How to Get Started with Scratch: A Parent's Setup Guide

What is Scratch, and who is it for?

Scratch lets kids build games, animations and stories by snapping together colorful code blocks. There is no typing of code and no spelling errors to fix. Kids see their ideas come to life right away.

The Scratch team says it is mainly designed for ages 8 to 16. Younger kids can use it with a parent nearby. For ages 5 to 7, the free ScratchJr app is a gentler starting point on tablets.

Step 1: Try Scratch without an account

You don't need to sign up just to explore. This is a good way to see if your child enjoys it.

1. Open a browser such as Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox on a laptop or desktop.
2. Go to scratch.mit.edu.
3. Click Create at the top of the page. The editor opens with the orange cat sprite ready to go.
4. Drag a few blocks into the coding area and click the green flag to run them.

Without an account, work is not saved online. To keep a project, use the File menu to save it to your computer.

Step 2: Create a free account

An account lets projects save to the cloud, so your child can open them from any computer. It also allows sharing projects in the Scratch community, if you choose.

1. On scratch.mit.edu, click Join Scratch at the top.
2. Pick a username. Avoid real names, school names or anything that reveals location.
3. Create a password and fill in the requested details, such as country and birth month and year.
4. If your child is under 16, enter a parent's or guardian's email address. Scratch sends a link to that email to confirm the account.
5. Open your email and click the confirmation link.

Step 3: Make a first project together

A small win early on builds confidence. Try this five-minute starter:

1. Click Create to open the editor.
2. From the yellow Events section, drag out the block that starts with "when green flag clicked."
3. From the blue Motion section, snap a "move 10 steps" block underneath it.
4. From the purple Looks section, add a "say Hello!" block.
5. Click the green flag above the stage. The cat moves and speaks.
6. Give the project a name in the title box at the top, then save it.

Next, let your child change the numbers, add sounds or pick a new sprite. Mistakes are part of the fun.

The Tutorials button in the editor has short guided videos. They are a great next step for independent learners.

Step 4: Install the Scratch app (optional)

The free Scratch app works offline. It's handy for car trips, spotty Wi-Fi or kids you'd rather keep away from the online community.

Get the app from the official Scratch download page. Projects made in the app save to your device, not to your Scratch account. Your child can upload them later from the online editor's File menu.

Tips to keep your child going

• Use a mouse. Dragging blocks is much easier with a mouse than a trackpad, especially for younger kids.
• Remix projects. Kids can open a shared project, click "See inside" and change it. It's a great way to learn how things work.
• Set small goals. "Make the cat jump when you press space" is better than "make a game."
• Ask them to teach you. Explaining their code helps kids understand it better.

Some kids thrive on their own, while others do better with a guide. A live class gives them a teacher to get unstuck and classmates to share projects with. Our guide on how to choose coding and tech classes for kids can help you decide.

What to watch for

Scratch is moderated by the MIT Scratch Team and uses a filter to block bad language. Members can report anything that breaks the community guidelines. Still, it is a public online space.

Frequently asked questions