" let sprites do things again and again without extra blocks.

🌍 Millions of kids worldwide share Scratch projects — the community supports many languages and remixing.

🧩 Scratch uses colorful blocks that snap together like puzzle pieces, making coding feel like play.

🐱 Scratch's mascot is the Scratch Cat — you'll spot it in lots of starter projects and tutorials!

🎮 You can build games, interactive stories, and animations that respond to clicks, key presses, and timers.

How do I create an interactive animated story or simple game in Scratch?

To create an interactive animated story or simple game in Scratch, start by planning a short story or game idea and sketching sprites and scenes. Open Scratch, add or draw sprites and backdrops, then use event blocks (when green flag clicked, when sprite clicked) to trigger motion, looks, sound and control blocks. Use loops and conditionals for repeated actions and choices, add variables for score or state, test and debug, and finally share or remix the project.

What materials do I need to start Scratch coding with my child?

You'll need a computer or tablet with a web browser (or the free Scratch desktop app), a mouse or trackpad, and an internet connection to access the online community and tutorials. A Scratch account is optional but helpful for saving and sharing projects. Optional materials: headphones for sound, a sketchbook for planning, crayons or a drawing tablet for sprite art, and a printer if you want physical storyboards. Free tutorials and starter projects are on the Scratch website.

What ages is Scratch suitable for?

Scratch is designed for children roughly 8–16 years old, making it ideal for elementary through middle school students. Younger kids (5–7) can try ScratchJr, a simpler app with drag-and-drop coding. Teens and adults new to programming will also find Scratch approachable. Complexity can be scaled: start with basic sprites and events for younger learners, then introduce loops, conditionals and variables as skills grow. Adult supervision helps for younger children.

What are the benefits of introducing my child to Scratch coding?

Learning Scratch builds computational thinking, sequencing, and problem-solving while encouraging storytelling and creativity. Children practice debugging, persistence and logical reasoning as they design sprites, implement loops, and use variables. Scratch also supports collaboration and communication—kids can remix projects and explain their code. These skills transfer to math, science, and future programming languages, and the visual blocks interface reduces syntax barriers so beginners gain
DIY Yeti Character
Join Frame
Flying Text Box

One subscription, many ways to play and learn.

Try for free

Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Discovery Tools

DIY Wiki

DIY TV

Creativity Tools

How to draw

Teacher Tools

SafeTube

DIY Blog

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.