Coding
ScratchJr
Picture-based programming blocks for making characters move and telling interactive stories.
ScratchJr lets younger children build a small interactive story without typing code. Picture blocks tell a character to move, jump, dance or sing, and strung together they become an animation or a simple game. The child decides what happens instead of working toward a preset answer. One character doing two things in order makes a manageable first project.
- Ages
- 5–7 years
- Works on
- App
- Format
- Open-ended
- Topics
- Coding, Creative play
- Languages
- English
Rated 3.9 from 1.9K ratings on the US Apple App Store (checked 2026-10-10).
What kids do
- Snap picture blocks into a sequence
- Make a character move, jump or sing
- Create a short animation
- Tell an interactive story
Who it suits
The Foundation behind it describes ScratchJr for ages 5–7, and its icon-based blocks are meant for children who aren’t reading yet.
Notes for parents
The app interface and a first project can take a little adult help. Acting out the planned sequence, then comparing it with the blocks, is one way to talk through a story that didn’t behave as intended. Projects are made in the app; the website is informational and has no browser editor.
What you need
- The ScratchJr app on a supported device
In these guides
- Coding for kids, from picture blocks to typed Python: Where kids can start coding at 4, 7 or 11: picture-block apps, Scratch, typed Python and robots, in the order many children come across them.
More Coding
- Code.org / CodeAI: Guided coding activities alongside open tools for making games, animations, apps and web pages.
- Scratch: Interactive stories, animations and games built by snapping visual coding blocks together.
- Kodable Basics: Maze-style coding challenges that begin with sequences and patterns.
- codeSpark: Coding for Kids: Coding puzzles that don’t rely on reading, leading into tools for making stories and games.
- Tynker: Coding for Kids: Guided coding puzzles, game-making and Minecraft-related projects.
- Hopscotch: Programming for Kids: Tutorials and open creation tools for building games and other interactive projects.
- Tynker Junior: Coding for Kids: Picture commands, voiceovers and themed adventures that introduce sequencing, loops and conditions.
- Sphero Edu: Program a physical Sphero robot by drawing paths, arranging blocks or writing text code.