Creative coding platform
Scratch
The best-known starting place for children to code stories, animations, and games.
Best for
Ages 8+ · Beginner
Cost
Free
Devices
Web Browser · Windows · macOS · Android · ChromeOS
The parent decision
Is this the right next step?
No coding experience needed
What children build
Skills that travel beyond the screen
Sequencing and loops
Events and variables
Story design
Debugging and sharing
First project
Start small enough to finish
Animate two characters having a short conversation, then add a clickable choice.
Parent setup
Create a child-safe account with a parent-managed email, or start creating without publishing.
Safety & privacy
Public projects and comments need supervision. Keep personal details out of usernames, profiles, and creations.
Where it can lead
The next rung on the ladder
Try larger Scratch games, physical computing, Python, Roblox Studio, or Unity.
Keep exploring