ScratchJr

Scratch Foundation

About this app

ScratchJr is an introductory programming language that enables young children (ages 5 and up) to create their own interactive stories and games. Children snap together graphical programming blocks to make characters move, jump, dance, and sing. Children can modify characters in the paint editor, add their own voices and sounds, even insert photos of themselves -- then use the programming blocks to make their characters come to life.

ScratchJr was inspired by the popular Scratch programming language (http://scratch.mit.edu), used by millions of young people (ages 8 and up) around the world. In creating ScratchJr, we redesigned the interface and programming language to make them developmentally appropriate for younger children, carefully designing features to match young children's cognitive, personal, social, and emotional development.

We see coding (or computer programming) as a new type of literacy. Just as writing helps you organize your thinking and express your ideas, the same is true for coding. In the past, coding was seen as too difficult for most people. But we think coding should be for everyone, just like writing.

As young children code with ScratchJr, they learn how to create and express themselves with the computer, not just to interact with it. In the process, children learn to solve problems and design projects, and they develop sequencing skills that are foundational for later academic success. They also use math and language in a meaningful and motivating context, supporting the development of early-childhood numeracy and literacy. With ScratchJr, children aren't just learning to code, they are coding to learn.

ScratchJr is a collaboration between the Developmental Technologies group at Tufts University, the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab, and the Playful Invention Company. Two Sigma led the implementation of the Android version of ScratchJr. The graphics and illustrations for ScratchJr were created by HvingtQuatre Company and Sarah Thomson.

If you enjoy using this free app, please consider making a donation to the Scratch Foundation (http://www.scratchfoundation.org), a nonprofit organization that provides ongoing support for ScratchJr. We appreciate donations of all sizes, large and small.

This version of ScratchJr works only on tablets that are 7-inches or larger, and running Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) or higher.

Terms of Use: http://www.scratchjr.org/eula.html

Ratings and reviews

My daughter loves this app. Unfortunately, she spent time making a series of videos for a class project that are unusable. The only 'export' options is to share via email and the file sent is a .sjr file that's specific to scratch and not recognizable by literally anything. There's also zero way to access this work via desktop. And if you go into the app via another device (like a parent's phone) there's no way to log into an acct to recover these projects. Super disappointed.

I like this game! My daughter first started playing this at school, and she has loved it ever since! It is great and very easy to use. There are many blocks, characters,backgrounds etc. The only thing that could be improved, is the parental controls. They use very simple maths like 50+1. But apart from that, it's great and if you're thinking of downloading, definitely do so! Props to the creator(s)!

good but not option's are available.ScratchJr is a fantastic app designed to introduce young children (ages 5-7) to programming concepts through creative animation and storytelling. It offers a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop coding blocks, making it easy for kids to create their own interactive stories, games, and animations. The app encourages creativity, problem-solving, and logical thinking in a playful environment. However, it may have limitations for older or more experienced us