What Scratch is and why it works for beginners

Scratch is a free visual programming language where you build games by snapping together colored blocks instead of typing code. You don't need to install anything — you work in your web browser at scratch.mit.edu. Each block represents an instruction: move the character, check if it touched something, play a sound, change the score. You drag blocks together like puzzle pieces, and the game runs immediately so you see what happens.

Scratch works for beginners because you can't write broken syntax. If a block doesn't fit with another block, it won't snap together. You learn programming logic — if this happens, then do that — without fighting error messages. Most people build their first playable game in an afternoon.

The Scratch community shares projects publicly, so you can open any game, see exactly how it was built, and remix it into something new. You learn by reading other people's blocks.

Key Takeaways

  • Create a free account at scratch.mit.edu, then start a new project and choose a backdrop and sprite (the character you control).
  • Use the Scripts tab to snap together blocks that make your sprite move, respond to keyboard presses, and detect collisions with other objects.
  • Test your game constantly by clicking the green flag — this runs your code and shows you what breaks before you build further.
  • Start with a simple goal like "move a character left and right, collect objects, and end the game when you hit an enemy".
  • Explore the Scratch community to see how other creators solved problems you're facing, then adapt their approach to your game.

Setting up your first project

Go to scratch.mit.edu and click "Create" in the top left. You'll land in the editor with a blank white stage on the right, a sprite (a cat) in the middle, and the block palette on the left. The cat is your starting character — you can keep it or replace it.

First, choose a backdrop. Click the stage thumbnail at the bottom left (it says "Stage"), then click the backdrop icon. Pick a background or upload your own image. This is where your game happens. Next, add or change your sprite. Click the sprite icon next to the stage, search for a character you like, and click it. Now you have a character and a world.

Before you write any code, test that everything loaded. Click the green flag above the stage. The game should start (nothing happens yet, but no errors appear). Click the red stop button to pause. You're ready to code.

Making your character move with keyboard controls

Click on your sprite to select it, then click the Scripts tab. You'll see the block palette on the left organized by color: Motion (blue), Looks (purple), Sound (pink), Events (orange), Control (yellow), Sensing (light blue), Operators (green), Variables (red). You build scripts by dragging blocks from the palette into the white space on the right.

Start with movement. Drag an orange "When green flag clicked" block into the scripts area — this block runs when someone clicks the green flag to start your game. Below it, snap a yellow "Forever" block (it loops forever). Inside the Forever block, snap a Control block called "If then" (also yellow). This structure means: when the game starts, forever check if something is true, and if it is, do something.

Inside the "If then" block, add a light blue "Key pressed" block and set it to "right arrow". Then snap a blue "Change x by 10" block below it. This means: if the right arrow is pressed, move the sprite 10 pixels to the right. Duplicate this whole "If then" block three more times and change them to left arrow (change x by -10), up arrow (change y by 10), and down arrow (change y by -10). Now click the green flag and press arrow keys — your character moves.

Detecting collisions and keeping score

Collision detection is how your game knows when your character touched something. Create a second sprite to collect or avoid. Click the sprite icon, add a new sprite (maybe a star or apple), and place it somewhere on the stage. This is your collectible object.

Click back on your main character sprite. In the Forever loop, add another "If then" block. Inside it, snap a light blue "Touching color" block and change it to "Touching [your collectible sprite]". Below that, snap a red "Set variable" block called "score" and set it to "score + 1". If you haven't created a score variable yet, click "Make a Variable" in the red Variables section, name it "score", and set it to 0 when the green flag clicks.

Now add a consequence: when your character touches the collectible, move it to a random spot so the player can collect it again. Snap a blue "Go to random position" block below the score increase. Click the green flag, move your character to the collectible, and watch the score go up.

Adding an enemy and an end condition

Create a third sprite — this is your enemy. Add it to the stage and give it simple movement. Click on the enemy sprite, add a Forever loop with a blue "Move 5 steps" block, and add a blue "If on edge, bounce" block so it bounces around the stage.

Now add a lose condition. Click back on your main character. In the Forever loop, add another "If then" block. Inside it, put a light blue "Touching [enemy sprite]" block. Below that, snap an orange "Stop all" block. This means: if you touch the enemy, the game stops. Click the green flag, let the enemy chase you, and when it touches you, the game ends.

To make it clearer that you lost, add a Looks block before "Stop all". Snap a purple "Say hello for 2 seconds" block and type "Game Over!" so the player sees that message when they lose.

Testing and improving your game

Click the green flag after every change you make. Does the character move smoothly? Does the collectible appear in a new spot? Does the enemy move? Does the game stop when you lose? Each test catches problems early.

Common fixes: if your character moves too fast, lower the number in "Change x by 10" to "Change x by 5". If the enemy is too hard to avoid, lower its speed. If the collectible doesn't appear, check that the sprite name in your "Touching" block matches the actual sprite name.

Once the core game works, add polish. Add sound effects: snap a pink "Play sound" block when you collect something or lose. Change the sprite's costume when it moves in different directions using purple "Switch costume to" blocks. Add a timer using a variable that counts down. Each addition teaches you how blocks work together.

Sharing your game and learning from others

When your game is playable, click "Share" in the top right. This makes your project public so others can play it and see your code. You can also unshare it anytime.

Explore the Scratch community by clicking the Explore link at the top. Find games similar to yours, click "See inside", and read how other creators solved problems. If someone made a timer, look at their Variables blocks. If they made a character jump, look at their Motion blocks. You learn by reading real code.

Remix a project you like: click "Remix" and Scratch makes a copy you can edit. Change the sprites, add new levels, or fix something you think could work better. Credit the original creator in your project notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a multiplayer game in Scratch?

Scratch doesn't have built-in multiplayer, but you can make a turn-based game where two players share one keyboard. Create two sprites, assign one player arrow keys and the other WASD keys, and both play on the same stage. For real-time multiplayer, you'd need to move to a different tool.

How do I make my character jump?

Use a variable called "velocity" that changes when you press the spacebar. When spacebar is pressed, set velocity to a negative number (like -15). In a Forever loop, change y by velocity, then change velocity by 1 (gravity pulling down). When y reaches the ground, set velocity to 0. This creates a jump arc.

What if my game is too easy or too hard?

Adjust numbers: make the enemy slower, make collectibles worth more points, or add more enemies. Change the stage size by clicking the stage and adjusting width and height. Playtest with someone else — they'll find problems you missed because you know where everything is.

Can I use my own drawings as sprites?

Yes. Click the sprite icon, then click "Paint" to draw your own sprite in the editor, or click "Upload" to use an image file from your computer. Keep images simple so they're easy to see at game size.

How do I add levels or make the game harder over time?

Use a variable called "level". When the player collects enough objects, increase the level and make enemies faster or add more enemies. Snap blocks that check "If score > 10, set level to 2" and adjust enemy speed based on the level variable.